Great Groups

Jay Gordon & Chris Amaro
  • 5.0 (13)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Biweekly

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.

  1. Jul 17

    Evaluating Your Group Leadership (Episode 155)

    In this episode, Jay and Chris evaluate their own groups using a list of ten categories (see the list below). We discuss such things as disciple-making focus, the leader's personal example, welcoming guests and more. Listen in and find a couple of areas of improvement for your group in the upcoming year. Evaluate Your Group and Your Leadership Here are ten best practices for healthy groups. Consider the last year and give yourself one point for each item. What do you need to work on for the upcoming year? Disciple-making Focus: I'm often thinking about how to help the people in my group take next steps toward maturity in Christ. My Example: I have a growing relationship with Christ, and I allow what I'm learning from Scripture to spill over into my teaching.  Discussion: Our group meetings include meaningful discussion, and I intentionally work on crafting good questions. Inviting and Welcoming: We talk about inviting people to our group, have a plan for when guests visit, and discuss how to help them feel welcome. Consistency: We meet every week, even when we know there are only a few of us. We leverage the smaller meetings for more conversations and prayer. Through-the-Week Engagement: Our group doesn't just exist on Sundays. We are interacting with one another throughout the week. Effective Use of Time: We start on time, end on time, include at least 30 minutes of Bible study, and make time for prayer and relationship-building. Shared Leadership: As a leader, I don't do everything. We leverage people's gifts to help with leading, teaching, prayer, fellowship, missions, hosting, hospitality, and communication. Serving Together: We find ways to serve together as a group and also celebrate when group members serve individually. Prayer: We engage in prayer together as a group, allowing people to hear other group members pray for their requests.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 Small Groups Minister at The Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, Alabama, USA. Chris Amaro is an IT professional and serves as a Small Group Leader and Elder at Brook Hills. Lifetime Show Notes Brook Hills Pages: The Church at Brook Hills, Birmingham, Alabama, USASmall Group Leader Resources PageSmall Group Discipleship ResourcesSmall Groups @ Brook Hills

  2. Jun 8

    Robert Coleman Interview: Disciple-making Legend (Episode 154)

    In this unique episode, Jay and Andy Noel sit down with Dr. Robert Coleman—author of The Master Plan of Evangelism—at his home in Wilmore, Kentucky. Their visit took place during the 2023 Asbury Revival; they missed the outpouring by just one day, but gained something just as meaningful: an intimate conversation with one of the most influential voices in disciple‑making. Dr. Coleman reflects on the heart behind The Master Plan of Evangelism, a book that may be even more about disciple‑making than evangelism itself. His insights are warm, wise, and deeply rooted in decades of walking with Jesus and training others to do the same. Listen in as this renowned leader shares what truly matters in making disciples who make disciples. 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 Small Groups Minister at The Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, Alabama, USA. Chris Amaro is an IT professional and serves as a Small Group Leader and Elder at Brook Hills. Lifetime Show Notes Brook Hills Pages: The Church at Brook Hills, Birmingham, Alabama, USASmall Group Leader Resources PageSmall Group Discipleship ResourcesSmall Groups @ Brook Hills

  3. May 12

    Using Two Types of Questions: Relational & Bible Study (Episode 153)

    In this episode, Jay and Chris discuss two types of questions from two recently published articles, one from the Navigators and one from Church Leaders. The first part of the podcast deals with what the Navigators article describes as "Storytelling Questions", defined as questions that allow people to reveal who they are. These questions help build community in groups which also aids in disciple-making. The second part of the podcast deals with good Bible study questions that help dig into both understanding and applying a Biblical passage. All group leaders should understand and use questions frequently because they help engage people in one another's lives and in their walk with Christ.  Don't forget, at Brook Hills we produce a weekly Small Group Guide that focuses on Bible study questions. You can find that each week below the sermon at brookhills.org/sermons. Building Relationships in Small Groups, The Navigators Twenty Bible Dialogue Questions, Church Leaders Small Group Edition See all our Great Groups podcasts. 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 Small Groups Minister at The Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, Alabama, USA. Chris Amaro is an IT professional and serves as a Small Group Leader and Elder at Brook Hills. Lifetime Show Notes Brook Hills Pages: The Church at Brook Hills, Birmingham, Alabama, USASmall Group Leader Resources PageSmall Group Discipleship ResourcesSmall Groups @ Brook Hills

  4. Apr 14

    One Group Starting Another: Multiplication with Alan Chappell & Chris Welsh (Episode 152)

    In this episode, Jay and Chris talk with co-leaders Alan Chappell and Chris Welsh about their group's plan to launch a new group. Their group has become pretty large. You'll hear their reasoning and how they've gone about it. Jay will also share eight compelling reasons for starting new groups. Tune in and consider how your own group might take similar steps toward growth and multiplication. 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 Small Groups Minister at The Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, Alabama, USA. Chris Amaro is an IT professional and serves as a Small Group Leader and Elder at Brook Hills. Lifetime Show Notes Brook Hills Pages: The Church at Brook Hills, Birmingham, Alabama, USASmall Group Leader Resources PageSmall Group Discipleship ResourcesSmall Groups @ Brook Hills

  5. Mar 31

    Attendance Reset: What One Group Did, with Caroline Chong & Lily Underwood (Episode 151)

    Caroline and Lily's group hit a week when only one person was present. It was time for a reset to the faithful attendance they had all agreed upon. Listen and hear what they did, and also get ten tips for promoting faithful participation in your group.  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 Small Groups Minister at The Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, Alabama, USA. Chris Amaro is an IT professional and serves as a Small Group Leader and Elder at Brook Hills. Lifetime Show Notes Brook Hills Pages: The Church at Brook Hills, Birmingham, Alabama, USASmall Group Leader Resources PageSmall Group Discipleship ResourcesSmall Groups @ Brook Hills

  6. Mar 17

    Celebrating 150 Episodes, Biblical Radicalization & Personal Ministry (Episode 150)

    Join Jay and Chris as we celebrate 150 Episodes, reveal some fun info about the location of our listeners, share some of our favorite podcasts, and discuss some wandering thoughts like Biblical radicalization & personal ministry.  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 Small Groups Minister at The Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, Alabama, USA. Chris Amaro is an IT professional and serves as a Small Group Leader and Elder at Brook Hills. Lifetime Show Notes Brook Hills Pages: The Church at Brook Hills, Birmingham, Alabama, USASmall Group Leader Resources PageSmall Group Discipleship ResourcesSmall Groups @ Brook Hills

  7. Feb 23

    Pastor Matt's Library: Good Books For Leaders 2025 Gathering (Episode 149)

    In this episode, Jay and Chris share a couple of their book recommendations before playing a recording of "Pastor Matt's Library" from our Fall Small Group Leader Gathering. Listen in for the first time or for a reminder of some good books you may be interested in reading. 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 Small Groups Minister at The Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, Alabama, USA. Chris Amaro is an IT professional and serves as a Small Group Leader and Elder at Brook Hills. Lifetime Show Notes Brook Hills Pages: The Church at Brook Hills, Birmingham, Alabama, USASmall Group Leader Resources PageSmall Group Discipleship ResourcesSmall Groups @ Brook Hills

  8. Feb 18

    Life Hacks for Small Group Leaders (Episode 148)

    In this episode, Jay and Chris share a couple of their life hacks before playing a recording from our Fall Small Group Leader Gathering where Pastor Matt and Jay share Life Hacks for Small Group Leaders. Listen in for the first time or for a reminder of some life hacks to make your group leadership more easy and effective. 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 Small Groups Minister at The Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, Alabama, USA. Chris Amaro is an IT professional and serves as a Small Group Leader and Elder at Brook Hills. Lifetime Show Notes Brook Hills Pages: The Church at Brook Hills, Birmingham, Alabama, USASmall Group Leader Resources PageSmall Group Discipleship ResourcesSmall Groups @ Brook Hills

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5
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Jay Gordon & Chris Amaro
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    156
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Great Groups
  • Show Website
    Great Groups

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