Cell Group as Family

I was not too interested joining cell group before I move to Singapore. Sure I’ve join cell group before, but I only feel that it’s a small community where we gather, meet some friends, and learn the bible. Nothing more, nothing less.

The first time I move to Singapore, I don’t have many friends. I went church, but no real attachment. The bigger the church, the less attachment between the attendees.

One day, I was invited to join a cell group. Hmm, why not? I can get new friends. Believe me, when you are not with your family or the people you know, you’ll feel lonely. Especially during tough times which I shared earlier.

As time flies, I am more and more attached in cell group. Sometimes we just not appreciate what we have until we lost it. When I look back now, I may see that it’s because of I still stay with my parents and siblings. If you not feel the importance of cell group, I can understand and not try to get you to join cell group. You can take your time.

Here’s what I meant cell group as family:

1. They are there for you when you need them

It only take 1.5 hour flight from Jakarta to Singapore. Not too far from my family to visit me. But it’s just great to have new family in Christ that will be there for you to help you. I remember when the I had my baby. My baby was delivered few days earlier than expected. So it’s only me and my wife and our new baby. No helper, no mom to help. But suddenly, one of my cell group members come to visit with her mom. She thought me how to cook (yeah, my cook is not that bad ) healthy food for my wife. She also gave advises for new mom to take care baby. I’m really grateful that I have a family in Christ through my cell group

2. You are there when they need you

As a family, we help each other. So, not only when you are in need you go to cell group and ask for help. You need to proactively help other members when you know they need you. One day, our cell group friend parent is hospitalized. As a family, we gave support. We visit, we gave encouragement, we gave all support we can.

3. Enjoy seeing that we grow together

Cell group as a family also consist of people with different background and spiritual maturity. Like in regular family, we have little brother/sister, we have big brother/sister. If you stay together long enough you can see the spiritual growth in your cell. Your little brother/sister become more mature, so does your big brother/sister. The way they handle their problem, or see a problem, is no longer the same from the first time we know them. They are growing to maturity in Christ. I am so blessed to see this growth.

4. Enjoying the growth cycle

Growth is not only about spiritual growth. They are growing in numbers as well. New people start coming, the members grows. Then, there are time to split. You can’t always stay with your family, when you are ready, you’ll leave your parents and family to build a new one. So does cell group. When they are growing big, it’s time to move on, and build new family. We split to make new cell group. This is the normal cycle in cell group. Sometimes we missed them and it seems to be hurt at first. It’s uncomfortable to move from our comfort zone (our cell group family). But unless the cell group split, they’ll die or stagnant.