This cell plan is based on the sermon shared on Sunday, March 23rd, 2025 from Pastor Santos Chan.
Opening
Icebreaker: What is a topic you love that you feel you can instantly bond with others over? (e.g. basketball, TV shows)
Worship
How was your bible reading in the last 2 weeks, share something from your readings with the group!
Word
Hebrews 4:14 – 5:10 NIV
Jesus the Great High Priest
14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
5 Every high priest is selected from among the people and is appointed to represent the people in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness. 3 This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people. 4 And no one takes this honor on himself, but he receives it when called by God, just as Aaron was.
5 In the same way, Christ did not take on himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him,
“You are my Son;
today I have become your Father.”
6 And he says in another place,
“You are a priest forever,
in the order of Melchizedek.”
7 During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. 8 Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered 9 and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him 10 and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.
Discussion
Sermon/Teaching Summary
- Jesus understands us and has empathy for us because he was made human and was tempted and suffered in all the same ways we do
- Jesus also approached God in his time of need, and submitted to the calling God prepared him for (Reference: Ephesians 2:10)
- God allows us to go through temptation so that we may approach Him in our weakness
- Rather than praying for God to remove our temptations, God allows us to go through temptations to learn obedience and submission
- Through this, we can understand the nature of our own sin and empathize with others like Jesus, so that we can have compassion upon other people
- We must first self-reflect and pray, and take the stick out of our own eye before helping our neighbours with the specks in their eyes (Reference: Matthew 7)
Main Reflection & Response:
- In which areas of your life do you have trouble approaching God?
- Who are the people in your life you have difficulty feeling compassion for?
- How do you think God sees them and love them?
- How do you think you can pray in a way that reflects Jesus’ ministry?
Additional Questions from the team:
- How does God use your in your weakness?
- How can you boldly (yet humbly) approach God’s throne and receive His mercy?
- When do you most often find yourself judging other people?
Witness
- Grad transition:
- Today: Start praying for our cells, are we ready to welcome grads into the cell? What do we need to do to prepare for the transition.
- 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.
- Easter – the Greatest Gift of Salvation
- The Good Friday event this year will be held on April 18th 3-5pm.
- More details to come via Sunday announcements
- The Good Friday event this year will be held on April 18th 3-5pm.
- Prayer and Outreach
- New Outreach Chat to invite others along when you are looking to do something with friends
- Establish prayer partners