Cuenca del Guadalqui vir

unity. We are the richer together when we receive one another and the diversity that brings.

2. We are one body, one family and one church

• We should first be disciple in our own families

• And then we can move out into homogeneous cells

• The G-12 cell vision is all about building families up – not splitting them up! But we must also understand the power of homogeneous groups

3. The dynamic of homogeneous groups

• The gospel (evangelism and discipleship) travels fastest along these kinship or homogeneous lines

• In like-minded people groups, homogeneous groups allow people to learn and grow in the company of like-minded people who have the same needs, face the same challenges and share the same interests, identity and language.

• In the youth ministry, young people have special interests that enable them to identify with one another. Their music, their style and their mind set all relate to their time of life. We can best address their questions, pressures, and temptations in the context of youth ministry.

• In women’s ministry, women recognize the special dynamic that operates when they come together to minister to each other.

• In men’s ministry, men open up better in the company in the other men. And we need to mister to the men as men who share the same needs, desires and pressures.

• In Open Cell Groups, everyone is welcome. All members of the family can meet together or

separate based on the emphasis ministry. Many men and women meet separately; some couples come together for family edification. It is based on the needs of the individuals and their edification, which is turn, builds the family.

• In G12 Leadership Cells, as leaders are developed and sent, they will meet with their leaders along homogeneous lines.

4. Discipleship is about role models and teaching by example

• Only so much can be achieved by cross gender role models. How can a man model to a women how to be a godly wife? An dhow can a women demonstrate to a man how to be a Bible pattern husband?

• The principle is ‘like disciples like’. When you disciples others, you can reproduce yourself.

Jesus’ 12 disciples where male, although He had many women followers. In fact, they were often the most faithful, loyal and supportive. Women backed His ministry in practical provision. He elevated them and gave them a very high place in His ministry, teaching and mission. But His close disciples (His 12) were men. Even when you take the culture of the day into account (theirs was a patriarchal society in which men and women were separated in most public gatherings) you can still see how this sensibly applies today.

• Paul gave the older women a clear directive to teach the younger women and to disciple them

“…the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanders, not given too much wine, teachers of good things—⁴ that they admonish the young women to love their

husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed” (Titus 2:3-5)

5. The result is better families and a stronger church

• As each person is mentored and disciple in a homogeneous group we see them taking their place as disciples in their families and in the wider church body. They become better husbands, wives, fathers, mothers or children.

• And, remember, the celebration and church services include everybody. The church is a family and the family must come together.

6. Three practical points

• This can and does work. It is a central thrust of the ICM G-12 Ministry in Bogota. And the fruit speaks for itself. They have over 80,000 in their youth cells alone.

• During our time of transition into cells, we have found that it is important to start where you are.

Churches should introduce whatever homogeneous cell structure they can – men’s, women’s, youth or couples. And they should let the others develop over time. Some may already have mixed cells. These should continue until leaders are raised up who can lead the men, the women, the youth, and so on.

• There is power in corporate strategy. Churches should be united in their adoption of the homogeneous principle. It should never be a point of contention. But that may mean people laying down some of their traditional ideas that prevent the vision from being adopted intact.

Key Verse:

“…and when it was day, He called His disciples to Him;

and from them He chose twelve…” (Luke 13).

Introduction

That each leader will understand and grasp the essential characteristics and criteria from which his or her will base the choosing of their twelve. The goals of this lesson are:

• To be able to explain the essential characteristics and qualities from which to choose their leadership team of 12.

• That the leader be able to impart the profile of a 12 leader to their future leaders.

1. Profile of the candidate of the 12

• Based on their faithfulness – Mark 1:16-18

• He chose those who desired to serve the Lord – Jon 1:35-42

• He chose teachable ones – John 1:48-50

• He proved them – Matthew 16:13; John 6:6 2. They live under God’s blessing

• See to it that your candidates walk in the faith it takes to be receive God’s promises and thus able to release those blessings to others (Deut.

28:1ff).