Groups Matter Podcast

Most Americans tend to open their garage, drive in, close the garage, and never see their neighbors. Does the "cocooning" nature of our society have an impact on biblical community? How can we care for those around us, our neighbors, coworkers, church members, etc. if we aren't being interntional in our interactions? On today's show Darryl Wilson shares practical aspects to caring for those in our groups and churches, different models and trends in discipleship around the world, and why he is more optimistic than ever before!As a Belmont alumni, Darryl Wilson has served as a Sunday School and Discipleship Consultant for the Kentucky Baptist Convention since 1997. He has also served as Minister of Education in Kentucky and South Carolina. Darryl is married with two adult sons and multiple grandchildren.Thanks for listening and sharing this episode with a friend!Show links: -Caring: Caring for Members and Friends in Sunday School and Bible Study GroupsTake the Group Answers Survey and Enter

In a world where men are looking for self-improvement and coaching, is the church the place where they can find that? On today's show Brian and Joel discuss this topic with John Simons. John Simons was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut and raised in Orange County, California. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at California Baptist University (CBU), M.A. Philosophy & M.Div from Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, and is a PhD student in Ethics & Public Theology at Southern Seminary. He previously led in Small Group ministry and served as the Men’s Community Pastor at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, CA. Currently, John and his family live in Franklin, TN, where he has the privilege of being the Men’s and Sports Pastor at Rolling Hills Community Church. He has been married six years to his wife, Kristen, who he shares two children with. John's heart is to help men grow in their relationship with God and be the leader their family and community needs them to be.

On today’s show, Brian Daniel and Joel Polk discuss resources, cultural challenges, and encouragement Jeremiah Johnston is seeing in his corner of the country. Jeremiah Johnston is a New Testament scholar who serves as president of Christian Thinkers Society. Jeremiah loves the local church and serves as the pastor of apologetics and culture engagement at Prestenwood Baptist. Thanks for listening and sharing this episode with a friend!   SHOW LINKS:Body ProofBody Proof Bible StudyTake the Group Answers Survey and Enter to win the BIG giveaway HERE. 

On today’s show, Brian Daniel discusses change, innovation, ministry, and what discipleship is in the small group context, with Lifeway’s Director of Sunday School, Ken Braddy. Ken Braddy is an author, blogger, and speaker. Ken travels all over the country training church leaders in growing in discipleship. Ken also hosts his podcast, Disciple-making In Community.Thanks for listening and sharing this episode with a friend!  Take the Group Answers Survey and Enter to win the BIG giveaway HERE. 

Today on the show, Brian Daniel chats with Lifeway's own, Zac Workun about trends in Student Discipleship. Zac Workun serves as the Student Ministry Training Specialist for Lifeway. Zac is one of the co-founders of Youth Ministry Booster, Lifeway Students’ collaboration and training network. He has served the local church in various youth ministry roles for over 15 years. He is a graduate of OBU with degrees in business management and religion and received his Master of Divinity from Duke Divinity with a certificate of Baptist Studies. Zac and his wife Karen have two wild boys—Isaiah & Gideon. Zac is an Okie, black coffee drinker, comic book nerd and an Enneagram 7. On Saturdays you can find him brunching outside or chasing toddlers across a playground. Connect with Zac on Instagram: @zacworkunTake the Group Answers Survey and Enter to win the BIG giveaway HERE. 

On this episode of Group Answers, Brian and Chris talk to Haley Malone, the Groups Director at First Baptist Church Orlando. Bio: Haley Malone grew up in South Florida and attended Florida State University earning a degree in mathematics education. For her this was a way of intentionally connecting with the next generation. Her time […]The post Group Answers Episode 258: Haley Malone appeared first on Adult Ministry.Take the Group Answers Survey and Enter to win the BIG giveaway HERE. 

On this episode of Group Answers, Brian and Chris talk about what it takes to launch groups in the fall, and how recent national trends of lagging engagement in groups should make us think differently about how we approach discipleship.The post Group Answers Episode 257: Launching Into the Fall appeared first on Adult Ministry.Take the Group Answers Survey and Enter to win the BIG giveaway HERE. 

On this episode of Group Answers, Brian and Chris talk about Brian’s recent trip to Portland, and how a conversation with a local church about how they do discipleship changed some of this thinking on the topic.The post Group Answers Episode 256: What Every New Leader Needs to Know appeared first on Adult Ministry.Take the Group Answers Survey and Enter to win the BIG giveaway HERE. 

On this episode of Group Answers, Brian and Chris talk to Pastor Ryan James, from LongHollow Baptist Church, about how they integrate new people into their Life Groups and Discipleship Groups.The post Group Answers Episode 255: Ryan James on Integrating New People into Groups appeared first on Adult Ministry.Take the Group Answers Survey and Enter to win the BIG giveaway HERE. 

On this episode of Group Answers, Brian and Chris welcome Rob Tims back to the podcast to discuss the pros and cons of on-campus and off-campus groups.The post Group Answers Episode 254: On-campus vs Off-campus Groups appeared first on Adult Ministry.Take the Group Answers Survey and Enter to win the BIG giveaway HERE. 

On this episode of Group Answers, Brian and Chris talk to Ken Braddy about group trends, including the migration of people around the country and what that means for churches.The post Group Answers Episode 253: Group Opportunities Through Migration appeared first on Adult Ministry.Take the Group Answers Survey and Enter to win the BIG giveaway HERE. 

On this episode of Group Answers, Brian and Chris talk to Dr. PJ Dunn about discipleship and groups in the south, and specifically, how to create better disciple-making environments in churches. Dr. PJ Dunn serves as a Discipleship Consultant with the Georgia Baptist Mission Board after 15 years of serving in the local church. He […]The post Group Answers Episode 252: Dr. PJ Dunn on Creating Disciple-Making Environments appeared first on Adult Ministry.Take the Group Answers Survey and Enter to win the BIG giveaway HERE. 

On this episode of Group Answers, Brian and Chris interview author and pastor, Dr. Tony Merida, about his new book: Gather: Loving Your Church As You Celebrate Christ Together.The post Group Answers Episode 251: Tony Merida on Gather: Loving Your Church As You Celebrate Christ Together appeared first on Adult Ministry.Take the Group Answers Survey and Enter to win the BIG giveaway HERE. 

On this episode of Group Answers, Brian and Chris identify five types of leaders to look for, including visionary leaders who have a clear vision and inspire others, relational leaders who build community, organizational leaders who keep things running smoothly, discipler leaders who guide others in their spiritual growth, and innovative leaders who bring fresh […]The post Group Answers: 5 Types of Leaders to Look for When Recruiting Small Group Leaders appeared first on Adult Ministry.Take the Group Answers Survey and Enter to win the BIG giveaway HERE. 

On this episode of Group Answers, Brian and Chris talk to Reid Patton about the brand new Bible study series, Storyteller.The post Group Answers Episode 249: The Storyteller Series appeared first on Adult Ministry.Take the Group Answers Survey and Enter to win the BIG giveaway HERE. 

On this episode of Group Answers, Brian and Chris discuss why this is a great time to work on your groups ministry, and not just in it. In this discussion, we provide four key steps to guide you through the process of assessing and improving your small groups ministry. These include assessing the current state […]The post Group Answers Episode 248: It’s Time for a Spring Tune-Up on Your Groups Ministry appeared first on Adult Ministry.Take the Group Answers Survey and Enter to win the BIG giveaway HERE. 

On this episode of Group Answers, Brian and Chris discuss the “Final Four” of small groups systems.The post Group Answers Episode 247: The Final Four of Groups Systems appeared first on Adult Ministry.Take the Group Answers Survey and Enter to win the BIG giveaway HERE. 

On this episode of Group Answers, Brian and Chris discuss the benefits and dangers of using an AI tool, like ChatGPT, to help with leading groups.The post Group Answers Episode 246: Should We Use ChatGPT With Groups? appeared first on Adult Ministry.Take the Group Answers Survey and Enter to win the BIG giveaway HERE. 

On this episode of Group Answers, Brian and Chris talk about the four questions to always ask when planning for the future.The post Group Answers Episode 245: 4 Questions for Planning appeared first on Adult Ministry.Take the Group Answers Survey and Enter to win the BIG giveaway HERE. 

On this episode of Group Answers, Chris and Brian talk to authors Matt and Allison Willis about their updated version of the classic Bible Study, MasterLife. Matt and Allison Willis have written and edited published works during their years of full-time ministry. Matt co-authored Learning to Soar: How to Grow Through Transitions and Trials (NavPress) in 2009 […]The post Group Answers Episode 244: Matt & Allison Willis on the Updated MasterLife Bible Study appeared first on Adult Ministry.Take the Group Answers Survey and Enter to win the BIG giveaway HERE.