Disciple-making in Community with Ken Braddy

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.

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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

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.

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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

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

In this episode, Ken Braddy discusses the key principles and essentials for effective group ministry through Sunday school. By taking the principles from his book, Breathing Life into Sunday School, Ken emphasizes the importance of discipleship within the context of a group and highlights the need for variety in teaching, financial support, attention, and ongoing training for leaders. He also emphasizes the significance of starting new groups, clarifying the goals and expectations of the ministry, and providing ongoing studies. The episode concludes with a reminder that a church without discipleship is just a gathering.

Thanks for listening and sharing with a friend!

SHOW LINKS:
-Breathing Life into Sunday School
-Connect with Ken Braddy

Welcome back to another great episode of Disciple-Making Community with host Ken Braddy. On today's show, Scott McConnell, the author of the book 'Together: The Power of Groups.' They discuss the importance of discipleship within the context of smaller groups and the benefits of being in a group. They also explore the reasons people do and don't participate with groups. Scott emphasizes the need for strong ties and community in the church and challenges listeners to recognize God's design for us to follow Him together with other believers.

Scott McConnell has researched the needs and preferences of church leaders, laity, and the unchurched for Lifeway Christian Resources for over 25 years. His in-depth studies and national polls have generated relevant insights on today’s church and culture. Scott received a Bachelor of Science in Economics degree in Marketing and Strategic Management from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. For 15 years, Scott has led Lifeway Research’s national polling that regularly measures the views of Americans, churchgoers, and Protestant pastors. His team has conducted numerous in-depth research studies designed to help church leaders. 

Thanks for listening and sharing with a friend!

SHOW LINKS:
-Connect with Ken Braddy
-Together: The Power of Groups

Today, host Ken Braddy, discusses his book 'Breakthrough: Creating a New Scorecard for Group Ministry Success.' The book focuses on four main tasks for group leaders: learning and obeying God's Word, inviting people to become disciples, forming deeper relationships, and engaging in acts of service. 'Breakthrough' provides practical guidance and tools for group leaders to assess and improve their group ministry.

Thanks for listening and sharing with a friend!

SHOW LINKS:
-Connect with Ken Braddy
-Breakthrough: Creating a New Scorecard for Group Ministry Success.

In this episode of the Disciple Making in Community podcast, host Ken Braddy interviews Dr. Dwayne McCrary about his book Farsighted. They discuss the importance of building a culture of reaching people and overcoming obstacles to reaching the lost. The conversation covers topics such as creating open ongoing Bible study communities, sharing the gospel, and supporting the culture of reaching people.

Thanks for listening and sharing with a friend!

SHOW LINKS:
-Connect with Ken Braddy
-Farsighted

Welcome back to another great season of Disciple-making In Community with Ken Braddy.

He is joined by guest Zach Workin, a student ministry specialist. They discuss the importance of student ministry and the elements of a healthy student ministry, including kingdom expanding, character transforming, and culture shaping.

Zac Workun serves as the Student Ministry Training Specialist for Lifeway. Zac is one of the co-founders of Youth Ministry Booster, Lifeway Students’ collaboration and training network. He has served the local church in various youth ministry roles for over 15 years. He is a graduate of OBU with degrees in business management and religion and received his Master of Divinity from Duke Divinity with a certificate of Baptist Studies. Zac and his wife Karen have two wild boys—Isaiah & Gideon. Zac is an Okie, black coffee drinker, comic book nerd and an Enneagram 7. On Saturdays you can find him brunching outside or chasing toddlers across a playground.

SHOW LINKS:
-Connect with Ken Braddy
-Student Ministry That Matters
-Connect with Zac Workun
-Youth Ministry Booster 
-Breakthrough: Creating A New Scorecard for Ministry Success