This plan is designed to have a Facilitator guide the study and a Facilitation Assistant support the study. If your group does not have an assistant, assign one for today.
Welcome
Facilitator: As this is your first cell, spend some time getting to know everyone in your group. Ask everyone to share their name, hobby, goals for the year. Feel free to change up the question here to dive into different areas of people’s lives (work, family)
The goal is to spark conversation and not just a Q&A, as people share, engage with their answers by asking follow up questions to explore a bit more, if you know there may be connections to someone else in the cell, try to bring them into a conversation. Try to spend a bit longer here as this is your first cell
Worship
Assistant: Please pray for the group to begin the study
Word
Passage
On the first day of the third month after the Israelites left Egypt—on that very day—they came to the Desert of Sinai. 2 After they set out from Rephidim, they entered the Desert of Sinai, and Israel camped there in the desert in front of the mountain.
3 Then Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain and said, “This is what you are to say to the descendants of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: 4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, 6 you[a] will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.”
7 So Moses went back and summoned the elders of the people and set before them all the words the Lord had commanded him to speak. 8 The people all responded together, “We will do everything the Lord has said.” So Moses brought their answer back to the Lord.
9 The Lord said to Moses, “I am going to come to you in a dense cloud, so that the people will hear me speaking with you and will always put their trust in you.” Then Moses told the Lord what the people had said.
Exodus 19:1-9
Context and Sermon
Facilitator, read through the below and provide context of the passage and sermon ahead of the discussion.
- The Israelites were slaves 3 months ago
- God provided for them through his power
- God rescued them through the 10 Plagues
- Parted the red sea to allow them to cross
- Provided manna and quail for food
- Provided water from the rock to drink
- God provided leaders that showed his power
- Through witnessing God’s power and provision, we go from doubt to peace, allowing us to dwell in his peace.
- We are influenced by and we influence the community around us
Discussion
Facilitator: The discussion today will focus on our own journey and reflecting how we have experienced God and community and how we look forward to experiencing God and community. Specifically we want to dive in and reflect on the words that God spoke through Moses. We will read through the section again together twice. As we read, let’s slow down to reflect how these words apply in our own lives.
Facilitator: Ask the 2 other people (not assistant) to read the following (Verse 3-6)
This is what you are to say to the descendants of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: 4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, 6 you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.
Facilitator: Ask the following questions, again, the goal is to facilitate conversation, not a Q&A, this section doesn’t have to have everyone share their personal thoughts but try to get everyone in the conversation.
- What God Did: Have you seen what God did in your own lives, if so, what?
- On Eagles’ wings: Pastor Fanco shared in his sermon that soaring on eagle’s wings require us to hold on tight. Share a time when you had to hold on tight to God and rely on God for your worries.
- A Kingdom of Priests: What does being a priest mean to you?
- How are we as a community practicing this priesthood together?
As we launch these new cells, we want to hear what you are looking for in these groups and how you are planning on supporting others in the group. Try to get everyone to share, we will continue this exercise for the next few cells to capture all responses for those that couldn’t make it.
- Facilitation Assistant: Document responses
Witness
- Facilitation Assistant: Collect phone numbers of everyone in your cell and start a WhatsApp group for future communications
- Facilitator: ask if there is anyone who is willing to lead the cell in musical worship occasionally, note it down for the future. (Avoid making them the de facto worship person in your cell every meeting)
- Facilitation Assistant: Go through the list of members in your cell, who couldn’t make it today? Have at least 1 person reach out to each of them.
- Facilitator: Discuss meeting time and location for your group going forward, confirm next meeting June 10 – June 23. Facilitation assistant, please note it down and document.
- Break off into 3s, share personal prayer requests and pray for each other