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Group Answers Podcast

Group Answers Episode 67: Michael Wear

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On this week’s episode, Brian and Chris talk with Michael Wear. Michael answers the following questions: 

  1. Tell us how you went straight from college to working in the Obama White House.
  2. It seems like a lot of people come out of working in an administration very cynical about the process, but you express in your book hope and optimism for the future. How was your experience different?
  3. How did you manage your strong Christian beliefs while occasionally working with people who did not share them?
  4. Politics is always a tricky conversation in small group meetings. How should group leaders approach political topics when they are raised? Should they even be discussed?
  5. With another contentious election season coming up, how can people in small groups have healthy conversations while still holding opposing views?
  6. What is the ultimate hope for Christians in this political climate?

Michael Wear is the founder of Public Square Strategies LLC, a consulting firm that helps businesses, non-profits, foundations, and Christian organizations at the intersection of faith, politics, and culture. Wear directed faith outreach for President Obama’s historic 2012 re-election campaign and was one of the youngest White House staffers in modern American history, leading evangelical outreach and helping manage the White House’s engagement on religious and values issues, including adoption and anti-human trafficking efforts. He holds an honorary position at the University of Birmingham’s Edward Cadbury Centre for the Public Understanding of Religion, and serves on the national board of Bethany Christian Services. He lives with his wife, Melissa, in Washington, DC. Michael is the author of Reclaiming Hope: Lessons Learned in the Obama White House About the Future of Faith in America.

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 Small Groups For The Rest Of Us.
Group Answers Podcast

Group Answers Episode 59: Gospel Centered Groups

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On this week’s episode, Brian and Chris join Brian Dembowczyk, the Managing Editor of The Gospel Project. The three tackle the following questions: 

  • “Gospel” is a buzzword right now in the church world. What does it mean to be “gospel-centered”?
  • How does failing to study Scripture as one gospel story lead to moralism?
  • How does a group leader help create a “gospel culture” in a small group?
  • Is it important to know how all Scripture points back to Jesus? How can a small group leader consistently do that during discussions?
  • What is different about The Gospel Project curriculum? What is coming for The Gospel Project this fall?

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 Small Groups For The Rest Of Us.

GUEST: Brian knows how churches work, and understands group dynamics as he writes content for groups of churches of various sizes. In addition to being the Managing Editor of The Gospel Project, Brian is the author of Gospel-Centered Kids Ministry and Cornerstones: 200 Questions and Answers to Learn Truth. Brian and his wife Tara have three kids: Joshua, Hannah, and Caleb. Prior to joining The Gospel Project, he served in local church ministry for 17 years, primarily in family and discipleship ministry. You can keep up with Brian on Twitter.

Group Answers Podcast

Group Answers Episode 57: Heather Zempel

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On this week’s episode, Brian and Chris join Heather Zempel, the discipleship leader at National Community Church in Washington, D.C. Heather answers the following questions:

  • How does discipleship work in a transient community, such as Washington, D.C.?
  • What is the most difficult part of identifying and developing leaders in a big city?
  • How can the church do a better job raising up more women leaders?
  • What are the keys to discipling millennials?

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 Small Groups For The Rest Of Us.

GUEST: Heather Zempel leads the discipleship efforts at National Community Church in Washington, D.C. Heather oversees small groups, directs leadership development training, and serves on the weekend teaching team. Heather can be found on Capitol Hill enjoying the adventures of parenting with her husband Ryan as they raise Sawyer, their fun-loving and energetic daughter. Heather is the author of Sacred Roads, Community is Messy, and Amazed and Confused. You can keep up with Heather here.