Discipleship & Culture with Brian Daniel

On this episode of Group Answers, Brian and Chris talk to Steve Gladen about next steps for groups as the world is changing during this pandemic, and about the new Align Conference partnership with Small Group Network and Lifeway.

Steve Gladen has been Executive Pastor of Small Groups at Saddleback Church since 1998 and serves as an elder of the church. He oversees the strategic launch and spiritual development of more than 7,000 adult small groups on multiple campuses. He is the author of Small Groups with Purpose, which has been translated into eleven languages, and Planning Small Groups with Purpose.

Resources Mentioned:

Small Group Network Event Registration

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 ways groups can continue discipleship through the pandemic.

Ideas Discussed:

 

* Groups have regathered in larger spaces.

* Groups have regathered in open spaces.

* Groups have regathered in smaller numbers.

* Groups have regathered in virtual places.

* Groups have regathered on different days.

 

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 Jared Musgrove about how to navigate talking about politics in your small group.

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.

Jared’s Groundrules:

* Talk face-to-face. If you want to talk politics, it’s best to do so face-to-face. 

* Respect one another. Does this conversation seek to practice the “one anothers” of Scripture? 

* Speak with honesty and candor. If you disagree, say so politely. If a statement is hurtful, say that it was, and be quick to forgive. If you make a hurtful statement, be quick to apologize and seek forgiveness. 

* Give goodwill. Are you seeking to understand over being understood or validated? Are you seeking to be righteous over being right? 

* Be informed. Be okay with admitting if you are not informed and wish to talk about something else.

Resources:

* CommunityLeadership.org

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 Ken discuss why it’s important to launch and relaunch groups in the Fall.  

Questions Discussed:

What is special about launching groups in the Fall?

What about existing groups that haven’t been meeting this summer? Can they be relaunched with new people, or should they just restart?

What are the barriers to think through for groups meeting this Fall?

What about virtual/online/hybrid groups? Is that a long-term strategy?

Timeline for a fall launch?

Resources:

* Facebook Live Video

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 Dr. Dwayne McCrary about ideas for continuing the Bible study when the group cannot meet at the church building.

Dwayne McCrary leads various teams at Lifeway that create ongoing Bible study resources for adults. He also teaches two weekly ongoing Bible study groups in his church and is an adjunct professor at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. 

Questions Discussed:

* Why is it important for Bible study to continue – even if groups are not meeting every Sunday at the church building?

* How are groups using Explore the Bible material outside of the classroom?

* As groups begin to reassemble, regardless of where, what suggestions would you give them?

* What advice would you give Education Pastors as they think about the near future for on-campus groups?

Resources:

* Explore the Bible

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 when and how you should end your small group.

Resources:

* Leading Small Groups

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 Dr. Derwin Gray and Alexandra Hoover about the new book and Bible Study, The Good Life.

Dr. Derwin L. Gray is the founding and lead pastor of Transformation Church, a multiethnic, multigenerational, mission-shaped community in Indian Land, South Carolina, just south of Charlotte, North Carolina. Gray met his wife, Vicki, at Brigham Young University (BYU). They have been married since 1992 and have two adult children.

After graduating from BYU, he played professional football in the NFL for five years with the Indianapolis Colts and Carolina Panthers. In 2008, Gray graduated from Southern Evangelical Seminary magna cum laude with a Master of Divinity, with a concentration in Apologetics. While there, he was mentored by renowned theologian and philosopher Dr. Norman Geisler. In 2018, Gray received his Doctor of Ministry in the New Testament in Context at Northern Seminary under Dr. Scot McKnight. In 2015, he was awarded an honorary doctorate from Southern Evangelical Seminary.

Gray is the author of Hero: Unleashing God’s Power in a Man’s Heart (2009), Limitless Life: You Are More Than Your Past When God Holds Your Future (2013), Crazy Grace for Crazy Times Bible Study (2015), and The High-Definition Leader (2015).

Alexandra Hoover is a wife, mother, Bible teacher, and writer. She has the privilege of serving on staff at Transformation Church as the Assistant Director of Equipping. She’s passionate about communicating the love of Jesus, whether it be through writing or speaking.

Questions Discussed:

* When we were planning and creating this study last October, we had no idea where the world would be in June as the study released. How does the message of the Beatitudes speak uniquely to this time?

* How does The Good Life fit into any effective discipleship strategy?

* In the book and in the study we use Ken Boa’s Upward, Inward, Outward strategy, how is this a helpful way to understand the Sermon on the Mount (or any Scripture) and apply it to our lives?

* You are an intentional multi-ethnic, multi-generational church, how does this conviction shape the way you do groups?

* Like practically every church, Transformation Church has had to adapt its ministry to a constantly changing environment. What has worked in terms of virtual and on-line groups and what would you share in terms of successes?

Resources:

* The Good Life Bible Study

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 Joel Polk about the newly released Bible study series, Characters.

Resources:

* Characters Bible Study

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 Michael Moore about how to address racial tensions and topics with your small group.

Michael K. Moore is Executive Pastor of Faith Chapel in Birmingham Alabama. He accepted the calling to ministry in 2005 and began working for Faith Chapel in April 2006. In 2008, Michael K. began graduate school, which allowed him to travel to Japan and London as a part of his studies. In 2011, he graduated with an MBA and in the fall of 2012, was married to Michelle Scott. He and Michelle have three beautiful daughters, Meeghan, Margeaux, and Maiki Rose.

Questions Discussed:

* We normally advise group leaders to try to avoid political and hot button issues during group meetings, but current events are impossible to not talk about right now. How would you advise leaders as they approach these conversations?

* How can we have constructive conversations about the protests and riots without it breaking down into choosing political sides?

* What can we do as leaders to move the conversation forward on racial tensions in our groups?

* How can churches and pastors do a better job of listening to and promoting the voices of different races?

Resources:

* Gospel-Centered Race Resources for Your 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 interviews three church leaders from across the country about what the next season of groups looks like for them.

Resources:

* North Coast Church Online Strategy

* North Coast Training

* How to Host a Group Online Article

* Tips for Overcoming Zoom Fatigue

* How to Choose a Bible Study for Your Online Group

* Is Your Small Group Post-Covid Ready?

Ashley Anderson is community groups leader at Church of the City in New York, New York.

Dave Enns is the pastor of life group ministries at North Coast Church in San Diego, California.

Jon Hughes is adult ministries director at Community Christian Church in Chicago, Illinois.

Chris Surratt is the discipleship and small groups specialist at Lifeway and author of Small Groups for the Rest of Us and Leading Small Groups. You can follow his blog at www.chrissurratt.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 Leading Small Groups.