2000 Years of Small Groups: A History of Cell Ministry in the Church

by Joel Comiskey

This book explores how God has used small groups throughout church history, specifically focusing on the early church to the present time. God not only established the early church as a house to house movement, but he also has used small groups throughout church history. This book chronicles the small group or cell movement from Jesus all the way to the modern day cell explosion. Themes -Small Groups In Biblical History -Small Groups In Early Christian History -Small Groups and Monasticism -Small Groups During the Pre-Reformation Period -Luther and Small Groups -Martin Bucer and Small Groups -The Anabaptist Movement -Puritan Conventicles -Pietism -The Moravians -The Methodists -Modern House Churches -Small Groups in North America -The Modern Day Cell Church This book will both critique the strengths and weaknesses of these historical movements and apply principles to today's church. You will grow in appreciation and understanding of key small group principles from those pioneers who have paved the way. You will also learn to value those movers and shakers who faced far greater odds to implement small groups than the difficulties confronted today. Many have struggled with the same things you're wrestling with now. And just like they found solutions in the face of persecution and trial, God will help you to persevere, find solutions, and ultimately bear abundant fruit for his kingdom and glory.

Genres: Faith

263 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 15, 2014

About the author

Joel Comiskey (Ph.D. Fuller Seminary) is a small group coach and consultant and and founder of Joel Comiskey Group. He has served as a missionary with the C&MA in Quito, Ecuador, started a cell-based church in Southern CA, and now coaches pastors in cell group ministry. Joel has written bestselling books on the worldwide cell group movement and teaches as an adjunct professor at Tozer Seminary. Joel and his wife, Celyce, have three daughters and live in Moreno Valley , California.

Reviews

[Royce Ratterman · Rating 4 out of 5]

An historical study for the researcher and enthusiast. Being read for historical research, I found this work's content helpful in augmenting my studies in this area. We are provided with a window, century by century, into aspects of Christian life under eras of intense persecution through short-lived times of peaceful coexistence, and back again to the realm of the fearful haters of Christ's followers. Often, one only reflects upon the 'glories' of reformers and restorers without the knowledge of their sufferings, hardships, persecutions, and years of selfless ministry.

In time, we see the rise of those wishing to be in authority rather than, as Tertullian promoted, the priesthood of all believers. opposing the growing tendency toward hierarchical authority: "The Church moved from bishop as a servant-shepherd caring for a house church or group of house churches to an administrative ruler." The shift toward "placing authority in the hands of a few" was a slow, gradual change. Many departed the hierarchical changes in preference to a more God-Centered life of monastic ascetic life of contemplative solitude. "All monks had one thing in common: the desire for a sacrificial, second level commitment to Jesus Christ that went beyond the status quo. Those who chose the monastic way of life "renounced worldly pursuits and devoted themselves fully to God’s work."

We learn details of three movements: Waldensians in 1175, Lollards during 1375, and Hussites in 1400, that paved the way to the Protestant Reformation, which embodied the commitment and obedience to God’s Word alone... "Sola Scriptura, Sola Gratia, Sola Fide, Solus Christus, Soli Deo Gloria." Many individuals, we must keep in mind, could possess the Bible only by memorizing it, having no texts in their native tongue. English Puritan "believers emphasized prayer, Scripture reading, Bible memorization, and application of the sermon to the daily lives of those present."

It is keen to observe the continuation of 'authentic' spiritual Christianity in varied forms throughout all ages of church history without interruption. We even read of the one-hundred-years of continual prayer commenced on 27 August 1727. With the view of the reemergence of the underground church upon the horizon, this work may help to inspire readers to research further. Fortunately, God is not in a box or confined to 'what works' in a one-size-fits-all pattern of outreach implementation; it is God's Word that transforms and sustains.

For clarity of understanding, it is highly advisable to examine the individuals highlighted within this work with reputable apologetic ministries... Christian Apologetics Research Ministry, Apologetics Index, etc. for additional background information into existing and past controversies, serious and minor, with the person and/or their ministry, as well as 'destructive heresies' detrimental to immature believers.

"These [Bereans] were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so." Acts 17:11

"Test all things; hold fast what is good." 1 Thessalonians 5:21

"Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice." Philippians 1:15-18

Sola Gratia - Sola Fide - Solus Christus -Sola Scriptura - Soli Deo Gloria
Grace alone - Faith alone - Christ alone - Scripture alone - God's Glory alone

At the conclusion of chapters, we are provided with a 'Lessons Learned' section followed by 'Notes' section for references.

- Excerpts:

"1547...small group strategy, which included:
Those who wanted a deeper commitment were invited to join a small group community.
A leadership team was developed to guide the groups.
The purpose was to help members grow in holiness, confess sin, and be held accountable to each other.
The goal was to restore primitive Christianity in the church.
The groups were connected to each other.
The leaders met each week.
All the groups would come together for a larger meeting once every two months."

It is "estimated that by the year 2025, membership in the conventional church will be cut by fifty percent, while alternative movements (like house churches) will potentially involve thirty to thirty-five percent of all Christians in the nation.25 Similar movements of house churches are also rising up in other western nations like Australia, Austria, Canada, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, and the U.K."

"Dirk Willems of Holland was re-baptized when he became a believer, rejecting the infant baptism practiced at that time. This action, plus his continued devotion to his new faith, led to his arrest and martyrdom... He was tried and found guilty of having been re-baptized, of holding secret meetings in his home, and of allowing baptism there—all of which he freely confessed. 'Persisting obstinately in his opinion,' Dirk was burned at the stake near his hometown on May 16, 1569—enduring it with great steadfastness."

"Instead of merely didactic, and often bitter attacks on unbelievers, he calls on his readers to have a loving attitude toward unbelievers. Philipp Spener believed Christians should win the person, rather than just the argument. The Christian “. . . should give no offense, whether it be from name calling, or an unloving lack of desire to win the disputant.”11 Spener thought that believers should realize the limitations of disputations and should accept those from other confessions."

- Works that may also be of interest to you:

-History of the Christian Church (Volume 1) by Philip Schaff
-Your Home A Lighthouse: Hosting an Evangelistic Bible Study by Bob Jacks Betty Jacks Sr. Ron Wormser
-The spontaneous expansion of the church and the causes which hinder it by Roland Allen

[Keith White · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd give the book a 4.125 :) Being the curious type and feeling the promptings to learn more on this subject where does one turn to find a book that can lay a framework for a better understanding of this subject?

Well, as Providence would have it I found this title and found it quite helpful in the process. It is full of references to further books and introduction to other leaders/writers on the subject.

Weakness—the idea that small groups is or can be almost the exclusive method for Church . . . while the author does not say this it kind of leans in this way a bit. First, Family worship (right from the beginning of the home), 2) God says Deut. 12:5 "But unto the place which the LORD your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put his name there, [even] unto his habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come." from this we have the development of the Tabernacle/Temple worship (Corporate). Later this is supplemented with the Synagogue system (while not sanctioned in Scripture the Scriptures do not speak against it and Jesus had this as part of His routine.

Then, we see the homes used by Jesus (among other places) to teach and spread the Gospel and also the size of the varying groups.

The house church can never be separate from the Corporate (including accountability) they are interdependent but circumstances such as persecution gives it checks and balances.

Kind of weak in the area of teaching that the small groups are also to make believers more accountable to one another.

Missed the contribution of the Quakers who also met in homes . . .

But a very good place to start. And no one size cookie cutter fits all approach. Each situation is different. But alas, now I see this nearly universal term used "LifeGroups" . .. where did that come from? (not from this author).