Disciple-making in Community with Ken Braddy

Curriculum plays a pivotal role in guiding meaningful Bible study and fostering spiritual growth within small groups. It’s not just about following a plan—it’s about creating a foundation for spiritual transformation. In this episode, Ken Braddy sits down with Amber Vaden, team leader for Explore the Bible at Lifeway Christian Resources , to delve into the critical role that curriculum plays in Bi...

In this episode, Ken Braddy and Dr. Dwayne McCrary dive into the ins and outs of aligning curriculum in the church to help small group leaders lead with greater effectiveness. They explore various approaches to alignment—whether by age group, concept, or teaching style—and share how alignment can foster deeper conversations, streamline planning, and improve communication across ministries. However...

One of the most critical decisions a church leader can make is choosing a curriculum that shapes the spiritual growth of their congregation. On today's episode Ken Braddy discuss why it’s essential to select a curriculum that is not only rooted in Scripture but also doctrinally sound and balanced in its approach to studying the Bible. Josh Paul Basham and Sean Beach explain how leaders can un...

Hey friends! Welcome to another great season of Disciple-Making in Community. We believe that discipleship happens best when it's done in a small group, and this season we're going to be focusing on why curriculum matters! Josh Renck and Jamie Coomer join Ken on the show to discuss the importance of using curriculum in small group settings. They emphasize how solid curriculum can provide...

Welcome back to the last episode of season 4 of the Disciple Making in Community podcast. If you haven't listened to the entire season, we encourage you to go back and catch up. On today's show, host Ken Braddy interviews Dr. Kelly King, author of the book Ministry to Women . They discuss the importance of discipleship in women's ministry, the value of working in teams, creating a g...

Kids today are growing up so differently than their parents did.  On today's show, host Ken Brady interviews Jana Magruder, the author of the book Flip the Script. They discuss the importance of understanding the needs of the current generation of kids and how to effectively minister to them. Jana covers topics such as expressive individualism, the need for relationships in kids' ministr...

In this episode, Ken Braddy discusses the key principles and essentials for effective group ministry through Sunday school. By taking the principles from his book, Breathing Life into Sunday School , Ken emphasizes the importance of discipleship within the context of a group and highlights the need for variety in teaching, financial support, attention, and ongoing training for leaders. He also emp...

Welcome back to another great episode of Disciple-Making Community with host Ken Braddy. On today's show, Scott McConnell, the author of the book ' Together: The Power of Groups. ' They discuss the importance of discipleship within the context of smaller groups and the benefits of being in a group. They also explore the reasons people do and don't participate with groups. Scott...

Today, host Ken Braddy, discusses his book ' Breakthrough: Creating a New Scorecard for Group Ministry Success. ' The book focuses on four main tasks for group leaders: learning and obeying God's Word, inviting people to become disciples, forming deeper relationships, and engaging in acts of service. 'Breakthrough' provides practical guidance and tools for group leaders to...

In this episode of the Disciple Making in Community podcast, host Ken Braddy interviews Dr. Dwayne McCrary about his book Farsighted. They discuss the importance of building a culture of reaching people and overcoming obstacles to reaching the lost. The conversation covers topics such as creating open ongoing Bible study communities, sharing the gospel, and supporting the culture of reaching peopl...

Welcome back to another great season of Disciple-making In Community with Ken Braddy. He is joined by guest Zach Workin, a student ministry specialist. They discuss the importance of student ministry and the elements of a healthy student ministry, including kingdom expanding, character transforming, and culture shaping. Zac Workun serves as the Student Ministry Training Specialist for Lifeway. Zac...

Welcome to the final episode of Season 3 of Disciple-Making Community. This season we have tackled the important topic of training group leaders in our local churches. If you're just joining us, be sure to go back to episode 1 of this season. On today's show Ken Braddy discusses the why, how, and applicable practices of training adult group leaders with Harland Cason and Allan Taylor. Ha...

This season we've been tackling the topic of training group leaders. Over the course of this season we've exstablished the "why" behind training, shared free resources group leaders can take advantage of, and discussed effective strategies in training kids, adults, and small group leaders. On today's show, Chad Higgins and Cory Liebrum  join Ken as they discuss student min...

Church leaders know how important it is to have well trained and equipped group leaders in our kids ministry settings. On today's show Delany Williams and Sandy Coelho join Ken Braddy to discuss the most effective ways they've trained leaders, how new technology can be helpful in training leaders, and practical baby steps in starting ongoing training in settings that currently have none....

Welcome back to another great episode of Disciple-Making in Community. This season we're tackling the topic of training group leaders in the local church. The last few episodes have focused on the importance of training group leaders, resources to do so, and strategies around effective training. Today, Frank Monts and Keith Lowry, join me in discussing how to overcome obstacles that any churc...

A large study in the state of Georgia looking at over 2,000 churches produced answers to the necessity of churches training group leaders. This week on Disciple-Making Community, Ken Braddy is joined with Brian Filligim and Dr. Jeff Bowden to discuss the outcomes of churches who train their leaders, how they train them, and how the church is positively impacted by such trainings. Brian Filligim is...

Too often leaders feel ill equipped in training their discipleship leaders. For reasons such as budgeting,  or the lack of knowledge of what's available to them, obstacles stand in the way of training and equipping leaders to truly make disciples. Well today we have good news for you! On today's episode Melita Thomas, Dwayne McCrary, and Zac Workun joins us to share some of Lifeway'...

Welcome back to another season of Disciple-Making Community with Ken Braddy! We believe that the best discipleship happens in small groups and each season we tackle a different topic, from different perspectives. This Season we'll focus on training group leaders, and on today's show, Ken discusses with two friends the importance of training group leaders. Bradley Linkins is the Assistant...

Starting new groups in Kids Ministry has always been tough, but since COVID-19 churches across America have struggled more than ever to recruit and retain small group leaders in Kids Ministry. As leaders we know how important it is to the safety and discipleship of kids to have the right volunteers. On today’s episode I sit down with three Kids Ministry experts as we discuss the challenges around...

From Moses to Jesus we see life happening in small groups all throughout the pages of scripture. Starting new groups are crucial and beneficial to the overall health and growth of the church. On today’s episode I discuss with Dr. Dwayne Parker and Daniel Edmonds 6 major benefits to starting new groups. After years of experience on the pastoral level at youth, education, and missions, Dr. Dwayne Pa...

One of the most strategic things a leader can do is to invest in future leaders. Whether your church’s primary discipleship model is Sunday Schools or small groups, raising up apprentices can be a determining factor in a church’s ability to multiply additional classes or groups. I’m joined today by two men who have served “in the trenches” of discipleship and leadership development. Dr. Todd Tanne...

As critical as starting new groups is to a church’s discipleship mission, pastors across the country still find groups and leaders resisting multiplying and starting new groups. On today’s show Dr. PJ Dunn and Ray Sullivan join me in a conversation about the complexities of this issue.  With over 15 years of local church service, PJ now Dr. PJ Dunn serves as a Discipleship Consultant in North Geor...

While starting new groups can be an exciting time in a church, it can also prove to be a huge task! Arthur Flake’s five step process, KEEP, is critical in starting the right groups for the right people. In today’s episode Phil Todd and Dr. Doug Matlock join me to discuss the 5 step process in effectively starting new groups:  Know your people  Enlarge the organization  Enlist and train the workers...

There are at least five times in a given year when churches are best positioned to launch new small groups.  While some of these are related to calendar rhythms, others include capitalizing on opportunities that exist within a church’s unique framework.  In today’s podcast I sit down with two individuals with experience “in the trenches” of launching and leading healthy small groups. Bobby Howard...

Studies show that new groups are the lifeblood of any church’s group ministry, yet too often churches aren’t starting new groups on a regular basis. On today’s episode I sit down with two brilliant discipleship strategists, Sean Keith and Dr. Scott Sullivan. Sean Keith is the Sunday School/Discipleship Strategist for Louisiana Baptist. He has been in ministry for almost 40 years and served in deno...