Discipleship & Culture with Brian Daniel

SUMMARY: On this week’s episode, Brian and Chris sit down with Robby Gallaty, the Senior Pastor at Long Hollow Baptist Church in Hendersonville, Tennessee. Robby is the author of seven books, including his latest, The Forgotten Jesus.

Brian, Chris, and Robby talk about The Forgotten Jesus, published April 2017. According to Robby, “This is one of the most important conversations as it pertains to Bible study.” The Forgotten Jesus discusses the “Jewishness” of Jesus, and how our misunderstanding of His culture inhibits our reading of Scripture. “Jesus was not a blonde-haired, blue-eyed American. He was a dark-skinned, black-haired, Middle Eastern rabbi. He followed Jewish customs,” said Robby. The Forgotten Jesus seeks to uncover who Jesus truly was, in the midst of His Jewish culture. Robby explained the importance of retrieving cultural context from Scripture, “We often superimpose our western understanding on this eastern book, and we miss some of the nuances of Scripture. We have forgotten the life, in the context of His Jewish culture, of Jesus.” The Forgotten Jesus encourages a change in perspective—and thus we get a fuller, brighter, and richer understanding of Jesus and God’s Word.

Chris affirmed the importance of The Forgotten Jesus for small group life and application. With the knowledge we gain from Jesus’ context, we learn more of His nature and character. And the more we love Jesus, the more we obey Him. Robby called this the “Know-Love-Obey” triangle. Our obedience leads to our discipleship.

The Groups Matter 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.

GUEST: Radically saved in 2002, Robby was mentored and discipled by former Senior Pastor of The Church at Brook Hills, David Platt. Robby completed his Masters of Divinity Degree in Expository Preaching in 2007 and his Ph.D. in Preaching in 2011 from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Robby is the founder of Replicate Ministries and the author of seven books, in addition to his pastoral leadership at Long Hollow Baptist Church. Robby is married to Kandi, and they have two young sons, Rig and Ryder.

SUMMARY: On this week’s episode, Brian and Chris sit down with Stephanie Nichols, the Central Groups Director at Cross Point Church in Nashville, Tennessee. With five campuses, Cross Point is a multi-generational church with 250 small groups across all campuses. Stephanie provides vision and leadership to all directors. 90 percent of Cross Point’s groups meet off-campus.

Brian, Chris, and Stephanie discuss how to keep momentum during holidays and breaks. According to Chris, “Stopping and starting [groups] builds momentum.” Stephanie adds some advice for those who oversee the small groups in their church: “If your leaders are tired, then they need a refresh. But if your leaders are not losing steam, then try to vary meetings and not meet every single week.” Other ideas for refreshers include coffee dates, holiday parties, and dinner gatherings after groups. Stephanie affirms that the social aspect of small groups is important to foster community. The three also discuss how to disciple groups during the holidays—including accountability, prayer requests, get-togethers, and book clubs.

The Groups Matter 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.

 

SUMMARY: In this episode, Brian and Chris sit down with Eddie Mosley, the Small Groups pastor at LifePoint Church in Smyrna, Tennessee. Eddie is both an author and consultant for church small groups.

Brian, Chris, and Eddie discuss the keys to a successful group launch. Eddie shares the importance of spreading out leadership opportunities to increase your leaders’ numbers. The three discuss the importance of numbers in groups, and weigh the pros and cons of taking attendance in a small group. In addition to increasing your numbers, churches must focus on deepening their relationships among their leaders. The key word for all of small group ministry is “relationships.” At his church, Eddie and his team strategically plan ahead through leadership training that encourages the building of relationships within small groups.

GUEST: Eddie Mosley is the Small Groups pastor at LifePoint Church in Smyrna, Tennessee. Eddie is both an author and a consultant who travels around the country and teaches churches how to do groups. Eddie is the author of Connecting in Communities: Understanding the Dynamics of Small Groups.

The Groups Matter 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.

SUMMARY: On this week’s episode, Brian and Chris sit down with Dr. Malachi O’Brien. Malachi is the former second Vice President of the Southern Baptist Convention and current President of OneCry, a nationwide call for spiritual awakening. Malachi is also a social media strategist and contributor to Pray Like This by Steve Gaines and Michael Kelley.

The topic of today’s conversation between Brian, Chris, and Malachi is prayer. Although we typically view prayer as a personal discipline, the three discuss the ways in which prayer is a group discipline. Prayer transforms small groups, and Malachi explains the dangers in approaching prayer lightheartedly or hesitatingly. The reason our small groups fall short in their prayer life is because “most people haven’t been taught to pray, or haven’t had an effective prayer experience that gets them excited,” explains Malachi. “Most groups pray out of duty.” But the biblical model of prayer is actually corporate: When Paul gives his prayers to the church, he expects the church to pray together—not individually.”

Micah encourages group leaders to have a conviction for the power of prayer, as well as a vision for fulfilling that conviction. Most importantly, group leaders must lead by example and live lives of prayer. Brian affirms the importance of discipline in prayer in small groups. Brian, Chris, and Micah discuss the best way to make prayer request time effective in the group setting. It begins with stopping asking for requests—and ends on focusing on who God is.

Pray Like This includes six small-group sessions, applicable Scripture, “How to Use This Study,” and personal-study content and activities for five days of study each week.

The Groups Matter 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 Specialist at LifeWay and author of Small Groups for the Rest of Us: How to Design Your Small Groups System to Reach the Fringes.

SUMMARY: On this week’s episode, Brian and Chris sit down with Barnabas Piper to discuss his latest book, The Curious Christian: How Discovering Wonder Enriches Every Part of Life.

The Curious Christian is an examination of curiosity, a look at life through the lens of wonder. Barnabas defines curiosity as “a way to see the world that God has given us that draws out all the important aspects of life, specifically in regard to our relationship with God.” Brian, Chris, and Barnabas discuss the importance of curiosity in deepening both our faith and relationships. Barnabas explains that the only way to reflect God is through a deep exploration of who He is, and wonder propels such exploration.

Brian, Chris, and Barnabas talk about the implementation of curiosity within small groups. Barnabas encourages group leaders to change their questions from, “What have you learned?” to, “What have you noticed?” Noticing is just as important as learning; small group leaders should rephrase their questions and dialogue to encourage members to revel in the things that God has done and is doing. When we live our lives from the lens of curiosity, our gaze is placed on more of what God did, and less on what we are “to do.”

The three also talk about how curiosity breeds humility in the faith, and how the asking of difficult questions will naturally lead to a deepening trust in God. Discovery is inherently rooted in faith in the gospel, and wonder gives us the freedom to explore our faith at a deeper level. Your “question is not going to overwhelm the gospel,” explains Barnabas. “Curiosity cuts through the shallowness.” Curiosity not only deepens faith, but also grows meaningful relationships. When we are genuinely curious and encouraging of the details of our friends’ lives, we reject the plateauing of relationships and cultivate hearts of empathy toward others.

The Groups Matter 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.

GUEST: In addition to The Curious Christian: How Discovering Wonder Enriches Every Part of Life, Barnabas Piper is the author of The Pastor’s Kid: Finding Your Own Faith and Identity and Help My Unbelief: Why Doubt Is Not the Enemy of Faith. Barnabas hosts the Happy Rant podcast, and co-hosts the 5 Leadership Questions podcast with Todd Adkins. Barnabas writes for The Blazing Center along with several other publications, speaks at conferences around the country, and works at Lifeway Christian Resources in Nashville, TN.

SUMMARY: In this episode, Brian and Chris speak with David Francis, known around Lifeway as “Dr. Sunday School” for his role as Director of Sunday School. As a co-teacher with his wife Vickie of a four- and five-year old Sunday School class, David discusses the “Sunday School movement.” David explains why the Sunday School movement is first and foremost about children, and is thus necessary for discipleship. David shares the history of Sunday School and public education. Sunday School , which propelled the beginning of public schools, normalized the use of spelling books and libraries. Affirms Brian, “The church invented education.” Because of the significance of Sunday School in the history of public education, the term “Sunday School” has a heritage that is to be appreciated.

In light of the historical context of the term “Sunday School,” Brian, Chris, and David address the questions, “Should small groups still be called ‘Sunday School’? Is the terminology ‘Sunday School’ outdated?”

The three also discuss the importance of community and address the question, “Is it possible to achieve true community in Sunday school? If so, how?” David encourages Sunday school leaders to create community in their groups; leaders do this by adopting one of three roles—Teacher, Leader, or Shepherd. David expounds on the specific role of Shepherd in modern-day evangelism, as well as the Shepherd’s need to solve “the problem of sheep herding.”

David leaves listeners with two key words your small group or Sunday school must remember—“new” and “small.” He explains, “You’ve got to start new groups—and they’ve got to be small.”

The Groups Matter 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.

GUEST: David Francis is Director of Sunday School at Lifeway. He is the author of eleven small books available for free at lifeway.com/davidfrancis or at the iTunes store. His interactive Bible study, Spiritual Gifts, is in its ninth printing and is not free! (But it is available to order at lifeway.com.) He and his wife Vickie teach four- and five-year olds in Sunday School and are members of a small group of empty nesters. Their three sons and their families live in three different time zones—Boston, Los Angeles, and Bryan-College Station.

SUMMARY: In this episode, Brian and Chris speak with Ken Braddy, manager of Lifeway’s ongoing adult Bible studies. Brian, Chris, and Ken discuss ways to maintain momentum in your small group over the summer through group activities like baseball games, holidays, service projects, and online Bible studies and discussion forums. In doing this, group members maintain the natural rhythm of ministry and stay connected to one another. Ken also encourages utilizing the summer as a testing ground for new teachers.

Ken shares about his time at the BACE (Baptist Association of Christian Educators) Conference in New Orleans and some of the key points addressed at the conference, such as the inherent connection between discipleship and evangelism. Ken reminds listeners that discipling others should not be segregated from evangelizing—from carrying out the Great Commission.

Brian, Chris, and Ken touch on the problems of enlarging small groups, irregular group attendance, as well as the challenge of meeting individual needs of groups. Meeting groups’ needs creates the necessity for customization of group material based on the church congregation. Leadership development is one of Ken’s specialties—as an educator himself, Ken gives tips on how to develop quality small group leaders, and how to set the bar high in terms of recruitment.

The Groups Matter 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.

 

GUEST: 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.

SUMMARY: In this episode, Brian and Chris speak with Trevin Wax, the Bible and Reference Publisher and Managing Editor for The Gospel Project at Lifeway Christian Resources in Nashville, TN. Brian, Chris, and Trevin introduce Trevin’s latest book This is Our Time, one that provides a snapshot of the culture and ideology of 21st century North America. A print representative for the Millennial Generation, This is Our Time discusses the influence of smartphones, where and how we gather our information, the systemic beliefs and myths that coincide with technology, our consumption patterns of media and pop culture, and our spending habits.

Trevin also contributed to the publishing of the new Bible translation, Christian Standard Bible. In this episode, Trevin talks about the details behind the editorial process of the new translation, and why the printed Bible matters to the Millennial Generation now more than ever. Trevin explains why having the correct Bible translation matters for believers, and shares tips on how to establish a community-oriented Bible reading plan.

The Groups Matter 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.

GUEST: Aside from his roles in print and digital publishing for Lifeway, Trevin is the author of five books and a co-author of two. Trevin is a contributor to The Washington Post, Christianity Today, and his blog “Kingdom People.” Trevin also serves as the Teaching Pastor at Third Baptist Church in Murfreesboro, TN. His previous discipleship experience includes being a missionary in Romania. Trevin is fluent in three languages, and was named Christianity Today’s “33 Under 33,” a list of the top Millennial influencers of the next generation of believers.

SUMMARY: In this episode, Brian and Chris speak with Jeremiah Johnston, president of Christian Thinkers Society and Professor of Early Christianity at Houston Baptist University. Jeremiah shares about the mission of the Christian Thinkers Society—to inspire all Christians to be thinkers and all thinkers to be Christians—and discusses the goal of equipping and enabling group leaders to answer difficult questions about faith and doubt. Jeremiah also lists the most frequently asked questions he receives via text message from live audiences—including questions about how the church can address the problems of depression and anxiety—and offers some guidelines for church leaders to help their congregations pursue sincere and biblically sound answers to these questions.

In addition, Brian and Chris discuss two blog posts by Eric Geiger: Four Warning Signs You’re Approaching Burnout and Four Practical Ways to Avoid Burn Out.

The Groups Matter 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.

GUEST: Jeremiah Johnston is president of Christian Thinkers Society, a Resident Institute at Houston Baptist University, where he also serves as Professor of Early Christianity. Jeremiah’s passion is working with local churches and pastors in equipping Christians to give intellectually informed accounts of what they believe.

Jeremiah has distinguished himself speaking in churches of all denominations, and authored articles in both popular magazines, and scholarly books, journals and media programs—among many other publications, he wrote the Bible study Unanswered, published by Lifeway. He completed his doctoral residency in Oxford and received his Ph.D. from Middlesex University (UK). He also earned advanced degrees in theology from Acadia University and Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Jeremiah is married to Audrey, and they are parents to five children— including triplet boys!

Find more information at christianthinkers.com and on Twitter @_JeremiahJ.

EPISODE SPONSOR: This week’s episode is sponsored by the Bible study Unanswered. This study addresses several challenging topics, including mental health and suicide, paranormal activity, the resurrection, how we got the Bible, suffering, and why God is sometimes silent. The study will show you how to answer, how to explain, and how to respond in a deeply winsome and attractive way, as a thoughtful ambassador of Jesus. FInd more information at lifeway.com/unanswered.

RESOURCES: If you have a question you’d like discussed on our Groups Matter Podcast, please tweet your question to @BcDaniel or @ChrisSurratt.

 

SUMMARY: In this episode, Brian and Chris speak with Eric Geiger, Vice President of Lifeway Resources. Eric discusses how much churches should expect from small group leaders and how they can develop these leaders for effective small group ministry. He shares how churches can train small group leaders to be more than just facilitators in order to ensure that the small groups in their church provide the kind of shepherding community that participants need. Eric also discusses the value of a leadership pipeline for the development of leaders within the church.

In addition, Eric discusses the Bible study for men that he wrote, titled Unfolded: The Story of God, and the importance of community group life for men in the church.

The Groups Matter 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.

GUEST: Eric Geiger serves as one of the Vice Presidents at Lifeway Christian Resources, leading the Resources Division. Eric received his doctorate in leadership and church ministry from Southern Seminary. Eric has authored or co-authored several books, including Creature of the Word, the best selling church leadership book, Simple Church, and Designed to Lead. He is also the author of the men’s Bible study, Unfolded: The Story of God. You can follow Eric on his blog at ericgeiger.com and on Twitter at @EricGeiger.

Eric is married to Kaye, and they have two daughters: Eden and Evie. During his free time, Eric enjoys dating his wife, playing with his daughters, and shooting basketball.

EPISODE SPONSOR: This week’s episode is sponsored by SmallGroup.com. SmallGroup.com is an online subscription service that allows churches and group leaders to create customizable, sermon-based group bible studies. Visit the Groups Ministry blog for a quick how-to tutorial, or visit SmallGroup.com to begin your free 2-week preview.

RESOURCES: If you have a question you’d like discussed on our Groups Matter Podcast, please tweet your question to @BcDaniel or @ChrisSurratt.