Jay Gordon & Chris Amaro

Great Groups

Religion EN ↓ 155 episodes

A Podcast Designed for Small Group Leaders. Great Groups are small groups that focus on making disciples, building community, serving, and living on mission. You may call your groups Sunday School Life Groups, Community Groups, or a host of other names, but whatever you call it, we want to help your group be a great group. We built the podcast to encourage and equip adult small group leaders at Brook Hills and beyond.

Author

Jay Gordon & Chris Amaro

Category

Religion

Podcast website

greatgroups.org

Latest episode

Jun 8, 2026

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Episodes

Equipping Your Group to Go Strong (Episode 104) 04.03.2024

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...

Leader Gathering Recap with Pastor Matt (Episode 103) 26.02.2024

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...

Spiritual Influence with Scott & Alison Elliott, Part 2 (Episode 102) 19.02.2024

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...

Spiritual Influence with Scott & Alison Elliott (Episode 101) 14.02.2024

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...

Fun Memories and Celebration of 100 Podcasts 05.02.2024

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...

Workplace Influence with James and Stacy Mintz, Part 2 (Episode 99) 29.01.2024

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...

Workplace Influence with James & Stacey Mintz, Part 1 (Episode 98) 22.01.2024

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...

Take Your Group Overseas (Episode 97) 15.01.2024

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...

Going Strong: Evangelism @ Work with Seth (Episode 96) 08.01.2024

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...

Bible Reading Journey: Plans Overview & Week 2 with David Graves (Episode 95) 02.01.2024

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...

The Best Tool for Disciple-making with David Graves (Episode 94) 18.12.2023

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...

Workplace Influence with Margie Gunter, Part 2 (Episode 93) 11.12.2023

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...

Workplace Influence with Margie Gunter, Part 1 (Episode 92) 04.12.2023

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&...

Equipping Group Members for Evangelism: Nine Ideas (Episode 91) 27.11.2023

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...

Leader Gathering: Evangelism Panel Discussion (Episode 90) 02.11.2023

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,...

Leader Gathering: Matt's Books & Going Strong Overview (Episode 89) 14.10.2023

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...

Welcoming, Ministry, and More with Brandon and Cate Powell (Episode 88) 05.09.2023

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...

The Power of Invitation: Brandon & Cate Powell (Episode 87) 25.08.2023

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...

Launch Your Year Well (Episode 86) 04.08.2023

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...

Using Presentation Software in Groups (Episode 85) 17.07.2023

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...

Help! I'm Exhausted and Burned Out! (Epsiode 84) 05.07.2023

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...

Leading Small Groups 4: Different Group Types (Episode 83) 13.06.2023

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....

Leading Small Groups 3: New Group Options & Missions (Episode 82) 31.05.2023

In this episode, Jay and Chris review highlights from the book Leading Small Groups by Chris Surratt with one of our own leaders, Jeremy Simpson. This week focuses on Chapter 3: Preparing for Your Small Group. The content here is probably what you should have heard before starting a small group, but there are useful tips scattered throughout. If you'd like a copy, here's the link from Am...

What Frustrates Me About Leading My Small Group (Episode 81) 25.04.2023

In this episode, Jay and Chris discuss what frustrates them about leading their Small Groups. Listen and see if you resonate with any of these thoughts. See resources at brookhills.org/leaderresources . 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 .  J...

What I Love About Leading My Group (Episode 80) 19.04.2023

In this episode, Jay and Chris discuss what they love about leading their respective Small Groups. Listen and see if you resonate with any of these thoughts. See resources at brookhills.org/leaderresources . 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...

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