In this episode of the Group Answers podcast, Mary Wiley and Ashley Gorman discuss the value of reading lists and their approach to curating and consuming books. They explore the impact of reading on discipleship, leadership, and group ministry, as well as the role of reading in forming relationships and fostering curiosity. The conversation delves into the significance of books in shaping character, knowledge, and relational connections within a group setting. Mary Wiley holds a Bachelors in Th...
Jul 17, 2024•35 min
Host of His Glory, Her Good, Amanda Mejias, joins Haley Malone and Brian Daniel to discuss a much needed topic! Amanda discusses the significance of relationships in discipleship, the challenges and needs of teen girls, and the evolving role of women in ministry. It also delves into the impact of technology on youth and the importance of creating space for young women in church. Amanda Mejias serves on the Lifeway Student team as the Specialist for Girls Ministry and Women who lead in Student Mi...
Jul 10, 2024•33 min•Season 1Ep. 283
On today's show we are diving into the intersection of creativyt and discipleship! Brain Daniel and Haley. Malone are joined by Heather Zemple to cover a range of topics including leadership, discipleship, creativity, and generational dynamics within the church. Heather Zemple is passionate about making disciples, cultivating community, and curating experiences that expand the horizons of possibility. With a background in biological engineering, she brings a unique perspective to ministry leader...
Jul 03, 2024•38 min•Season 1Ep. 281
Hosts Brian Daniel and Haley Malone sit down with Dr. Katie McCoy to discuss her new book, ' To Be a Woman: The Confusion Over Female Identity and How Christians Can Respond '. Katie provides insights on engaging in conversations about gender confusion and emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between the issue and the individual. Katie McCoy serves as Director Women's Ministry at Texas Baptists. She holds a PhD in Systematic Theology from Southwestern Seminary (TX), where she served on fa...
Jun 26, 2024•33 min•Season 1Ep. 280
On today's episode of Group Answers, Daniel Im discusses the changing landscape of the church in a post-everything world. He highlights the increased hunger for spiritual things and the recognition that the world's promises don't deliver. Daniel emphasizes the need to move beyond assumptions and focus on the interested individuals in our churches and communities. He introduces the concept of sleepers, seekers, consumers, and disciples, and encourages small group leaders to create an open and non...
Jun 19, 2024•37 min•Season 1Ep. 279
Our theology can never be divorced from biblical theology! On today's show Brian Daniel and Haley Malone discuss the importance of theology in group life with guest and theologian Mary Wiley. Mary Wiley is the author of Everyday Theology , an eight-week Bible study exploring essential doctrines and why they matter in our everyday lives. She holds an MA in Theological Studies from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and works in publishing, She and her husband, John, have two children and ...
Jun 12, 2024•38 min•Ep. 278
Have you ever asked your spouse a simple question, like, "whats for dinner?" and all of a sudden they're making a snarky comment back to you? Have you ever found yourself responding out of irritation and frustration when your spouse or kids simply ask you a question? On today's show we're highlighting an episode from The Glass House Podcast where Nicole Zasowski describes to us what happens when we are operating in our pain cycle, how we can regulate our emotions, and why the simplest of questio...
Jun 05, 2024•52 min•Season 1Ep. 277
On today's show, groups expert Ken Braddy joins Haley and Brian on a great conversation about groups ministry! As Ken travels all over the country to support churches and their groups ministry, he shares with us the positive and negative trends churches across the nation are experiencing. Ken also shares how we can do groups better than ever despite challenges, how to connect various generations, and the trend of a shepherd teacher. Ken Braddy is an author of 10 books on groups/group ministry. K...
May 29, 2024•38 min•Season 1Ep. 276
Hey friends! Filmmakers Alex and Stephen Kendrick have an incredible discussion with Brian Daniel about their latest movie, The Forge. This film focuses on discipleship and following Jesus, and Alex and Stephen share their hearts behind making this film. They emphasize the importance of having a strong foundation in Christ and prioritizing Him above all else. Alex Kendrick has dedicated his life to following Jesus Christ and making His truth and love known among the nations. After serving in chu...
May 22, 2024•36 min•Season 1Ep. 275
Have you ever been talking to a teenager and find yourself in a situation where you don't know what to say? Sometimes it can feel like there is a huge wall between you and the teens in your life. Today on Group Answers Zac Workun and Brian Daniel dive into how we can effectively engage with the next generation in small groups. Zac currently serves as the Student Ministry Specialist for Lifeway Students. Zac is also the co-founder and network lead for Youth Ministry Booster. Zac is a voracious re...
May 15, 2024•34 min•Season 1Ep. 274
Hey friends! Welcome back to another great season of Group Answers! We have soem incredible guests lined up for this season and we can't wait to dive into all things students, adults, women, and men, small groups! Today on the show Josh Smith joins Joel and Brian to discuss his ministry to men and the importance of investing in men in the church. Josh begin serving as senior pastor of Prince Avenue Baptist church in 2018. He has ministered in more than 30 countries, worked with international stu...
May 08, 2024•33 min•Ep. 273
We are wrapping up another great season of Group Answers with Brian Daniel. If you haven't listened to the entire season, we encourage you to go back and check out the amazing guests we've had on the show! On today's show Brian and Haley discuss the attributes of compelling community with Jared Osselaer. Jared is the Pastor of Story City Church in Burbank, California. He received the calling of ministry when he was eight years old and since then his ministry path has taken him to so many unexpec...
Mar 27, 2024•34 min•Season 1Ep. 272
Hy friends! Welcome to another great episode of Group Answers! Discipleship can play out in a variety of ways in depending on the context: big churches vs. small churches, or rural areas vs. urban areas. On today's show Rebi Varghese, Community Groups Pastor at Church of the City in New York, shares his passion for discipleship and the challenges and opportunities of ministry in a city like Manhattan. He discusses the unique rhythms of New York City and the importance of community in the discipl...
Mar 20, 2024•34 min•Season 1Ep. 271
Churches all over the world will be embarking on Vacation Bible School this summer! Besides it being a fun-filled week for kids, VBS has an amazing potential for discipling the next generation and reaching families. On today's show Melita Thomas shares with us the history of VBS, the "how", and the "why"! Melita Thomas serves as Lifeway’s VBS and Kids Ministry Specialist. Melita holds a masters degree in Childhood Ministry from Dallas Baptist University. A passionate advocate for kids ministry i...
Mar 13, 2024•39 min•Season 1Ep. 270
Jesus' parting words were to "go and make disciples ," yet the Church tends to plan thier programming like those words were more of a suggestion than a commission. On today's show Brian Daniels, along with Haley Malone and Scott Sullivan, discuss what discipleship is and isn't and what Scott sees is and isn't working for churches. Scott is married to the love of his life, Elizabeth. They have four children: Erika, Austin, Caleb, and Noah. He serves as the Discipleship Catalyst for the Georgia Ba...
Mar 06, 2024•34 min•Season 1Ep. 269
Each episode we cover the different complexities, trends, methods and resources for group life in churches all over the world. On today's show, Brian Daniel and Haley Malone discuss women's ministry with Kelly King. Kelly is the Women's Minister at Quail Springs Baptist Church in Oklahoma City, OK. Recently, she served as the manager of Magazines/Devotional Publishing and Women’s Ministry Training for Lifeway Christian Resources. She is the author of Ministry to Women: The Essential Guide to Lea...
Feb 28, 2024•35 min•Season 1Ep. 267
Welcome back to another great episode on Group Answers with Brian Daniels. Today Brian discusses how to manage group time with Haley Malone. Haley Malone is the managing Director of Adult Groups at First Baptist Church of Orlando in Florida. She grew up in South Florida and attended Florida State University. After a few years in Tallahassee, Haley moved to Orlando and spent 5 years in the classroom and on the volleyball sidelines before stepping into full time student ministry. Most importantly,...
Feb 21, 2024•36 min•Season 1Ep. 266
Welcome back to another episode of Group Answers with Brian Daniel. Today on the show we have Joel Polk and Aram Babasin to discuss how to overcome culture in order to disciple. Aram Babasin is the small groups pastor of Crossroads Community Church in the Portland Metro Area. Aram has a history of working in a variety of church settings. He is skilled in teaching, public speaking, coaching, and music. Aram is a graduate of Western Seminary with a Master's Degree in Biblical and Theological Studi...
Feb 14, 2024•33 min•Season 1Ep. 265
Welcome back to another episode of Group Answers with Brian Daniel. Today on the show we have Jana Magruder and Chuck Peters to talk about next generation ministry. Jana Magruder serves as the Strategic Initiatives Director of Lifeway Kids. With a background in education, publishing, and ministry, she loves championing the local church to help families disciple kids of all ages. She is the author of Nothing Less: Engaging Kids in a Lifetime of Faith . Jana and her husband, Michael, are native Te...
Feb 07, 2024•38 min•Season 1Ep. 264
Most Americans tend to open their garage, drive in, close the garage, and never see their neighbors. Does the "cocooning" nature of our society have an impact on biblical community? How can we care for those around us, our neighbors, coworkers, church members, etc. if we aren't being interntional in our interactions? On today's show Darryl Wilson shares practical aspects to caring for those in our groups and churches, different models and trends in discipleship around the world, and why he is mo...
Jan 31, 2024•35 min•Season 1Ep. 263
In a world where men are looking for self-improvement and coaching, is the church the place where they can find that? On today's show Brian and Joel discuss this topic with John Simons. John Simons was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut and raised in Orange County, California. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at California Baptist University (CBU), M.A. Philosophy & M.Div from Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, and is a PhD student in Ethics & Public Theol...
Jan 24, 2024•32 min•Season 1Ep. 262
On today’s show, Brian Daniel and Joel Polk discuss resources, cultural challenges, and encouragement Jeremiah Johnston is seeing in his corner of the country. Jeremiah Johnston is a New Testament scholar who serves as president of Christian Thinkers Society . Jeremiah loves the local church and serves as the pastor of apologetics and culture engagement at Prestenwood Baptist. Thanks for listening and sharing this episode with a friend! SHOW LINKS: Body Proof Body Proof Bible Study CLICK HERE to...
Jan 17, 2024•33 min•Season 1Ep. 261
On today’s show, Brian Daniel discusses change, innovation, ministry, and what discipleship is in the small group context, with Lifeway’s Director of Sunday School, Ken Braddy. Ken Braddy is an author, blogger, and speaker. Ken travels all over the country training church leaders in growing in discipleship. Ken also hosts his podcast, Disciple-making In Community. Thanks for listening and sharing this episode with a friend! CLICK HERE to read the report from Lifeway Research about the state of g...
Jan 10, 2024•32 min•Season 1Ep. 260
Today on the show, Brian Daniel chats with Lifeway's own, Zac Workun about trends in Student Discipleship. Zac Workun serves as the Student Ministry Training Specialist for Lifeway. Zac is one of the co-founders of Youth Ministry Booster, Lifeway Students’ collaboration and training network. He has served the local church in various youth ministry roles for over 15 years. He is a graduate of OBU with degrees in business management and religion and received his Master of Divinity from Duke Divini...
Dec 12, 2023•35 min•Season 1Ep. 259
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 . CLICK HERE to read the report from Lifeway Research about the state of groups...
Sep 20, 2023•35 min
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 . CLICK HERE to read the report from Lifeway Research about the state of groups....
Sep 06, 2023•27 min
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 . CLICK HERE to read the report from Lifeway Research about the state of groups....
Aug 09, 2023•30 min
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 . CLICK HERE to read the report from Lifeway Research about the state of groups....
Jul 19, 2023•35 min
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 . CLICK HERE to read the report from Lifeway Research about the state of groups....
Jun 28, 2023•35 min
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 . CLICK HERE to read the report from Lifeway Research about the state of groups....
Jun 14, 2023•32 min
