SUMMARY: In this episode, Brian and guest host Joel Polk speak with Robby Gallaty, Senior Pastor of Long Hollow Baptist Church in Hendersonville, Tennessee, about the three spaces of disciple-making in a church culture. Robby shares Long Hollow’s practice of promoting three different kinds of group experiences for its members: the large worship gathering, the small group Bible study, and a smaller group of 3-5 individuals who gather with the express purpose of learning discipleship. Robby discusses how church leadership must emulate the practice of disciple-making for their congregations, and he shares from his own experience about the blessings of a ministry devoted to in-depth spiritual growth.

In addition, Brian and Joel discuss a blog post by Chris Surratt titled 5 Ways to Keep Leaders from Burnout, as well as a post from Rick Howerton listing 7 Reasons a Small Group Should Be 12 or Less People.

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: Robby has served as Long Hollow’s Senior Pastor since October of 2015. His radical salvation in 2002 and a powerful journey since has led him to a passionate calling of “making disciples who make disciples.”

Robby holds a Ph.D., has written several books, and also provides a wealth of discipleship resources through Replicate Ministries. When he’s not serving the church, you can find Robby working out at the gym, relaxing with his family, or watching UFC and college football. He and his wife, Kandi, have two precious young sons, Rig and Ryder.

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, or visit SmallGroup.com to begin your free 2-week preview.

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