Ralph Neighbour writes:

"Cell Groups" or "Small Groups" – Contrasts? 
Let me preface this by thanking all the hundreds of staffers in American churches retained to lead the "small groups" in local churches. You are devoted to the work of the Lord and I honor you! The other day I eavesdropped on a webinar for small group leaders and was shocked to discover that many of the pastors were asking the moderator, "What is the difference between a cell group and a small group?"

I am shocked! It revealed to me that the Cell Church movement is virtually unknown to pastors, even though it is the most mature of all contemporary church structures. One fellow said, "Do cell churches have Sunday services?" Another said, "Do they use buildings?" I was unaware that this modern small group movement leadership has been sheltered from experiencing the sacred "Basic Christian Community" theology.

You see, the radical distinction between a "Small Group" and a "Cell Group" is a contrast between traditional and biblical. Here's what I mean, illustrated by Jesus' discussion with Nicodemus:

Nicodemus was a traditionalist, a scholar, a man of the Temple. He was disturbed because Jesus had called that sacred building a "den of thieves." Dr. Nicodemus was a "hired holy man" who saw himself as superior to those who came to worship.

Jesus, on the other hand, was a man who gathered commoners and trained them to do the work of God. His radical ideas threatened the Pharisee's way of life. He taught that all believers were priests, even smelly fishermen.

So it was that a night visit, undetected, was made to the Galilean – not to get spiritual help, but rather to gather evidence to have him arrested!

Jesus was an "Upstairs" man. Nicodemus was a "Downstairs" man. The contrasts became evident as Jesus pointed out that with all his formal religion he could not "see" what was Upstairs without having new eyes, and to have those eyes he would have to have a spiritual birth. Further contrasts were made: "Downstairs" there is a wind in the trees; "Upstairs" there is a Spirit whose activity is observed; "Downstairs" there is the serpent on the pole; "Upstairs" there is a greater reality: Christ on the cross.

"Downstairs," there is a world of shadows. "Upstairs," there is the Shekinah glory.
"Downstairs," there are human activities performed in the flesh. "Upstairs," there is Power and Presence and supernatural lifestyles.

This will introduce us to the contrast between the Upstairs "Basic Christian Community" and the Downstairs "Small Group."

The great contrast is the work of the Holy Spirit who calls men to come Upstairs and baptizes them into intimate communities that exist as the literal Body of Christ in our era.

The Small Group is a program sponsored by a traditional church to create "holding tanks" for church members, never revealing to them that they should not just be a group for fellowship and prayer and Bible study.

The Cell is described in 1 Corinthians 14:24-25 as a community where all prophesy (see 14:3 for the definition) and where God is so powerfully revealed that unbelievers fall on their face!

I could go on and on. But let me just say there is an Upstairs and Downstairs difference between a Cell and a Small Group. I am wondering why we settle for what's Downstairs, when even a cursory reading of Paul's letters will reveal how important it is for us to know we are NOT a "small group." We are the literal Body of Christ! Every "small group" robs the members of their true positions in Christ: to be baptized into an intimate community and become the body Christ occupies to draw all men to the Cross.

If you really care about this, Small Groups pro, take the time to download my Christ's Basic Bodies from www.touchusa.org and educate yourself! Why settle for "Downstairs?"