This plan is designed to have a Nurturer guide the study, feel free to have other cell members support any of the sections as part of nurturing. All instructions are identified for Nurturer. A separate document (cell content) is meant to be shared.
This cell plan is based on the sermon shared on Sunday, April 20th, 2025, by Rev. Ted.
Prepare Ahead
- Read Cell Vision Statement
- Meditate on Hebrews 8:1-13
- Pray and discern next steps for your cell for outreach / prayer partners / grad transition
- Link to sharable version for members: Cell Content
Opening
Nurturer: If there are new members today joining for the first time ask everyone to share something about themselves.
- Note: Has it been a while since your cell has reviewed the cell vision statement? Review it together at: Cell Based Ministry
Icebreaker: What did you do during the Easter weekend?
Worship
In addition to the regular musical/prayer/reading worship section, we will be incorporating a bible reading section
Ask: How was your bible reading in the last 2 weeks, share something from your readings with the group!
Note: If sharing is scarce and always the same people, can start a rotation schedule
Go into musical worship if someone is scheduled. Continue to ask if members of the cell are willing to lead this portion in the future.
Please pray for the group to begin the study.
Nurture: For those who would like to allot this portion of the night to something else feel free to use the prayer exercise:
- Prayer Exercise
- Lectio divina
Word
Hebrews 8:1-13 NIV
Now the main point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, 2 and who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by a mere human being.
3 Every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices, and so it was necessary for this one also to have something to offer. 4 If he were on earth, he would not be a priest, for there are already priests who offer the gifts prescribed by the law. 5 They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: “See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.” 6 But in fact the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, since the new covenant is established on better promises.
7 For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another. 8 But God found fault with the people and said:
“The days are coming, declares the Lord,
when I will make a new covenant
with the people of Israel
and with the people of Judah.
9 It will not be like the covenant
I made with their ancestors
when I took them by the hand
to lead them out of Egypt,
because they did not remain faithful to my covenant,
and I turned away from them,
declares the Lord.
10 This is the covenant I will establish with the people of Israel
after that time, declares the Lord.
I will put my laws in their minds
and write them on their hearts.
I will be their God,
and they will be my people.
11 No longer will they teach their neighbor,
or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’
because they will all know me,
from the least of them to the greatest.
12 For I will forgive their wickedness
and will remember their sins no more.”
13 By calling this covenant “new,” he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear.
Discussion
Nurturer:
- Review the sermon with the group and ask if there’s anything that stood out, then go through the discussion questions.
- Review and decide which questions to ask for your cell, the goal is to facilitate conversation, not a Q&A
- General guide to good facilitation is to speak less than cell members
- Invite others to join in and response if they have shared similar experiences or thoughts
- Try to avoid from going around in a circle, as the nurturer, ask follow-up questions and avoid giving advice.
- This section doesn’t have to have everyone share their personal thoughts but try to get everyone in the conversation.
- In order to allow for deeper discussion, consider breaking the group up into smaller groups to allow more space for sharing.
Sermon/Teaching Summary
- Shadows to Reality – Jesus’ PRESENCE
- OT practices were shadows of the real thing yet to come (Jesus).
- Whether the priest or the prophet, the tabernacle or the temple, it was all intended to prepare the way for the Lord and ministry.
- All of creation reflects the glory of God.
- Creation reminds us of Jesus’ ever-present presences and works in our lives.
- From the time of Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension, His presence has never left us.
- Do you see Him?
- Do you see Him?
- OT practices were shadows of the real thing yet to come (Jesus).
- Outside to Inside – Jesus’ POWER
- The old covenant addressed the actions and behaviors of God’s people but could not change their hearts.
- In the new covenant, God promises to transform His people’s hearts so that there is an internal drive towards love and obedience.
- From laws and commandments to love and passion, for the Lord.
- Through Jesus not only are peoples interaction with God transformed, but the way they relate to Him is also transformed.
- People no longer solely rely on God’s word and God’s leaders for guidance through life. People now rely on God Himself (Jesus), and turn to His word and the church as a means of experiencing Him.
- True transformation comes as a result of the inner workings and power of God’s spirit (Holy Spirit).
- Are you accessing His power, or living by your own flesh?
- Are you accessing His power, or living by your own flesh?
- The old covenant addressed the actions and behaviors of God’s people but could not change their hearts.
- Forgiveness to Newness – Jesus’ PRIORITY
- In the OT people sought forgiveness through the guidelines laid out in law, which was practiced daily.
- Through the gospel of Jesus, people are forgiven of their sins once and for all (past, present, future).
- During the old covenant people sought rules and rituals.
- In new covenant people seek God (Jesus).
- Through Jesus and Jesus alone can we be saved!
- Through Jesus all is forgiven, lives are made new, and we experience new life under a new covenant of grace!
- In the OT people sought forgiveness through the guidelines laid out in law, which was practiced daily.
Main Reflection & Response:
- How have you witnessed Jesus’ presence in your life and how has that transformed your relationship with him?
- Does Jesus bring you hope? What are you currently hoping for in Jesus’ name?
- Share a time you’ve felt God’s forgiveness.
Additional Questions from the team:
Note: The additional question may feel very personal and are recommended smaller groups, but are not required to be ask.
- Are you currently experience Jesus’ presences?
- Is there something you’re currently seeking forgiveness from?
Witness
- Grad transition:
- Every year, some of our post-secondary students will graduate and be ready to transition into adult zone. As part of the transition, the intention is to have each cell pray and invite grads into their cells (as individuals, not as a group)
- Timeline:
- June – Confirmed list of graduates
- June – August: Adult Zone outreach period, pray over and invite graduates to cell and out of cell activities
- September: Official transition
- When June comes, the graduate coordinator will have more details to help each cell support the graduates.
- Today: S June is approaching, pray for our grads as they prepare for the transition post graduation.
- Update: The cell schedule has been updated to include more outreach weeks in the summer to accommodate for this transition and summer schedules. Look to plan ahead for these weeks!
- Bible Reading:
- This year, we will be going through a 2 year bible reading plan together. Access to plan at gcgcny.link/readbible. Use this to share regularly in your cell about what you’re hearing from God.
- The Good Friday event this year will be held on April 18th 3-5pm.
- More details to come via Sunday announcements
- Prayer and Outreach
- As discussed in our last meeting, we will be shifting outreach to be a zone wide initiative to encourage similar life stage members to partner together to witness to their friends, with cell being a place for them to join once they are ready to be a part of the community, as part of this shift:
- New Outreach Chat to invite others along when you are looking to do something with friends
- Establish prayer partners
- Suggestion: Monthly same gender rotations to encourage biweekly checkins to strengthen relationships.
- Note that the above is a suggestion and may not be the best approach based on the make up of your cell, pray and discern how best to approach this for the benefit of your cell
- As discussed in our last meeting, we will be shifting outreach to be a zone wide initiative to encourage similar life stage members to partner together to witness to their friends, with cell being a place for them to join once they are ready to be a part of the community, as part of this shift: