In this episode, Jay and Chris talk about new year's resolutions and annual goals for Small Groups. They dive into a number of categories, encouraging you as Small Group leaders to consider goals in each category for leading your group this year. Send us a text 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 Hi...
Jan 10, 2022•31 min•Season 2Ep. 47
On this episode of the Great Groups podcast, Jay's wife Liz & Chris's wife Wendy make a special visit and spend time with us. Listen in as they share a few funny stories and talk a bit of "inside baseball". Send us a text 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. Chr...
Nov 16, 2021•30 min•Season 2Ep. 46
In this episode, Jay and Chris talk with Josh Lewis & Nathan Jackson who are both Small Group Leaders at Brook Hills. Josh, Chris & Nathan all represent parts of a "Small Group Family Tree" where multiplication has flourished not just because of effective leadership, but through a magnitude of God's grace & mercy. (#45) Send us a text 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 f...
Nov 02, 2021•36 min•Season 2Ep. 45
In this episode, Jay and Chris talk with Chip Bugnar, the Global Pastor here at Brook Hills ,about the Desert City Initiative, a multi-year strategy to impact this unnamed hub city. If you're a Brook Hills person, consider how you can be involved. If not, as you listen, consider getting your group involved locally or globally. Short-term trips are one of the top disciple-making catalysts. (#44) Send us a text Thanks for listening to the Great Groups Podcast. Please visit GreatGroups.org for a li...
Oct 18, 2021•36 min•Season 2Ep. 44
In this episode, Jay and Chris talk about the importance of sharing some of the work of your Small Group. Doing so helps others grow, gives them ownership in the group, and allows you to give more attention to your leadership role. (#43) Send us a text 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 Bi...
Oct 05, 2021•30 min•Season 2Ep. 43
In this episode, Jay & Chris continue a discussion of evangelism with Jeremy Simpson, a topic that Jeremy is very passionate about. Jay had engaged with Jeremy in a random discussion and decided to bring Jeremy in to record it for your benefit as well. Our hope is that God will use this to give you some ideas about reaching your neighbor, co-worker, or friend. (#42) Send us a text Thanks for listening to the Great Groups Podcast. Please visit GreatGroups.org for a list of all our episodes. W...
Sep 20, 2021•31 min•Season 2Ep. 19
In this episode, Jay and Chris have a discussion with Jeremy Simpson about evangelism, a topic that Jeremy is very passionate about. Jay had engaged with Jeremy in a random discussion and decided to bring Jeremy in to record it for your benefit as well. Our hope is that God will use this to give you some ideas about reaching your neighbor, co-worker, or friend. (#43, Season 2, Episode 18) Send us a text Thanks for listening to the Great Groups Podcast. Please visit GreatGroups.org for a list of ...
Sep 07, 2021•33 min•Season 2Ep. 18
This week, Jay and Chris walk through Small Group Essentials, a document designed to help create a healthy group environment through which people grow in their relationships with one another and with Christ. Because these are things for everyone in the group, the start of the year is a great time to review Small Group Essentials with your group. They include items like a commitment to love, attendance, spiritual health, prayer, ministry, confidentiality, authenticity, multiplication, and unity. ...
Aug 18, 2021•34 min•Season 2Ep. 17
In this episode, Jay and Chris discuss eight things to consider as you prepare for leading your group to have a great year. Examples from the list are 1) having a plan for welcoming new people into the group and 2) making contacts with all your members prior to your first meeting of the year. (#41: Season 2, Episode 16) Send us a text 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...
Jul 30, 2021•30 min•Season 2Ep. 16
In this episode, Jay and Chris discuss apps that they have used to strengthen their spiritual disciplines and multiply their time. As a leader, being a mature and maturing disciple is so important in disciple-making. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 11:1, "Follow my example as I follow the example of Christ." Why not learn and use technology to help! (Episode 40, Season 2, Episode 15) Send us a text Thanks for listening to the Great Groups Podcast. Please visit GreatGroups.org for a list of all our ep...
Jul 01, 2021•36 min•Season 2Ep. 15
In this episode, Jay and Chris welcome Brian Munnings and Holly Deemer to discuss Brook Hills' Caring Well Emphasis. Pastor Matt Mason focused on this in the June 6 Worship Gatherings. Caring Well is an emphasis to help our church become informed about abuse in order to prevent abuse, respond appropriately to abuse, and to build healthy environments and families. Brian serves as the Biblical Counselor at Brook Hills and Holly is a Clinical Psychologist at Grayson and Associates. (#39 - Season 2,...
Jun 07, 2021•32 min•Season 2Ep. 14
In this episode, Jay and Chris welcome Brian Munnings and Holly Deemer to discuss Brook Hills' Caring Well Emphasis. Pastor Matt Mason will focus on this in the June 6 Worship Gatherings. Caring Well is an emphasis to help our church become informed about abuse in order to prevent abuse, respond appropriately to abuse, and to build healthy environments and families. Brian serves as the Biblical Counselor at Brook Hills and Holly is a Clinical Psychologist at Grayson and Associates. (#38 - Season...
Jun 02, 2021•34 min•Season 2Ep. 13
In this episode, Jay & Chris overview the pros and cons of each type of curriculum: Sermon-based Guides, Book of the Bible Study, Topical Studies, Reading Plan Study, Quarterlies, & Combination Plans. (#38 - Season 2, Episode 12) Send us a text 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 Bi...
May 31, 2021•28 min•Season 2Ep. 12
In this episode, Jay & Chris begin a discussion of curriculum, but setting it up with a discussion of curriculum mapping, teaching style, getting people to talk, and much more. Week 2 of this two part series will give the pros and cons of each type of curriculum: Sermon-based Guides, Book of the Bible Study, Topical Studies, Reading Plan Study, Quarterlies, & Combination Plans. (#37 - Season 2, Episode 11) Send us a text Thanks for listening to the Great Groups Podcast. Please visit Grea...
May 26, 2021•24 min•Season 2Ep. 11
In this episode, Jay & Chris discuss Ten Ways to be a Great Group member. Special color commentary guest is Alan Chappell, one of our Small Group Leaders and an Elder at BH. We will learn ways to encourage our members to be ALL IN with their Small Groups. (Part 2, Episode 34) Send us a text 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 ...
May 10, 2021•28 min•Season 2Ep. 10
In this episode, Jay & Chris discuss Ten Ways to be a Great Group member. Special color commentary guest is Alan Chappell, one of our Small Group Leaders and an Elder at BH. We will learn ways to encourage our members to be ALL IN with their Small Groups. (Part 1 of 2, Episode 33) Send us a text 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 Gr...
May 06, 2021•25 min•Season 2Ep. 9
(Part 2) In this episode, Jay & Chris discuss preschool ministry with special guest, Allison Foster, who serves as the Preschool Minister at Brook Hills. Allison is also part of an adult Small Group at Brook Hills. We will learn ways preschool and adult ministry can connect to strengthen each other as we make disciples of all ages. Send us a text 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...
Apr 19, 2021•33 min•Season 2Ep. 8
In this episode, Jay & Chris discuss preschool ministry with special guest, Allison Foster, who serves as the Preschool Minister at Brook Hills. Allison is also part of an adult Small Group at Brook Hills. We will learn ways preschool and adult ministry can connect to strengthen each other as we make disciples of all ages. Send us a text 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 ou...
Apr 12, 2021•33 min•Season 2Ep. 7
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 a text 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...
Apr 07, 2021•24 min•Season 2Ep. 6
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 a text 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 Gr...
Mar 30, 2021•28 min•Season 2Ep. 5
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 a text 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...
Mar 05, 2021•32 min•Season 2Ep. 4
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 a text 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 ...
Feb 10, 2021•28 min•Season 2Ep. 3
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 a text 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 ...
Jan 15, 2021•25 min•Season 2Ep. 2
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 a text 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 co...
Jan 04, 2021•32 min•Season 2Ep. 1
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 a text Thanks for listening to the Great Groups Podcast. Please visit GreatGroups.org for a list of all our episodes. We'd love to ...
Dec 17, 2020•31 min•Season 1Ep. 23
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 a text 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 Chur...
Dec 10, 2020•28 min•Season 1Ep. 22
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 a text Thanks for listening to the Great Groups Podcast. Please visit GreatGroups.org for a list of all our episodes. W...
Nov 30, 2020•33 min•Season 1Ep. 21
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 a text Thanks for listening to the Great Groups Podcast. Please visit GreatGroups.org for a list of all our episodes. We'd lo...
Nov 16, 2020•28 min•Season 1Ep. 20
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 a podcast as well. His podcast is titled "The Sunday School Guy" and his blog is kenbraddy.com. Send us a text ...
Nov 09, 2020•29 min•Season 1Ep. 19
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 a text 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 ...
Oct 19, 2020•35 min•Season 1Ep. 18
