Every one of us has something that no one can ever dispute or take away from us. A gift that has the power to shape us and those around us. The greatest tool in our tool belt for relating to people and sharing the Gospel...OUR STORY.

But how many of us are able to articulate our story? Where is the best place for that you may ask? In your group : ) Don't miss this opportunity to lean into your story and help more people know and love Jesus.

In this episode: Ryan Smith (Olathe), Andrew Schumann (North OP), and Len Svensson and Harrison Blake (South OP).

Link to ONE MESSAGE resources.

And we're back! We're kicking off 2023 with an episode focused on elevating our prayer lives as groups and making it something that infuses life, joy, peace, gratitude, and excitement into our groups.

In this episode: Kent Liles, Len Svensson, Andrew Schumann, and Blake Finuf.

In this episode we got to sit down with Doug and Camelia Howey who are our missionary parters in Romania.  The Howey's got to share their story, why they chose Romania, what they are up to now, and also how Grace Groups can partner with missionaries in tangible ways from their own living room. This would be a great episode to share with your whole Grace Group.

Partner/keep up with the Howey's by clicking HERE.

In this episode: Len Svensson (South Overland Park) and Ryan Smith (Olathe).

What is the most important thing? Leadership guru Mac Lake describes it like this: “To lead from a place of overflow, you have to live from the practice of intake.” Jesus describes it like this: "Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing."

The most important thing we can do as leaders is...you guessed it...spend time with Jesus. Its leadership essential #1 for all Grace Group leaders.  But we know that it can also be a great challenge for many of us.  In this episode we'll be opening up about what we do to increase our INTAKE for maximum OUTPUT.

In this episode: Ryan Smith and Kent Liles (OIathe), Andrew Schumann (North OP), and Len Svensson and Blake Finuf (South OP).

Scripture we reference: John 14-16

Books we reference: The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer, Radical by David Platt, and The Life You've Always Wanted by John Ortberg.

Well...it's Spring is officially wrapping up and summer is just around the corner. One of the biggest questions group leaders tend to have is, "What do we do during the summer?" This episode will dive into the notion that summer is for...

#1. Evaluation
#2. Switching it up
#3. Learning

In this episode: Ryan Smith and Kent Liles (Olathe), and Len Svennson and Blake Finuf (South Overland Park).

GRACE GROUP EVALUATION

SUGGESTED SUMMER READING/LISTENING

Maybe the greatest question for the Grace Group leader is this...how do I facilitate great discussion that gets my group talking? We'll attempt to crack the code as well as share stories about our own challenges with this and how we have found our rhythm as group leaders. And if you're wondering, we have bombed discussions just like you have : )

In this episode: Ryan Smith and Kent Liles (Olathe), Andrew Schumann (North Overland Park), Len Svensson, and Blake Finuf (South Overland Park).

Awwww Spring...the sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and the opportunities to minister to people are gearing up. But if we're being honest, serving as a group is an area where most Grace Group leaders would admit that they struggle to crack the code or even find the passion for. 

In this episode we'll be looking at the example of Jesus,  and sharing stories as well as practical tips to get things started. Also, Ryan sounds like he's 50 feet away and talking into a tin can, but we'll fix that next time. Sorry Ryan : )

In this episode: Ryan Smith (Olathe), Andrew Schumann (North), Len Svensson, and Blake Finuf (South).

Did you know that only 25% of Christians read their Bibles at least 2 times a week?

Through 2022 we will be journeying through the One Story reading plan as a church. This presents a fantastic opportunity for us to help our people engage in God's Word for the first time in a long time, or for some the first time ever. In this episode we're sharing some tips and tricks we've learned along the way to help you steer the ship as a leader and make the most of this year.

In this episode: Kent Liles and Ryan Smith (Olathe), Andrew Schumman (North OP), and Len Svensson and Blake Finuf (South OP).

Check out our One Story page on our site for more info and to purchase resources.

The Grace Group is the first place for people to be loved and cared for within the local church. That being said, often times as group leaders we can feel intimidated when serious life issues pop up among our people. In this episode we'll talk through 3 ways that we can shepherd our group well.

We also got to sit down with Jeannie Siefken (our resident shepherd on staff) who leads Grace Care to learn more about how to care well and what resources are available to group leaders when an issue presents itself that is beyond the scope of what the group can/should handle.

In this episode: Kent Liles (Olathe), Ryan Smith (Olathe), Andrew Schumann (North OP), Blake Finuf (South OP), and Len Svensson (South OP).

Click here for show notes

In this episode we're diving into some practical steps to encourage better and deeper community with your Grace Group. Whether you are just getting started or several years in, there is something in here for everyone.

In this episode: Kent Liles and Ryan Smith (Olathe), Andrew Schumann (North Overland Park), and Blake Finuf and Len Svensson (South Overland Park).