Discipleship & Culture with Brian Daniel

On this bonus episode of Group Answers, Chris and Brian talk about their favorite (and not so favorite) non-traditional Christmas movies.

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 Leading Small Groups.

On this episode of Group Answers, Chris and Brian talk to Reid Smith about how small group leaders can keep themselves spiritually healthy — especially during this season.

Reid Smith has been equipping leaders in churches of all sizes and stages of growth for effective disciple-making since 1996. He lives in Wellington, Florida where he serves as a Groups Pastor at Christ Fellowship. You can find more of his helpful resources at www.reidsmith.org.

Resources Mentioned

Small Group Leader Self-Care Blog Post

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 Leading Small Groups.

On this episode of Group Answers, Chris, Brian, and Ken discuss what Sunday School might look like in 2021 and beyond.

Ken Braddy is Lifeway’s Director of Sunday School and manager of adult ongoing Bible studies. He blogs regularly about Sunday school and groups at kenbraddy.com.

Questions Discussed

* What are some of the trends that you are seeing? 

* What will be the major obstacles? 

* What are some tools churches can use to help groups start strong in 2021?

* Will we ever be back to “normal”?  

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 Leading Small Groups.

On this episode of Group Answers, Chris and Brian talk to Barnabas Piper about his new book, Hoping for Happiness, where he offers a biblical framework for living a grounded, hopeful, and genuinely happy life.

Barnabas Piper is on staff at Immanuel Nashville. He is also an author and speaker and the father of two daughters. He cohosts the Happy Rant podcast and blogs at BarnabasPiper.com.

Questions:

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In what ways does happiness look different for everybody?

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Is it wrong to want to be happy?

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What’s the difference between happiness and joy? Is one holier?

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How are we to experience happiness in this life while setting our minds on things above?

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How do we avoid expecting too much of earthly things and being disappointed, or expecting too little and becoming cynics?

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What kinds of unrealistic expectations do we have of happiness?

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Why do Christians feel guilty about happiness? How do we address that Biblically?

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How can we share our happiness with those who are hurting without making it worse?

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 Leading Small Groups.

On this episode of Group Answers, Chris and Brian check in with Jared Musgrove. Dr. Jared Steven Musgrove is Groups Pastor at The Village Church in Flower Mound, TX and co-founder and Executive Director of communityleadership.org. He is married to Jenny and father to Jordan and Joshua.

Questions:

* We have been talking a lot on this podcast about potential drift in discipleship and spiritual disciplines. What are some things you do personally to keep fit spiritually?

* How are you helping your groups and group leaders be healthy during this season?

* Do you give your leaders specific training or encouragement for caring for their group members?

* How are your online groups going? Will that be an ongoing strategy?

* What are your priorities as you plan for groups in 2021?

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 Leading Small Groups.

On this episode of Group Answers, Chris, Brian and Brandon talk about ways to avoid drifting in our personal discipleship routines.

Resources:

* The Daily Discipleship Guide

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 Leading Small Groups.

On this episode of Group Answers, Chris, Brian and Brandon talk about ways to avoid drifting in discipleship, even when everything else in life seems to be moving.

Resources:

* The Daily Discipleship Guide

* Six Reasons I’m Using the New Daily Discipleship Guide in My Group

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 Leading Small Groups.

On this episode of Group Answers, Chris and Brian talk about how you navigate leading a small group after a politically tense election.

Talking Points:

1. Focus on “I” rather than “you” or “they.”

2. Jesus called us to unity, not to a political party.

3. Pray.

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 Leading Small Groups.

On this episode of the Group Answers podcast, Chris and Brian sit down with Steve Gladen to talk about next steps for online and in-person groups.

Expressing the Five Purposes in an Online Small Group

Worship online:

* Find a worship song on YouTube, share your screen on your Zoom meeting, and sing together.

* Create “My Small Group Playlist” on Spotify and have members add their favorite worship songs to listen to during workouts, drives, or chores around the house.

* Pick a time to watch the weekly online worship service together on a Zoom meeting.

* Have a group member track prayer requests using a Google Doc, shared the link, and regularly give updates on how God has answered past prayers.

* Host a communion worship time during your online meeting. The week before taking communion, instruct group members to purchase crackers and juice to have ready on the next group meeting. Contact your Connection Pastor for further details.

* Interested in diving into deeper theological topics? Take “Foundations: 11 Core Truths to Build Your Life On” together at Saddleback.thinkific.com/courses/foundations. Spend a few minutes in your group time to discuss what you’re each learning.

* Explore having each group member plan a personal retreat using the resources at Saddleback.com/connect/ministry/retreat-ministry. Set a date, walk through the details on a group meeting, have the personal retreat, and during your next group meeting discuss what God revealed to each of you.

* Use the “Journey with Jesus” 360 tour option Saddleback.com/learn/journey-with-jesus.

* Pick a book on the topic of “Worship” from the recommended list on Saddleback.com/learn/recommended-books to read together.

* Pick a small group study that focuses on growing in the area of “Worship” on Saddleback.com/watch by selecting Small Group Studies and filter by purpose.

Fellowship online:

* Spend 15 minutes during your group meeting for everyone in the group to unmute themselves and answer a fun icebreaker question. Examples: What is your favorite movie? What is your dream vacation spot? Who is the most interesting person you ever met?

On this episode of Group Answers, Chris, Brian, and Brandon discuss the top 3 episodes of Group Answers that would have to change because of COVID-19.

Top Episodes

* Leading Small Groups

* Training Group Leaders

* Prayer in Groups

Episode Sponsor

Ministry Grid wants to help your church stay on the same page and maintain discipleship in the midst of this unique season. They are offering a special offer specifically for our podcast listeners to get unlimited access for $399/year. Just go to ministrygrid.com/podcasts to learn more.

This offer is only valid through October 31 at midnight. So make sure you sign up before the end of the month.

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 Leading Small Groups.