Discipleship Leaders Podcast Fellowship AR

Episode 10—How to Form and Fill a Group
Guest: Matt Middlecamp

Forming a Group:
-Decide on leadership focus: target audience, purpose, and prayer for guidance.
-Select study material: tailored to group type (Bible Study vs. D-Groups).
-Set meeting schedule: consider convenience for leaders and members.
-Determine meeting location: consider logistics like childcare.

Filling a Group:
-Personal invitation: key for recruiting, involve current group members.
-Utilize online platforms and church promotion for wider outreach.
-Target disconnected individuals in similar life stages, fostering inclusivity.
-Embrace diverse backgrounds and interests to unite around Bible study and gospel.

Key Takeaways:
-Form and fill groups with purpose, aiming for meaningful discipleship connections.
-Connect personally with potential members, focusing on shared interests and spiritual growth.

Discipleship Leaders Podcast - Episode 9: Growing Your Heart as a Leader

Guest: Tim Caldwell, Campus Pastor at Fellowship Midtown

Strategies to Grow Your Heart as a Leader:

1. Personal Spiritual Growth Plan:
-Time in God’s Word, prayer, and worship.
-Live out the plan consistently.
2. Create Margin for Rest and Rejuvenation:
-Avoid burnout by setting healthy boundaries.
-Engage in activities that energize you.
3. Study the Bible for Personal Growth:
-Focus on God’s story and heart for you.
-Seek Jesus' presence and enjoy fellowship with Him.
4. Pray for Heart Growth:
-Deepen love for God and others.
-Develop a hunger for spiritual growth.

Discipleship Leaders Podcast for Fellowship Bible Church
Episode 8—Effectively Guiding Group Discussion
Guest—Jericho Jones
 
Today we are going to talk about a common issue that I think most small group and Bible study leaders feel, whether they voice it this way or not—how do I lead an effective, purposeful, intentional discussion with my group that helps people grow in their faith?

1. Start by just getting them to talk
2. Get people to interact with the Bible, not just a book or curriculum
3. Ask great questions
- Head, Heart and Hands Questions
4. Be OK with silence

Show Notes:

Episode 7—Handling Conflict Within Your Group 
 
What are some of the sources of conflict?
-Personalities
-Different theological beliefs/backgrounds
-Different values…parenting, marriage, roles, spending time/money
-Gossip
-People—hurt, sad, scared, angry 

What are some keys to preventing conflict in your group?
-Establish expectations within the group
-Warn them that conflict is likely
-Train them to deal with conflict
-Revisit the topic
-Know the difference between a tension and a problem
-Avoid—in a healthy way! 

Handling Conflict in a Healthy Way
-Practice Matthew 18
-Ask your pastors or elders for help 
-Identify the underlying issue
-Involve only the people in the conflict
-Avoid gossip
-Help them work it out among themselves

Recommended Resources:

-Resolving Everyday Conflict
by Ken Sande and Kevin Johnson
https://bit.ly/3SsEBBc

-The Peacemaker: A Biblical Guide to Resolving Personal Conflict
by Ken Sande
https://bit.ly/3U96Bed

-Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High
by Joseph Grenny and Kerry Patterson
https://bit.ly/42952Pn

In this episode, Jay and Amy talk about one of the basic questions behind our discipleship ministry here at Fellowship—Why do we do discipleship in groups?
 
When we say “Groups”, we’re referring to that in the broadest sense…
·     Our groups include D-Groups, Men’s and Women’s Bible Studies, Wednesday Night at Fellowship
·     We also have informal groups that meet in coffee shops, on back porches, and in other settings to discuss books or the Bible, or for general accountability

Why do we do discipleship in groups?
·     It’s the pattern we see in Scripture
·     People can’t fully grow spiritually in isolation
·     It makes the big church small

Who are we aiming at in our Groups?
·     Think about the crowds around Jesus (5000, 120, 70(2), 12, 3, 1)
·     We aim our groups and studies at the 120/70/12

Why is it important as group/bible study leaders for us to know this?
·     It’s always important for us to know:
o  Why” we do what we do
o  Who we’re aiming at with our groups
o  How to encourage people who aren’t in groups to join one

Episode 5—Caring for Your People
Guest: Aronna Sorvillo  
 
 
Today we are going to talk about a skill that we can ALL grow in when it comes to leading a D-Group or a Bible Study—and that’s Caring Well for our People. With us today is Aronna Sorvillo, Care Pastor at our West Little Rock Campus.
 
Leaders typically agree to lead a group/Bible study for a couple of reasons
·     They want to make disciples through teaching/leading the discussion around the Bible…
·     They want to create a community for people to follow Jesus together
 
Those things aren’t mutually exclusive…but if you find yourself as more the first type of leader who wants to lead through teaching, then the practice of caring for you people may not feel too natural to you
·     Caring for people in a group setting is as much a learned skill as it comes natural
·     Caring for the people in our groups and studies is a huge part of the role we play

How can we practically care well for the people in our groups and studies?
·     Share personal prayer requests.
·     Provide Meals—births, hospital stays, deaths, or sickness
·     Visit the sick—go to the hospital. 
·     Send Notes, Text Verses, and Communicate Concern
The bottom line:
·     Know your people,
·     Know what communicates care to them in the way they receive it,
·     Lead your group to care for each other as you care for them