By Joel Comiskey, Leadership Explosion
The two-winged church describes cell and celebration, but we must not forget the systems that support discipleship through both wings. I’m referring to equipping and coaching. For August, let’s focus on equipping.
Sermons are great, and cell lessons take those sermons deeper. Yet there are biblical themes that need fuller coverage: freedom from sin, devotions, how to pray, tithing, evangelism, and how to lead a cell group.
The Legion Was Only as Good as Its Training
Historians who study the Roman legions point to one recurring theme: Rome’s soldiers weren’t necessarily stronger or braver than the tribes they conquered. Rather, they were better trained. Roman recruits drilled constantly, often twice a day, practicing the same sword strikes, formation shifts, and marching maneuvers over and over until the movements became instinct. When the chaos of actual battle hit (e.g., noise, blood, fear, the enemy pressing in), the legionnaire didn’t have to think. His body already knew what to do. That training, repeated to the point of monotony, is what let ordinary men hold formation and survive when everything in them wanted to break and run.
The “boot camp” in cell churches is the specific equipping we offer every member. Cell churches promote equipping as one of the foundational pillars for making disciples who make disciples. They ask everyone in the church to enter the equipping track with the goal of deeper discipleship. Those who graduate can participate in team leadership.
Filling the Gap
Preaching on Sunday and applying the passage in the cell groups is essential, but more is needed. Sermons and cell lessons don’t cover key biblical doctrines, how to have a quiet time, how to evangelize, how to lead a small group, and so forth. A clear-cut “boot camp” — an equipping track — fulfills this need. Churches call it different things: school of leaders, training tracks, leader’s route. I like discipleship equipping because it puts discipleship right in the name. The goal, always, is to help members become more like Jesus.
Every cell-based church needs an equipping track. I often describe it this way: one equipping path, many ways to teach it. We currently offer ours on Sunday mornings and are exploring virtual options. The main challenge is quality control—ensuring people actually complete each step.
Perhaps you have questions, like:
- How long should an equipping track last?
- Where should the equipping take place?
- What kind of material should we use?
- Who should teach the equipping?
We’ll tackle these questions and more in August. Click here if you’d like to receive the equipping in your email inbox. Here’s the plan:
- August 2–8 (due July 31): The scriptural reasons for equipping tracks. What do cell church equipping tracks provide that sermons and cell lessons can’t?
- August 9–15 (due August 7): The benefits of equipping the whole church. What happens when everyone gets involved in equipping?
- August 16–22 (due August 14): Equipping details. How long should an equipping track last? What kind of materials work best?
- August 23–29 (due August 21): Equipping methodology. What are some distinct ways to equip people? Where should it happen?
- August 30–September 5 (due August 28): Beyond equipping. What’s next for those who graduate?
The goal, always, is becoming like Jesus.
How are you doing with equipping in your own context? What insights have you picked up over the years?