Living Hope – Equipping Track

Equipping Cell Members

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

2 Timothy 3:16-17

Purpose

Part of our church vision is to equip all members for life and ministry. We believe this aspect of Christian life is so important that it must not be left to chance, so we have created a systematic basic training process, "the Equipping Track". Having reached this point in the training you will be thoroughly familiar with this system of simple studies.

This module describes the general system we use to help cell members progress through the Equipping Track, from first steps, maybe even before making a commitment to Christ, right through to the point of entering training to become a Cell Leader.

The Challenge

Studying equipping modules can be hard work! Life is often busy and is full of competing demands. In our Information Age we are constantly bombarded by a multitude of messages competing for our attention. So how can we help cell members focus on the Equipping Track and sustain the commitment necessary to reap the benefits of completing it?

Firstly, each student must clearly understand the purpose of the Equipping Track – that it is designed to help them discover and live out the life God intends for them, the life that is truly life! (1 Timothy 6:19.) Secondly, they must understand that the equipping modules form part of an integrated system, which also includes our networks of relationships, our group experience, our service, and the teaching and application of God's word. Take away one part of the system and the whole system cannot function properly.

Thirdly, the help and encouragement of a personal mentor can make all the difference, especially when tempted to give up. Finally, the example, commitment and constant encouragement of the Cell Leader, and other church leaders, is vital to remind the student of the great value the church places on the Equipping Track.

In a nutshell, motivation and constant encouragement are the keys to success.

Benefits

Some benefits of the Equipping Track:

• Designed for everyone
• A systematic process – basic truths necessary for Christian living can be learned in an ordered way
• Student learns at his/her own pace
• Each student has a mentor to help them work through the material
• Materials designed to help the student discover God's purposes for his/her life

The Process

Getting Started

• New member coming regularly to cell
• Cell Leader invites new member to start the Equipping Track
• Cell Leader explains the importance of the Equipping Track and identifies the most appropriate starting point for the new member (See E8.x2 for help)
• Cell Leader invites an established member to become the new member's mentor (Ensure mentor has read E5.x1 Becoming a Mentor)
• Cell Leader and Mentor visit the new member to explain the process and pass on initial materials
• Cell Leader ensures both mentor and student have appropriate contact details for one another, and mentor has a copy of the relevant equipping section(s) in an appropriate format

On A Regular Basis

• Mentor passes equipping modules to student (either by computer or on paper)
• Student completes each module and passes it back to mentor for checking, along with any questions, issues or concerns he/she wants to raise with the mentor
• Mentor returns checked modules to student to keep, along with any comments, answers to questions etc.
• Mentor passes any questions or issues he/she cannot handle to Cell Leader for further help
• Cell Leader requests help from his/her Cell Coach as necessary

General details

• Whenever a student successfully completes any section of the Equipping Track it should be acknowledged at a group meeting. Public recognition is a way of saying, ‘Well done' to the student, and acts as an encouragement to continue
• Periodically, the Cell Leader reminds members of the importance of the Equipping Track and encourages them to press on
• The Cell Leader monitors all mentors and students in his/her group, asking them about their progress from time to time
• The Cell Leader supplies materials (equipping sections) to mentors as required
• The Cell Leader watches for members progressing towards leadership and invites those he/she judges ready to become Apprentice Leaders
• The Cell Leader should encourage all cell members to complete as much of the Equipping Track as they can, thereby helping them fulfil more of their God-given potential. Occasionally, the Cell Leader should ask those progressing well to share a testimony about their experiences with the Equipping Track

The Personal Growth Review

One further resource linked to the Equipping Track is the Personal Growth Review. This tool enables each cell member to assess his/her own progress in spiritual and personal growth, and helps point the way forward. As Cell Leader you distribute copies of the Personal Growth Review once a year, asking members to fill it in. The Personal Growth Review should remain with the cell member, and the Cell Leader should endeavour to have a personal conversation with each member about the outcome (ideally face-to-face, but at least a good phone conversation). The Cell Leader also completes an annual Personal Growth Review and discusses the outcome with his/her Cell Coach.

E8.10 Equipping Cell Members - Version 3 – Apr 11