Every church leader knows the tension - your worship service is full, but your Bible study groups are not. So how do we bridge the gap between Sunday morning attendance and deeper community engagement? In this episode of Disciple-Making in Community, host Ken Braddy is joined by Jared Barham from Northside Baptist Church to unpack practical strategies for moving people from Sunday worship services into meaningful Bible study groups. If you’re a small group leader or church staff member looking to increase group participation, this conversation will both encourage and equip you.

Drawing from Jared’s experience at Northside Baptist Church, they discuss how personal invitations, welcoming environments, and consistent group promotion can create bridges into deeper community. The episode emphasizes the power of church members - not just pastors or leaders - in fostering engagement through intentional relationships and communication. They also identify common barriers that keep people from joining groups and offer practical ways to overcome them. Whether you’re looking to grow your group or strengthen connections in your church, this episode is full of actionable advice for building a thriving culture of discipleship.

If this episode sparked new ideas or helped clarify your next steps, take a moment to rate and review the podcast—your feedback helps us reach and resource more leaders like you. Thanks for listening, and keep making disciples in community!

SHOW LINKS: 

Please click HERE for more information about Deep Discipleship, mentioned in the show. 

In an age when connection is just a click away, many small group leaders are asking: How can we use technology to bring people closer together without replacing real, meaningful relationships? In this episode of Disciple-Making in Community, host Ken Braddy is joined by Crystal Mazzuca to explore how Bible study groups can build stronger community both in person and between meetings. With insight from her role at Lifeway and experience navigating remote work, Crystal brings a thoughtful perspective on balancing screens and face-to-face connection in group life.

Together, they explore the strengths and weaknesses of digital tools like Slack, texting, and email—offering practical tips on how leaders can use them to encourage connection without letting them replace in-person interaction. The conversation emphasizes the importance of intentionality, reminding leaders that while technology can support community, it’s the heart behind it that truly matters.

How are you using technology to strengthen—not replace—real relationships in your group? If this episode gave you something to think about, take a moment to rate and review the podcast—your feedback helps us reach and equip more leaders like you. Thanks for listening, and keep building community with purpose and presence!

SHOW LINKS: 

Hyfi

Slack

Group Me

Please click HERE for more information about Deep Discipleship, mentioned in the show. 

In a world full of noise and distraction, prayer has the power to anchor us - and our groups - in what truly matters. But for many small group leaders, prayer can feel routine or even rushed. So how do we move from surface-level prayers to meaningful conversations with God that deepen community and stir hearts for the lost? In this episode of Disciple-Making in Community, host Ken Braddy sits down with Dr. Dwayne McCrary to discuss how prayer can become a powerful, consistent force in Bible study groups.

The two explore the essential role prayer plays in fostering authentic community and spiritual growth within small groups. Drawing from personal experiences, they share practical ways leaders can make prayer a central part of their group dynamic—going beyond opening and closing prayers to truly interceding for one another and for the lost. The conversation emphasizes the value of praying with purpose, the impact it has on group relationships, and how it strengthens discipleship. Whether you're a seasoned leader or just starting out, this episode offers encouragement and actionable steps to make prayer a cornerstone of your group culture.

 How are you incorporating prayer into your small group? If this episode challenged or encouraged you, we’d love for you to rate and review the podcast—your feedback helps us equip more leaders like you. Thanks for tuning in, and keep building communities rooted in prayer and purpose!

SHOW LINKS: 

Marked By Prayer by Dr. Dwayne McCrary

Explore the Bible

Please click HERE for more information about Deep Discipleship, mentioned in the show. 

In a culture that often values convenience over connection, small group leaders carry the vital responsibility of cultivating spaces where people feel known, welcomed, and spiritually encouraged. But how do we move beyond just meeting for Bible study and into meaningful community? In this episode of Disciple-making in Community, host Ken Braddy sits down with Andrea Lennon to explore the powerful role of fellowship in group life. With experience in both ministry and her current role at Lifeway, Andrea brings wisdom, warmth, and practical insight into how authentic relationships can strengthen your group and support lasting discipleship.

Ken and Andrea unpack the biblical importance of fellowship as a key part of small group ministry. They reflect on Andrea's background in ministry and her work at Lifeway, setting the stage for a conversation centered on building community through intentional connection. The episode highlights how group gatherings—both formal and informal—can deepen relationships, create trust, and encourage spiritual growth. Andrea shares memorable fellowship experiences, discusses the human need for connection, and offers practical advice for group leaders on how to plan and promote events that are welcoming and meaningful. From planning a simple meal to cultivating a culture of care, this episode reminds leaders that creating strong, relational bonds is just as important as studying Scripture together.

If today’s episode inspired you with new ideas or renewed purpose, take a moment to rate and review the podcast—your feedback helps us reach more leaders like you. Thanks for listening, and keep building biblical community that lasts!

Please click HERE for more information about Deep Discipleship, mentioned in the show. 

When was the last time your leadership team truly felt like a community, not just a collection of volunteers? In this episode of Disciple-making in Community, host Ken Braddy sits down with David Loyed, adult discipleship pastor at Whitesburg Baptist Church, to explore what it takes to build genuine community within church groups—starting with leadership. If you're a small group leader who wants to strengthen your group’s dynamics, develop new leaders, and foster spiritual growth through service, this conversation will both challenge and equip you.

 Ken and David dive into the critical role of community within church groups and how leadership teams can set the tone for authentic relationships and discipleship. Drawing from his experience and insights from the E4 Conference, David unpacks the value of training and equipping leaders, highlighting how serving in leadership positions promotes both personal and group growth. The episode emphasizes trust, communication, and the importance of inviting group members to step into leadership roles. Whether you're leading a group or building a team, this conversation offers practical encouragement for creating a vibrant, service-driven church community.

 If this episode encouraged you, take a moment to rate and review the podcast—your feedback helps us continue equipping leaders like you. Thanks for tuning in!

SHOW LINKS:

Connect with Lifeway Adults

Please click HERE for more information about Deep Discipleship, mentioned in the show. 

What if one of the most powerful ways to grow your small group isn’t found in your meeting room, but out in your community? In this episode of Disciple-Making in Community, host Ken Braddy sits down with Kim Harris from the Noonday Association to talk about how service can be a catalyst for deeper relationships and stronger discipleship. If you’ve been looking for ways to bring your group closer together while making a meaningful impact beyond your walls, this conversation is packed with practical inspiration.

Ken and Kim dive into the power of service as a tool for building authentic community within church groups. They share real-life stories of how serving others has led to stronger connections among group members and discuss both the challenges and rewards of organizing service initiatives. Kim highlights how consistent, intentional service can help churches build long-term relationships with their communities and reflect the true heart of discipleship. This episode offers encouragement and actionable ideas for leaders who want to take their groups beyond the Bible study table and into the mission field of everyday life.

If this episode encouraged you, take a moment to rate and review the podcast, your feedback helps us reach and equip more small group leaders like you. Thanks for listening, and keep making disciples through community and service!

SHOW LINKS:

Noonday Association of Churches 

Please click HERE for more information about Deep Discipleship, mentioned in the show. 

In the wake of isolation brought on by the pandemic, many small group leaders have wrestled with a pressing question: How do we rebuild the kind of authentic community that leads to real spiritual transformation?

In this episode of the podcast, host Ken Braddy is joined by Ben Mandrell —church planter, former pastor, and president and CEO of Lifeway — for a powerful conversation about the vital role of community in discipleship. Together, they unpack how Bible study groups can move beyond simply delivering content to cultivating meaningful relationships. Ben offers hard-earned insights from his years of ministry leadership, highlighting the importance of genuine connection, vulnerability, and the foundational pillars that support thriving group life. 

Whether you’re leading a small group, discipling young believers, or guiding a class through the Word each week, this episode will challenge and encourage you to rethink how your group can become a place of spiritual growth, resilience, and true belonging. Thanks for listening and sharing with a friend. 

SHOW LINKS:

Connect with Lifeway Adults 

Connect with Ben Mandrell 

Together Bible Study

Please click HERE for more information about Deep Discipleship, mentioned in the show. 

Every small group leader has faced it—slumps in attendance that leaves you wondering how to reignite your group’s passion and connection. In this episode of Disciple-making in Community, host Ken Braddy sits down with Brandon Adams to discuss strategies for overcoming attendance challenges. Together, they share insights on creating a welcoming environment, re-engaging absentees, and the importance of serving together to strengthen group bonds. 

Ken and Brandon explore the factors that contribute to these slumps, including group size and the need for intentional re-engagement of absentees. The conversation emphasizes the importance of creating a welcoming atmosphere for newcomers and highlights how serving together can deepen connections and foster a stronger sense of community within the group. 

If you're looking for practical tips to revitalize your group, this episode is packed with helpful advice! If you found this episode helpful, take a moment to rate and review the podcast—it helps us reach more leaders like you! Thanks for listening!

SHOW LINKS:

Please click HERE for more information about Deep Discipleship, mentioned in the show. 

As small group leaders, we know the importance of investing in others—especially when it comes to raising up new leaders. But how do we ensure we're not just filling spots but truly developing individuals who will carry the mission of the church forward? In this episode of Disciple-making in Community, host Ken Braddy and guest Nathan Miller discuss the critical role of apprenticeship in church leadership. 

In this conversation, Ken Braddy and Nathan Miller explore the vital role apprenticeship plays in building strong leadership within the church. They discuss the importance of connecting individuals to Bible study groups and the challenges small group leaders face when starting new groups. Nathan highlights the key qualities to look for in potential leaders and underscores the necessity of being intentional in both recruiting and training them. The conversation also delves into available resources to support the development of new leaders, helping group leaders foster an environment where leadership growth and discipleship go hand in hand. The episode concludes with practical encouragement for group leaders to invest in their apprentices and create a culture of mentorship and leadership within their groups.

We'd love to hear how you're fostering leadership development! If this episode was encouraging to you, take a moment to rate and review the podcast—your feedback helps us continue to offer valuable insights for leaders like you. Thanks for listening, and let’s continue to make disciples and raise up leaders together!

SHOW NOTES: 

Ministry Grid

Breakthrough by Ken Braddy

Please click HERE for more information about Deep Discipleship, mentioned in the show. 

As leaders, we often pour ourselves into the work of others—but who’s taking care of you? In this episode of Disciple-making in Community, host Ken Braddy and guest Dr. Mark Dance discuss the critical importance of self-care for group leaders. They explore the scriptural basis for self-care, how to recognize burnout, and the need for setting boundaries. 

Ken and Mark discuss the signs of burnout and offer strategies to maintain wellness, including the role of boundaries and the support of pastors. The conversation also highlights the benefits of taking sabbaticals to recharge, reminding leaders that maintaining their own health is essential for effective ministry. If you're feeling stretched thin or need encouragement to prioritize your own health, this episode is for you.

If this episode was helpful, take a moment to rate and review the podcast—your feedback helps us continue providing valuable insights for leaders like you! Thanks for listening!

SHOW LINKS:

Please click HERE for more information about Deep Discipleship, mentioned in the show.