Discipleship & Culture with Brian Daniel

On this episode of Group Answers, Chris and Brian are joined by Jenaye White to continue the discussion about how group leaders can use the principles of the Enneagram to better lead and understand their group members.

5-9 Enneagram Types from enneagraminstitute.com:

5 THE INVESTIGATOR

The Intense, Cerebral Type: Perceptive, Innovative, Secretive, and Isolated

Fives are alert, insightful, and curious. They are able to concentrate and focus on developing complex ideas and skills. Independent, innovative, and inventive, they can also become preoccupied with their thoughts and imaginary constructs. They become detached, yet high-strung and intense. They typically have problems with eccentricity, nihilism, and isolation. At their Best: visionary pioneers, often ahead of their time, and able to see the world in an entirely new way.

6 THE LOYALIST

The Committed, Security-Oriented Type: Engaging, Responsible, Anxious, and Suspicious

The committed, security-oriented type. Sixes are reliable, hard-working, responsible, and trustworthy. Excellent “troubleshooters,” they foresee problems and foster cooperation, but can also become defensive, evasive, and anxious—running on stress while complaining about it. They can be cautious and indecisive, but also reactive, defiant and rebellious. They typically have problems with self-doubt and suspicion. At their Best: internally stable and self-reliant, courageously championing themselves and others.

7 THE ENTHUSIAST

The Busy, Fun-Loving Type: Spontaneous, Versatile, Distractible, and Scattered

Sevens are extroverted, optimistic, versatile, and spontaneous. Playful, high-spirited, and practical, they can also misapply their many talents, becoming over-extended, scattered, and undisciplined. They constantly seek new and exciting experiences, but can become distracted and exhausted by staying on the go. They typically have problems with impatience and impulsiveness. At their Best: they focus their talents on worthwhile goals, becoming appreciative, joyous, and satisfied.

8 THE CHALLENGER

The Powerful, Dominating Type: Self-Confident, Decisive, Willful, and Confrontational

Eights are self-confident, strong, and assertive. Protective, resourceful, straight-talking, and decisive, but can also be ego-centric and domineering. Eights feel they must control their environment, especially people, sometimes becoming confrontational and intimidating. Eights typically have problems with their tempers and with allowing themselves to be vulnerable. At their Best: self- mastering, they use their strength to improve others’ lives, becoming heroic, magnanimous, and inspiring.

9 THE PEACEMAKER

The Easygoing, Self-Effacing Type: Receptive, Reassuring, Agreeable, and Complacent

Nines are accepting, trusting, and stable. They are usually creative, optimistic, and supportive, but can also be too willing to go along with others to keep the peace. They want everything to go smoothly and be without conflict, but they can also tend to be complacent, simplifying problems and minimizing anything upsetting. They typically have problems with inertia and stubbornness. At their Best: indomitable and all-embracing, they are able to bring people together and heal conflicts.

This Episode’s Sponsor: With Ministry Grid’s library of over 3,000 training videos, it’s now simpler than ever to train every volunteer and leader in your church.

On this episode of Group Answers, Chris and Brian are joined by Jenaye White to talk about how group leaders can use the principles of the Enneagram to better lead and understand their group members.

1-4 Enneagram Types from enneagraminstitute.com:

1 THE REFORMER

The Rational, Idealistic Type: Principled, Purposeful, Self-Controlled, and Perfectionistic

Ones are conscientious and ethical, with a strong sense of right and wrong. They are teachers, crusaders, and advocates for change: always striving to improve things, but afraid of making a mistake. Well-organized, orderly, and fastidious, they try to maintain high standards, but can slip into being critical and perfectionistic. They typically have problems with resentment and impatience. At their Best: wise, discerning, realistic, and noble. Can be morally heroic.

2 THE HELPER

The Caring, Interpersonal Type: Demonstrative, Generous, People-Pleasing, and Possessive

Twos are empathetic, sincere, and warm-hearted. They are friendly, generous, and self-sacrificing, but can also be sentimental, flattering, and people-pleasing. They are well-meaning and driven to be close to others, but can slip into doing things for others in order to be needed. They typically have problems with possessiveness and with acknowledging their own needs. At their Best: unselfish and altruistic, they have unconditional love for others.

3 THE ACHIEVER

The Success-Oriented, Pragmatic Type: Adaptive, Excelling, Driven, and Image-Conscious

Threes are self-assured, attractive, and charming. Ambitious, competent, and energetic, they can also be status-conscious and highly driven for advancement. They are diplomatic and poised, but can also be overly concerned with their image and what others think of them. They typically have problems with workaholism and competitiveness. At their Best: self-accepting, authentic, everything they seem to be—role models who inspire others.

4 THE INDIVIDUALIST

The Sensitive, Withdrawn Type: Expressive, Dramatic, Self-Absorbed, and Temperamental

Fours are self-aware, sensitive, and reserved. They are emotionally honest, creative, and personal, but can also be moody and self-conscious. Withholding themselves from others due to feeling vulnerable and defective, they can also feel disdainful and exempt from ordinary ways of living. They typically have problems with melancholy, self-indulgence, and self-pity. At their Best: inspired and highly creative, they are able to renew themselves and transform their experiences.

This Episode’s Sponsor: With Ministry Grid’s library of over 3,000 training videos, it’s now simpler than ever to train every volunteer and leader in your church. And this is training you can trust. Each Ministry Gridvideo features an experienced ministry leader who has been where you are now. Learn how to get unlimited access for you and your church at MinistryGrid.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 

On this episode of Group Answers, Chris, Brian, and Joel discuss a few of the best selling and most effective Bible studies of all time. They also highlight a few more recent studies to check out.

Studies Discussed:

* Experiencing God

* The Survival Kit

* MasterLife

* The Mind of Christ

* Share Jesus Without Fear

* Gospel Foundations

* No More Excuses

This Episode’s Sponsor: With Ministry Grid’s library of over 3,000 training videos, it’s now simpler than ever to train every volunteer and leader in your church. And this is training you can trust. Each Ministry Gridvideo features an experienced ministry leader who has been where you are now. Learn how to get unlimited access for you and your church at MinistryGrid.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.

On this episode of Group Answers, Chris and Brian talk to Trevin Wax about discipleship trends.

Trevin Wax is Director for Bibles and Reference at Lifeway Christian Resources and a visiting professor at Wheaton College. He is the general editor of The Gospel Project, and the author of recent books This Is Our Time, Eschatological Discipleship, and Gospel Centered Teaching.

Questions:

* What is multi-directional leadership? Why is this important not only for church leaders, but for group leaders as well?

* In a groups context, what is the fallout of the apparent increase of polarization in our current climate?

* There is a growing generational divide in how best to express our loyalty to God and our loyalty to our country. What are the takeaways as you have engaged both our culture and the church in this regard?

* We all agree that community is essential and relationships are crucial for both the examined and the disciple’s life. So why are we so enamored with exploring a deserted island and what does this have to say about us?

* What are some trends that you can share with us about Bible engagement?

* What advice would you give group leaders about discipleship based on what you’ve learned over the last year?

Quotes:

* A one-directional leader only looks in one direction for danger. A multi-directional leader knows that there are multiple ways in which danger might encroach upon a flock.

* Social media exacerbates and polarizes so much of our discourse.

* What group leaders have is an opportunity to actually speak truth to a small group of people.

* Know the group you have and push in the direction they would be least likely to go.

* Scripture speaks to a bigger variety of issues than our political parties do.

* A lot of older Evangelicals see America as Israel, and a lot of younger Evangelicals see America as Babylon.

* In life, you are thrown into a family you didn’t choose, and you have to make do.

* You can’t know a hundred people really well, but you can know ten people.

* How do people in our groups see the narrative of their lives?

This Episode’s Sponsor: With Ministry Grid’s library of over 3,000 training videos, it’s now simpler than ever to train every volunteer and leader in your church. And this is training you can trust. Each Ministry Gridvideo features an experienced ministry leader who has been where you are now. Learn how to get unlimited access for you and your church at MinistryGrid.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.

On this episode of Group Answers, Brian and Chris welcome Alex and Stephen Kendrick. Alex and Stephen are ordained ministers and New York Times bestselling coauthors of The Love Dare, The Resolution for Men, and The Battle Plan for Prayer. They are also screenwriters, and film directors, whose credits include Facing the Giants, Fireproof, Courageous, War Room, and the upcoming Overcomer. 

Questions:

Our listening audience is comprised primarily of educational and small-group leaders. How have you seen discipleship groups, small groups, and other classes contribute to your maturity as a believer?

The follow-up to the #1 War Room, Overcomer, releases this August. Tell us about how this story developed, how you sensed God at work, and why it is an important movie?

Overcomer releases in August and we are collaborating with you to create the initial Bible study to be available in June — ahead of the movie. What is your hope for groups that engage this study that is rooted in Overcomer the movie?

In what ways do you think matters of identity rate among our culture’s most daunting challenges?

In concert with the release of Overcomer is Defined: Who God Says You Are. This is an 8-session Bible study for groups with origins in the book of Ephesians but also emerging out of the story of Overcomer. Why do you think it is important to engage this content in a group setting?

Quotes:

We shot our first movie, Flywheel, for $20,000.

When the Lord finally got out of our system our desire to the Christian Han Solo and the Christian Harrison Ford, He said, “Now I’m going to tell you what direction you should go,” and when we obeyed him, He began to open those doors.

You cannot fake or manufacture the favor of God. We would rather have the favor of God on our projects than any amount of money.

Everywhere we go as followers of Jesus Christ, any conversation we have can become a discipleship conversation.

When I think about Acts 2,3,4, that’s the way small group discipleship needs to be taking place. It’s that koinonia fellowship where we are sharing life together.

In 2017, God beginning turning out hearts toward the issue of identity.

The Creator gets to define His creation. Who are we to redefine what God has already defined?

Resources:

Overcomer Movie Facebook Page

Overcomer Resources

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 Small Groups for the Rest of Us.

On this episode of Group Answers, Chris and Brian talk to David Platt about missions and discipleship.

Dr. David Platt serves as pastor at McLean Bible Church in Washington, D.C. He is the founder and president of Radical.

Books by David Platt include Radical, Radical Together, Follow Me, Counter Culture, and the forthcoming book Something Needs to Change.

David Platt received his Ph.D. from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Along with his wife and four children, he lives in the Washington D.C. metro area.

Questions:

* David, the book Something Needs to Change doesn’t release until September, but the manuscript has been turned in and it’s for the most part complete. Let’s start there — how does this book mark this season of the journey you’re on and that God continues to guide?

* We were just in SE Asia for a relatively extended time. In what ways was this last trip similar to others and how was it different?

* Perhaps the most noticeable attribute of Something Needs to Change is the level of transparency you’ve undertaken. In what ways have your visits to Asia, processing the content of Something Needs to Change, and how you plan to lead from this point forward taken on such a personal nature? In other words, what has changed in you?

* As you know, our listeners are comprised mostly of group and educational leaders in some capacity. How can we lead our groups to become involved with our mission to the nations?

* Our team is adapting Something Needs to Change for small groups and I believe this is one of the most important projects we’ve taken on. Tell about your hope for this Bible study experience and why it’s important not only to engage the content in book form but to essentially “live” with it as an 8-week Bible study experience.

* What are some ways we can support missionaries in our small groups?

* How are missions and discipleship both intertwined with a sincere and regular devotion to God’s Word?

Quotes:

* How does my life need to change, right where I live, in light of these realities in the world?

* I feel like ever since that first trip years ago, there is a greater urgency in my life.

* I want to show a more intentional focus on urgent spiritual and physical need.

* Start where you are.

* Show those you lead that their lives were created for the spread of God’s grace and glory among the nations.

* “Unreached” is not the same as “lost.” There is access to the gospel here that does not exist in the Himalayas.

* If somebody doesn’t cross geographic barriers to get to these people, they will continue to be born, live, and die without the gospel.

* We want to make the good news of Jesus’ name and his love known in all the world.

This Episode’s Sponsor: The Overcomer movie has inspired the creation of several resources. For small groups, there is the Overcomer Bible study. For individuals, there is a book called Defined. Both are based upon powerful insights from the Book of Ephesians. Learn more about all the resources at Lifeway.com/Overcomer

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 Darrin Patrick about community and accountability.

Darrin Patrick is a teaching pastor at Seacoast Church. He is the founding pastor of The Journey Church and is the author of multiple books including the Dude’s Guide to Marriage.

Darrin is the former chaplain to the St. Louis Cardinals and former vice-president of the Acts 29 church planting network. He has appeared in the New York Times, The Today Show and Fox and Friends for his innovative approach to reaching the un-reached.

Darrin is married to Amie and they have four children. He enjoys reading, writing and coaching his kid’s sports teams.

Questions:

* From the outside, you were a very successful pastor, chaplain of the Cardinals, head of a church network. What was happening on the inside during all of this?

* What did community and accountability look like for you when career and reputation were at the perceived peak?

* What happened when those friendships were suddenly gone?

* In the sense of accountability and community, is there a limit to the number of people you really want to be in contact with?

* What role did having healthy community around you play in your eventual restoration?

* What advice would you give to leaders who may be heading down the same path that you were on?

Quotes:

* My ministry was growing, but my soul wasn’t growing.

* What really brought me back was community, and I’ll never do ministry without that again.

* Ultimately, I wasn’t willing to slow down the pace to develop those relationships.

* Always err on the side of reaching out.

* It was like God said, “I’m perfecting you through this imperfect process.”

* You’re moving into that “sage” stage and having a hard time moving on from “warrior.”

* A lot of leaders have failed to develop those soft-side leadership skills, and it’s mainly related to them not engaging their emotional life.

* We’re really good at following Jesus as God, but we’re not good at following Jesus as man.

This Episode’s Sponsor: The Overcomer movie has inspired the creation of several resources. For small groups, there is the Overcomer Bible study. For individuals, there is a book called Defined. Both are based upon powerful insights from the Book of Ephesians. Learn more about all the resources at Lifeway.com/Overcomer

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 Patton about how to ask good questions when facilitating a Bible study.

Reid Patton is a Content Editor for the Short-Term Discipleship Team at Lifeway Christian Resources. He is the thankful husband of Kristen and proud father of Ceile and serves with the Life Group leadership team at the Church at Station Hill in Spring Hill, Tennessee. In his free time, Reid likes reading, watching NBA Basketball and Auburn Football, and going to record stores. You can find him on Twitter @jreidpatton.

Questions:

* If I’m using a pre-written curriculum, how can I make the most out of those questions?

* What types of questions invite conversation?

* How should I structure the questions in my group?

* How would you sum up the big questions small groups should answer?

Quotes:

As someone who writes Bible studies, I don’t know your group better than you do.

I would rather give someone more than they need than less than they need.

The open question is far superior to the closed question.

There are going to be three types of questions in every Bible study: observational, interpretive, and application-based. A good Bible study will balance between those three types of questions.

The three big questions are what? so what? and now what? What does the Bible say? So what do we do with that, why does that matter? Now what do we do with it?

A holistic approach to the text will give you a holistic disciple.

This Episode’s Sponsor: The Overcomer movie has inspired the creation of several resources. For small groups, there is the Overcomer Bible study. For individuals, there is a book called Defined. Both are based upon powerful insights from the Book of Ephesians. Learn more about all the resources at Lifeway.com/Overcomer

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 Ken Braddy about developing consistent and effective training for group leaders. Other than serving as the manager for Lifeway’s ongoing adult Bible studies, Ken is an 18-year church education staff leader and blogs regularly about Sunday School and groups ministry at kenbraddy.com. His new book is Breathing Life into Sunday School.

Outline for Leader Training

* Right Timing

Frequency

Georgia Bapt. Convention’s Research Findings

No training: -2%

Weekly: +6%

Monthly: +13.4%

Quarterly: +13.8%

Annually: +4%

Day of week

Friday night

Saturday AM

Sunday afternoon

Noon-2:00PM

3-5PM

Midweek (Wed.)

Sunday AM (“time shift”)

Overall length

1 hour

90 minutes

2 hours

Ongoing training: shorter

Infrequent training:  longer

* Right Topic

4 general categories

Teaching/Leading

Reaching/evangelism

Relationships/fellowship

Service/inside and outside the church

Sunday School Matters topics (good, easy to use resource)

Teaching matters

New groups matter

Evangelism matters

Souls matter

Ministry matters

Growth matters

Etc…

* Right Touch

Arrive early

Set up room

Check a/v equipment, temperature, supplies

Set up the room for collaborative learning

Sit in a circle or in a “U” so people can see faces (increases conversation)

Start/end on time!

Quality counts

Excellence is an attention to the detail

Handouts, candies, extra pens, nametags, etc.

Don’t ask people to come and then make announcements that you could have emailed them!

Teach/train with variety (engage your group leaders)

Demonstrate a variety of effective teaching techniques

Make the training active! No “sit and soak”

Attendees should talk and participate at least as much as you do

Tie the training to your church’s mission/values

Win five copies of Leading Small Groups by Chris Surratt by Tweeting or Facebooking a suggested show topic and tagging @LifeWayGroups!

This Episode’s Sponsor: The Overcomer movie has inspired the creation of several resources. For small groups, there is the Overcomer Bible study. For individuals, there is a book called Defined. Both are based upon powerful insights from the Book of Ephesians. Learn more about all the resources at Lifeway.com/Overcomer.

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 Bobby Gruenewald about the Bible and technology.

Bobby Gruenewald serves as Pastor, Innovation Leader at Life.Church and is the founder of the YouVersion Bible App, which has been installed in every country of the world. As one of the leading voices in the Church on innovation and the use of technology, Bobby has been featured in The New York Times, TechCrunch, CNN, and more. Prior to joining the Life.Church team in 2001, he started and sold two technology companies as well as served in advisory capacities for various startups and venture capital funds. Bobby and his wife, Melissa, live in Edmond, Oklahoma with their four children.

Questions:

* Tell us about your journey from rapper/entrepreneur to pastor.

* What was the impetus behind creating YouVersion?

* Why do you think people struggle with consistent engagement with the Bible?

* What do you say to people who have issues with others reading the Bible digitally?

* The opportunity for community is built into the YouVersion app. How can small groups take advantage of it to encourage and challenge each other?

* How can Bible Plans help people engage with the Bible on a deeper level?

* What is next for technology and the Church?

Quotes:

We were beginning to connect with Scripture more consistently in places we had not done that before.

It’s been a sprint of us racing to keep up with what God’s doing.

For many people, I think the Bible is a bit intimidating.

There are some things about technology that give some new opportunities for people to experience Scripture in different formats that have been very helpful for people in their consistency and their engagement.

The Bible has changed formats many times over the last few thousand years.

There are many people today who still cannot read Scripture in their own heart language.

It’s difficult today to have meaningful conversations around Scripture in some of the more public social media environments. We wanted to create a safe place for that conversation to take place.

We just see technology as a tool that can be used for the Gospel.

Church leaders need to be asking the right questions.

Sometimes the most effective thing to do is write it on a piece of paper.

This Episode’s Sponsor: Feeling unequipped for marriage ministry? Woo Marriage is here to help. Backed by research and designed with your church in mind, Woo Marriage provides Christ-centered marriage coaching for your entire church. Get your first month free with offer code LEADERSHIP at WooMarriage.com/FreeTrial.

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.