In this episode, Jay and Chris talk with Harry Handlin, one of our Small Group Leaders. We discuss his group, which uses a Bible reading plan together, and Harry then draws his teaching time from the plan. God's word changes lives, so we're interested in teaching plans that encourage people to read the Bible regularly. We included some ideas for groups that may not fully engage in this type of plan. Send us a text Thanks for listening to the Great Groups Podcast. Please visit GreatGroups.org for...
Apr 04, 2024•27 min•Season 4Ep. 107
In this episode, Jay reviews a list of 11 things Small Group Leaders should avoid when leading their groups. The list begins with showing up late or unprepared, includes being too guarded, and closes with failing to apply the Scripture to life and to follow up with guests and prayer requests. Listen in to hear the whole list and choose a "sin" to avoid in leading your group. Send us a text Thanks for listening to the Great Groups Podcast. Please visit GreatGroups.org for a list of all our episod...
Mar 25, 2024•18 min•Season 4Ep. 106
In this episode, Jay and Christ discuss challenging group members to identify and take some next steps toward growth in Christ. Next steps might be defined as small steps that lead to big change when taken consistently. Jay gets Chris' reaction to a list of ten areas where next steps may be needed. Listen in and get some ideas to help your group members grow spiritually. Send us a text Thanks for listening to the Great Groups Podcast. Please visit GreatGroups.org for a list of all our episodes. ...
Mar 19, 2024•37 min•Season 4Ep. 105
In this episode, Jay and Chris review Equipping Your Group to Go Strong: Tips for Leaders , a document created with lots of practical ideas for your group. As we are in the final few months of 2Strong, look it over and choose some of the tips to use with your group. You can also reach the document at brookhills.org/leaderresources . 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 ...
Mar 04, 2024•24 min•Season 4Ep. 104
In this episode, Jay and Chris briefly talk about the Small Group Leader Gathering before listening to the clip of Pastor Matt's talk. Join us for some inspiration if you missed the leader gathering or just want to hear it again. 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...
Feb 26, 2024•22 min•Season 4Ep. 103
In today's episode, Jay and Chris talk with Scott and Alison Elliott about being a spiritual influence at work, home, neighborhood, or wherever you are. They were on our Leader Gathering Panel Discussion back in September when we focused on Going Strong to Our Community . We are in Year 2 of Going Strong. On the podcast, we take time to get to know them personally and talk more in-depth about their personal experiences in evangelism. Send us a text Thanks for listening to the Great Groups Podcas...
Feb 19, 2024•33 min•Season 4Ep. 102
In today's episode, Jay and Chris talk with Scott and Alison Elliott about being a spiritual influence at work, home, neighborhood, or wherever you are. They were on our Leader Gathering Panel Discussion back in September when we focused on Going Strong to Our Community . We are in Year 2 of Going Strong. On the podcast, we take time to get to know them personally and talk more in-depth about their personal experiences. Hear about a very entertaining weekly event called "Taco Night." Send us a t...
Feb 14, 2024•29 min•Season 4Ep. 101
Jay and Chris take this episode to celebrate our 100th podcast. We talk about favorite memories, fun guests, things we've learned, and more. Thanks to Boyd Powell for our intro. 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. Chris Amaro is an IT professional an...
Feb 05, 2024•32 min•Season 4Ep. 100
In this episode, Jay and Chris continue the talk with James and Stacy Mintz. They were on our Leader Gathering Panel Discussion back in September when we focused on Going Strong to Our Community . We are in Year 2 of Going Strong. On the podcast, we take time to get to know them personally and talk more in-depth about their personal experiences as a spiritual influence at work and in other settings. Send us a text Thanks for listening to the Great Groups Podcast. Please visit GreatGroups.org for...
Jan 29, 2024•29 min•Season 4Ep. 99
In this episode, Jay and Chris talk with James and Stacy Mintz. They were on our Leader Gathering Panel Discussion back in September when we focused on Going Strong to Our Community. We are in Year 2 of Going Strong. On the podcast, we take time to get to know them personally and talk more in-depth about their personal experiences as a spiritual influence at work and in other settings. Be sure to check out a Brook Hills document, Equipping Your Small Group in Evangelism . Send us a text Thanks f...
Jan 22, 2024•31 min•Season 4Ep. 98
Jay and Chris talk with Fox from our Global Disciple-making Team. Your Small Group can go on your own mission trip and his team will help facilitate that with our partners overseas. Going global helps make disciples of your group and those you go to serve. Listen to see how it can work for your group. See Short-Term Mission Trip Info . See a List of Short-Term trips . For more info, please email fox@brookhills.org. Send us a text Thanks for listening to the Great Groups Podcast. Please visit Gre...
Jan 15, 2024•38 min•Season 4Ep. 97
In this episode, Jay and Chris talk with Seth Hagan, one of our Leader Gathering panelists who works in the tech industry. We take some time to get to know Seth and talk more in-depth about his personal experiences as a spiritual influence where he works. Be sure to check out a Brook Hills' document, Equipping Your Small Group in Evangelism . Also, you are invited to see Seth's YouTube Channel, Theology with Seth . Send us a text Thanks for listening to the Great Groups Podcast. Please visit Gre...
Jan 08, 2024•33 min•Season 4Ep. 96
In this episode, Jay continues the discussion with David Graves about the new year's emphasis on Bible reading in 2024. We encourage group leaders to lead their group members to engage in a plan this year. Join in on their discussion and pick up some tips for both your personal reading and for promoting a Bible-reading journey for group members. Due to scheduling conflicts and deadlines, we recorded without Chris this week. For more information on Bible Reading Plans, please visit brookhills.org...
Jan 02, 2024•28 min•Season 4Ep. 95
In this episode, Jay talks with David Graves about his Bible Reading Journey. That's the name we're giving to the end-of-year emphasis to help group leaders engage their members in a Bible reading plan for 2024. Join in on their discussion and pick up some tips for your personal reading and for promoting a Bible reading journey for group members. Due to scheduling conflicts and deadlines, we recorded without Chris this week. Now we appreciate him more! (Jay had to man the board.) Send us a text ...
Dec 18, 2023•30 min•Season 4Ep. 94
In this episode, Jay and Chris continue the talk with Margie Gunter, one of our Leader Gathering panelists who works in the television industry. We take some time to get to know Margie and talk more in-depth about her personal experiences as a spiritual influence where she works. 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 ...
Dec 11, 2023•29 min•Season 4Ep. 93
In this episode, Jay and Chris talk with Margie Gunter, one of our Leader Gathering panelists who works in the television industry. We take some time to get to know Margie and talk more in-depth about her personal experiences as a spiritual influence where she works. 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 T...
Dec 04, 2023•29 min•Season 4Ep. 92
In this episode, Jay presents nine ideas for equipping group members for evangelism. We'll refine the list over the course of the year, but we wanted to move ahead and give you some ideas to consider while it's fresh from the leader gathering. (Update: We recorded this over a month ago. Since then, we've updated the document with ideas. You can see the updated info at the first link below. And know that Chris did get his Snapshot in by the deadline!) Equipping Your Group to Go Strong (We have so...
Nov 27, 2023•35 min
In this episode, you'll hear the panel discussion from Brook Hills' Small Group Leader Gathering. The meeting focused on the 2Strong Year 2 theme, Going Strong to our Community. At the meeting, Ashley Chesnut interviewed six church members who are doing a great job of going strong to their work community. Join us and be inspired by their stories as we go strong where we live, work, shop, exercise, and play. Send us a text Thanks for listening to the Great Groups Podcast. Please visit GreatGroups...
Nov 02, 2023•33 min•Season 4Ep. 90
In this episode Jay and Chris discuss the 2Strong Emphasis before listening to Pastor Matt's segment from Brook Hills' Fall 2023 Small Group Leader Gathering. Matt shares some books he has been reading that fit well with 2Strong, then gives an overview of 2Strong Year Two. Join us and hear the focus for Year 2. 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 ....
Oct 14, 2023•35 min•Season 4Ep. 89
In this episode, we talk with Brandon and Cate Powell about welcoming new people, ministering to group members, and more. Brandon and Cate were featured on our 2023 Small Group Promotion Video. 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. Chris Amaro is an IT...
Sep 05, 2023•31 min•Season 4Ep. 88
In this episode, we talk with Brandon and Cate Powell about invitations to Small Group and a number of other things. Brandon and Cate were featured on our 2023 Small Group Promotion Video. 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. Chris Amaro is an IT prof...
Aug 25, 2023•23 min•Season 4Ep. 87
In this episode, Jay and Chris discuss ten tips for launching your group year well. They also discuss a couple of good documents to use that first week, Small Group Essentials and Great Conversations . Join us and get some help launching your group well. 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 ...
Aug 04, 2023•35 min•Season 4Ep. 86
In this episode, Jay & Chris talk with David McKnight, a Small Group Leader at Brook Hills, about using presentation software (Keynote, Powerpoint, etc.) in group meetings. We'll get to know David and discover how his group is involved in service and we'll also discuss a men's breakout group he has done for a couple of years. 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...
Jul 17, 2023•24 min•Season 4Ep. 85
Jay and Chris discuss what to do when you are exhausted and burned out. We've all been there. Listen up and see if any of these tips help you. Some short and long-term solutions are included, as well as some discussion of balancing all of life. 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 Hill...
Jul 05, 2023•31 min•Season 4Ep. 84
In this session, Jay and Chris discuss the book Leading Small Groups by Chris Surratt. We're on Chapter 4, Group Type Trade-Offs . There is some discussion of closed groups, which is good to know, but Brook Hills opts for an open group model to help people remain outwardly oriented. If you'd like a copy, here's the link from Amazon for the book Leading Small Groups by Chris Surratt. Send us a text Thanks for listening to the Great Groups Podcast. Please visit GreatGroups.org for a list of all ou...
Jun 13, 2023•28 min•Season 4Ep. 83
In this episode, Jay and Chris review highlights from the book Leading Small Groups by Chris Surratt with one of our own leaders, Jeremy Simpson. This week focuses on Chapter 3: Preparing for Your Small Group. The content here is probably what you should have heard before starting a small group, but there are useful tips scattered throughout. If you'd like a copy, here's the link from Amazon for the book Leading Small Groups by Chris Surratt. Thanks for listening to the Great Groups Podcast. Ple...
May 31, 2023•27 min•Season 4Ep. 82
In this episode, Jay and Chris discuss what frustrates them about leading their Small Groups. Listen and see if you resonate with any of these thoughts. See resources at brookhills.org/leaderresources . 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. Chris Amaro...
Apr 25, 2023•22 min•Season 4Ep. 81
In this episode, Jay and Chris discuss what they love about leading their respective Small Groups. Listen and see if you resonate with any of these thoughts. See resources at brookhills.org/leaderresources . 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. Chris ...
Apr 19, 2023•24 min•Season 4Ep. 80
In this episode, Chris and Jay discuss helping people take "next steps" in their spiritual growth. We want you to be mindful of moving people forward in the faith. Jay's Blog Post on Next Steps 1. Follow Christ and be baptized. 2. Read and study the Bible on a daily basis. 3. Pray consistently and strategically. 4. Become a member of the church. 5. Actively participate in a Small Group. 6. Find someone to mentor you. 7. Talk about your faith with members. 8. Exhibit the fruit of the Spirit in yo...
Mar 27, 2023•24 min•Season 3Ep. 79
In this episode, Chris and Jay discuss helping people take "next steps" in their spiritual growth. We want you to be mindful of moving people forward in the faith. Jay's Blog Post on Next Steps 1. Follow Christ and be baptized. 2. Read and study the Bible on a daily basis. 3. Pray consistently and strategically. 4. Become a member of the church. 5. Actively participate in a Small Group. 6. Find someone to mentor you. 7. Talk about your faith with members. 8. Exhibit the fruit of the Spirit in yo...
Mar 17, 2023•25 min•Season 3Ep. 78
