SUMMARY: In this episode, Brian and Rick speak with Eddie Mosley, the Pastor of Disciple-Making at LifePoint Church and a frequent contributor to Lifeway resources. Eddie speaks about how a church can incorporate a hybrid group model that includes both Sunday school classes and off-campus small groups. Arguing that where groups meet is not as important as what they do when they meet, Eddie discusses the importance of beginning with a pilot group and allowing the stories of off-campus small groups to permeate the congregation. He also discusses founding every group, whether on-campus or off-campus, in three basic principles: care, community, and foundational Bible study. Finally, Eddie shares his expertise on timing and managing a church’s small group launch season.

Brian and Rick also discuss a blog post by Mac Lake entitled Leveraging Leadership Development Golden Opportunities, and Rick shares his List of the Week, an examination of the consistent qualities of small group life throughout the history of the church.

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: Eddie Mosley is the Pastor of Disciple-Making at LifePoint Church, serving the multi-site campus in Smyrna, Tennessee, since 2005. His enthusiasm for seeing life change happen in the lives of individuals in his church, neighborhood, and community is infectious. He is a sought-after speaker for small group ministry and neighborhood impact. He is the author of Connecting in Communities, Understanding the Dynamics of Small Groups. He has written numerous articles for SmallGroup.com and Lifeway Church Resources. He has also served as Regional Point Leader for the Saddleback’s The Small Group Network. He blogs often at eddiemosley.com, and you can follow him on Twitter at @eddiemosley. Mosley is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University, where he received a Bachelor in Business Administration degree. He also holds a Master of Divinity degree from Southern Seminary. When not immersed in the small group world, Eddie spends his time coaching baseball. Eddie and his wife, Lisa, have two sons and reside in Middle Tennessee.

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.