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Join a CELL GROUP
Join a C E L L group! here’s why…D
By Chee Peng
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Some LCOR-ians were asked about how they have benefited from being in their respective cell groups (aka care groups). Below are their responses to these 3 questions: East Coast Cell Group John Leong Why do you attend a cell group? 1
Salt & Light Cell Group Marcus
“I started my current cell group with my co-leader with the purpose of providing our church’s young adults a safe space to understand and find out more about their identity in Christ. We encourage each other and provide a safe environment to ask the difficult questions and find out more about what it means to be a disciple of Christ. We support each other in both the good and difficult times.
“From a cell group leader’s perspective, I feel that the more I wish to lead effectively, the more I need to follow Christ. This means dwelling regularly into the Bible, understanding its many lessons and concepts, and then distilling them into applications relevant to all cell members. In this ever-changing and complex world, every one of us in the cell faces different challenges.
I enjoy being a part of this cell group very much not only because of the wonderful community, but because it has given me many opportunities to learn more of God’s heart. Through preparing our weekly materials, and hearing the studies, I learn new aspects of God.
Without a cell group, I would miss not only the fellowship but also the invaluable community that keeps us focused and God-centred through our walk with God.”
It is good and healthy that we do not walk alone in this journey, as much as we also need time for personal space. As we meet regularly outside the church context, more ideas and viewpoints are shared. We take turns to lead the day’s lesson, and the respective leader pretty much facilitates the discussion where we are spiritually enriched as one in the body of Christ.
How has your cell group helped you draw close to God or develop spiritually in your Christian walk? NQCG Cell Group Hazel 2
3What will you miss without your cell group? Broken Alabaster Cell Group Cynthia “I am part of a cell group as I believe that it is important to have a group of people who are committed to encourage and pray with one another, and walk with God together, in order to grow in Christ. I enjoy the sharing amongst my cell members as we bond over learning about and praying for each other. Our camaraderie also lends me strong support as I go about my daily life, by reminding each other to look to God and reinforcing Jesus’s teachings in every aspect of our lives. The strong commitment to meet up almost weekly helps to keep me rooted in Christ’s family, by setting aside the time for God and His family. If I did not have a cell group, I would miss the friendship and anchor in Christ.”
“To me, studying God’s word takes time, discipline and perseverance. Last year, I decided to ride on the “power of many” to get me going. At Michelle’s invitation, I joined the Never-Quit-Cell-Group (NQCG) last year. The NQCG was studying the book of Revelations under the guidance of Pastor Nick. I recalled we asked him many difficult questions and he demystified them. Besides studying the bible, we bonded over food and fellowship. Each session was a savoured moment for me! A year has passed and I still look forward to each NQCG meeting. We celebrated joyful moments and prayed over troubled times. Technically, our meetings do not ‘cease’. Why?
This is because Edwin and Sarah are always keeping us in prayer, over big and small issues that we shared in confidence during the meetings. What would I be without NQCG? Possibly a tad slimmer (with less munching late into the night!). On a serious note, I value the camaraderie and the fun amidst learning God’s word. “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them” (Matthew 18:20). If you, like me, need the “power of many” to get you started in studying God’s word, join us.”
“Cell group is a good place to meet and be connected with fellow Christians, to learn about the teachings of Jesus. As I lead a very busy life, I see a need to commit myself to more opportunities to know God besides just attending the Sunday Worship Service.
Holland Road Cell Group Goh Wooi Boon
“The Holland Road cell group was started many years back by our late brother Bill Teo, when the group met at his home around Holland Road. We now meet every second and fourth Friday at the Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer at 8pm, but still retain the original name. We are a mixed group of about 7 regularly-attending brothers and sisters from both the English first and second services. Bible study in the cell group provides a good environment to learn and share our understanding of God with one another. We are so blessed to have Pastor Nick lead us into bible study, providing good insights and encouragement during each meeting.
Without my cell group, I will miss the sharing, fellowship and the study of the Bible using various study materials.”
Choa Chu Kang Cell Group Wai Leong
We look forward to the bible study discussion as it gives us an opportunity to share and learn about our faith, past experiences, concerns and God’s faithfulness in our lives. We are always thankful that Pastor Nick is around to help us with difficult passages in our study. We wrap up the evenings with thanksgiving, prayer and fellowship over some goodies, which we take turns to provide for the group. Cell group meeting is still the best way to get to know one another more deeply and pray for one another.”
What will I miss without a cell group? A good time of learning, growing my spiritual life and building up relationship with fellow members.”
“Being in a cell group enables us to share our thoughts on a more personal level. The small group size allows for deeper discussion on topics and issues close to our heart in a familiar environment. It is a space where we can share comfortably, encourage and learn God’s Word together. In this ever-changing and complex world, every one of us in the cell group faces different challenges.
Through studying various books in the Bible, we expanded our knowledge in Christ. Through discussions on practical concerns, we can link
Jesus to our everyday life and see Him working in us daily and in our various situations. We become confident and are at peace knowing we have a God who is in control of our lives as we draw closer to Him. Through corporate prayers at cell group meetings, we seek God’s covering over us and pray for each other’s needs. We seek the Holy Spirit to guide us and walk with us.
Ekbas Cell Group Puay Tian
“When I first came to LCOR, I knew only one person. I felt so out of place and ‘neglected’ when my friend fellowshipped with other church members.
After I joined Ekbas, I slowly grew in this ‘small family’. I get to observe how godly parents guide their children in their walk with Christ. How to seek God first each time they face challenges in their natural family. This is something that I don’t get to experience as I am the only believer in my own family. I feel included like a “family member” in my cell group.
Thank God for my small family (Ekbas) and my big family (LCOR).”
Fire Hearts Cell Group David
“Nadia and I join the Fire Hearts cell group where we gather with a group of loving brothers and sisters from LCOR. Cell group is a place for us to candidly share our struggles and disappointments, our joys and our successes. It is a harbour, a safe space, where no judgment is passed and where genuine love and concern is shown.
Cell group is also a pillar of support where we pray for one another and receive advice, guidance and constructive feedback from each other and our mentor,
Aunty Persis. At the cell group meetings, we also reflect on God’s Word and its application to our daily lives as we journey together in our Christian faith.
We have been richly blessed by Aunty Persis and the Fire Hearts cell group. As the Bible says, “A cord of three strands is not easily broken”.
Being with a cell group allows us to strengthen one another as God moulds us to be more like Him.” 3 What will you miss with out your cell group?
Grace By Grace Yu 27 February 2019 HIS GRACE
Dear LCOR friends,
I hope you are all well. It has been more than 2 years since I’ve moved back to HK. I miss my time with LCOR.
It has been a journey experiencing His guidance and provision in HK, discovering myself in Him - in times of uncertainty and changes.
When I left Singapore in December 2017, I was pondering if I should stay in HK for good. I was also planning to sort out my late mum’s apartment that had been left unattended for a year since her demise. This was the apartment I moved into during my university days and it has left me with plenty of memories.
When I returned to HK, I agreed to host a missionary friend’s family for a few months. The chore of clearing the rooms to make space for them became an inspiration for me to clear the old things or “garbage” in my heart, to prepare space to welcome Jesus in my new phase of life.
That made me more determined to clear the apartment. When I was busy decluttering, God led me to revisit some old memories by reading letters and diaries, at the same time providing me with His healing touch.
I realized that I was in such a privileged position to be in touch with my inner self, to embrace my past and be content with what God has given me. It was during that time that I decided I would like to stay in HK for good and make this apartment my new home.
By the end of 2018, with the help of many people, especially with my brother’s support, I renovated the apartment and bought a beautiful grand piano for myself. Having a grand piano has always been a hidden wish of mine. The day the grand piano arrived, I played for many hours and was touched to tears by what God has done. Playing on a grand piano at home in HK was a crazy thought of mine, but it’s God who made it possible.
Besides playing the piano, I began learning how to swim in various styles, reconnecting with old friends and making new friends in my neighborhood.
In 2019, I took on a few roles. Besides doing a part-time job as an instructor at a university, I worked freelance at nursing homes, secondary schools and clinics. At the same time, I also visited China and Myanmar for some assignments.
I thank God for giving me the freedom to take on new roles that could be challenging but provided me with the opportunity to experience His grace. God took away my fear of failure and the fear of not meeting others’ expectations. He blessed me and enabled me to be led by Him, to just fulfill His purposes for me by encountering people, learning and growing at the same time.
In times of trials like the political unrest in HK and having my thumb injured for more than a few months, God has been teaching me to put my hope and identity in Him instead of the circumstances,
people or my abilities. It’s all by His grace.
As I write this, I am glad that my right hand has recovered and I have just played for a church wedding. On the other hand, the trials in 2020 seem to be nothing less. We are now facing the coronavirus that is now a pandemic.
Many of my jobs are suspended here, though I managed to escape the long queues for masks and toilet paper as I was travelling in Taiwan. Despite all these, it is a time to pause and reflect on life, on what truly matters to us and that many things are beyond our control.
We can humbly echo what the bible says, “A man’s heart devise His way,
but the Lord directs his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9). I am also encouraged by the following saying, “sometimes God allows us to go through difficult times, even as a result of the wicked actions of others. Yet whatever we have to endure, we can be sure that God can use it for good”. He could recycle our “garbage” for His use. May we continue to trust in His goodness and faithfulness in times of difficulty and uncertainty, remember each other in prayers, and take courage to be the witness of Christ.
