Episode Title: Mining for Gold: The Art of the Follow-Up

Episode Summary: You ask a great question. Someone answers. Then silence. Most leaders jump in to fill the gap—but what if the real conversation was just about to start? In this episode, Jimmy teaches one of the most underrated skills in small group leadership: the follow-up question. Learn why the first answer is just the surface, and how to help your group go from observation to application through the simple art of asking one more question.

Key Takeaway: Never settle for the first answer. The first answer is usually observation—safe and surface-level. Transformation happens when people move from head knowledge to heart engagement, and the follow-up question is what gets them there. The follow-up question is what turns a Bible study into discipleship.

Six Follow-Up Questions to Use:

1. "Tell me more about that."
2. "What makes you say that?"
3. "Where do you see that playing out in your life?"
4. "How does that make you feel?"
5. "How would you explain that to a non-believer?"
6. "What's the biggest obstacle to living that out?"

Key Insight: These questions don't give away the "right answer" or turn the conversation into an interrogation. They simply invite the person to keep talking. When you give people space to process out loud, they often discover things they didn't even know they were thinking. That's where the gold is.

A Word of Caution: Not every answer needs a follow-up. If someone just shared something painful or deeply vulnerable, don't immediately ask them to go deeper. Let it breathe. Affirm what they shared. The goal is to create a culture where people feel safe going deeper—and sometimes that means knowing when to stop digging.

Real-Life Example: Jimmy shares a story from a small group where a standard answer about trusting God became transformational when the leader asked, "What does that look like for you right now?" That simple follow-up unlocked vulnerability, gave permission to others facing the same struggle, and turned a surface-level discussion into a deeply unifying and edifying moment.

This Week's Challenge: Ask at least one follow-up question to each answer you receive. Not to put people on the spot. Not to fill time. But because you genuinely want to hear what God is doing in their lives. Watch what happens—conversations will get richer, connections will get deeper, and your group will realize: this isn't just a Bible study. This is discipleship.

Quote to Remember: "When you settle for the first answer, you rob your group of the chance to go deeper."

Runtime: 4:54

Release Date: January 22, 2026

CLICK HERE for the Small Group Leader Follow-Up Question Cheat Sheet

Episode Summary: You made it through week one of One Story: Every Generation—and whether it felt amazing or awkward, you're already winning. In this episode, Jimmy breaks down what success actually looks like: people engaging their Bibles. He also gives you permission to make this initiative yours, leading in a way that fits your unique gifting. Plus, a reminder that you don't have to do this alone.

Key Takeaway: The win for One Story is simple: people engaging their Bibles. If Bibles are open and people are showing up, you're doing it right. Your job isn't to manufacture transformation—it's to create space for people to show up and read.

Three Things to Remember:

1. Define the Win - If someone in your group read one day this week, that's a win. Five days? Also a win. Reading more than before? Huge win. We're not measuring profound insights—we're asking: are they opening God's Word?
2. Make It Yours - Every leader thinks, teaches, and leads differently. Whether you're a lecturer, facilitator, delegator, or collaborator (or interpretive dancer—just kidding), play to your strengths. The study guides are tools, not rules.
3. Don't Be Afraid to Ask - Jimmy is a call or text away. If you have a question, face a challenge, or need a resource, reach out. That's what he's there for.

This Week's Challenge: Take a step back and celebrate what's already happening. Count the wins. Notice who's reading, who's showing up, who's starting to engage. Then? Just keep going.

Quote to Remember: "Your job isn't to manufacture transformation—it's to create space for people to show up and read."

Runtime: 4:29

Release Date: January 15, 2026

Episode Summary: This is it—launch week for One Story: Every Generation. Groups across our church are gathering with open Bibles and open hearts. If you're feeling a little nervous about your first meeting, this episode is for you. Jimmy shares 10 practical encouragements (countdown style) to help you lead with confidence and calm—from embracing the awkward to remembering that God is already ahead of you.

Key Takeaway: Your faithful presence matters, but God's presence is the power that changes everything. Simple faithfulness beats impressive leadership every time.

What You'll Hear:

• Why silence isn't failure (it's processing)
• How to end well even if the middle felt messy
• The difference between going first and slipping into teaching mode
• Why this week's win is connection, not depth
• And a reminder: if it feels awkward, you're doing it right

This Week's Focus: Create a safe space for people to share. Let the rhythm form. Trust that what feels new today will feel normal soon.

Runtime: 3:59

Release Date: January 8, 2026

Episode Summary: For years, your group has relied on quarterly guides—faithful, helpful, trustworthy. But starting in January with One Story: Every Generation, we're stepping into something different. In this episode, we address the real concern many leaders are feeling: without the quarterlies, will the Bible alone be enough? Spoiler: it always has been.

Key Takeaway: When God's people wrestle with God's Word together, God shows up. Your job isn't to be the expert with all the answers—it's to be the guide who creates space for people to hear from God themselves.

Scripture Reference: Implicit throughout - The sufficiency of Scripture and the work of the Holy Spirit in teaching and transforming God's people.

Practical Steps:

1. Reframe the shift - The quarterlies were good, but they accidentally taught us we can't hear from God without a middleman. One Story removes that barrier.
2. Embrace your role - You're not the expert. You're the guide. The study guides aren't answer keys—they're tools to help you ask better questions.
3. Respond with confidence - When people express concern, acknowledge it honestly while pointing to what's exciting: we're reading the Bible itself, not commentary about it.

This Week's Challenge: Next time someone expresses concern about losing the quarterlies, try this response: "I know—it feels different. And honestly, I'm a little nervous too. But here's what I'm excited about: instead of us reading commentary about the Bible, we're just going to read the Bible. And I think we're going to be surprised by what God shows us when we stop looking for someone else to tell us what it means."

(And if that doesn't work, just blame Jimmy.)

Quote to Remember: "We're betting everything on the belief that when God's people wrestle with God's Word together, God shows up."

Runtime: 4:26

Release Date: Thursday, December 11, 2025

Episode Summary: Every small group leader dreads the question: "How do I know if God is speaking to me?" In this episode, we tackle how to help your people hear from God—even when you're not always sure you're hearing Him yourself. The good news? Your job isn't to BE God's voice. It's to help them recognize His voice for themselves.

Key Takeaway: Your job isn't to BE God's voice for your group. It's to help them recognize His voice for themselves. Teaching people to hear God is how they grow from attenders into disciples.

Scripture Reference: John 10:27 - "My sheep hear my voice"

Practical Steps:

1. Normalize talking about it - Share when you've sensed God's leading, even the small stuff. When you're honest about listening for God, it gives others permission to try.
2. Create space to practice - Ask questions like "What do you think God might be saying to you about this?" or "Where have you sensed God's presence this week?" Let silence happen. Let people think.

This Week's Challenge: At your next meeting, ask your group: "When's the last time you felt like God was speaking to you?" Then let them answer. Don't fix it. Don't teach on it. Just listen.

Quote to Remember: "You're not the spiritual expert who has it all figured out. You're the guide helping others listen."

Runtime: 3:00 Release Date: December 2

Episode Summary: The holidays are coming fast, and it's easy to lose Jesus in all the tinsel, parties, and gift exchanges. In this episode, we explore how to keep Jesus central without adding MORE to your already packed schedule. Spoiler: It's not about doing more—it's about filtering everything through Him.

Key Takeaway: Keeping Jesus central isn't about adding more activities—it's about filtering everything THROUGH Him. When Jesus is central, your group doesn't just DO Christian things during the holidays, they BECOME more like Jesus.

Scripture Reference: Colossians 1:18 - Jesus has "first place in everything"

Practical Steps:

1. Refocus what you're already doing - Before your December gathering, pause for 60 seconds and ask: "What's one way Jesus has shown up for you this week?"
2. Name the why - Whatever you're planning (party, service project, gift exchange), connect it out loud: "We're doing this because Jesus was generous with us first."

This Week's Challenge: Before your next group meeting, ask yourself: "If someone only experienced Jesus through our group this December, what would they learn about Him?" Let that question shape your plans.

Quote to Remember: "The holidays are coming whether you're ready or not. But you get to decide if your group just survives them or if they encounter Jesus in them."

Great group leaders don’t just teach lessons — they guide conversations that change lives. In this first episode, Jimmy shares how curiosity, good questions, and a shift in mindset can turn any Bible study into a space where people truly hear from God.