Adult Ministry: Recent Episodes
None
In the fall, the HVAC* service companies start reminding us about getting ready for the winter months. If we have a contract with a local service company, most of us get a card reminding us to make an appointment for our semi-annual HVAC check. If they do not hear from us, we get a second […]
The post Everything I Learned About Outreach, I Learned from an HVAC Company appeared first on Adult Ministry.
On this episode of Group Answers, Brian and Chris talk to Haley Malone, the Groups Director at First Baptist Church Orlando. Bio: Haley Malone grew up in South Florida and attended Florida State University earning a degree in mathematics education. For her this was a way of intentionally connecting with the next generation. Her time […]
The post Group Answers Episode 258: Haley Malone appeared first on Adult Ministry.
On this episode of Group Answers, Brian and Chris talk about what it takes to launch groups in the fall, and how recent national trends of lagging engagement in groups should make us think differently about how we approach discipleship.
The post Group Answers Episode 257: Launching Into the Fall appeared first on Adult Ministry.
On this episode of Group Answers, Brian and Chris talk about Brian’s recent trip to Portland, and how a conversation with a local church about how they do discipleship changed some of this thinking on the topic.
The post Group Answers Episode 256: What Every New Leader Needs to Know appeared first on Adult Ministry.
On this episode of Group Answers, Brian and Chris talk to Pastor Ryan James, from LongHollow Baptist Church, about how they integrate new people into their Life Groups and Discipleship Groups.
The post Group Answers Episode 255: Ryan James on Integrating New People into Groups appeared first on Adult Ministry.
Most of us need a safe place where we can practice something at which we want to improve. That may be others trying to improve as well, by ourselves working on the basics, or in the presence of a coach or mentor who can give us honest and constructive feedback. We really need all three […]
The post Four ways to help people share their spiritual stories appeared first on Adult Ministry.
On this episode of Group Answers, Brian and Chris welcome Rob Tims back to the podcast to discuss the pros and cons of on-campus and off-campus groups.
The post Group Answers Episode 254: On-campus vs Off-campus Groups appeared first on Adult Ministry.
We know we need to make time to contact people in our Bible study groups and to reach out to those who ought to be in our group. But we also feel the pressure of Sunday, knowing our group expects us to deliver a compelling and organized lesson. Sunday always seems to be approaching and […]
The post Four Ways to Find Time to Reach others as a Teacher appeared first on Adult Ministry.
On this episode of Group Answers, Brian and Chris talk to Ken Braddy about group trends, including the migration of people around the country and what that means for churches.
The post Group Answers Episode 253: Group Opportunities Through Migration appeared first on Adult Ministry.
In Genesis 20, we find a story about Abraham lying to Abimelech about Sarah. Abimelech acted on the information given, taking Sarah with the intent of her becoming a wife. Having been visited by God in a dream in which God revealed the truth, Abimelech confronted Abraham about the lie and his motive for the […]
The post Four Ways God Interacts with People appeared first on Adult Ministry.
On this episode of Group Answers, Brian and Chris talk to Dr. PJ Dunn about discipleship and groups in the south, and specifically, how to create better disciple-making environments in churches. Dr. PJ Dunn serves as a Discipleship Consultant with the Georgia Baptist Mission Board after 15 years of serving in the local church. He […]
The post Group Answers Episode 252: Dr. PJ Dunn on Creating Disciple-Making Environments appeared first on Adult Ministry.
Supply shortages, remote learning, pandemic, war, economic stress, media distrust, racial unrest, grocery delivery, seclusion, virtual weddings, political posturing, gender rights, and new media technology. If you walked into a room and saw these things listed on a board most of us would assume we were about to hear something about the last few years. […]
The post Have we been here before? Comparing the 1920s and 2020s appeared first on Adult Ministry.
On this episode of Group Answers, Brian and Chris interview author and pastor, Dr. Tony Merida, about his new book: Gather: Loving Your Church As You Celebrate Christ Together.
The post Group Answers Episode 251: Tony Merida on Gather: Loving Your Church As You Celebrate Christ Together appeared first on Adult Ministry.
On this episode of Group Answers, Brian and Chris identify five types of leaders to look for, including visionary leaders who have a clear vision and inspire others, relational leaders who build community, organizational leaders who keep things running smoothly, discipler leaders who guide others in their spiritual growth, and innovative leaders who bring fresh […]
The post Group Answers Episode 250: 5 Types of Leaders to Look for When Recruiting Small Group Leaders appeared first on Adult Ministry.
On this episode of Group Answers, Brian and Chris talk to Reid Patton about the brand new Bible study series, Storytellers.
The post Group Answers Episode 249: The Storyteller Series appeared first on Adult Ministry.
On this episode of Group Answers, Brian and Chris discuss why this is a great time to work on your groups ministry, and not just in it. In this discussion, we provide four key steps to guide you through the process of assessing and improving your small groups ministry. These include assessing the current state […]
The post Group Answers Episode 248: It’s Time for a Spring Tune-Up on Your Groups Ministry appeared first on Adult Ministry.
We tend to equate joy with good things we accomplish or good things that happen to us—a promotion, a new relationship, a fun vacation, a long-awaited purchase, a healthy bank account. Most of us consider these good personal circumstances as “wins” that serve as the basis of our joy. But true joy is less circumstantial. […]
The post The Joy of Living and Dying for Christ-An excerpt from the new study Philippians appeared first on Adult Ministry.
On this episode of Group Answers, Brian and Chris discuss the “Final Four” of small groups systems.
The post Group Answers Episode 247: The Final Four of Groups Systems appeared first on Adult Ministry.
On this episode of Group Answers, Brian and Chris discuss the benefits and dangers of using an AI tool, like ChatGPT, to help with leading groups.
The post Group Answers Episode 246: Should We Use ChatGPT With Groups? appeared first on Adult Ministry.
He’s been there. Greg Laurie, pastor at Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California, experienced the spiritual awakening—the Jesus Revolution—of the early 1970s. And he has a message to share with churches and small groups today. In the Jesus Revolution Bible Study, Greg Laurie explores powerful truths about revival. Discover a Reason to Believe that God […]
The post Learning From the 70s Spiritual Awakening appeared first on Adult Ministry.
Where are you now? Every Christian’s journey begins with belief in Jesus’s resurrection. Of course, this coincides with confession and repentance and everything that goes with being born again. But without the resurrection, it all falls apart. “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. Those, […]
The post The Christian journey started two thousand years ago. But for many, it’s just beginning. appeared first on Adult Ministry.
The God of the Bible is the Creator and Ruler of all that exists. His authority is absolute, and yet He has given us His authority to exercise dominion over the world He made. In Christ, God has called you to place every aspect of your life under the delegated authority you’ve received from Him, […]
The post Your Earthly Problems Have Heavenly Solutions—New From Dr. Tony Evans: Kingdom Authority appeared first on Adult Ministry.
Our culture has redefined manhood by emasculating men through a repositioning of the role. Men are portrayed as weak, self-serving, and unfocused. The Bible clearly communicates that man was created to exercise dominion over the various areas of his life, taking responsibility for himself and others entrusted to his care. When a man functions within […]
The post Start the New Year off with our Online Bible Study—Kingdom Man appeared first on Adult Ministry.
By Jason Thacker Social media and technology companies make countless promises every day that seem too good to be true. These promises include staying connected with loved ones, forging and maintaining friendships across long distances, or even the possibility of finding true love online. So much of our social internet is dependent on these promises […]
The post The Value of Friendship in the Digital Age appeared first on Adult Ministry.
On this episode of Group Answers, Brian and Chris talk about the four questions to always ask when planning for the future.
The post Group Answers Episode 245: 4 Questions for Planning appeared first on Adult Ministry.
On this episode of Group Answers, Chris and Brian talk to authors Matt and Allison Willis about their updated version of the classic Bible Study, MasterLife. Matt and Allison Willis have written and edited published works during their years of full-time ministry. Matt co-authored Learning to Soar: How to Grow Through Transitions and Trials (NavPress) in 2009 […]
The post Group Answers Episode 244: Matt & Allison Willis on the Updated MasterLife Bible Study appeared first on Adult Ministry.
This Fall we are bringing you a new study that will help you gain a deeper understanding in your walk with Christ and allow you to become a disciple who is fully committed to Him. Avery Willis’s MasterLife has helped hundreds of thousands of Christians progress in many key disciplines of the faith, including prayer, […]
The post New Bible Study for Fall appeared first on Adult Ministry.
Have you ever wondered what God thinks about the decisions you make on a daily basis? Have you ever wished you had the ability to make wise choices about your life based on biblical truths? The book of Proverbs explores important themes, such as humility, hard work, wealth, relationships, and leadership. Through this study and […]
The post Gain Wisdom for Everyday Life with this New Bible Study appeared first on Adult Ministry.
On this episode of Group Answers, Chris and Brian talk about five things to consider as you wrap up your small group campaign.
The post Group Answers Episode 243: How to Follow Up Your Campaign appeared first on Adult Ministry.
On this episode of Group Answers, Brian and Chris play “Agree or Disagree” with statements about current group trends.
The post Group Answers Episode 242: Agree or Disagree With Group Trends appeared first on Adult Ministry.
Hope is at the heart of every journey. The gospel shows us that we are not only seen as righteous before God, we are also adopted into a forever family and loved by Him. This Bible study is based on the film LIFEMARK that tells the story of David, whose comfortable world is turned upside […]
The post New Bible Study Inspired by LIFEMARK appeared first on Adult Ministry.
On this episode of Group Answers, Chris and Brian talk to Dr. Richard Blackaby about the legacy of the best selling Bible Study, Experiencing God, and what groups can expect from the revised and updated version that was just released. Dr. Richard Blackaby is the president of Blackaby Ministries International and lives in Atlanta, Georgia. […]
The post Group Answers Episode 241: Richard Blackaby on Experiencing God appeared first on Adult Ministry.
Everyone loves a good story. That’s why we created Storyteller, a devotional and small group Bible study series. Every six-session study is uniquely designed to present the text of Scripture in a way that is beautiful, intuitive, and interactive. You can do the studies individually or with a group. Storyteller explores the biblical story revealed […]
The post Gather Around … Introducing Storyteller appeared first on Adult Ministry.
On this episode of Group Answers, Brian and Chris talk to Rob Tims about why we should think about scope and sequence with curriculum, and the pros and cons of digital studies.
The post Group Answers Episode 240: Why Scope and Sequence Matters with Curriculum appeared first on Adult Ministry.
Join the Experiencing God online Bible study. For three decades, God has used the truths of Experiencing God to awaken believers to a radically God-centered way of life. As a result, millions have come to know God intimately, to recognize His voice, and to understand His will for their lives. This new edition is revised, […]
The post Some studies help you know the Bible. This one helps you know the Author. appeared first on Adult Ministry.
On this episode of Group Answers, Brian and Chris talk to Bill Willits about the update to his book, Creating Community, and few thoughts about the Atlanta Braves winning it all last season. Bill Willits is the Executive Director of Ministry Environments for North Point Ministries (NPM) and one of the founding staff members. Bill […]
The post Group Answers Episode 239: Bill Willits on Creating Community appeared first on Adult Ministry.
The topic of spiritual gifts is both popular and often misunderstood. All Christians have been given spiritual gifts, but many don’t know how they are gifted or are not using their gifts. This seven-session study examines spiritual gifts biblically, then looks at what gifts are (and are not) practical. Each session answers a specific question […]
The post Do You Know Your Spiritual Gifts? Discover The Gifts God Has Given You, In This New Study From Dan Darling appeared first on Adult Ministry.
On this episode of Group Answers, Brian and Chris discuss what discipleship and groups could look like in post-Christian world.
The post Group Answers Episode 238: Discipleship in a Post-Christian World appeared first on Adult Ministry.
On this episode of Group Answers, Chris and Brian talk to Joel Polk about the exciting future for how groups can access Bible Studies.
The post Group Answers Episode 237: The Future of the Bible Study with Joel Polk appeared first on Adult Ministry.
Discussion is a teaching technique that Jesus used frequently during His ministry. Today, group leaders continue to use discussion as a means of guiding their group members to discover and apply God’s Word. As one leader has said, “…discussion is perhaps the most important technique in working with adult learners because it gives them an […]
The post Questions That Discourage Discussion appeared first on Adult Ministry.
By Reid Smith Healthy discipleship flows from healthy relationships, which finds its source in Christ and continues in community with other believers. Groups help form the relationships that nourish our growth as disciple-making disciples. In fact, the Lord commonly uses a community of believers to bring seekers to Himself (John 13:34-35, 17:20-23; Acts 1:8; Ephesians […]
The post Cultivating Disciple-Making Environments for Everyone! appeared first on Adult Ministry.
Have you ever thought your life is beyond repair or wondered if God could use your brokenness for good? We all tend to look and search for purpose in our pain and suffering. Depression, anxiety, hurting relationships, and unmet expectations can cause us to question God When does it start? The Online Bible study for […]
The post Announcing Our Newest Online Bible Study – Romans 8 by Noe Garcia appeared first on Adult Ministry.
By Dwayne McCrary John recorded a conversation between Jesus and some Pharisees who overheard Jesus talking to a formerly blind man who had been expelled because of his testimony about Jesus (see John 9). Jesus then taught about what it takes to be a good shepherd. In the middle of that teaching, Jesus stated, “I […]
The post Teaching Like a Shepherd appeared first on Adult Ministry.
By Dwayne McCrary When I first began to think about this subject, my focus was on David. He was a shepherd and many of his psalms are prayers. He was clearly a shepherd as a child, but his life took a big turn the day he stood over Goliath. His days of being exclusively a […]
The post Praying Like a Shepherd appeared first on Adult Ministry.
By Dwayne McCrary A shepherd is one way of thinking about the role played by the leader of a Sunday School class or Bible study group. Before we can function like a shepherd, we need to start thinking like one. A look at the life of Amos can help us understand what it looks like […]
The post Thinking Like a Shepherd appeared first on Adult Ministry.
By Reid Smith The relationships that leaders have with others who serve in a similar capacity need to be nurtured in a team format. Healthy interconnectedness among leaders results in a sticky group ministry. If leaders stick and grow…healthy members will follow. If members stick and grow…the church flourishes. This demonstrates itself through consistent communication, […]
The post Ten Ways to Build Leadership Lifelines appeared first on Adult Ministry.
At first glance, the book of Ecclesiastes paints a bleak picture. But is life really as empty and meaningless as Solomon seems to suggest? In a world as messed up, frustrating, and disappointing as ours, finding rooted, wise hope can be difficult. Navigating the complexities of life–work, relationships, aspirations, injustices–can be so confusing and exhausting. Ecclesiastes […]
The post Announcing our newest Bible study by Barnabas Piper—Ecclesiastes appeared first on Adult Ministry.
“Who do you know that is great at making lemonade out of sour circumstances?” That was an icebreaker question I asked one day while leading a Bible study. Here’s another icebreaker that I asked on a different occasion: “What are your favorite memories of home?” As a group leader, I love a good icebreaker question! […]
The post Characteristics of Good Icebreaker Questions appeared first on Adult Ministry.
Being confronted with suffering causes us to ask questions that, if we are honest, we would rather ignore. However, if we believe the Bible, ignorance of profound human need is not an option for us. Neither is indifference. We cannot be Christians and turn a blind eye and a deaf ear to the world in […]
The post Join us for David Platt’s New Online Bible Study—Something Needs to Change appeared first on Adult Ministry.
On this episode of Group Answers, Chris talks to Ken Braddy about what he sees coming for Bible study groups. Ken is Lifeway’s Director of Sunday School, an author, blogger, and someone who has led group ministry in churches for 30 years.
The post Group Answers Episode 236: Ken Braddy on Future Trends in Groups appeared first on Adult Ministry.
by Reid Smith Every Christ-follower is called to advance The Great Commission. Yet, 80% of believers rate themselves as ineffective in sharing their faith. Since we are called to obey Jesus in fulfilling this call and we only have a short time on earth to do so, we need a plan. Group leaders can set […]
The post Setting the Stage for Group Outreach appeared first on Adult Ministry.
Lifeway Research recently surveyed churchgoing people and discovered several compelling truths about group life. If you are a group leader, you’ll be interested in the results of the survey because they give some important realities about why people join a group, and why they choose to leave a group. The results might surprise you. Top […]
The post Top Reasons Why People Join (and Leave) Your Group appeared first on Adult Ministry.
For three decades, God has used the truths of Experiencing God to awaken believers to a radically God-centered way of life. As a result, millions have come to know God intimately, to recognize His voice, and to understand His will for their lives. This new edition is revised, updated, and ready to lead you again—or […]
The post Millions of Copies Sold. Millions of Lives Closer to God. New, From Experiencing God. appeared first on Adult Ministry.
On this episode of Group Answers, Chris talks to Steve Gladen about why we should go after hard and soft data to know if our small groups are healthy and creating disciples. Steve Gladen has been the pastor of small groups at Saddleback Church since 1998 and serves as an elder of the church. He […]
The post Group Answers Episode 235: Steve Gladen on Knowing Hard and Soft Data in Your Small Group Ministry appeared first on Adult Ministry.
By Ken Braddy Here is a truism in group Bible study: not all questions are created equal. I participated in a Bible study during the Christmas season one year when a well-meaning group leader asked a question he’d made up: “Why did Joseph sin and choose to divorce Mary?” It was a terrible question for […]
The post Asking Questions That Boost Discussion appeared first on Adult Ministry.
By Reid Smith Have you ever been in a high-pressure situation where you needed to know the facts on how to do something…and fast? Imagine a friend needed YOU to jump in and lead their group last minute. What would you need to know? These principles can serve as your quick-start guide: Be a people […]
The post Influencing the Spiritual Climate of Your Group appeared first on Adult Ministry.
By Dwayne McCrary In his book Fuel the Fire, Chuck Kelley notes that Sunday Schools began with a focus on nurturing believers more than reaching outsiders during the early 1920s.1 People living during that time endured the Spanish Flu with quarantines, mask mandates, and confusing news accounts. They also faced economic hardships as soldiers returned […]
The post Reclaiming the Reaching Ministry of Sunday School appeared first on Adult Ministry.
Being confronted with suffering causes us to ask questions that, if we are honest, we would rather ignore. However, if we believe the Bible, ignorance of profound human need is not an option for us. Neither is indifference. We cannot be Christians and turn a blind eye and a deaf ear to the world in […]
The post Join us for David Platt’s New Online Bible Study—Something Needs to Change appeared first on Adult Ministry.
On this episode of Group Answers, Chris and Brian talk to Stefan Wilson about the importance of knowing your worldview, and how to incorporate it into your groups ministry. Stefan Wilson holds a masters from Phoenix Seminary and is a PhD student at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has worked and served in many ministry […]
The post Group Answers Episode 234: Why Shaping People’s Worldview is Important appeared first on Adult Ministry.
By Ken Braddy Nervous. Anxious. Unsure. Those words describe how I felt the first Sunday I taught a group of teenagers at my church many years ago. My wife and I were invited to become part of the student ministry’s Sunday School team at our church, and I truly had no clue what I was […]
The post Teaching Tips for New Group Leaders appeared first on Adult Ministry.
By Dwayne McCrary One of the more frightening things to do when traveling is getting on the interstate. We are fine once we are up to speed, but getting on can create a challenge, especially with cloverleafs that include a lane that is shared by those getting on and getting off at the same time. […]
The post Creating Onramps appeared first on Adult Ministry.
On this episode of Group Answers, Chris and Brian catch up with former co-host, Rick Howerton. Rick is now overseeing the global groups strategy at Lakepointe Church in Dallas, TX, where his son, Josh, is the Senior Pastor.
The post Group Answers Episode 233: Rick Howerton appeared first on Adult Ministry.
On this episode of Group Answers, Brian and Chris speak to Gary Millar, the author of the book Read This First: A Simple Guide to Getting the Most from the Bible. The Bible is the most extraordinary book you’ll ever read; it’s how God speaks directly to us and how his Spirit works to change […]
The post Group Answers Episode 232: How to Read the Bible with Gary Millar appeared first on Adult Ministry.
This 8-session study is designed to exhort men to exercise the God-given place in the home, community, and culture they were created for through an examination of landmark texts from the Bible and historical biblical figures. When does it start? The Online Bible study for Kingdom Men Rising by Tony Evans kicks off on Tuesday, […]
The post Announcing Our Newest Online Bible Study – Kingdom Men Rising with Dr. Tony Evans appeared first on Adult Ministry.
Usually about this time in February, the excitement of a new year and all its promise has grown as cold as the bell in a Saskatoon steeple. The sun has pulled a blanket of clouds over its head as if it’s waiting for March before it’ll start another day. And the grindstone wears a little […]
The post Five Things to Be Happy About Today appeared first on Adult Ministry.
By Lynn H. Pryor My office phone rang one afternoon. It was Jeff, a church leader I knew in a good-sized church. I can still quote verbatim what he asked: “Hey, Lynn, can you come to my church and train my teachers on how to prepare their study on Saturday night?” “Jeff, I’m happy to […]
The post I’m Leading a Group. How Much Prep Time Do I Need? appeared first on Adult Ministry.
On this episode of Group Answers, Chris and Brian talk to Ashley Anderson about how they are offering groups in the middle of Manhattan, NY at Church of the City NYC.
The post Group Answers Episode 231: Ashley Anderson on Knowing Your Context When Offering Groups appeared first on Adult Ministry.
On this episode of Group Answers, Chris and Brian discuss how to lead well in a time of constant change and uncertainty. Keys to leading in a time of uncertainty: Give it to God through regular prayer. Lead with an open hand mentality. Always be prepared, preparation makes transition easier. Don’t lead alone.
The post Group Answers Episode 230: Leading in a Time of Change and Uncertainty appeared first on Adult Ministry.
By Reid Smith Praying leaders have healthier and faster growing groups. To that end, here is a tool that group leaders can use repeatedly each month to help them build healthy group life and ultimately impact more people with Jesus’s love and message. Pray the Lord’s Prayer. Matthew 6:9-13 Pray that every person would become […]
The post A Group Leader’s 30-Day Prayer Guide appeared first on Adult Ministry.
On this episode of Group Answers, Chris and Brian talk about how to plan and execute a successful large group leader training/rally.
The post Group Answers Episode 229: Planning a Large Group Leadership Training appeared first on Adult Ministry.
by Lynn Pryor How do you kick off your Bible study group? Maybe your answer is, “We talk about sports, family, current events, whatever until I feel like everyone’s there and they’re ready to start.” Or maybe you’d say, “We don’t waste time! Straight away, we open our Bibles and dig into the Scriptures.” Me? […]
The post Characteristics of a Good Icebreaker Question appeared first on Adult Ministry.
by Ken Braddy / Director of Sunday School Sunday School can trace its origins to 16th century England when Robert Rakes used the Bible as the curriculum for a school he started to teach children to read. These children worked in factories all week long and did not attend traditional school. Rakes knew that without […]
The post Seven Reasons to Do Away with Sunday School appeared first on Adult Ministry.
On this episode of the Group Answers Podcast, Chris and Brian discuss the recent research from Lifeway Research on pastors greatest needs. Lifeway Research Post
The post Group Answers Episode 228: Pastors Greatest Needs appeared first on Adult Ministry.
by Reid Smith It doesn’t take long for a list of questions to grow as people think about starting or joining a group. During the initial orientation of new group leaders, I work with them to create a “group profile” that provides potential members with a snapshot of the new group. It also helps the […]
The post Guiding Group Logistics appeared first on Adult Ministry.
On this episode of the Group Answers Podcast, Chris and Brian discuss the symptoms of a healthy groups ministry according to several groups pastors and experts. Original Blog Post
The post Group Answers Episode 227: Symptoms of a Healthy Group Ministry appeared first on Adult Ministry.
by Reid Smith If you want your group to be healthy, contribute to God’s mission in the world, and inspire your group members to grow closer to Jesus while helping others do the same, voice the need to reach others with the gospel! Get your group thinking about others and sharing their faith. If you […]
The post Mobilizing Your Group in Outreach appeared first on Adult Ministry.