Cell Extra is a series of six devotional style readings designed to complement and expand the theme presented in the corresponding month’s cell groups. Cell Extra will guide you to additional key Bible passages, people and stories that will build on the topics you are discussing in the cell group and facilitate your personal space as you begin to develop the biblical truths in your life.

Whether or not you are part of a cell group, you can still use Cell Extra. You can download Cell Extra from the ALOVE website and get started straight away. If you are in a cell group you could encourage other cell group members to get hold of Cell Extra too. That way you know that you are all reading, considering and praying about the cell group theme in your own time, which can only enhance the time that you spend together.

If you aren’t in a cell group, Cell Extra will give you the opportunity to follow the themes that other young people around the territory will be discussing.

You won’t need lots of equipment for Cell Extra. A pen, pencil and highlighter will be essential and a Bible extremely useful… and that’s about it. You may also like to use a journal to write down your thoughts, questions and feelings. Occasionally some suggestions are made for you to access something online, maybe from YouTube or an image search. Many people can do this on their smart phones, but you may need to be near a computer to follow these links.

It would also be good to have your own copy of Shelf Life, ALOVE’s Bible discovery guide, as many of the elements that are outlined in Shelf Life will be incorporated in Cell Extra. The most important of these are the Shelf Life Bible ‘apps’.

Each daily Bible reading in Cell Extra should only take about 10–15 minutes. You need to decide when is the best time for you. Are you a morning person or a night owl? You should find 15 minutes where you know you won’t be distracted by the TV or homework… or fall asleep! And what day works best for you? Perhaps you have more time at the weekend, so you could find 15 minutes every Saturday and Sunday during the month. Or maybe you would prefer to do six days in a row and then have a three-week break. You decide… and then stick to it.

We really hope you enjoy Cell Extra and that it does what it says on the tin… it adds to your experience of cell and gives you other avenues to access the theme of each month in your own personal space.

We would love to hear your thoughts and feedback on this new resource. Please contact us at ALOVE UK.

Welcome to Cell Extra!

We hope you

enjoy the new

Cell Extra...

Pray before, during and after!

The Bible verse or passage.

Exploring the Bible text in more detail.

What’s going on? Who’s who? What stands out?

Getting the Bible into you!

Living the words of the Bible in your life.

CELLEXTRA

March 2013: Delving into DoctrineCELLEXTRA

http://arrowsinthehandsofawarrior.wordpress.com/2012/04/17/the-doctrine-of-adoption-j-i-packer/

As you know this year, in the ‘Deep Water’ stream, we are going to recap on what we believe as Christians and why we believe it. To do this we will be looking at The Salvation Army Doctrines of Faith. A Doctrine is simply a statement of belief….and The Salvation Army has got eleven…eleven statements of faith (doctrines) that explain what we believe as about God, faith and life.

This month we will cover Doctrines 1,2,3,4 and 5. Then next month – April – we will delve into Doctrines 6, 7, 8 and 11. And finally, in October and November, we will consider Doctrines 9 and 10.

And don’t forget that it’s not enough just to know what we believe – what we believe must have a positive effect on how we live. There is an unbreakable link between intellectual faith and day to day Christian living. With the help of the Holy Spirit we can live out our beliefs with integrity and conviction.

1. DELVING INTO DOCTRINE - Quiz Time

Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you’re living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy.

1 Peter 3:15 (MSG)

Some Christians believe that faith is a personal matter that should be kept to oneself. It is true that we shouldn’t be boisterous or obnoxious in sharing our faith, but we should always be ready to give an answer, gently and respectfully, when asked about our faith, our lifestyle or our Christian perspective. We must have confidence, and the knowledge, to help other people understand what we believe, why we believe and the difference made in our lives.

If you have an apple device, you can download a great ‘Mastermind Quiz’ app which is based on the TV Programme….you can even pick a specialist subject! Or there are loads of other quiz apps available on other app stores or the internet as well. Why not try the Logo Quiz, Movie Quiz, Flags, Football teams? Most probably you can find a quiz on your specialist subject out there somewhere!

So what would your specialist subject be for a quiz show like this?

Have you ever seen the Quiz programme Mastermind? This programme is well known for its challenging questions, intimidating setting and air of seriousness…. and the big black chair! Five contestants face two rounds, one on a specialised subject of the contestant’s choice, the other a general knowledge round. (Listen to the nerve-wracking, very famous, theme tune here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZOIXnSovrA !!)

“Lord Jesus, Please help me learn more about you and about my faith this month through The Salvation Army Doctrines of Faith. Thank you for the amazing facts of Christianity, such as an Almighty God who loves me and a brilliant Saviour who died for me. Amen”

How much do you feel you know about the Bible, The Salvation Army, or the basics of the Christian faith? Can you give an answer if someone asks you about your faith, or about Jesus, or why you go to church?

In the Bible we are urged to make sure that we can always ‘give an answer’ when someone asks us questions like these.

Do you have a favourite Bible verse? If so, write it here….

2. DELVING INTO DOCTRINE - The Bible

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true

and to make us realise what is wrong in our lives.

It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.

God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

(2 Timothy 3.16-17, NLT)

Doctrine 1

God helped good people to speak and write what is in the Bible, so that from it we may learn the way God means us to live.

“Dear God, Please open my heart and mind so that I can notice all the great things about the Bible. Keep on showing me new things about your love and how I should live. Amen”

The Salvation Army’s very first doctrine is about the belief that the Bible is God’s powerful word. It’s what God wants to say to us right now and in the future. It’s not full of ancient text with no relevance to us living in the 21st century; but words that inspire, excite, challenge, inform and comfort. The Bible was written by lots of different people, but it was God who helped them know what to write, and it makes sense as one big book telling us the story of God, his dreams for his world and his love for his people. As Christians we can turn to the Bible for advice and guidance, comfort and inspiration…and as we read we get to know the author of the book for ourselves…that’s God! For lots more about the Bible get hold of a copy of Shelf Life!

Share your Bible verse with someone today!(If you don’t have one ask another member of your family or friend what their favourite verse is and why. Then make a note of it in the box above!)

3. DELVING INTO DOCTRINE - Who Is God?

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

2 Corinthians 13:14 (NCV)

Tell God how amazing you think he is!

Doctrines 2, 3, 4

There is only one God and he is altogether perfect in every way. He is the creator, preserver and governor of all things. We should not worship anyone or anything else. Jesus is both truly God and truly human; he has both God’s nature and human nature. The Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit are one God.

God is wonderful and glorious. I pray that his Spirit will make you become strong followers and that Christ will live in your hearts because of your faith. Stand firm and be deeply rooted in his love.

Ephesians 3:16-17 (CEV)

The Salvation Army doctrines 2, 3 and 4 all tell us about who God is. We believe in one God, the only true God, who created and sustains everything, and who is the only one worthy of our worship. So where do Jesus and the Holy Spirit fit in? Well, they are God too! Jesus came to show us what God is like, and he sent the Holy Spirit to help us and be with us. They are distinct from each other, but the same.You can’t have one without the other! They are all God….sometimes called the Godhead or the Trinity. They all have the same importance and can all be worshipped. We can even pray to any one of them! It’s a bit like water, which can exist in three forms: solid (ice), liquid (water) and gas (steam). Three-in-one…all water…different parts…but the same. Or maybe Neapolitan ice-cream. Three flavours making up one delicious scoop of ice cream!

In the two Bible verses above, underline something about God; highlight something about Jesus, circle something about the Holy Spirit.

Pray the blessing in 2 Corinthians 13:14 above for / with your family today.

I believe in God, the Father almighty,

creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,

who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,

born of the virgin Mary,

suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, died and was buried;

he descended to the dead.

On the third day he rose again;

he ascended into heaven,

he is seated at the right hand of the Father,

and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the holy Christian Church,

the communion of saints,

the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body,

and the life everlasting. Amen

4. DELVING INTO DOCTRINE - Apostles Creed

Do you agree with the creed? If so, read it aloud now as your own prayer.

There is an ancient Christian ‘creed’, sometimes called the ‘Apostles Creed’ which reads like a statement of faith for a Christian believer. One such version is as follows:

Have a go at writing your own creed e.g. five or six short statements about what you believe as a Christian.

Watch the following You Tube clips

Apostle’s creed http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLU9RP5khyQ

The Creed http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YNeTwWU1RE

What evidence do you see of ‘sin’ in God’s good world? (Look in the newspaper, watch the news)

Doctrine 5

Our first parents, by their disobedience, lost their sense of God’s favour, and came under the power of sin; because of this we are all inclined to do wrong.

5. DELVING INTO DOCTRINE - The Fall

So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

Genesis 1:27

In the beginning God created human beings to enjoy friendship with him and to work with him in the world that he created. But Adam and Eve, the first people on the planet, decided to do things their own way. They disobeyed God and they allowed sin to come into God’s good creation. Their relationship with God was broken, they were sent away from the beautiful garden of Eden and separated from God. Since then every human being is born separated from God by the effects of sin. Of course, our Holy God can’t come close to sin or even look upon it…but separation from his people is not what God had in mind when he made us! So what is the solution? ….EASTER of course!!

Take some time to say sorry to God for the thoughts / words / actions in your life that separate you from him.

1The snake was sneakier than any of the other wild animals that the Lord God had made. One day it came to the woman and asked, “Did God tell you not to eat fruit from any tree in the garden?” 2The woman answered, “God said we could eat fruit from any tree in the garden, 3except the one in the middle. He told us not to eat fruit from that tree or even to touch it. If we do, we will die.” 4”No, you won’t!” the snake replied. 5”God understands what will happen on the day you eat fruit from that tree. You will see what you have done, and you will know the difference between right and wrong, just as God does.” 6The woman stared at the fruit. It looked beautiful and tasty. She wanted the wisdom that it would give her, and she ate some of the fruit. Her husband was there with her, so she gave some to him, and he ate it too. 7Right away they saw what they had done, and they realized they were naked. Then they sewed fig leaves together to make something to cover themselves. 8Late in the afternoon a breeze began to blow, and the man and woman heard the Lord God walking in the garden. They were frightened and hid behind some trees.

Genesis 3:1-8 (CEV)

What evidence do you see of sin in your own life?

6. DELVING INTO DOCTRINE - Which image most accurately represents Easter to you?!

The last day of this month is Easter Sunday and Doctrine 5 (which we read about in no 5) sets the scene for why ‘Easter’ had to happen.

Easter is all about God’s great rescue plan for his world. It’s through the death and resurrection of Jesus that God overcame the separation caused by sin and humanity was once again brought back into a right relationship with him.

Through Jesus’ death on the cross we no longer have to live with all the wrong behaviours, fears and insecurities that get in the way of our relationship with God. Jesus nailed all that stuff to the cross with him.

When we put our faith in Jesus, come to him with repentance in our hearts, we can experience the power of the cross deep within our lives right now.

Watch the following You Tube clip form ‘The Miracle Maker’

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5q8BRdXdZJI

Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad? (Moby) - The Miracle Maker

Thank Jesus for all that he did that first Easter and for the difference that he has made in your life.

Give someone an Easter Egg and celebrate the real meaning of Easter with them at the same time!

Check out this company: The Real Easter Egg:

It’s hard to believe that, out of the whopping 80 million chocolate Easter Eggs sold each year, not one of them mentions Jesus on the box. Until now that is. The Real Easter Egg is the first and only Fairtrade chocolate Easter Egg to explain the Christian understanding of Easter on the box. It also supports charity and development projects. http://www.realeasteregg.co.uk/