Great Groups

In this episode, Jay and Chris talk with Harry Handlin, one of our Small Group Leaders. We discuss his group, which uses a Bible reading plan together, and Harry then draws his teaching time from the plan. God's word changes lives, so we're interested in teaching plans that encourage people to read the Bible regularly. We included some ideas for groups that may not fully engage in this t...

In this episode, Jay reviews a list of 11 things Small Group Leaders should avoid when leading their groups. The list begins with showing up late or unprepared, includes being too guarded, and closes with failing to apply the Scripture to life and to follow up with guests and prayer requests. Listen in to hear the whole list and choose a "sin" to avoid in leading your group. Send us Fan...

In this episode, Jay and Christ discuss challenging group members to identify and take some next steps toward growth in Christ. Next steps might be defined as small steps that lead to big change when taken consistently. Jay gets Chris' reaction to a list of ten areas where next steps may be needed. Listen in and get some ideas to help your group members grow spiritually. Send us Fan Mail Than...

In this episode, Jay and Chris review Equipping Your Group to Go Strong: Tips for Leaders , a document created with lots of practical ideas for your group. As we are in the final few months of 2Strong, look it over and choose some of the tips to use with your group. You can also reach the document at brookhills.org/leaderresources . Send us Fan Mail Thanks for listening to the Great Groups Podcast...

In this episode, Jay and Chris briefly talk about the Small Group Leader Gathering before listening to the clip of Pastor Matt's talk. Join us for some inspiration if you missed the leader gathering or just want to hear it again. Send us Fan Mail Thanks for listening to the Great Groups Podcast. Please visit GreatGroups.org for a list of all our episodes. We'd love to hear from you! Clic...

In today's episode, Jay and Chris talk with Scott and Alison Elliott about being a spiritual influence at work, home, neighborhood, or wherever you are. They were on our Leader Gathering Panel Discussion back in September when we focused on Going Strong to Our Community . We are in Year 2 of Going Strong. On the podcast, we take time to get to know them personally and talk more in-depth about...

In today's episode, Jay and Chris talk with Scott and Alison Elliott about being a spiritual influence at work, home, neighborhood, or wherever you are. They were on our Leader Gathering Panel Discussion back in September when we focused on Going Strong to Our Community . We are in Year 2 of Going Strong. On the podcast, we take time to get to know them personally and talk more in-depth about...

Jay and Chris take this episode to celebrate our 100th podcast. We talk about favorite memories, fun guests, things we've learned, and more. Thanks to Boyd Powell for our intro. Send us Fan Mail Thanks for listening to the Great Groups Podcast. Please visit GreatGroups.org for a list of all our episodes. We'd love to hear from you! Click here for our contact form .  Jay Gordon is the Sma...

In this episode, Jay and Chris continue the talk with James and Stacy Mintz. They were on our Leader Gathering Panel Discussion back in September when we focused on Going Strong to Our Community . We are in Year 2 of Going Strong. On the podcast, we take time to get to know them personally and talk more in-depth about their personal experiences as a spiritual influence at work and in other setting...

In this episode, Jay and Chris talk with James and Stacy Mintz. They were on our Leader Gathering Panel Discussion back in September when we focused on Going Strong to Our Community. We are in Year 2 of Going Strong. On the podcast, we take time to get to know them personally and talk more in-depth about their personal experiences as a spiritual influence at work and in other settings. Be sure to...

Jay and Chris talk with Fox from our Global Disciple-making Team. Your Small Group can go on your own mission trip and his team will help facilitate that with our partners overseas. Going global helps make disciples of your group and those you go to serve. Listen to see how it can work for your group. See Short-Term Mission Trip Info . See a List of Short-Term trips . For more info, please email f...

In this episode, Jay and Chris talk with Seth, one of our Leader Gathering panelists who works in the tech industry. We take some time to get to know Seth and talk more in-depth about his personal experiences as a spiritual influence where he works. Be sure to check out a Brook Hills' document, Equipping Your Small Group in Evangelism . Send us Fan Mail Thanks for listening to the Great Group...

In this episode, Jay continues the discussion with David Graves about the new year's emphasis on Bible reading in 2024. We encourage group leaders to lead their group members to engage in a plan this year. Join in on their discussion and pick up some tips for both your personal reading and for promoting a Bible-reading journey for group members. Due to scheduling conflicts and deadlines, we r...

In this episode, Jay talks with David Graves about his Bible Reading Journey. That's the name we're giving to the end-of-year emphasis to help group leaders engage their members in a Bible reading plan for 2024. Join in on their discussion and pick up some tips for your personal reading and for promoting a Bible reading journey for group members. Due to scheduling conflicts and deadlines...

In this episode, Jay and Chris continue the talk with Margie Gunter, one of our Leader Gathering panelists who works in the television industry. We take some time to get to know Margie and talk more in-depth about her personal experiences as a spiritual influence where she works.  Send us Fan Mail Thanks for listening to the Great Groups Podcast. Please visit GreatGroups.org for a list of all our...

In this episode, Jay and Chris talk with Margie Gunter, one of our Leader Gathering panelists who works in the television industry. We take some time to get to know Margie and talk more in-depth about her personal experiences as a spiritual influence where she works.  Send us Fan Mail Thanks for listening to the Great Groups Podcast. Please visit GreatGroups.org for a list of all our episodes. We&...

In this episode, Jay presents nine ideas for equipping group members for evangelism. We'll refine the list over the course of the year, but we wanted to move ahead and give you some ideas to consider while it's fresh from the leader gathering. (Update: We recorded this over a month ago. Since then, we've updated the document with ideas. You can see the updated info at the first link...

In this episode, you'll hear the panel discussion from Brook Hills' Small Group Leader Gathering. The meeting focused on the 2Strong Year 2 theme, Going Strong to our Community. At the meeting, Ashley Chesnut interviewed six church members who are doing a great job of going strong to their work community. Join us and be inspired by their stories as we go strong where we live, work, shop,...

In this episode Jay and Chris discuss the 2Strong Emphasis before listening to Pastor Matt's segment from Brook Hills' Fall 2023 Small Group Leader Gathering. Matt shares some books he has been reading that fit well with 2Strong, then gives an overview of 2Strong Year Two. Join us and hear the focus for Year 2. Send us Fan Mail Thanks for listening to the Great Groups Podcast. Please vis...

In this episode, we talk with Brandon and Cate Powell about welcoming new people, ministering to group members, and more.  Brandon and Cate were featured on our 2023 Small Group Promotion Video. Send us Fan Mail Thanks for listening to the Great Groups Podcast. Please visit GreatGroups.org for a list of all our episodes. We'd love to hear from you! Click here for our contact form .  Jay Gordo...

In this episode, we talk with Brandon and Cate Powell about invitations to Small Group and a number of other things. Brandon and Cate were featured on our 2023 Small Group Promotion Video. Send us Fan Mail Thanks for listening to the Great Groups Podcast. Please visit GreatGroups.org for a list of all our episodes. We'd love to hear from you! Click here for our contact form .  Jay Gordon is t...

In this episode, Jay and Chris discuss ten tips for launching your group year well. They also discuss a couple of good documents to use that first week, Small Group Essentials and Great Conversations . Join us and get some help launching your group well. Send us Fan Mail Thanks for listening to the Great Groups Podcast. Please visit GreatGroups.org for a list of all our episodes. We'd love to...

In this episode, Jay & Chris talk with David McKnight, a Small Group Leader at Brook Hills, about using presentation software (Keynote, Powerpoint, etc.) in group meetings. We'll get to know David and discover how his group is involved in service and we'll also discuss a men's breakout group he has done for a couple of years. Send us Fan Mail Thanks for listening to the Great Gr...

Jay and Chris discuss what to do when you are exhausted and burned out. We've all been there. Listen up and see if any of these tips help you. Some short and long-term solutions are included, as well as some discussion of balancing all of life. Send us Fan Mail Thanks for listening to the Great Groups Podcast. Please visit GreatGroups.org for a list of all our episodes. We'd love to hear...

In this session, Jay and Chris discuss the book Leading Small Groups by Chris Surratt. We're on Chapter 4, Group Type Trade-Offs . There is some discussion of closed groups, which is good to know, but Brook Hills opts for an open group model to help people remain outwardly oriented. If you'd like a copy, here's the link from Amazon for the book Leading Small Groups by Chris Surratt....