LifeWay

Group Ministry

Conversations on Group Practices

Group Leadership

Equipping Group Leaders for Conversations on Race

By

How do we seek to bring the gospel into our conversations and actions about race?

This is a question we cannot ignore in our small groups. In light of recent events, group leaders have unique opportunities to engage and encourage their members towards Christ-centered action. This isn’t a one-time conversation, but an ongoing discussion.

But what if group leaders don’t feel equipped?

This cannot be an excuse for non-engagement. Thankfully, many trusted voices have already stepped in and offered wisdom as a resource for those who feel ill-equipped.

In the video below, highly-respected author and pastor Dr. Tony Evans shares from his life experience as an African-America, a Christian, and a pastor. In his interview with Trevin Wax, he discusses the ways the gospel informs how he thinks about and addresses racial injustices in America (and much more). He gives counsel to pastors as they seek to speak about racial injustice, even when they are afraid to do so.

 

For further insight, consider the additional resources below:

Let’s continue to seek justice and love mercy as we strive to walk humbly with our God (Micah 6:8).

Group Leadership

Six Reasons Why Personal Study Guides are More Important Than Ever

By

We’re six months into our country’s attempt to slow down the spread of the Coronavirus. Many of us were sent home to work. Our churches moved to online worship and group Bible studies. Some churches have now begun to meet again on campus for worship, and others have reopened their Bible study groups with safety precautions in place. But there are a good number of churches that cannot meet because of guidelines given by their state or local leaders. “One size doesn’t fit all” is certainly true of how churches are responding to the need to get their people back together. But there is a way for churches to continue to encourage group members to press on in their journey to be more fully obedient disciples. And the plan involves a Bible study tool that has been around for over 100 years!

I work for LifeWay, a company that produces discipleship tools called Personal Study Guides (some people still refer to them as “quarterlies” because they last 13 weeks before a new series begins). Each session introduces a biblical text, has a main point, helps the reader understand the biblical background, customs, and practices of the times, and is a tool that helps growing Christians self-feed on God’s Word. There are also key word studies and application suggestions to help people live out the Bible in their daily lives. These personal study guides are used in a group Bible study, and they are also studied by individual group members in between their group times.

COVID-19 has proved challenging for churches. As we slowly return to our church campuses and some semblance of normalcy, personal study guides are more important than ever before. Even while people are separated and cannot meet, they can still use the personal study guide to learn and apply God’s Word in these tumultuous times. Here are some reasons why personal study guides are more important than ever before.

  1. Reading the Bible and other Christian literature daily is critical for year-over-year growth. If you don’t believe me, read the book The Shape of Faith to Come by Dr. Brad Waggoner. It was demonstrated through research that the number one factor and predictor of a person’s growth as a disciple is whether they self-feed on God’s Word or not. During the days of “shelter in place,” curfews, and “safer at home” guidelines, this is the perfect time for a sequestered believer to have a discipleship tool in their hands that God can use to comfort them and speak to them daily. 
  2. Because of social distancing and the rise of virtual groups, a personal study guide will give people a common focal point. When groups get together online, they are going to want (and need) to talk. Having a personal study guide that you read, study, and respond to gives every member of the group a common point around which to study and share insights. What could be better for churches than placing a discipleship tool in the hands of every adult member and guest, knowing that people are sheltering in place, working from home, and finding themselves with some amount of time on their hands each day? Now more than ever, adults are going to want and need something on which to focus besides COVID-19. What better to focus on daily than God’s Word?
  3. Because personal study guides are available digitally, each person in a separated group can have a study guide without any physical contact. Virtual classes need virtual curriculum, and the personal study guides produced by LifeWay come in the form of E-books. With a few keystrokes, personal study guides can be in members’ inboxes in a matter of seconds, making distribution a snap.
  4. A personal study guide provides group members with an interactive and engaging experience. Personal study guides produced by LifeWay have excellent authors who write each session. They bring their education, ministry experiences, and much more to the pages of the personal study guides. Questions placed throughout each session help people think critically about spiritual matters. Anyone using a personal study guide benefits from the author’s expertise, training, and background.  Places to write responses and journal thoughts further enhance the experience.
  5. A personal study guide is based on a wise discipleship plan crafted by experts. It takes painstaking work to create complex plans for a Bible study series (those plans determine the scope and sequence—the topics and the order in which they are studied—of the studies). These plans have been developed by specialists with advanced degrees in theology and Christian education, working together to determine what topics are studied and in what order. 
  6. A personal study guide is an affordable way to disciple people. Did you know that you can purchase a study guide for each group member for only $3.15 each? That’s just $.03 per person, per day! What an investment opportunity for every church. Personally, I consider this to be the absolute best value when it comes to disciple-making.

Yes, COVID-19 has changed us as a nation, and it has changed our churches. But I believe it is going to change us for the better! We are already realizing how important group Bible studies are to God’s people. And we are relearning that people need a trustworthy tool and a well-crafted plan for helping people grow as disciples. Making disciples was one of the final things Jesus told His church to do (Matthew 28:18ff). Today, personal study guides are more important than ever in the disciple-making process.

Group Answers Podcast

Group Answers Episode 168: Leading Better Discussions With Your Online Group

By

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 25:30 — 35.2MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | Email | RSS

On this episode of Group Answers, Chris, Brian, and Ken discuss how to lead a better discussion with your online group.

Ideas Discussed:

  • Call on a specific person to answer a specific question.
  • Send questions to group members in advance of the Bible study.
  • Do not answer your own questions.
  • Ask group members to raise their hand, use the chat feature, or use the “raise hand” feature in your online meeting tool.
  • Send group members to a breakout room.
  • Use a curriculum series that is discussion-oriented.

Resources Mentioned:

Leading Better Discussions blog post

 

The Group Answers Podcast is a weekly show designed to resource, train, and encourage small group leaders. Each episode considers current trends and resources as well as timeless truths and methods of discipleship. It is hosted by Brian Daniel, a Bible study and discipleship expert in LifeWay’s Groups Ministry, and Chris Surratt, the small group and discipleship specialist at LifeWay and author of Leading Small Groups.

Group Leadership

Leading Your Group Members to Question Their Doubts

By

In many ways, we’ve been here before.

Your group members are feeling and thinking… a lot of things. These likely include anxiety, loneliness, depression, miscommunication, lack of motivation, exhaustion, boredom, and much more.

When plans for the future seem uncertain and past milestones are easily dismissed, many groups experience renewed questions and even doubt.

Where is God during a season such as this? 

I know He cares about my situation, but how could He let me face this many disappointments? I thought I was following His plans for my life, but even those seem disrupted… Did I miss something? I’m tired. I’m worn out. Is He really a good Father to ask us to endure this long?

But doubt is not a new place for group members to find themselves and we can take steps to help others (and ourselves) walk through such a challenging season.

  • Ask the What

It might seem simple, but group members may have a more difficult time pinpointing what they are actually struggling with or feeling than we might initially imagine. It could be that they think they are doubting God’s plan for their lives, but might actually feel guilt that they seemingly haven’t worked hard enough, and thus are afraid that they are missing God’s best. In this scenario, group members are doubting that they are enough, not that God’s plan is enough. Getting deeper into the core of what group members are thinking and feeling in their doubt is the first step in order to start helping. You can simply remember to “ask the what”—from what a group member is telling you of their experience, what might actually be going on within them? Is the “what” they’re struggling with deeper than what they might perceive?

  • Identify the When

Once you’ve worked to dig deeper into what someone might be struggling with, you can now begin to help them pinpoint the when. Maybe their “what” is that they doubt whether their inadequate effort has caused them to miss God’s best for their lives. You can look for the when by asking: when—at what times of day, after what activities, during what conversations—do you find yourself feeling this way? For instance, your group member might identify that they feel the most doubt about their inadequacy (and thus God’s plan) in the hour before dinner, when they have finished a work day and are transitioning to focus on their family or friends. Finding the various times or circumstances when the group member begins to struggle with doubt can begin to empower them to avoid becoming debilitated by their doubtful thoughts or feelings but instead look to make a change.

  • Search for the Who and How

After knowing “the what” and more closely pinpointing “the when,” now you can encourage your members to ask for “the who & how.” Ultimately, “the who” is Christ and He makes a true impact in our lives. For instance, as the busy mom finishes her work day and starts to prepare dinner for her family and friends, she might begin to doubt her adequacy, and by extension, even God’s goodness. At this moment, she can ask, “Who is Christ, and how does that change my situation, right now?” Christ is her Lord, and He’s brought her into His family with brothers and sisters that love her. Families recognize that mistakes will happen, and she is still loved even when she isn’t “enough,” as none of us truly can be. Remembering that Christ is the one who welcomes us into this family of believers changes her situation. How? This reminds her that she isn’t meant to perform but to show Christ’s love. She’s to help people see more of Jesus, regardless of her adequacy or inadequacy. And that won’t change. The reality of who Christ is brings larger perspective and truth into our moments of doubt. He has the power to truly impact and change our perspectives on these situations. 

Our group members are experiencing difficulty. But, there’s help and hope for the here and now. We can ask the what, the why, and the who and how in order to get our doubts back on track. Yet sometimes, we all need further assistance as we ask questions and face persistent doubts about God, His goodness, and faith. Thankfully, we’ve teamed with Barnabas Piper to provide you with additional guidance. If you or your group members are struggling with doubt, check out the Help My Unbelief Bible study to take your next steps. 

 

Group Answers Podcast

Group Answers Episode 167: 5 Keys to Reconnecting Your Church Through Groups

By

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 33:27 — 46.1MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | Email | RSS

On this episode of Group Answers, Brian, Chris, and Brandon talk about how to reconnect your church through your small groups.

Five Keys:

1. DON’T PLAN TO GO BACK TO WHAT WAS.

2. HIRE OR DESIGNATE AN ONLINE GROUPS DIRECTOR.

3. REEXAMINE ALL OF YOUR CURRENT RESOURCES FOR GROUPS.

4. UPDATE YOUR WEBSITE.

5. RECRUIT DIFFERENT KINDS OF LEADERS.

The Group Answers Podcast is a weekly show designed to resource, train, and encourage small group leaders. Each episode considers current trends and resources as well as timeless truths and methods of discipleship. It is hosted by Brian Daniel, a Bible study and discipleship expert in LifeWay’s Groups Ministry, and Chris Surratt, the small group and discipleship specialist at LifeWay and author of Leading Small Groups.

Group Answers Podcast

Group Answers 166: Your Group Should Study the Whole Bible

By

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 30:45 — 42.3MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | Email | RSS

On this episode of Group Answers, Brian, Chris, and Brandon talk about why your small group should study the whole Bible — not just the part covered during Sunday sermons.

Points Discussed:

  1. The Church needs the whole Bible.
  2. The Church needs diverse perspectives on the Bible.
  3. The Church needs more teachers of the Bible.

The Group Answers Podcast is a weekly show designed to resource, train, and encourage small group leaders. Each episode considers current trends and resources as well as timeless truths and methods of discipleship. It is hosted by Brian Daniel, a Bible study and discipleship expert in LifeWay’s Groups Ministry, and Chris Surratt, the small group and discipleship specialist at LifeWay and author of Leading Small Groups.

Group Leadership

Five Ways to Continue Discipleship Through COVID-19

By

“At the very time of greatest stress came the epidemic of influenza, and this was perhaps the most far-reaching hindrance to [small groups] work which has been known in a generation…

….We had anticipated that it would take many months for the [groups] to rally, but they came back in March. There flowed in a steady stream of orders, which indicated that the [group leaders] were well organized, full of purpose, and had rallied themselves. As a result, the year, which had been so trying for many months, ended full of hope and promise.” 

(1919 SBC Annual, pp.449-450)

Early in the Twentieth Century (the Center for Disease Control doesn’t specify when it started nor its origin), what is now referred to as the Spanish Flu infected more than 500 million people worldwide, or about a third of the world’s population at the time. It was first diagnosed in the US in the spring of 1918. That was a different day. Travel wasn’t as easy or as common. Communities didn’t come into contact with one another as often or as intimately. Because of all of this, the Spanish Flu didn’t spread nearly as fast as COVID-19. According to the SBC Annual, quoted above, churches closed in September 1918 and remained closed through the fall and winter, most not re-opening until March 1919. In terms of modern pandemics, the Spanish Flu was unprecedented. According to the CDC, the “number of deaths was estimated to be at least 50 million worldwide with about 675,000 occurring in the United States. 

There are two reasons for beginning this post with this brief history lesson. First, while the effects of COVID-19 in practically every area of life—ranging from how we work to job loss to school to church practice and everything in between—has been profoundly jarring, this isn’t the first time either LifeWay or the church has faced something of this sort. In fact, given the modernization of medicine and today’s technology, one can logically deduce that leaders in 1919 had a greater challenge. Second, if the results of the Spanish Flu and the subsequent revival of discipleship is any indication, we need to be ready for what’s next and look with expectancy for a similar revival when we emerge from the immediate threat of the coronavirus. Yet, while we remain between the pre-pandemic church and what God has in store for us on the other side, it’s important to remember that discipleship must continue and that we as leaders, like those in 1918-19, continue “full of hope and promise.” 

As we wait and take measures to perpetuate discipleship—encouraging group members to immerse themselves in the Bible and maintain our own discipleship and spiritual growth—we have created a handful opportunities to keep on the path God has called us to in this season. During this time when it’s such a challenge for groups to convene, whether due to municipal restrictions, Zoom fatigue, or health concerns, it’s important to stay on the right track even at an individual level. Below are five ways in different formats to remain on the road to greater Christ-likeness.

The Good Life Online Bible Study

https://www.facebook.com/groups/thegoodlifeonlinebiblestudy 

This experience is for anyone with an interest in learning more about the good life espoused in the Beatitudes. Pastor Derwin Gray’s new Bible Study, The Good Life, will be made available for anyone that signs up using the link above. Invite group members, family, or friends to engage in community built around this 8-session study. We recommend ordering the Bible study guide at LifeWay.com as a complement to the weekly video event. In the description with each video, we’ll add questions regarding the teaching. Then, you’ll comment with your answers to start the discussion! 

Pray Like This: A 52-Week Prayer Journal https://www.lifeway.com/en/product/pray-like-this-a-52-week-prayer-journal-P005826967

We talk a lot about prayer. We ask for prayer and commit to prayer. Scripture describes prayer as crucial in our relationship with God through Jesus. But do you find it hard to remain grounded? Has consistent prayer been a challenge over the years? Are you in a season in which your prayer life might have become stale? This journal has been created to get you in the habit of reading Scripture daily, to serve as a guide to improve your prayer life, and discover the path to knowing God more intimately. 

No More Excuses 90-Day Devotion for Men https://www.lifeway.com/en/product/no-more-excuses-a-90-day-devotional-for-men-P005826966

Adapted from the popular No More Excuses Bible study for men, No More Excuses: A 90-Day Devotional for Men will challenge you to lay down your excuses, stop compromising, and fight to be a man of character and commitment. Each day, you’ll find a Scripture verse, short devotion, and thought-provoking question to help you find purpose, meaning, and direction in life and become the man God has called you to be.

Unanswered Personal Bible Study https://www.lifeway.com/en/product/unanswered-personal-bible-study-book-P005819108

This Bible study provides precisely what many of us need today: tools and answers! It addresses several challenging topics, including mental health and suicide, paranormal activity, the resurrection, how we got the Bible, suffering, and why God is sometimes silent. The study will show you how to answer, how to explain, and how to respond in a deeply personal and effective way, as a thoughtful ambassador of Jesus. You will leave this study enriched, characterized by a thinking faith, capable of communicating confidently, and committed to escape the tendency to offer trite answers to a skeptical world. It’s also great to work through with a friend, co-worker, or spouse.

The Power of God’s Names Personal Bible Study https://www.lifeway.com/en/product/the-power-of-god-s-names-personal-bible-study-book-P005819105

The study examines 11 names of God. The words translated as name show up over one thousand times in Scripture and routinely carry with them power, responsibility, purpose, and authority. The study for personal discipleship offers biblically rooted content on the meaning and power of God’s names and encourages us to call on God through the names that speak to their needs. Like the Unanswered Personal Bible Study, this experience from Dr. Tony Evans is a great opportunity to share with a friend.

Online Bible Study

Free Giveaway for The Good Life Online Bible Study!

By

Starting Tuesday, September 8, we are beginning an Online Bible Study on The Good Life by Derwin Gray!

What’s the Bible study about? 

Everyone wants to be happy. We spend our money, time, and energy chasing our version of the good life. And on the way, we run ourselves into physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion. But what if the happiness we’re all striving for isn’t the happiness we were created for?

Pastor and author Dr. Derwin L. Gray believes there is a better road to happiness, and it is found in the Beatitudes of Jesus. In this section of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus revealed the shocking, countercultural path to true flourishing. It comes not through wealth, fame, or laughter but through poverty, obscurity, and mourning. This 8-session small-group study demonstrates how Jesus taught us to search for, find, and hold on to the good life.

Session topics covered: lamenting, humility, mercy, peacemaking, persecution, and more. Click here to read a sample, order the Bible study, or find out more.

How does it work?

You’ll head over to the Facebook Group to request to join the Online Bible study hosted by the LifeWay Groups team.

Once you’ve joined the free group, you’ll look for a new video teaching session from The Good Life to be posted every Tuesday at 7 AM. We’ll continue posting weekly for eight weeks (The videos stay live throughout the duration of the Facebook group, so even if you miss a video, you can still go back and review it).

Next, you’ll jump into the discussion. With each video, we’ll be adding a few questions from the Bible study to spark conversation in the comments section.

Who can join?

The Facebook Group is open to anyone! You can join individually and engage with others in the group or invite your friends to join the group and watch the sessions together to discuss in person.

The author, Derwin Gray, will also join the group to engage with discussion and share additional insight into the content.

What do I need?

The session videos that correspond to each week in the study will be provided for free. You can also get an eBook version of the Bible study or a physical copy to complete your study experience. There, you’ll be able to find the additional session material referenced in the videos as well as personal study “devotions” to continue working through the content each week.

Want a free copy?

We are giving away free copies of the Bible study to equip you to best engage with this online study experience! Complete the form below to be entered into the giveaway.

We look forward to joining you on the journey!

Giveaway form

by filling out this form you agree to receive more information from LifeWay Groups.
Group Leadership

How to Choose a Bible Study for Your Online Group

By

After several months of social distancing, most of us are now accustomed to gathering with our communities online.

It took us a few attempts to understand how online conferencing platforms work, but we did it, and now it’s time to utilize this new normal for more than just catching up with our groups.

For a lot of small groups, that means figuring out how to successfully choose and work through a Bible study virtually. It’s not always an easy task under normal circumstances, but now it’s especially difficult.

What worked well with a group sitting around a living room or classroom, may not translate as well to a video call. Here are a few things to think about as you decide what study might work best for your online group.

TYPE OF CONTENT

There are natural limitations to how deep a conversation can go in an online format. It’s more difficult to read body language and have the back-and-forth necessary to get too far below the surface of a line of discussion. That limitation will narrow the choices for the type of study content you offer.

Sermon-based. If everyone in the group is a member of the same church, then a sermon-based discussion is an easy option. Most church services are now online only, so it’s easy for a group member to watch the message before the group meeting–even if they didn’t catch it on Sunday.

If your church doesn’t offer discussion questions to go along with the messages, Smallgroup.com is an easy-to-use website to help you write your own. You can get a free 30-day trial with no obligation to continue.

Short-term. If you would rather do a short-term (6-weeks or less), stand-alone type Bible study, this is a great opportunity to poll the group to find out where the felt needs are right now.

They may be battling feelings of anxiety, loneliness, and/or depression during this uncertain and isolated time, so choose a study that brings biblical truth to those very real issues.

Dealing with doubt? Try Help My Unbelief by Barnabas Piper. Struggling with purpose? Consider Pathways by Tony Evans. Wondering how to engage with injustice? Study The Church and The Racial Divide by Trevor Atwood.

Video Study. Video supported studies are always a good choice for groups. It takes the burden of teaching the content off of the group leader, and allows him or her to facilitate a conversation around the teaching.

However, watching a video online with a group is more difficult than in-person. There are sometimes technical and legal issues with sharing a video, and longer videos will take up too much discussion time.

Look for studies with shorter teaching videos (10 minutes or less) or ask the members to watch them ahead of the group meeting. You can even rent or buy videos to send to your group or use individually. Smallgroup.com allows you to easily distribute the video by email or post a link anywhere on the web to share.

You’ll even see teaching from past live events you can incorporate into any small group experience. Or consider an “online Bible study,” hosted by LifeWay Groups, that allows your group members to access the teaching videos for free and to engage in a Facebook Group (as well as your own small group) with comments and discussion.

GROUP ENGAGEMENT

The way the group engages the content will be slightly different in an online environment. This will require the host/facilitator to be more active in bringing people into the discussion.

Where making eye contact with someone in an in-person group is sometimes enough to encourage them to speak, that is not possible online.

Until the group is more comfortable with the format, the facilitator may need to audibly call on someone if no-one jumps in. This will get less awkward the longer the group meets virtually.

The number of questions you get through will probably be fewer than normal, and that’s okay. Don’t feel pressured to finish every question in the study.

Choose two or three in advance that will adequately cover the topic in the allotted time, and give the rest as “homework” for the group to work through during the week between meetings.

Follow-up with group members is more important now than ever before. Because the online group discussions will probably stay more on the surface level, it’s important to connect by phone or text with individuals for those soul check-ins that we all need right now.

Some group members will be more open with their feelings, and others will need some in-between the lines discernment. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you wisdom as you make these phone calls.

It’s time for our online groups to continue the mission of creating disciples within the context of community. The study of God’s Word is an important part of that process.

CHRIS SURRATT (@ChrisSurratt) is the discipleship and small groups specialist for LifeWay Christian Resources, a ministry consultant and coach with more than 20 years of experience, and the author of Leading Small Groups: How to Gather, Launch, Lead, and Multiply Your Small Group.

Online Bible Study

Join us for The Good Life Online Bible Study!

By

In our increasingly digital world, we are excited to announce our next online Bible study!

On Tuesday, September 8th, we will begin studying The Good Life by Derwin Gray. Hosted through our free Facebook Group, the study experience will run through October 27. 

About the Study:

Everyone wants to be happy. We spend our money, time, and energy chasing our version of the good life. And on the way, we run ourselves into physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion. But what if the happiness we’re all striving for isn’t the happiness we were created for?

Pastor and author Dr. Derwin L. Gray believes there is a better road to happiness, and it is found in the Beatitudes of Jesus. In this section of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus revealed the shocking, countercultural path to true flourishing. It comes not through wealth, fame, or laughter but through poverty, obscurity, and mourning. This 8-session small-group study demonstrates how Jesus taught us to search for, find, and hold on to the good life. 

Session Topics: 

1) Happy are the Beggars

2) Happy are Those Who Lament

3) Happy are the Humble

4) Happy are the Hungry and Thirsty

5) Happy are the Merciful

6) Happy are the Seers

7) Happy are the Peacemakers

8) Happy are the Persecuted

Click to read a sample, order the Bible study, or to find out more.

How it works:

  • Each week on Tuesdays at 7 AM CT in the Facebook Group, we’ll post a teaching video from Derwin Gray. Each video corresponds to a session in the Bible study, and we’ll post one a week until October 27.
  • Three discussion questions will be posted along with each video, and group participants will answer the questions in the comments to engage with other participants. Even if you do not watch the video right when it’s posted, you can still watch after and comment anytime!
  • Participation is completely free!

To participate:

  1. Head over to our Facebook Group and sign up! You will be asked to accept the group’s rules of engagement and to provide a valid email address. This lets us send you a weekly reminder as we post the session videos and makes sure Derwin and his team are able to communicate with you.
  2. Purchase a copy of The Good Life Bible study book or eBook. While a Bible Study Book is not required, we do recommend one to enhance your experience during this Online Bible study. 
  3. Join the conversation by commenting in the Facebook Group. Be sure to turn on your notifications so you can keep up with the discussion and be notified as each session posts.

Share any questions you have in the comments section of this blog post and we will see you on Facebook!

 

All Ministry Sites

Pastors
Leadership
Kids Ministry
Student Ministry
Groups Ministry
Women’s Ministry
Worship Ministry

Digital Resources

Ministry Grid
LifeWay Worship
Digital Church
KidEvent Pro
MyCurriculum Manager
Simulcast Manager
LifeWay Reader eBooks
Generosity
WORDsearch
SmallGroup.com

LifeWay Network

LifeWay Research
B&H
Ridgecrest