Discipleship Leaders Podcast

Engaging with Local and Global Missions Partners

Guest: Rick Everswick, Pastor of Missions for Fellowship Bible Church

Key Points:

-Introduction to local and global mission partnerships.

-Importance of engaging D-Groups and individuals in mission work.

-Examples of local and global partners and their work.

-Steps for engaging with mission partners.

-Prayer for mission partners.

Resources:

For more information on mission opportunities, visit: Fellowship Bible Church Missions

Next Steps:

-Identify a local or global partner to engage with.

-Discuss mission involvement with your D-Group or Bible study.

-Start praying regularly for mission partners.

-Take the first step towards active engagement in missions work.

🎙️ Discipleship Leaders Podcast – Episode 21

Title: How to Develop Deeper Relationships Within Your D-Group or Bible Study

Guest: Jason Elam, Men’s Pastor at Fellowship Bible Church

Description:

In this episode, Jay and Amy welcome Jason Elam to explore how leaders can cultivate deeper, more meaningful relationships within their D-Groups and Bible studies. Discover why relational depth matters and get practical tips for fostering community that goes beyond surface-level connection.

Key Topics:

Why deeper relationships are essential for spiritual growth and community

The leader’s role as a “Chief Connection Officer”

Moving from shallow to meaningful conversations

Tools and ideas for building relational bridges (e.g. “What’s Your Story” sheet, shared experiences)

Encouraging connections outside regular group meetings

Recognizing personality, gender, and life-stage differences in relational styles

Growing deeper together through prayer, vulnerability, and shared study of God’s Word

Quote to Remember:

“Following Jesus isn’t a solo sport—it’s meant to be done in community with others.”

📅 New episodes drop monthly—subscribe and join us as we make disciples who live by God’s grace and for His glory!

Discipleship Leaders Podcast | Episode 20

Healthy Rhythms for Your D-Group and Bible Study

In this episode, Jay and Amy discuss how to establish healthy rhythms for your small group or Bible study. They cover:

✅ Meeting Rhythms – Weekly, bi-weekly, or 3-on/1-off? Pros and cons of each and how to choose what works best for your group.

✅ Special Occasions – Kickoffs, wrap-ups, retreats, and fun events to strengthen relationships.

✅ Group Life-Cycle – How to recognize when your group is in a rut, adjust dynamics, invite new members, or even transition out.

Join us as we explore how to create sustainable, life-giving rhythms that help your group grow spiritually and live on mission together!

New episodes drop monthly—subscribe and stay connected.

Episode 19: Part 2 with Tad Pruitt – The Power of God’s Glory

In Part 2 of our conversation with Tad Pruitt, we shift our focus from grace to glory—the ultimate purpose of our faith and the destiny of every believer. As D Group and Small Group Leaders, we are called to help our people behold, seek, and reflect the glory of God in their lives.

Key Themes:

1. What Is God’s Glory?

• Theological Definition: The public display of God’s infinite worth.

• Practical Definition: The awe-inspiring, life-transforming experience of God’s presence, power, and purpose.

2. The Relationship Between Grace & Glory

• Grace is the push—it saves, sustains, and transforms us.

• Glory is the pull—it reveals God’s greatness and draws us into eternal joy.

• We can’t separate them—grace leads us to glory, and glory is made accessible by grace.

3. Biblical Foundations

• Romans 8:30 – Those justified by grace will be glorified.

• John 17:24 – Jesus desires that we see and experience His glory.

• Isaiah 6:3 – “The whole earth is full of His glory.”

4. Glory Without Grace Is Lethal

• God’s glory, in its pure form, is overwhelming—without grace, we cannot survive it.

• With grace, His glory is our greatest good, transforming us into His likeness from one degree of glory to another (2 Corinthians 3:18).

5. Where Do We See God’s Glory?

• In Creation – The heavens declare His majesty.

• In Each Other – We are image-bearers, reflecting His glory.

• In Jesus – The perfect and full revelation of God’s glory.

Practical Tools:

• Glory Strategies:

• Ask: How is God revealing His glory in this situation?

• Align thoughts and actions with His ultimate purpose.

• Cultivate a sense of wonder in your group—don’t rush past the beauty of who God is.

• Wilberforce & the Power of Glory

• Inspired by God’s grace and glory, William Wilberforce worked to abolish the British slave trade.

• When we see the fullness of God’s grace and glory, it moves us to action—it transforms lives, communities, and even nations.

Final Takeaway:

The whole universe exists to display the glory of God—and as D Group Leaders, we get to help people see it, seek it, and be transformed by it. Let’s lead our groups to lift their eyes beyond themselves and behold the breathtaking beauty of God’s glory.

This wraps up our two-part series with Tad Pruitt! Stay tuned for our next episode, where we’ll explore another topic that will help you to practically lead your groups to live by grace and for glory.

In this episode of the Discipleship Leaders Podcast, elder Tad Pruitt speaks at our West Little Rock Campus during the January D-Group Leader Training (Part 1 of 2) on the topic of Grace and Glory.

Podcast Show Notes: Grace & Glory for D Group Leaders

Episode 18: Part 1 with Tad Pruitt

In this episode, Tad Pruitt draws from over three decades of experience in discipleship to inspire Fellowship D-Group Leaders to connect the dots of God’s grace and glory in the lives of their groups.

Key Themes:

1. The Call of a D Group Leader

• Help people see, believe, and connect God’s grace and glory.

• Be a “Grace and Glory Yoda”—a seasoned guide, ambassador, and cheerleader for God’s truth.

2. Grace and Glory Explained

• Grace: The sovereign love of God expressed through the redeeming actions of Jesus.

• Practical Application: Grace sustains, transforms, and equips us to love others.

• Glory: The public display of God’s infinite worth and our eternal destiny.

• Practical Application: Glory reveals God’s presence and purpose, drawing us into awe and wonder.

3. Biblical Foundations

• Mark 8:23–25: Jesus gradually opens our eyes to deeper spiritual truths.

• Romans 8:27–30: Grace justifies; glory glorifies.

• 2 Corinthians 3:16–18: We are transformed from one degree of glory to another.

4. Fellowship’s Mission

• A journey from early ministry buzzwords like “life change” and “equipping” to a deeper focus on discipleship through grace and glory.

• How the mission to “live by grace” and “for God’s glory” shapes the life of the church.

Practical Tools:

• Grace Strategies:

• Reflect on God’s work in situations.

• Respond with grace-filled truth, union, and action.

• Glory Strategies:

• Seek God’s glory in every situation.

• Align words and actions to reflect His infinite worth.

This episode invites us to marvel at the “crown jewels” of grace and glory, holding them up to see and cherish. Join us as Tad unpacks these transformative truths.

Stay tuned for Part 2 in February, where we dive deeper into practical steps for living and leading by His grace and for His glory!

Show Notes: Episode 17 – How to Handle Childcare for Your D-Groups and Bible Studies

Guest: Tracy and Renee Smith

Welcome

In this episode, Jay and Amy discuss practical ways to handle childcare for your D-Group or Bible study. Whether you’re just starting out or have been leading for a while, figuring out childcare can be one of the biggest challenges for group leaders. Guests Tracy and Renee Smith, D-Group leaders at Fellowship’s West Little Rock campus, shares their experiences and insights.

Key Highlights:

1. The Importance of Working ON Your Group

• Taking time during holiday breaks to evaluate systems and processes for your group.

• Inspired by The E-Myth by Michael Gerber: Focus on improving how your group functions.

2. Childcare Solutions for Your Group

• Ask Parents to Arrange Their Own Sitters

• Meet for a clearly defined time.

• Hire Sitters for the Group

• Chip in for sitters and meet in a home with enough space for kids.

• Alternating Meeting Schedules

• Example: Men meet one week, women another, all together a third week, off the fourth week.

• Separate Homes for Kids and Adults

• Kids stay in one house while the group meets in another nearby.

• Rotating Couples as Childcare Volunteers

• One couple watches the kids each week.

• Including the Kids

• Adjust activities to incorporate children if appropriate.

• Campus-Provided Childcare

• Check with your D-Group pastor about available options.

• Creative Meeting Times

• Lunchtime meetings for parents with kids in school.

3. Adapting for Different Age Groups

• Little kids, older kids, or a mix—each situation brings unique challenges and opportunities.

4. Encouragement for Leaders

• Disruptions from kids are inevitable, but the Holy Spirit can still work through them.

• Help parents feel at ease if their child needs attention during the group.

Final Thoughts

Childcare may not always run perfectly, but it doesn’t have to derail your group’s purpose. Be flexible, show grace, and remember: God works even in the chaos!

Closing

Thanks for listening to the Discipleship Leaders Podcast. Join us next month as we continue equipping leaders to make disciples who live by God’s grace and for His glory.

Follow Us

For more resources, visit https://www.fellowshipar.com/d-group-leader-resources/

In Episode 16 of the Discipleship Leaders Podcast, host Jay McGuirk talks with D-Group Pastor Matt Middlecamp and elder Matt Gross about how church elders support D-Group and Bible Study leaders at Fellowship Bible Church. They highlight the structure of the elder teams, which include Mission and Outcome, Teaching and Doctrine, Leadership and Development, and Shepherding and Prayer. The discussion emphasizes the ideal relationship between elders and D-Group leaders, focusing on the goal of effective shepherding through established connections and mutual support.

Episode 15: Balancing Relationships, Growing Spiritually, and Living on Mission

In this episode, Jay and Amy explore how small group leaders can maintain balance by focusing on three key areas: building strong relationships, fostering spiritual growth, and living on mission. They emphasize the importance of creating space for personal connection, using tools like the “What’s Your Story?” sheet, and ensuring time for casual conversation alongside Bible study.

They also discuss strategies for encouraging spiritual transformation through regular prayer, Scripture reading, and engaging in local or global mission work. Leaders are encouraged to develop new leaders within their groups and challenge members to live out their faith in everyday life.

D-Group Leader Resource Page: https://www.fellowshipar.com/d-group-leader-resources/

Leader Launch 2024 Keynote

In this inspiring talk for Leader Launch 2024, Jay McGuirk emphasizes the theme "Live By Faith" for D-Group and Bible Study leaders. He explores the connection between righteousness and living by faith, encouraging leaders to foster an environment where their group members can grow in righteousness. McGuirk stresses that what we do flows from who we are, and living by faith stems from our identity as righteous people in Christ.

Key Points

-The importance of continuing faithful leadership in D-Groups and Bible Studies

-Understanding the gospel's impact both once and daily in our lives

-Putting people in a posture of spiritual growth through:

-Repentance

-Gaining understanding and insight

-Living with spiritual discipline

Takeaways

-Leaders should focus on helping their group members understand and live out their identity as righteous people in Christ, which naturally leads to living by faith.

-Creating an environment of meaningful relationships, spiritual growth, and mission-focused living in D-Groups and Bible Studies can help members live out their righteousness and faith together.

-Spiritual growth requires consistent discipline and a "long obedience in the same direction," best achieved within a supportive community.

Episode 14 of the Discipleship Leaders Podcast, featuring guest Cameron Magby, focuses on guiding D-Groups through the book of Romans. As Fellowship Bible Church kicks off its new ministry year with the theme "Live by Faith," the podcast discusses the church-wide initiative to study Romans through sermons and small group discussions. Cameron highlights the importance of this biblical book and introduces an enhanced sermon-discussion curriculum designed to help D-Group leaders guide their members through Romans more effectively.

The episode emphasizes the excitement surrounding this in-depth study of Romans and encourages leaders to engage their groups with the new materials. Cameron shares insights on how to use the enhanced curriculum, which includes daily readings and additional resources for leaders. The conversation underscores the potential for personal and group transformation through studying Romans, with a focus on living out its teachings by faith. The hosts conclude by reminding listeners that future episodes will continue to provide guidance on small group and Bible study leadership.