Discipleship & Culture with Brian Daniel

On this episode of Group Answers, Chris interviews Ken Braddy about the current and future state of Sunday School.

Resources Mentioned:

* Questions to Ask Before Reopening Your Church

Episode Sponsor:

For more than 25 years, Portable Church® has helped thousands of churches launch strong and thrive in a mobile setting. They design custom solutions that fit each budget, vision, and venue. Everything you need to launch a mobile church — an inviting worship space, kids ministry areas, welcome spaces, storage cases, etc — all in a system refined to make it fast, easy & fun for the weekly volunteer teams.

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, Brian and Chris talk to Adam Griffin and Elizabeth Woodson from the Culture Matters podcast.

Adam Griffin is the lead pastor of Eastside Community Church in Dallas, Texas, a church plant of The Village Church. He is also the author of the forthcoming book, with Matt Chandler, titled Family Discipleship: Leading Your Home Through Time, Moments and Milestones. 

Elizabeth Woodson is a writer, minister and sought-after teacher. She serves a minister for The Village Church Institute, where she teaches and writes curriculum for classes and other learning environments.

Culture Matters started as a podcast of The Village Church, but now it’s its own, separate thing. It’s been going for over three years now. The podcast focuses on the intersection of faith and culture, exploring everything from sports, TV and movies to technology to politics and social issues.

Questions Discussed:

* What are we learning about ourselves during this time?

* In terms of suffering well, what counsel would you give group leaders about how to manage our current circumstances?

* How would you advise someone in managing a constructive — or even redemptive — conversation about COVID-19?

* How do you envision the post-pandemic church?

* What kind of leadership is required during times like this? Is it different than “peace time” or is leadership more universal?

* How can we model what it looks like to abide in Christ?

Resources Mentioned:

* The Culture Matters Podcast

Episode Sponsor:

For more than 25 years, Portable Church® has helped thousands of churches launch strong and thrive in a mobile setting. They design custom solutions that fit each budget, vision, and venue. Everything you need to launch a mobile church — an inviting worship space, kids ministry areas, welcome spaces, storage cases, etc — all in a system refined to make it fast, easy & fun for the weekly volunteer teams.

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, Brian and Chris talk about how to make sure your small group is ready to open back up to in-person gatherings. There are a few questions to think through first.

Resources Mentioned:

* Post: Is Your Small Group Post-Covid-19 Ready?

Episode Sponsor:

For more than 25 years, Portable Church® has helped thousands of churches launch strong and thrive in a mobile setting. They design custom solutions that fit each budget, vision, and venue. Everything you need to launch a mobile church — an inviting worship space, kids ministry areas, welcome spaces, storage cases, etc — all in a system refined to make it fast, easy & fun for the weekly volunteer teams.

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, Brian and Chris talk to Joseph Myers about what community might look like on the other side of this pandemic.

Joseph R. Myers is an entrepreneur, speaker, writer, and owner of josephrmyers.com, a consulting firm that assists organizations and individuals promote and develop healthy community and trust relationships. Author of best-selling books The Search to Belong and Organic Community, Myers is also Director of Marketing, Media and Communications at a film studio in Vancouver, BC.

Myers works with some of North America’s leading and most innovative organizations and faith-based businesses to strategize and re-imagine how to develop trusting, successful communities that result in a strong top- and bottom-line growth.

Resources Mentioned:

* JosephRMyers.com

Episode Sponsor:

For more than 25 years, Portable Church® has helped thousands of churches launch strong and thrive in a mobile setting. They design custom solutions that fit each budget, vision, and venue. Everything you need to launch a mobile church — an inviting worship space, kids ministry areas, welcome spaces, storage cases, etc — all in a system refined to make it fast, easy & fun for the weekly volunteer teams.

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, Brian and Chris talk to Kevin Harris about how church leaders can engage members in small group mentoring.

Kevin Harris is the President of Radical Mentoring, an intentional small group mentoring process to help church pastors engage men, build a core group of leaders, and transform their churches. Kevin is passionate about being a resource for church leaders that have incorporated small group mentoring into their disciple-making strategy. He and his wife Susan live in Atlanta with their two sons.

Resources Mentioned:

* Radical Mentoring

Episode Sponsor:

For more than 25 years, Portable Church® has helped thousands of churches launch strong and thrive in a mobile setting. They design custom solutions that fit each budget, vision, and venue. Everything you need to launch a mobile church — an inviting worship space, kids ministry areas, welcome spaces, storage cases, etc — all in a system refined to make it fast, easy & fun for the weekly volunteer teams.

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, Brian and Chris talk to Melita Thomas about Vacation Bible School and why it still matters in the life of the church. Melita also gives tips on how to still host a VBS in this time of social distancing.

Melita Thomas serves as Lifeway’s VBS and Kids Ministry Specialist and was previously an editor of Lifeway’s VBS resources.

Resources Mentioned:

* Lifeway VBS Resources

Episode Sponsor:

For more than 25 years, Portable Church® has helped thousands of churches launch strong and thrive in a mobile setting. They design custom solutions that fit each budget, vision, and venue. Everything you need to launch a mobile church — an inviting worship space, kids ministry areas, welcome spaces, storage cases, etc — all in a system refined to make it fast, easy & fun for the weekly volunteer teams.

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, Brian and Chris talk to Trevin Wax about the different translations of the Bible. Why are there so many? Is there one that is more accurate than the others?

Trevin Wax is senior vice president of Theology and Communications at Lifeway Christian Resources and a visiting professor at Wheaton College. He is the general editor of The Gospel Project, and the author of multiple books, including This Is Our Time, Eschatological Discipleship, and Gospel Centered Teaching.

Questions Discussed:

* Why are there so many translations of the Bible?

* What goes into creating a translation?

* What are the major differences between word-for-word, thought-for-thought, and paraphrase translations?

* What is Optimal Equivalence, and how did it play into the creation of the CSB?

* Why should a group leader (or teacher) care about what translation they are using during the group time? How can they use different translations to help prepare?

* How do you choose the best translation for your personal Bible study?

Resources Mentioned:

* The Christian Standard Bible

* The Cannon of the New Testament

Episode Sponsor:

For more than 25 years, Portable Church® has helped thousands of churches launch strong and thrive in a mobile setting. They design custom solutions that fit each budget, vision, and venue. Everything you need to launch a mobile church — an inviting worship space, kids ministry areas, welcome spaces, storage cases, etc — all in a system refined to make it fast, easy & fun for the weekly volunteer teams.

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, Brian and Chris talk to Ben Stuart about single adults in group life and community.

Ben Stuart is the Pastor of Passion City Church, Washington D.C. Prior to joining Passion City Church, Ben served for 11 years as the Executive Director of Breakaway Ministries, a weekly Bible study attended by thousands of college students on the campus of Texas A&M. He is the author of the book, Single.Dating.Engaged.Married. as well as Life + Love, a study resource based on his book.

Questions Discussed:

* What led you to speak and write on this topic of single adults?

* What’s the benefit of talking about relationships — single, dating, engaged, married — in a small group setting?

* What are some misconceptions people in our group might have about the four relational stages?

* You mention “boyfriend and girlfriend” aren’t categories that exist in the Bible, how does that change the way Christian men and women should think about dating?

* If engagement is where a couple starts becoming one, what might that process look like for an engaged couple?

* What advice would you give groups pastors and educators about ministering through this lens and to the specific needs of each of these stages in a relationship?

Resources Mentioned:

* Life + Love Bible Study

* Single, Dating, Engaged Married book

Episode Sponsor:

For more than 25 years, Portable Church® has helped thousands of churches launch strong and thrive in a mobile setting. They design custom solutions that fit each budget, vision, and venue. Everything you need to launch a mobile church — an inviting worship space, kids ministry areas, welcome spaces, storage cases, etc — all in a system refined to make it fast, easy & fun for the weekly volunteer teams.

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, Brian and Chris talk to Ken Braddy about the future of Sunday School after life goes back to “normal.” How will this pandemic change the way people are discipled?

Other than serving as the manager for Lifeway’s ongoing adult Bible studies and as the Director of Sunday School, Ken is an 18-year church education staff leader and blogs regularly about Sunday School and groups ministry at kenbraddy.com.

Resources Mentioned:

Registration for free webinar on Effectively Leading Groups in a Time of Social Distancing

www.lifeway.com/coronavirus

Zoom.us

Episode Sponsor:

For more than 25 years, Portable Church® has helped thousands of churches launch strong and thrive in a mobile setting. They design custom solutions that fit each budget, vision, and venue. Everything you need to launch a mobile church — an inviting worship space, kids ministry areas, welcome spaces, storage cases, etc — all in a system refined to make it fast, easy & fun for the weekly volunteer teams.

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, Brian and Chris talk to Steve Gladen about how Saddleback Church is responding to the COVID-19 crisis by helping people find online community.

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:

Registration for free webinar on Effectively Leading Groups in a Time of Social Distancing

www.lifeway.com/coronavirus

Free Video Studies

Zoom.us

Group Talk Podcast with Jay Kranda

Episode Sponsor:

For more than 25 years, Portable Church® has helped thousands of churches launch strong and thrive in a mobile setting. They design custom solutions that fit each budget, vision, and venue. Everything you need to launch a mobile church — an inviting worship space, kids ministry areas, welcome spaces, storage cases, etc — all in a system refined to make it fast, easy & fun for the weekly volunteer teams.

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.