Great Groups

In this episode, Jay and Chris discuss ways we can "see" people, letting them know that they matter to us and they matter to God. Covid has been rough on us individually and on our Small Groups. Let's make sure we do things to let people know we see them. Send us Fan Mail Thanks for listening to the Great Groups Podcast. Please visit GreatGroups.org for a list of all our episodes. W...

In this episode, Chris listens and nods as Jay discusses the dangers of assuming people know Jesus just because they seek to be involved in a group. You'll hear a couple of stories and also learn some great ideas to keep the gospel and evangelism equipping at the center of your group. Send us Fan Mail Thanks for listening to the Great Groups Podcast. Please visit GreatGroups.org for a list of...

In this episode, Jay and Nate talk with repeat guest, Nate Farrow. Nate has a new, expanded role at Brook Hills that includes Pastoral Care and Young Adults. You don't want to miss Nate's testimony about how God used Auburn football, injury, and a faithful brother to redirect Nate's heart and life-priorities. Send us Fan Mail Thanks for listening to the Great Groups Podcast. Please...

What do you do when your group faces rapid growth? In this episode, Jay helps Chris think through some questions he has about his group growing rapidly. Don't we all wish we had that problem? We'll discuss listed and unlisted groups, raising up leaders, preparing a group for multiplication, and ways to make the group feel small. Send us Fan Mail Thanks for listening to the Great Groups P...

In this episode, Jay and Chris talk with Dawn Wingard, who leads a Small Group with her husband, Jared. Dawn discusses one of her own times of crisis and how she dealt with being in need while also leading. Jay and Chris add some tips as well. Visit us online at GreatGroups.org . 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 and Chris discuss the importance of Bible engagement in the spiritual growth of every believer. You'll also hear some tips and learn what we are doing individually. The bottom line is this--to make disciples, we need to encourage and equip our small group members to develop consistent time in the Word! Send us Fan Mail Thanks for listening to the Great Groups Podcast. Ple...

In this episode, Jay and Chris continue a dialogue with Ashley Chesnut, Associate Singles 20s/30s Minister at Brook Hills. Part 2 digs deeper into context and knowing your audience. Go back and catch Part 1 to learn more about choosing a study, beginning with the end in mind, your personal study, commentaries and resources, context, and using good questions. Send us Fan Mail Thanks for listening t...

In this episode, Jay and Chris dialogue with Ashley Chesnut, Associate Singles 20s/30s Minister at Brook Hills. Topics include choosing a study, beginning with the end in mind, your personal study, commentaries and resources, context, and using good questions. 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 l...

In this episode, Jay & Chris talk with Dale Kendrick & Chris Robbins, co-leaders along with their wives, Courtney & Erin, of a Wednesday night group at Brook Hills. The group does some things really well and we wanted you to hear about it. Also, Dale is a really encouraging guy, quick to tell a brother, "I love you." We wanted to dig into that a little also.  Send us Fan Mail...

In this episode, Jay & Chris celebrate the 20th episode and talk about whatever is on their minds. It’s a ritual for every 10th episode. Listen in as they discuss how mature God wants us to be, proper pronunciation of foreign cities, the election, recording a podcast while the lights go out, and many, many other random thoughts (not necessarily in that order). Send us Fan Mail Thanks for liste...

We want to say "thank you" to our leaders through our special guest, Ken Braddy. Be encouraged by the fact that your work leading a group changes lives not only now, but potentially for generations. Ken is the Director of Sunday  School ministries for Lifeway Christian Resources and also manages the training for Adult Study Groups &  Church Leadership. Ken is also an author and hosts...

In this episode, Jay & Chris discuss how to issue specific growth challenges to your group based on the biblical content you cover & actually following up a week later. Don't miss out on this key ingredient to transformative lives! 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...

In this episode, Jay & Chris discuss how to share your spiritual story (testimony) in a short(er) amount of time. Listen in as Chris shares his abridged story and reduces it from 8 to 10 minutes down to 20 seconds. 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 c...

In this episode, Jay & Chris discuss how to have a great group meeting on limited time. Our schedule at Brook Hills is changing so that we have to do more with less, but at time all Small Groups face time crunches due to late arrivals, long prayer requests, or virtual tech issues. Here are some tips on how to make the most of limited time. Send us Fan Mail Thanks for listening to the Great Gro...

In this episode, Jay & Chris discuss how to make hybrid meetings work. As groups start meeting live again, many are not ready to come back. We need to do a little extra work to keep everyone connected to the group. Here’s how. 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...

(Part 2) In this episode, Jay & Chris continue to discuss new leader tips with Nate Farrow, Young Singles Minister at The Church at Brook Hills. This session should be good for new and old leaders alike. You may have missed one of these early as a group leadership, so catch them all now. Send us Fan Mail Thanks for listening to the Great Groups Podcast. Please visit GreatGroups.org for a list...

In this episode, Jay & Chris discuss new leader tips with Nate Farrow, Young Singles Minister at The Church at Brook Hills. This session should be good for new and old leaders alike. You may have missed one of these early as a group leadership, so catch them all now. Send us Fan Mail Thanks for listening to the Great Groups Podcast. Please visit GreatGroups.org for a list of all our episodes....

In this episode, Jay & Chris discuss major categories of leadership in small groups and invite you to evaluate your own effectiveness in these areas. We cover pillars 6 through 10 on this episode, for pillars 1 through 5, check out Ten Pillars of Small Groups Ministry (Part 1)! 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 & Chris discuss major categories of leadership in small groups and invite you to evaluate your own effectiveness in these areas...The first 5 are discussed here, 6 through 10 are in Part 2. 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 conta...

In this episode, Jay & Chris celebrate the tenth episode, and just share some things on their hearts. The discussion includes what we've learned podcasting, happenings in our lives, favorite fans, t-shirts, reviews of first 10 episodes, stats, what's happening at Brook Hills, and finally, appreciating you for leading a group. Send us Fan Mail Thanks for listening to the Great Groups...

In this episode, Jay & Chris sit down for a discussion with Michael Mickens, an African-American man who serves as an Elder at The Church at Brook Hills. Michael is a former adult small group leader. We discuss where we go from here and how your small group can be a part of the solution. Here's a hint: it involves loving one another. Send us Fan Mail Thanks for listening to the Great Grou...

In this episode, Jay & Chris continue an interview with Jim and Betty Warren. In this part, we discuss how the Warrens have started 17 groups in 14 years at Brook Hills. One secret ingredient is love. If you like what you hear, please subscribe! If you really like what you hear, please rate us! To learn more about the Great Groups podcast, please visit us at greatgroups.org! Send us Fan Mail T...

In this episode, Jay & Chris interview Jim and Betty Warren who create a great environment for disciple-making with love, transparency, mission, and a reliance on God’s word. What makes this episode fun is that Jay secretly emailed the group for their thoughts about their small group and of Jim and Betty before the podcast. Send us Fan Mail Thanks for listening to the Great Groups Podcast. Ple...

In this episode, Jay & Chris walk through the many challenges of bringing groups back together again! Listen in as we discuss the different responses, unique levels of readiness and overall general concerns involved with the return to in-person meetings. Also - We will touch on a unique topic - ZOOM FATIGUE! (Yes, it's a real thing and you may be totally unaware of it affecting YOU!) Send...

This week, Jay and Chris resume and conclude a conversation with Nathan and Wendi* who are Small Group Leaders at Brook Hills. Jay shares a passion for discipleship with them, partly because overseas discipleship strategies and experiences strongly influenced all three. On the podcast, we want to look at Biblical principles used overseas and ask, "Why not here?" Our goal is to equip Smal...