SUMMARY: In this episode, Brian and Rick speak with Michael Kelley, the Director of Groups Ministry at Lifeway, about Transformational Discipleship, a book he co-authored with Eric Geiger and Philip Nation. Michael discusses how the convergence of three key factors in group life—biblical truth, people in a humble posture, and godly leaders—can create the perfect environment that enables the Holy Spirit to work. Michael also shares his definition of the term “gospel-centered” and its implications for group life and daily Christian ministry.

In addition, Brian and Rick review a blog post by Joel Comiskey entitled Prayer Hindrances and Suggestions to Overcome Them, and Rick shares his list of Nine Responsibilities of the Small Group Point Person During a Church-Wide Camp.

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: Michael Kelley lives in Nashville, TN, with his wife, Jana, and three children: Joshua (10), Andi (7), and Christian (5). He serves as the Director of Groups Ministry for Lifeway Christian Resources. As a communicator, Michael speaks across the country at churches, conferences, and retreats and is the author of Wednesdays Were Pretty Normal: A Boy, Cancer, and God, Transformational Discipleship, and Boring: Finding an Extraordinary God in an Ordinary Life.

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 2-12 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.