What does true community look like in the church today? Are we prioritizing deep, meaningful relationships, or are we settling for surface-level connections? In this episode, Ben Mandrell and Tyler Litton invite the church to reflect on their own experiences with biblical community and consider how the church can better foster belonging in a culture that often leans toward isolation.

Drawing from Ben’s Together Bible Study, they explore the challenges pastors face in getting congregants plugged into groups, the growing trend of isolation, and the impact of avoiding true community. Looking at the early church, they highlight how believers spent time together both formally and informally and why genuine connection takes time and intentionality. Ben challenges listeners to lean into the natural ebbs and flows of group life, the struggles and rewards of building relationships, and examine the balance between individual responsibility and collective engagement.

As you reflect on your role in building and nurturing biblical community, we encourage you to take the next step with Ben Mandrell’s Together Bible Study. This resource dives deeper into the biblical foundation of authentic relationships and provides practical steps for fostering meaningful connection in your church. Whether you’re a pastor, small group leader, or simply someone longing for deeper community, Together will equip and inspire you to take intentional steps toward living in biblical fellowship. Grab your copy today and start building the kind of community God designed us for—one that thrives on breaking bread, learning together, fellowshipping, and prayer.

SHOW LINKS: 

Together Bible Study

Bowling Alone 

Click HERE to shop for the Together Bible Study from Lifeway and Ben Mandrell.

What if your curriculum could help kids and students not only learn about faith but truly feel like they belong? How can you create a discipleship experience that’s both flexible and aligns with the unique mission of your church? In this episode of Disciple-Making in Community, Ken Braddy interviews Jeremy Carroll about Hyfi, Lifeway’s innovative new curriculum line for kids and students.

Hyfi is designed with belonging and identity at its core, offering an engaging and customizable approach that adapts to various ministry styles. Jeremy dives into how Hyfi supports leaders with everything from fun, interactive activities, to a robust focus on identity in Christ. They discuss why choosing curriculum that reflects your church’s mission matters and how Hyfi empowers you to do just that.

Curious about what Hyfi could bring to your ministry? Tune in and explore, then try it for yourself with a free 14-day trial at myhyfi.com. Get ready to transform the way young people experience discipleship!

SHOW LINKS:
 Check out Hyfi Here

Click HERE to shop for the Together Bible Study from Lifeway and Ben Mandrell.

On today's show, host Ken Braddy welcomes Y Bonesteele, content editor for Lifeway’s Adult Gospel Project, for a deep dive into one of Lifeway’s standout curriculums. If you’re a small group leader looking for a powerful tool to disciple your group with purpose and structure, this episode is for you!

Ken and Bone explore what sets Gospel Project apart from other Lifeway curriculum lines and why its intentional scope and sequence are so effective in maturing believers and developing disciples. Discover the full range of The Gospel Project resources, including the study guide, leader guide, and commentary, each designed to provide leaders with a comprehensive approach to teaching and application.

We know you'll be inspired, equipped, and ready to lead with confidence as you walk alongside your group members in their faith journey. Thanks for listening and sharing with a friend!

SHOW LINKS:
Connect with Y Boonesteele
The Gospel Project 

Click HERE to shop for the Together Bible Study from Lifeway and Ben Mandrell.

In this insightful episode of Disciple-Making in Community, host Ken Braddy sits down with Dr. Len Pryor, team lead at Lifeway Christian Resources for Bible Studies for Life, to uncover the philosophy and unique aspects of the curriculum. Designed around eight essential markers of a growing disciple, Bible Studies for Life offers small group leaders and church communities a thoughtful and structured path to spiritual growth.

Tune in to this episode to explore how Bible Studies for Life can be a powerful asset in your discipleship journey and to gather fresh insights and tools that will inspire and equip you to make a lasting impact in your small group community!

SHOW LINKS:
Bible Studies for Life

Click HERE to shop for the Together Bible Study from Lifeway and Ben Mandrell.

Curriculum plays a pivotal role in guiding meaningful Bible study and fostering spiritual growth within small groups. It’s not just about following a plan—it’s about creating a foundation for spiritual transformation.

In this episode, Ken Braddy sits down with Amber Vaden, team leader for Explore the Bible at Lifeway Christian Resources, to delve into the critical role that curriculum plays in Bible study groups. They explore the leader’s responsibility in guiding the group effectively, while highlighting key resources like the Personal Study Guide and the Daily Discipleship Guide. Amber also explains the scope and sequence of Explore the Bible, which provides a focused study of one book of the Bible each quarter. Together, they discuss the benefits of the Leader Guide, Adult Commentary, and additional resources available on the Explore the Bible blog.

This episode is packed with practical insights and tools to help small group leaders enrich their Bible study experience and foster deeper discipleship. It’s not just about following a plan—it’s about creating a foundation for spiritual transformation. Thanks for listening and sharing with a friend!

SHOW LINKS:
Explore the Bible at Lifeway Christian Resources

Click HERE to shop for the Together Bible Study from Lifeway and Ben Mandrell.

In this episode, Ken Braddy and Dr. Dwayne McCrary dive into the ins and outs of aligning curriculum in the church to help small group leaders lead with greater effectiveness. They explore various approaches to alignment—whether by age group, concept, or teaching style—and share how alignment can foster deeper conversations, streamline planning, and improve communication across ministries.

However, they don’t shy away from the challenges, like navigating the different needs and learning abilities of various age groups and the compromises that come with it. Ultimately, they emphasize the importance of considering the unique goals and needs of your church when selecting and aligning curriculum. If you’re a small group leader looking to create a more cohesive and impactful discipleship experience, this episode is packed with practical wisdom and helpful insights.

Thanks for listening and sharing with a friend! 

Click HERE to shop for the Together Bible Study from Lifeway and Ben Mandrell.

One of the most critical decisions a church leader can make is choosing a curriculum that shapes the spiritual growth of their congregation. On today's episode Ken Braddy discuss why it’s essential to select a curriculum that is not only rooted in Scripture but also doctrinally sound and balanced in its approach to studying the Bible. Josh Paul Basham and Sean Beach explain how leaders can understand the value of a clear scope and sequence in a curriculum and share practical tips to ensure your curriculum aligns with your church’s vision and mission.

John Paul Basham serves as the Manager of Lifeway Student Ministry Publishing. He served in the local church for 10 years before coming on staff at Lifeway and has a deep passion for the work of the church and its mission to make disciples. John Paul and his wife, Crystal, have two boys, Levi and Titus.

Sean Beach serves as the Associate Minister of Education at First Dallas. He has a Master of Arts in Christian Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and is currently writing his dissertation for a Doctorate of Ministry degree from Liberty University. Sean and his wife, Katie, have been married for 11 years, and they have three girls, Caroline (9), Madison (8), and Emily (5).

Whether you're choosing materials for a small group, Bible study, or Sunday school, this conversation will help you discern the best fit for your community's unique needs and goals. Join us as we equip you with the tools to make informed, spiritually grounded decisions that will impact the spiritual formation of your church for years to come.

SHOW LINKS:
Bible Studies For Life
Explore the Bible
The Gospel Project
YOU  Bible Study
Masterwork

Click HERE to shop for the Together Bible Study from Lifeway and Ben Mandrell.

Hey friends! Welcome to another great season of Disciple-Making in Community. We believe that discipleship happens best when it's done in a small group, and this season we're going to be focusing on why curriculum matters! Josh Renck and Jamie Coomer join Ken on the show to discuss the importance of using curriculum in small group settings. They emphasize how solid curriculum can provide structure and guidance for group leaders, as well as ensure the doctrinal fidelity of what's being taught. 

An Arkansas native, Josh Renck holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from Arkansas State University as well as a Master of Divinity in Youth & Family Ministry from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Pastor Josh has served in churches in Arkansas, Missouri, and Ohio. He is married to Katie and they have one son, Elliot. Josh enjoys reading, traveling, board games, anything outside, and spending time with his family. He also believes coffee and ice cream are the greatest inventions of all time.

Jamie Coomer joined the Lone Oak FBC team as the Minister of Discipleship and Family in April 2016. Husband to Nicole and father of five beautiful children, Jamie understands the battle facing families today and the importance of equipping parents and grandparents to disciple the next generation. After graduating with a double major in communications and religious studies from Western Kentucky University, Jamie went on to obtain a masters degree in leadership from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. In his spare time, Jamie enjoys hunting, reading, UK Basketball, tennis, and hiking with family and friends.

Thanks for listening and sharing this episode with a friend! 

Click HERE to shop for the Together Bible Study from Lifeway and Ben Mandrell.

Welcome back to the last episode of season 4 of the Disciple Making in Community podcast. If you haven't listened to the entire season, we encourage you to go back and catch up. On today's show, host Ken Braddy interviews Dr. Kelly King, author of the book Ministry to Women. They discuss the importance of discipleship in women's ministry, the value of working in teams, creating a great Bible study atmosphere, and connecting different generations of women. Kelly emphasizes the need for women in leadership roles and the impact they have on the church.

Kelly is the Women's Minister at Quail Springs Baptist Church in Oklahoma City, OK. Recently, she served as the manager of Magazines/Devotional Publishing and Women’s Ministry Training for Lifeway Christian Resources. She is the author of Ministry to Women: The Essential Guide to Leading Women in the Local Church. She is a contributor to the Lifeway Women’s Bible, as well as several Lifeway Women Bible studies. In addition, she spent four years as a cohost of the MARKED podcast for Lifeway Women. She has a Master of Theology degree from Gateway Seminary as well as a Doctorate in Ministry degree.

Thanks for listening and sharing this episode with a friend.

SHOW LINKS:

-Connect with Ken Braddy
-Ministry to Women

Click HERE to shop for the Together Bible Study from Lifeway and Ben Mandrell.

Kids today are growing up so differently than their parents did.  On today's show, host Ken Brady interviews Jana Magruder, the author of the book Flip the Script. They discuss the importance of understanding the needs of the current generation of kids and how to effectively minister to them. Jana covers topics such as expressive individualism, the need for relationships in kids' ministry, and the 12 truths that kids need to know. She also introduce the Hi-Fi curriculum, which is designed to help kids understand their identity in Christ and foster belonging in the church.

Jana Magruder serves as the Strategic Initiatives Director of Lifeway NextGen. With a background in education, publishing, and ministry, she loves championing the local church to help families disciple kids of all ages. She is the author of Nothing Less and Kids Ministry that Nourishes as well as the co-author of Every Age, Every Stage and Flip the Script. Jana and her husband, Michael, are native Texans planted in Tennessee and love to explore both states with their three kids.

SHOW LINKS:

-Connect with Ken Braddy
-Flip the Script

Click HERE to shop for the Together Bible Study from Lifeway and Ben Mandrell.