SUMMARY: In this episode, Brian and Rick speak with Bill Donahue about his new book, The Irresistible Community: An Invitation to Life Together. Bill shares how Jesus’ ministry to the disciples in the upper room using three common tools—a table, a towel, and the truth— is a model for how churches should create a cultural environment for transformational discipleship. Bill argues that Bible study communities should aim to practice the truth in action, not just share knowledge, and that doing so is a way of fulfilling Jesus’ promises of community and fellowship. Bill can be contacted visiting his website at drbilldonahue.com or on Twitter @bdonahue80.

In addition, Brian and Rick discuss a blog post by John Piper entitled A Call to Small Togetherness, which introduces nine standards that should apply to all forms of small groups. Rick shares his List of the Week, entitled “Five Times Pastors Should Ignore Criticism,” and Rick and Brian discuss how and when pastors should take criticism into consideration.

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 expert from the Lifeway Groups Ministry Team, and Rick Howerton, the discipleship and small group specialist at Lifeway and author ofGUEST: Bill Donahue, Ph.D., brings energy and passion to developing leaders at every level in organizations. He is a popular conference speaker, author, and consultant building transformational leaders, groups, and teams for non-profit and for-profit organizations and churches. Dr. Donahue is President of the LeaderSync Group, a leadership development firm, and teaches at Trinity International University. He holds a degree in psychology from Princeton University, a master’s degree from Dallas Seminary, and a Ph.D. in adult learning from the University of North Texas.

Bill worked with P&G and PNC Financial Corp., and later served churches in Pennsylvania, Texas, and Illinois. Before launching the LeaderSync Group, for 18 years he was Director of Group Life and Leadership at Willow Creek Community Church & Association, speaking and training leaders on 6 continents.

His resources include the best-selling Leading Life-Changing Small Groups as well as co-authoring Coaching Life-Changing Leaders (with Greg Bowman), Making Small Groups Work (with Henry Cloud and John Townsend), and Building a Life-Changing Small Group Ministry (with Russ Robinson). His newest book, The Irresistible Community, released in August 2015. He resides in Dundee, Illinois, with his wife and family.

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,