Great Groups
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.
Episodes
154 episodes
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 "Storytel...
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 shar...
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 you...
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.
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 ...
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 re...
Six Tips for a Strong Start to 2026 (Episode 147)
In this episode, Jay and Chris talk about getting a strong start to 2026. Listen in and see if you've thought of these ways to start strong.1. Pray for your group: spiritual maturity, life-giving meetings, and new people.2. Plan s...
Evaluating Your Group with Laura Chramer (Episode 146, Part 2)
In this episode, Jay and Chris are joined by Laura Chramer offering color commentary as we all discuss a set of questions used to evaluate your group. Jay discovered the questions in an article by Josh Hunt on the
Evaluating Your Group with Laura Chramer (Episode 145, Part 1)
In this episode, Jay and Chris are joined by Laura Chramer offering color commentary as we all discuss a set of questions used to evaluate your group. Jay discovered the questions in an article by Josh Hunt on the
Group Life with John Mark & Keilah Carter (Episode 144)
In Today’s Episode: Jay and Chris sit down with guests John Mark and Keilah Carter to chat about life, leadership, and what’s happening in their Small Group. It’s always fun to hear from fellow leaders—and maybe even steal a few good...
Creating a Great Group Culture, Part 2 (Episode 143)
Culture shapes everything we do in Small Groups. It can be defined as the shared beliefs, values, behaviors, and practices of a particular group of people. Each group, to some degree, has it's own individual culture. We want our groups to...
Creating A Great Group Culture, Part 1 (Episode 142)
Culture shapes everything we do in Small Groups. It can be defined as the shared beliefs, values, behaviors, and practices of a particular group of people. Each group, to some degree, has it's own individual culture. In this episode, Jay and Ch...
Making Disciples & Random Conversations with Rick Howerton (Episode 141)
In this episode, Jay and Chris talk with Rick Howerton, a nationally-known and respected leader in Small Group Ministry and Jay's favorite in that category. Rick is a consultant, author, and former groups pastor. His writings include A Diff...
Getting a Strong Start to a New Group Year (Episode 140)
In this episode, Jay and Chris share practical ways to kick off your small group with momentum as a new year begins. They cover essential tips on effective communication, prayer, creating a welcoming atmosphere for new members, casting vision, ...
Take Your Group on Mission (Episode 139)
In this episode, Jay and Chris talk with Chris and Emily Self about their Small Group's recent trip to Memphis to serve with Refugee Memphis & Send Relief. Listen and get some ideas about how your group can go on missionl
Big, Beautiful Bible Study (Episode 138)
In this episode, Bill Brown joins Jay and Chris to share a unique approach to group meetings—walking through the entire Bible, one book per week. Tune in as they explore how this fast-paced journey can deepen understanding, and how too...
Lead with Less Stress (Episode 137)
In this episode, Jay and Chris discuss ways to take the stress out of leading. You'll hear some long-term tips as well as some tips to apply when life is coming at you fast. Listen in and learn how you can lead with less stress.<...
Deep Relationships and Mission Partnerships with Chris Kinsley (Episode 136)
In this episode, Jay and Chris sit down with Chris Kinsley to explore how his group is leading the way in two key areas: building deep relationships and embracing a group mission partnership. You'll hear practical insights and fresh inspi...
Celebrating 5 Years by Sharing Our Top 5 Tips (Episode 135)
In this special anniversary episode, Jay and Chris reflect on five years of podcasting together. They dive into memorable moments, behind-the-scenes bloopers, and a few laughs along the way. But at the heart of the episode is a meaningfu...
Developing Leaders with Dawn Stephens (Episode 134)
In this episode, Jay talks with Dawn Stephens, Brook Hills' Women's Minister, about developing leaders. The session is an overview of her breakout session at the Fall 2024 SG Leader Gathering. The complete title was Building a Leadership Te...
Taking Steps in Our Three Priorities (Episode 133)
In this episode, we’re revisiting the keynote message from our February Small Group Leader Gathering, featuring John Butterfield. John unpacks how people grow—one small, consistent step at a time—and why helping others take those steps i...
Leading Intentionally with Chris Robbins (Episode 132)
In this episode, Jay and Chris talk with Chris Robbins about Leading Group Meetings Well: How to Lead Intentionally and Overcome Common Problems. The session is an overview of the breakout Chris led at our Fall 2024 SG Leader Gathering...
Ramadan: An Opportunity to Pray for Muslims (Episode 131)
In this episode, Chip and Brooks join Jay and Christ to discuss Ramadan-what it is and why Christ-followers should take note and pray for Muslims across the world during this holiday. Join in and hear some stories from the field and be in...
The What and Why of Groups with John Butterfield (Episode 130)
In this episode, Jay and Chris talk with John Butterfield as we revisit his breakout session from the Fall Small Group Leader Gathering. His session was entitled "The What and Why of Small Groups: Why We Do Small Groups and What We Seek to Acco...
Missionary Connections and Support with Dave Halperin (Episode 129)
Brook Hills' missionaries serve in tough places and they deeply need our support. Groups can have a global impact by building strong, supportive relationships with them. Join Chris and Jay as we talk to a group leader who has led his group well...