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Group Answers Podcast

Group Answers Episode 92: Ben Reed on Building a Growth Track

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On this episode of Group Answers, Chris and Brian talk to Ben Reed about how to build a successful spiritual growth track. Ben blogs at BenReed.net and oversees small groups, mission, and care at Mission Community Church in Gilbert, AZ. He’s the author of the book, Starting Small. Ben is married with a son and daughter. His interaction with small groups, recruiting small group leaders, training and shepherding them is broad, and his heart beats for healthy, authentic, biblical, Jesus-focused community. He knows that without a healthy system, you can’t replicate what you do with any efficiency.

Questions:

  • You have been around small groups and discipleship strategies for a long time and in different ministry settings, how have you seen them evolve and change?
  • How do you counsel groups on curriculum or Bible study choices. Do you adhere to a scope and sequence or more a la carte?
  • How does having a growth track to follow help people in their spiritual growth? Where do groups fit on that track?
  • What’s the greatest challenge to you as a groups pastor and how are you addressing it?

Quotes:

I have seen a movement from high discipleship to a relationship and missional model.

I have the seen the rise of the franchise model of plug-and-play groups.

Here at Mission, we say that we want you to connect relationally and grow spiritually.

Holding relationships and spiritual growth up is where we are going to find health in groups.

When I get questions from group leaders, it’s about what we should do about childcare or what we should study next.

We have a suggested curriculum track for groups to follow.

You’re either an explorer, a builder, an owner, or a thriver. You self assess where you are spiritually through a series of questions.

A thrive spiritual tract is unique for every person going through it.

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 91: Building Your Spiritual Pathway

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On this episode of Group Answers, Brian, Chris, and Michael, discuss how to build a spiritual pathway for your church and groups that is centered on the Gospel.

Spiritual Pathway Example

For more information and resource recommendations for the pathway, go to www.lifeway.com/balanceddiscipleship.

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 90: Power Ranking Group Leader Roles

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In this episode of Group Answers, Brian, Chris, and Brandon, power rank their top five small group leader roles.

Brian’s Top 5:

  1. Teacher
  2. Misional Activities Planner
  3. Shepherd
  4. Host
  5. Prayer time

Chris’ Top 5:

  1. Prayer
  2. Shepherd
  3. Host
  4. Food Planner
  5. Fun Planner

Brandon’s Top 5:

  1. Childcare Scheduler
  2. Teacher
  3. Prayer
  4. Host
  5. Missional Activities Planner

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 89: Power Ranking Leadership Books

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On this episode of Group Answers, Brian and Chris power rank their top five leadership books for group leaders.

Brian’s Top 5:

  1. Winning the Story Wars
  2. The Leadership Code
  3. Team of Rivals
  4. The Five Dysfunctions of a Team
  5. Undaunted Courage

Chris’ Top 5:

  1. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality
  2. Essentialism
  3. Start with Why
  4. Quiet
  5. Developing the Leader Within You

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 88: Dan Darling on Human Dignity

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In this episode of Group Answers, Brian and Chris sit down with Daniel Darling to talk about the concept of human dignity.

Daniel Darling is the Vice President for Communications for the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention (ERLC). Dan is the author of several books, including Teen People of the Bible, Crash Course, iFaith, Real, Activist Faith, The Original Jesus, and his most recent book, The Dignity Revolution. He is a contributing editor to Christianity Today’s CT Pastors, a columnist for Homelife, and a regular contributor to In Touch Magazine. He also writes regularly for several leading evangelical publications, including The Gospel Coalition. 

Dan speaks and preaches around the country and is regularly interviewed on television and radio. He is the host of a weekly podcast, The Way Home.

Dan has served churches in Illinois and Tennessee. He and his wife Angela have four children and reside in the Nashville area. They attend Green Hill Church in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, where Dan serves as Pastor of Teaching and Discipleship.

Questions for Dan:

  • What motivated you to write Dignity Revolution?
  • What does it mean to be pro-life?
  • What makes the Bible’s vision for human dignity so distinct?
  • What are some ways churches and small group leaders can model this idea of human dignity?
  • Why is it so important that we understand this concept?
  • How do we teach this in our groups?

Quotes:

I have been fascinated with how the Bible describes what it means to be human.

More care and deliberation was put into the creation of humans than anything else.

Human dignity is one of the best gifts Christianity gives to the world.

Christians need to think well about issues in the world.

For 50 years, the pro-life movement has been saying that the most defenseless among us are human beings.

Was does it mean to apply pro-life to other issues?

What if we saw immigrants and people we disagree with online as image bearers of God?

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 87: Jen Wilkin

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On this episode of Group Answers, Chris and Brian welcome Jen Wilkin. She is an author and Bible teacher. Jen and her family are members of the Village Church in Flower Mound, Texas, where she serves on staff. She is author of Women of the Word: How to Study the Bible with Both Our Hearts and Our Minds and most recently In His Image: 10 Ways God Calls Us to Reflect His Character.

Questions:

  • You’re a Bible teacher at heart. What have you learned over the course of your time as a teacher that you think would be most helpful for group leaders.
  • In terms of sanctification, how does clinging to the gospel produce growth in individuals? What do we mean by “clinging to the gospel”?
  • In what ways does solid biblical teaching and group life help us form a more gospel-centered, or maybe better put, godly understanding of our identities in Christ? As a teacher how do you take measures to be intentional about helping disciples root their identities in Christ?
  • Why do Christians need the gospel just as much as those who haven’t yet believed?
  • How does the Village Church help groups progress in the Christian life?

Quotes:

Home groups can be difficult places for teaching environments.

Groups are really good at building community, and having peer-to-peer application driven discussions around the text.

When Matt Chandler is the pastor, the assumption can be that everyone in the church knows the Bible. That’s not true.

When many people hear the term, “the gospel,” they default to thinking strictly in terms of justification.

Sanctification is a grace driven effort.

Start by asking what the text is telling us is true about God, so that we can then see ourselves in relation to that and have true self knowledge.

The gospel to the believer is that you can change. You can grow in holiness.

Resources Mentioned:

www.jenwilkin.net

https://www.instagram.com/jenwilkin

Knowing Faith Podcast

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 86: Raising Up a Secondary Leader

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In this episode of Group Answers, Brian, Chris, and Brandon talk about how to identify and raise up a secondary leader in your small group.

Five Steps for Preparing a Secondary Leader

Step 1: I do. You watch. We talk.

Step 2: I do. You help. We talk.

Step 3: You do. I help. We talk.

Step 4: You do. I watch. We talk.

Step 5: You do. Someone else watches.

Questions for Meetings

  • What did you observe?
  • How did this step make you feel?
  • What could be done better or differently next time?
  • What can I do to help you successfully lead through the next step?
  • How can I pray for you?

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 85: Writing Sermon-Based Studies

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On today’s episode of Group Answers, Brian and Chris welcome Dr. Rob Tims to talk about how to craft a well-written sermon-based Bible study. Rob is a Christ-follower, husband, and father of four living in Nashville, TN. With more than 20 years of ministry experience in the local church, Rob currently manages the editorial team at Lifeway Christian Resources that provides trustworthy, customized Bible studies for individual churches through personal relationships and smallgroup.com. He also is an Associate Professor for Liberty University Online, a researcher, and enjoys preaching and teaching in various venues throughout the year. His first book, Southern Fried Faith, is available exclusively on Amazon for Kindle or in print.

Three Things to Know for Writing a Sermon-Based Study:

  1. Know the goal
  2. Know the culture
  3. Know the basics

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 84: Tony Merida

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In this episode of Group Answers, Chris and Brian welcome Dr. Tony Merida as their guest. Tony is the founding pastor of Imago Dei Church in Raleigh, N.C. He also serves as Associate Professor of Preaching at Southeastern Baptist Seminary in Wake Forest, NC. His books include:

  • Faithful Preaching
  • Orphanology
  • Ordinary: How to Turn the World Upside Down
  • Proclaiming Jesus
  • Eight volumes in the new Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series (B&H), of which he also serves as a general editor, along with Danny Akin and David Platt.

He is happily married to Kimberly; and they have five adopted children.

Questions:

1. Tony, you’re a guy that’s pretty busy. You’re a pastor, the father of a large family, you’re a writer, a part-time coach and until recently a college professor. What counsel would you have for group leaders also trying to balance full time jobs with family and significant ministry commitments?

2. You wrote Ordinary that is for the most part about hospitality — one of your passion points. What events or circumstances in your life have pushed the practice of hospitality to such a prominent position in your family’s personal values?

3. As you and Kim have practiced hospitality as an important aspect of your ministry what have you learned about hosting as a part of disciple-making?

4. Research shows that Bible engagement is THE indicator for a growing disciple that make disciples. What have you found to be the most effective way to teach the Bible to new believers?

5. Describe your relationship with the groups ministry at Imago Dei. To what extent are you involved with this part of ongoing ministry at the church?

Quotes:

I would encourage people to work early. I get a lot of writing done before 8:00am.

When I’m working, really work. When I’m resting, really rest.

Build in times and seasons of rest.

I can work with a sense of joy because Christ has accomplished what matters most and is coming to renew all things.

The secret to good sermon prep, and the secret to good writing, is great editing.

Hospitality allows people to do something very significant in the ordinary rhythm of their lives.

You can go through your day without talking to another human being, and I think that’s a problem.

Some people need to see how the Gospel works before they actually understand the Gospel.

I have found that a lot of unbelievers are more attracted to the Christian community than the Christian message.

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 83: Scarlet Hiltibidal

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Our guest today is Scarlet Hiltibidal. Scarlet is a very professional wife and mother to her family in Middle Tennessee. She loves sign language with her daughters, nachos by herself, writing for her friends, and dreaming of being a famous chef while spilling the cheese dust from the macaroni box on the kitchen counter and using it anyway. She treasures the freedom of resting in the work of Jesus and hopes to help others rest as well. She is the author of the just released, Afraid of All the Things: Tornadoes, Cancer, Adoption, and Other Stuff You Need the Gospel For.

Questions:

  • What was it like growing up, as you say, “in the green room” of SNL and other national TV shows? How has it shaped your adult life?
  • What prompted you to write your first book, Afraid of All the Things? Who did you write it for?
  • When do you first remember being crippled by fear and anxiety? What was it like and how did it shape your childhood?
  • When did you first learn to hold the gospel up to your fears, and how did that change things?
  • How do your fears and anxiety play out as a small group leader? What advice would you give small group leaders on overcoming their fears, and at the same time, helping their small group members work through their own?
  • Do you still struggle with fear and anxiety, and what do you do to combat it?
  • What are your hopes for readers after they finish the book?

Quotes:

You have to force yourself to live in the light.

I was afraid that people would not accept me if they knew about all of my flaws.

I grew up hearing the gospel, but I thought I needed Jesus to die to save me–but I better do a really good job of being a Christian.

“Am I good enough” caused an underlying panic all of the time.

The gospel is for every moment.

Resources mentioned:

www.afraidofallthethings.com

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.