In this bonus episode of the Real Life Groups Leadership Podcast, Chris Short, Executive Pastor at Real Life Ministries, chats with Jenna Fore, Women's Ministry Lead at our Hayden Campus and Christian Putman, Adult Discipleship Ministry Lead at our Cd'A Campus, about the session they did on Intentional Leadership at the annual Group Leaders Training.

In this conversation, they share some of their best tips and tools for leading a group with intentionality. Here are some of things they suggest a leader does in order to lead like Jesus and effectively navigate the challenges faced in a group 

1. Ask a lot of questions: Asking questions shows that you are interested in and invested in the individuals in your group. It helps create a sense of relationship and encourages self-discovery. Asking questions is a good way to be intentional to show your interest in someone, which can lead them to feel safe enough to be more open with their responses.

1. Be intentional: Just like Jesus, be intentional in addressing problems and forming relationships within the group. Take the time to understand the needs and concerns of each individual and address them with care and compassion.

1. Connect outside of the group: It is important to connect with your group members outside of the regular group meetings. This can be through one-on-one conversations, social events, or even simple check-ins. Building relationships outside of the group setting helps to strengthen the bond and trust within the group.

1. Establish group guidelines: Set clear and intentional guidelines for the group. These guidelines should outline expectations, values, and boundaries for the group members. Having guidelines in place helps to create a safe and respectful environment for everyone.

1. Be proactive and reactive: As a group leader, it is important to set the tone of the group by being proactive in addressing potential issues and creating a positive atmosphere. However, it is also crucial to be prepared for difficult conversations that may arise on the fly. Approach these conversations with trust, relationship, and respect, and be open to finding solutions together.

1. Be vulnerable: Share your own struggles and challenges with the group. By being vulnerable, you create a space for others to open up and share their own experiences. This fosters a sense of authenticity and trust within the group.

1. Plant and water: Remember that as a group leader, your role is to plant seeds and water them, regardless of the visible results. Trust that God will bring the growth and focus on faithfully serving and supporting your group members.

We want to thank you for stepping up, and even stretching yourselves, to lead God's people here at Real Life. We know it isn't always easy, and we so appreciate your time, your prayer and trust in God, and your desire to love his people well. 

Please let us know if there is anything you would like to see addressed in this podcast, and know that we are lifting you up in prayer and cheering you on as we walk this journey as disciples together!

Download Show Notes Here: https://reallifeministries.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Media/2024/Real+Life+Resources+/Groups+Leadership+Podcast+Season+2+Bonus+Episode+1+-+Intentional+Leadership.docx

Here are some more great tools that our leadership has made available for you to use!

• Right Now Media: (The Netflix of Bible Studies)

              Real Life has gifted our people with a free membership to this                                 platform! Find out more at this link.  https://app.rightnowmedia.org/en/user/reallifeministries

• Real Life Resources: This digital library contains over 500 tools and resources to help both you personally and those in your group. Podcasts, videos, books, studies and much more at this link. https://realliferesources.org/

If you have any questions or suggestions for future topics, feel free to email us at [email protected].