SUMMARY: In this episode, Brian and Rick speak with Jeremy Linneman about the often controversial practice of group multiplication. Jeremy discusses the theological basis of group multiplication and the pattern of calls to mission as detailed in Scripture, and he shares some advice for dealing with group leaders or group members who are resistant to group multiplication. Rick offers some insight about the benefits of group multiplication for smaller churches, and Brian and Rick discuss the stages of group life and the aim of multiplying at the optimum time.

In addition, Brian and Rick discuss a blog post by Jim Egli titled Four Reasons Why Praying Leaders Have Faster Growing Groups, and Rick shares his list of the week about the four levels of relationship and why these relationships are important to group life.

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: Jeremy Linneman is pastor of community life at Sojourn Community Church, a diverse, multi-congregational church in Louisville, Kentucky. Jeremy oversees Sojourn’s family of more than 150 community groups and is active in preaching and counseling at its East Campus. He is a graduate of the University of Missouri (B.A.) and Southern Seminary (M.A.) and is a certified leadership coach. He writes on community and culture at jslinneman.com. He and his wife, Jessie, have three sons.

EPISODE SPONSOR: This week’s episode is sponsored by The Disciples Path series, a 6-session Bible study on systematic discipleship created for smaller groups of 2-8 members. The Disciples Path was created by a group of 14 disciple-makers from churches of different sizes and different denominations across the country. Find more information at lifeway.com/disciplespath.

RESOURCES: If you have a question you’d like discussed on our Groups Matter Podcast, please tweet your question to @BcDaniel or @RickHowerton.