Great Groups

In this episode, Jay and Chris talk about welcoming people into your group with Andy Noel. Andy has lots of ministry experience but is currently in Jay's group. You'll hear some "fails" they've experienced as well as some ways to have an action plan for guests. Send us Fan Mail Thanks for listening to the Great Groups Podcast. Please visit GreatGroups.org for a list of all...

We cover  8 different curriculum options for Small Groups, but also point out that disciple-making is much more than just teaching and learning. Jay shares the DREAM of discipleship: five key components necessary for disciple-making. We also review the pros and cons of each curriculum type and discuss ways to make it better should you choose that option.  Send us Fan Mail Thanks for listening to t...

In this episode, Jay and Chris talk about multiplying your Small Group. You'll hear some important discussion points regarding HOW to multiply your group. Episode 51 ended up covering the WHY.  They also included some thoughts and cautions for ministry leaders.  Send us Fan Mail Thanks for listening to the Great Groups Podcast. Please visit GreatGroups.org for a list of all our episodes. We&a...

In this episode, Jay and Chris talk about multiplying your Small Group. You'll hear some important discussion points about the WHY. The following episode will cover HOW to multiply your group.  Don't miss the book recommendation for church ministry leaders. Send us Fan Mail Thanks for listening to the Great Groups Podcast. Please visit GreatGroups.org for a list of all our episodes. We&a...

In this episode, Jay and Chris interview John Butterfield, Brook Hills' Pastor of Local Disciple-making. John recently taught a class by this name at Brook Hills, and we thought it would be great to get a quick overview of this content out to all of you. Some highlights include a look at bad Bible study habits, six steps to Bible study, and more. Join us! Send us Fan Mail Thanks for listening...

In this episode, Jay and Chris interview John Butterfield, Brook Hills' Pastor of Local Disciple-making. John recently taught a class by this name at Brook Hills, and we thought it would be great to get a quick overview of this content out to all of you. Some highlights include a look at bad Bible study habits, six steps to Bible study, and more. Join us! Send us Fan Mail Thanks for listening...

In this episode, Jay and Chris talk with Dennis Blythe, Brook Hills’ Executive Pastor, about Elders and Small Group Leaders. Elders often come from the ranks of our Small Group Leaders, so we thought it would be helpful to dig into the role, biblical qualifications, and process of becoming an Elder at Brook Hills. We'll also spend a little time talking about how our Elders support Small Group...

In this episode, Jay and Chris talk about new year's resolutions and annual goals for Small Groups.  They dive into a number of categories, encouraging you as Small Group leaders to consider goals in each category for leading your group this year. 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 h...

On this episode of the Great Groups podcast, Jay's wife Liz & Chris's wife Wendy make a special visit and spend time with us. Listen in as they share a few funny stories and talk a bit of "inside baseball". 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 he...

In this episode, Jay and Chris talk with Josh Lewis & Nathan Jackson who are both Small Group Leaders at Brook Hills. Josh, Chris & Nathan all represent parts of a "Small Group Family Tree" where multiplication has flourished not just because of effective leadership, but through a magnitude of God's grace & mercy. (#45) Send us Fan Mail Thanks for listening to the Great...

In this episode, Jay and Chris talk with Chip Bugnar, the Global Pastor here at Brook Hills ,about the Desert City Initiative, a multi-year strategy to impact this unnamed hub city. If you're a Brook Hills person, consider how you can be involved. If not, as you listen, consider getting your group involved locally or globally. Short-term trips are one of the top disciple-making catalysts. (#4...

In this episode, Jay and Chris talk about the importance of sharing some of the work of your Small Group. Doing so helps others grow, gives them ownership in the group, and allows you to give more attention to your leadership role. (#43) 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! C...

In this episode, Jay & Chris continue a discussion of evangelism with Jeremy Simpson, a topic that Jeremy is very passionate about. Jay had engaged with Jeremy in a random discussion and decided to bring Jeremy in to record it for your benefit as well. Our hope is that God will use this to give you some ideas about reaching your neighbor, co-worker, or friend. (#42) Send us Fan Mail Thanks for...

In this episode, Jay and Chris have a discussion with Jeremy Simpson about evangelism, a topic that Jeremy is very passionate about. Jay had engaged with Jeremy in a random discussion and decided to bring Jeremy in to record it for your benefit as well. Our hope is that God will use this to give you some ideas about reaching your neighbor, co-worker, or friend. (#43, Season 2, Episode 18) Send us...

This week, Jay and Chris walk through Small Group Essentials, a document designed to help create a healthy group environment through which people grow in their relationships with one another and with Christ. Because these are things for everyone in the group, the start of the year is a great time to review Small Group Essentials with your group. They include items like a commitment to love, attend...

In this episode, Jay and Chris discuss eight things to consider as you prepare for leading your group to have a great year. Examples from the list are 1) having a plan for welcoming new people into the group and 2) making contacts with all your members prior to your first meeting of the year.  (#41: Season 2, Episode 16) Send us Fan Mail Thanks for listening to the Great Groups Podcast. Please vis...

In this episode, Jay and Chris discuss apps that they have used to strengthen their spiritual disciplines and multiply their time. As a leader, being a mature and maturing disciple is so important in disciple-making. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 11:1, "Follow my example as I follow the example of Christ." Why not learn and use technology to help! (Episode 40, Season 2, Episode 15) Send us...

In this episode, Jay and Chris welcome Brian Munnings and Holly Deemer to discuss Brook Hills' Caring Well Emphasis. Pastor Matt Mason focused on this in the June 6 Worship Gatherings. Caring Well is an emphasis to help our church become informed about abuse in order to prevent abuse, respond appropriately to abuse, and to build healthy environments and families. Brian serves as the Biblical...

In this episode, Jay and Chris welcome Brian Munnings and Holly Deemer to discuss Brook Hills' Caring Well Emphasis. Pastor Matt Mason will focus on this in the June 6 Worship Gatherings. Caring Well is an emphasis to help our church become informed about abuse in order to prevent abuse, respond appropriately to abuse, and to build healthy environments and families. Brian serves as the Biblic...

In this episode, Jay & Chris overview the pros and cons of each type of curriculum: Sermon-based Guides, Book of the Bible Study, Topical Studies, Reading Plan Study, Quarterlies, & Combination Plans.  (#38 - Season 2, Episode 12) 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!...

In this episode, Jay & Chris begin a discussion of curriculum, but setting it up with a discussion of curriculum mapping, teaching style, getting people to talk, and much more. Week 2 of this two part series will give the pros and cons of each type of curriculum: Sermon-based Guides, Book of the Bible Study, Topical Studies, Reading Plan Study, Quarterlies, & Combination Plans.  (#37 - Sea...

In this episode, Jay & Chris discuss Ten Ways to be a Great Group member. Special color commentary guest is Alan Chappell, one of our Small Group Leaders and an Elder at BH. We will learn ways to encourage our members to be ALL IN with their Small Groups. (Part 2, Episode 34) Send us Fan Mail Thanks for listening to the Great Groups Podcast. Please visit GreatGroups.org for a list of all our e...

In this episode, Jay & Chris discuss Ten Ways to be a Great Group member. Special color commentary guest is Alan Chappell, one of our Small Group Leaders and an Elder at BH. We will learn ways to encourage our members to be ALL IN with their Small Groups. (Part 1 of 2, Episode 33) Send us Fan Mail Thanks for listening to the Great Groups Podcast. Please visit GreatGroups.org for a list of all...

(Part 2) In this episode, Jay & Chris discuss preschool ministry with special guest, Allison Foster, who serves as the Preschool Minister at Brook Hills. Allison is also part of an adult Small Group at Brook Hills. We will learn ways preschool and adult ministry can connect to strengthen each other as we make disciples of all ages. Send us Fan Mail Thanks for listening to the Great Groups Podc...

In this episode, Jay & Chris discuss preschool ministry with special guest, Allison Foster, who serves as the Preschool Minister at Brook Hills. Allison is also part of an adult Small Group at Brook Hills. We will learn ways preschool and adult ministry can connect to strengthen each other as we make disciples of all ages. Send us Fan Mail Thanks for listening to the Great Groups Podcast. Plea...