Abstract
In recent years it became an important feature in Christian churches to educate churchgoers beyond the normal sermons on Sundays. For every Christian to grow in holiness, they need to be developed and grow under the rule of leaders (Shepherds Training Manual, page 5). A growing number of congregations divide their members in smaller groups, i.e. home cells, where they are taught in smaller, intimate circumstances. The main purpose of these home cells is to have fellowship with each other and to receive biblical and spiritual teaching. Meetings usually take place once a week. Home cells usually function under the authority of the church, and home cell leaders report to the leaders appointed over them as per the congregation specifications and structure. Home cells operate in conjunction with general church structures and do not function as a separate entity. Churches in the larger metropolitan areas make use of Bible schools where formal schooling takes place, usually during the week on an evening. The schooling usually takes place at the church building, and the pastor/s mostly acts as religious teachers and/or biblical instructors. The aim of these instructors is to enlighten the Word of God and to lead their fellow Christians into a better understanding of their stand in righteousness in the Lord God. It also became increasingly popular to invite guest teachers or lecturers to teach the congregation members.
Wise church leaders allow their leaders to share in the planning of teaching opportunities (Fischer, 1977:86). In congregations that support home cells, these leaders are the home cell leaders who have been instructed by the pastor, and who are in turn expected to teach fellow home cell members. This kind of teaching might happen on a formal basis where all home cells are present, or teaching can be informal during home cell sessions, where specific learning materials are used, i.e. the Bible and prescribed course material. A home cell session usually takes the form of congregation members convening at a specific pre-agreed venue. During this meeting they initially attend to issues regarding emotional and physical needs, eventually culminating into the teaching of spiritual and religious matters from the Word of God.
Prof. D. van der Westhuizen