A place where group leaders can gain tips, tools, and insights into leading and discipling their small groups.
Episodes
Tuesday Apr 30, 2024
Tuesday Apr 30, 2024
In this special bonus episode of the podcast, Chris Short - Executive Team Leader and Host engages in a candid conversation with North Campus staff members Cory Speer, Adult Discipleship Ministry Leader, and Shelly Reeves, Women’s Discipleship Leader.
Together, they dig into the dynamics of Situational Leadership within Small Groups, exploring real-life scenarios that often emerge unexpectedly, such as marriage or parenting struggles, blended family issues, adoption challenges, and addiction concerns.
These unanticipated “situational” occurrences demand real-time responses, and the way we lead through them can help create an environment where transparency and authenticity thrive.
Key Discussion Points:
The importance of creating a culture of transparency: Fostering an environment where members feel safe to share their emotions and seek support from one another, following the example set by Jesus.
Leading with transparency: Dispelling the myth of perfection by sharing personal struggles as leaders, encouraging others to open up about their own challenges.
Handling disruptions: Navigating encounters with spiritual infants or individuals not yet born again who may disrupt group dynamics due to their level of maturity.
Maintaining an atmosphere of grace and appropriateness: Ensuring that all members feel accepted and supported, avoiding shaming individuals for their vulnerabilities.
Being sensitive to topics that may need to be discussed in gender specific groups or one on one discussions.
Guiding young believers: Walking alongside spiritual newcomers, modeling the grace and love of Jesus while teaching them the principles of Christian living and demonstrating the fruit of the Spirit.
You can download the shownotes for this episode here: Situational Leadership
To watch all episodes of this Podcast, go to:
Real Life Groups Leadership Podcast
We have some great tools that our leadership have made available for you to use!
· Right Now Media: (The Netflix of Bible Studies)
Real Life has gifted our people with a free membership to this platform! Find out more at this link. https://app.rightnowmedia.org/en/user/reallifeministries
Real Life Resources: This digital library contains over 500 tools and resources to help both you personally and those in your group. Podcasts, videos, books, studies and much more at this link. https://realliferesources.org/
If you have any questions or suggestions for future topics, feel free to email us at realforlife@reallifeministries.com.
Sunday Mar 31, 2024
Sunday Mar 31, 2024
In this bonus episode of our podcast, Chris Short, Fred Bosse' and Sara Short discuss the Biblical model of Complementarianism that we follow at Real Life Ministries.
Believing that both men and women are equally valuable, this model highlights how God has given each of us different strengths and viewpoints. When men and women work together in ministry, it shows a more complete picture of who God is and helps groups function better. Imagine a group led by both a man and a woman, bringing their unique perspectives to the table before, during, and after the group time. This mix of viewpoints helps the group grow and work together more effectively.
Some of the things they cover are:
- Recognizing that men and women are equally important.
- Understanding that each gender has its own strengths and ways of seeing things, given by God.
- Showing how teamwork between men and women in ministry paints a fuller picture of God.
- Explaining how having both male and female leaders can make group meetings more effective.
- Describing what it might look like to have a man and a woman leading a group together.
- Highlighting how this mix of perspectives helps the group develop and function well.
Download the show notes for this episode here: Episode Show Notes
To watch all episodes of this Podcast go to: Real Life Groups Leadership Podcast
Friday Mar 01, 2024
Friday Mar 01, 2024
In this bonus episode of the Real Life Groups Leadership Podcast, Chris Short, Executive Pastor at Real Life Ministries, chats with Jenna Fore, Women's Ministry Lead at our Hayden Campus and Christian Putman, Adult Discipleship Ministry Lead at our Cd'A Campus, about the session they did on Intentional Leadership at the annual Group Leaders Training.
In this conversation, they share some of their best tips and tools for leading a group with intentionality. Here are some of things they suggest a leader does in order to lead like Jesus and effectively navigate the challenges faced in a group
- Ask a lot of questions: Asking questions shows that you are interested in and invested in the individuals in your group. It helps create a sense of relationship and encourages self-discovery. Asking questions is a good way to be intentional to show your interest in someone, which can lead them to feel safe enough to be more open with their responses.
- Be intentional: Just like Jesus, be intentional in addressing problems and forming relationships within the group. Take the time to understand the needs and concerns of each individual and address them with care and compassion.
- Connect outside of the group: It is important to connect with your group members outside of the regular group meetings. This can be through one-on-one conversations, social events, or even simple check-ins. Building relationships outside of the group setting helps to strengthen the bond and trust within the group.
- Establish group guidelines: Set clear and intentional guidelines for the group. These guidelines should outline expectations, values, and boundaries for the group members. Having guidelines in place helps to create a safe and respectful environment for everyone.
- Be proactive and reactive: As a group leader, it is important to set the tone of the group by being proactive in addressing potential issues and creating a positive atmosphere. However, it is also crucial to be prepared for difficult conversations that may arise on the fly. Approach these conversations with trust, relationship, and respect, and be open to finding solutions together.
- Be vulnerable: Share your own struggles and challenges with the group. By being vulnerable, you create a space for others to open up and share their own experiences. This fosters a sense of authenticity and trust within the group.
- Plant and water: Remember that as a group leader, your role is to plant seeds and water them, regardless of the visible results. Trust that God will bring the growth and focus on faithfully serving and supporting your group members.
We want to thank you for stepping up, and even stretching yourselves, to lead God's people here at Real Life. We know it isn't always easy, and we so appreciate your time, your prayer and trust in God, and your desire to love his people well.
Please let us know if there is anything you would like to see addressed in this podcast, and know that we are lifting you up in prayer and cheering you on as we walk this journey as disciples together!
Download Show Notes Here: https://reallifeministries.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Media/2024/Real+Life+Resources+/Groups+Leadership+Podcast+Season+2+Bonus+Episode+1+-+Intentional+Leadership.docx
Here are some more great tools that our leadership has made available for you to use!
- Right Now Media: (The Netflix of Bible Studies)
Real Life has gifted our people with a free membership to this platform! Find out more at this link. https://app.rightnowmedia.org/en/user/reallifeministries
- Real Life Resources: This digital library contains over 500 tools and resources to help both you personally and those in your group. Podcasts, videos, books, studies and much more at this link. https://realliferesources.org/
If you have any questions or suggestions for future topics, feel free to email us at realforlife@reallifeministries.com.
Friday Sep 29, 2023
Friday Sep 29, 2023
Some of the topics they cover in this episode are:
- What does it mean to branch a group?
- Why is it important?
- What is a good reason to branch a group?
- What is a bad reason?
- How do you navigate the tension between relationship and the mission?
3 Tips to leading a branch effectively:
- Communication
- Talk about it often, vision cast it well, talk about the why
- Consideration
- Make sure every person feels wanted, welcomed, and valued
- Consider the perspective and emotions of everyone in the group
- Celebration
- People aspire to what is celebrated
- It encourages people and makes them feel supported
These 3 things will help you avoid:
- Isolation
- Feelings of being left out, unimportant
- Speculation
- People will make assumptions that are usually not correct or healthy
- Frustration
- Focusing on the negative aspects of the situation
You can download show notes for this episode at the link below:
You can go to the podcast website at the link below:
Here are some more great tools that our leadership has made available for you to use!
- Right Now Media: (The Netflix of Bible Studies)
Real Life has gifted our people with a free membership to this platform! Find out more at this link. https://app.rightnowmedia.org/en/user/reallifeministries
- Real Life Resources: This digital library contains over 500 tools and resources to help both you personally and those in your group. Podcasts, videos, books, studies and much more at this link. https://realliferesources.org/
Thursday Aug 31, 2023
Thursday Aug 31, 2023
We're excited to present part two of our Worship as Discipleship Podcast. Our host, Chris Short, Executive Pastor at Real Life Ministries, is joined once again by Aaron Short, Worship Pastor at the Post Falls Campus and Jeremy Ellis, Worship Arts Development Pastor.
In this episode, they delve into the topic of worship environments and how they impact our spiritual growth. Today's discussion focuses on the contrasting experiences of large group and small group worship settings. They emphasize the importance of both types of environments for fostering spiritual growth in both individuals and small group members alike.
Join us as we look at the significance of these worship environments and their role in deepening our walk with the Lord, and with others. It's going to be an enlightening conversation that will leave you feeling inspired about your own personal journey in worship, and help you lead your group members to recognize this important aspect of their own journey.
- Gain a deeper understanding of the importance of both large and small gatherings in the Church
- Discover the values and significance of each gathering according to Acts 2:42, 47
- Learn how coming together as a collective group can build and strengthen the church brick by brick
- Understand the benefits of forming deeper relationships within smaller group settings
- Uncover the balance between vertical focus and forming meaningful connections with others
Mentioned in this episode:
Here are some more great tools that our leadership has made available for you to use!
- Right Now Media: (The Netflix of Bible Studies)
Real Life has gifted our people with a free membership to this platform! Find out more at this link. https://app.rightnowmedia.org/en/user/reallifeministries
- Real Life Resources: This digital library contains over 500 tools and resources to help both you personally and those in your group. Podcasts, videos, books, studies and much more at this link. https://realliferesources.org/
If you would like to download the show notes for this episode, click below:
Worship As Discipleship Part 2 Show Notes
If you have any questions or suggestions for future topics, feel free to email us at realforlife@reallifeministries.com.
Sunday Jul 30, 2023
Sunday Jul 30, 2023
In this episode of the podcast, our host Chris Short - Real Life Ministries Executive Pastor, speaks with our guests about the role worship plays in discipleship. Today's guests are:
Jeremy Ellis - Worship Arts Development Pastor at the Post Falls Campus
Aaron Short - Worship Leader at the Post Falls Campus
Some of the points covered in this conversation are:
- What is worship? Why does it matter?
- How to grow in spiritual maturity through worship
- Discover how worship goes beyond music and impacts every aspect of your life
- Learn practical ways to cultivate a lifestyle of worship in small groups and as leaders
- Understand the value and priority of worship in your relationship with God - Explore how redefining worship can transform your attitude and perspective
- See the impact of worship on your relationships, including marriages, and the importance of prioritizing it
- Become a true disciple by submitting and obeying in both actions and heart
Discipleship represents the lifelong process of becoming a devoted follower of Jesus Christ. One aspect of discipleship that is often overlooked is worship. Worship, both individually and in community, plays a crucial role in discipleship, shaping our hearts and minds to be more like Christ.
In this episode, we explore the connection between worship and discipleship, highlighting the ways in which worship can transform our lives and deepen our relationships with God and others in every sphere of life.
Worship is not only about music or a Sunday service. It is about giving value, attention, and adoration to something. Worship impacts our lives by stirring up affection towards God and taking it from our heads to our hearts.
As leaders, we have a responsibility to model the importance of worship to those around us. Just as we wouldn't skip a date night with our spouse because we didn't feel like we were getting anything out of it, we should approach worship with the same commitment and obedience.
Ultimately, worship is about our hearts and our relationship with God, and it should be a priority in our lives as disciples.
Some of the resources mentioned in this episode are:
Family Worship by Donald S. Whitney
Friday Jun 30, 2023
Friday Jun 30, 2023
Welcome to Episode 7 of the Groups Leadership Podcast! Today Chris Short – the host of this podcast and Executive Team Leader at Real Life Ministries, is chatting with two of the leaders from our Real Life Hayden Campus:
Wayne Burnham: Associate Pastor/ Real Life Hayden
Jenna Fore: Women’s Discipleship Leader/ Real Life Hayden
The topic today is small group discussions, and how we as leaders can help make a group discussion truly impactful. Doing this requires certain building blocks that promote depth and meaningful exchange. This episode explores these building blocks and provides practical tips on how to create and facilitate an impactful group discussion. By incorporating these elements, you can ensure that your group discussions are productive, engaging, and contribute to the overall relationships and spiritual growth of your group.
What are some of the elements that help create a good discussion?
Group Participation
Create a safe space where group members feel comfortable sharing their thoughts, feelings, and experiences.
Provide opportunity to go deeper
Create a space where individuals are not afraid to express their opinions and are open to receiving feedback from others.
Everyone is heard
Set guidelines for respectful communication and ensure everyone's voice is heard and acknowledged.
People are challenged to grow
Encourage group members to think critically, question assumptions, and consider different viewpoints.
What are some of the things that can derail a good discussion?
- Unsafe environment/lack of confidentiality
- Overtalking/Oversharing
- No “I” statements
- Divisiveness/Gossip
Listed below are some additional things our guests shared about how you as a leader can help create an environment where great discussions can take place.
- Be prepared
- Be intentional
- Remain curious
- Know your people
- Be Prayerful
Remember, the goal of a discussion is not just to cover all the questions, but to create an atmosphere where individuals can experience growth and transformation. Let the Holy Spirit guide the conversation and trust that impactful discussions will occur.
Last of all, remember that personal growth is a lifelong journey, and it may take time to see tangible results in your group. We encourage you to be patient and persevere, and be sure you recognize and celebrate the small steps your group is making along the way.
You can download one of our Basic Group Templates by clicking below:
You can download our Small Group Guidelines by clicking below:
Check out our “Why does my small group need guidelines?” video by clicking below:
Here are some more great tools that our leadership has made available for you to use!
- Right Now Media: (The Netflix of Bible Studies)Real Life has gifted our people with a free membership to this platform! Find out more at this link. https://app.rightnowmedia.org/en/user/reallifeministries
- Real Life Resources: This digital library contains over 500 tools and resources to help both you personally and those in your group. Podcasts, videos, books, studies and much more at this link. https://realliferesources.org/
If you have any questions or suggestions for future topics, feel free to email us at realforlife@reallifeministries.com.
Wednesday May 31, 2023
Wednesday May 31, 2023
In today’s episode, our guests represent over 40 Life Groups at our Post Falls Campus – Sara Short and Jesse Hill join host Chris Short to talk about the different stages of a Group. In this conversation they bring up why these stages are needed in a group, how you can determine what stage your group is in, and how to navigate them through that stage. Here are some of highlights of their discussion.
- Where did the idea of group stages come from?
- What are the 5 stages and how can you tell what one your group is in?
- What are some of the indicators you should be looking for?
- The different stages: Forming, Storming, Norming, Ministering and Multiplying.
- How do the stages correlate with Real Life Ministries SCMD process?
- What are some things that can stall group growth?
- Why is the Storming stage important to further growth?
- Why does the Norming stage have the potential to be harmful to a group?
- Where do we see these stages in the Early Church?
Below are two PDF tools you can utilize as you coach and guide your group through these 5 stages.
https://bit.ly/GroupDevelopmentStages
https://bit.ly/GroupStageCards
You can download the pdf of these show notes here: Show Notes
We have some great tools that our leadership have made available for you to use!
- Right Now Media: (The Netflix of Bible Studies)
Real Life has gifted our people with a free membership to this platform! Find out more at this link. https://app.rightnowmedia.org/en/user/reallifeministries
- Real Life Resources: This digital library contains over 500 tools and resources to help both you personally and those in your group. Podcasts, videos, books, studies and much more at this link. https://realliferesources.org/
If you have any questions or suggestions for future topics, feel free to email us at realforlife@reallifeministries.com.
Monday May 01, 2023
Monday May 01, 2023
Chris Short is back with another episode of our Podcast. In this episode Chris is again talking with Santha Yinger and Mike Wraith, about recognizing and responding to crisis situations in the lives of your group members. Here are some of the topics they address in this episode:
- How do we define Crisis?
A person is considered to be in crisis when they are no longer able to function at their normal level -It can look different for everyone. We are not necessarily all in crisis over the same things.
There are many things that can cause a person or family to get to that crisis stage. Sometimes even life change can cause a reaction - moving to a new place, a new job, changing schools.
- How can the group support (not fix) each other when one of us is going through a crisis? How can we de-escalate the situation?
Compassion and curiosity - It is important that we understand what is going on before we try to step into it. It is also important to validate and acknowledge people feelings in these situations - that is not to say we agree or condone - it just means we hear that they are struggling.
Active listening means being present and sometimes repeating back what you have heard. We may not have experienced what they are experiencing but we can recognize that they are in pain.
Be sure to give people the space they need to share their experience. Giving them time at the end of their sentence, asking them when they pause “what else is going on” People won’t usually be up front with all of their struggles right away – but they will continue to share if they see we genuinely care and honestly want to hear them.
One of the most important things you can do when someone is in crisis is just giving them the gift of your presence. Active listening means being present and sometimes repeating back what you have heard.
We aren't required to fix things – We need to avoid problem solving in the crisis moments.
- When it comes to a life group - what is an example of a crisis that might need some intervention and/or outside help?
-
- Suicide
- Self-Harm
- Self-Medicating (Not just drugs and alcohol - could be gaming, shopping, binge watching)
- Eating Disorders - Unhealthy relationship with food
This is such an important topic, and we appreciate all of our leaders and your willingness to love your people well! Remember you are not alone - our groups team is here to offer support and resources and a listening ear when you need one!
Some of the resources mentioned in this episode:
Movie: Inside Out (link to trailer)
Real Life Post Falls Classes: https://www.reallifeministries.com/classes
Real Life Mental Health Resources: https://www.reallifeministries.com/mentalhealthresources
Real Life Ministries Counseling & Community Resource Guide:
We also have some great tools that our leadership have made available for you to use!
- Right Now Media: (The Netflix of Bible Studies)
Real Life has gifted our people with a free membership to this platform! Find out more at this link. https://app.rightnowmedia.org/en/user/reallifeministries
- Real Life Resources: This digital library contains over 500 tools and resources to help both you personally and those in your group. Podcasts, videos, books, studies and much more at this link. https://realliferesources.org/
If you have any questions or suggestions for future topics, feel free to email us at: realforlife@reallifeministries.com.
Friday Mar 31, 2023
Friday Mar 31, 2023
In this episode Chris Short - Executive Pastor at Real Life Ministries is joined by Santha Yinger: Mental Health & Wellness Ministry Lead, and Mike Wraith: Licensed Clinical Social Worker (and Life Group leader!) and they are talking about the very important topic of promoting mental wellness in your Life Group.
Some of the things they cover are:
Why does our awareness of mental health matter when it comes to leading a life group?
Everyone has the need for Mental Wellness, and every one of us has a Mental Health that God has given us to steward, just as we are responsible for our physical health and well being.
We need to be careful not to label people - there is a stigma when it comes to mental health, but we need to approach it just as we would any physical struggle or illness.
Community is a key factor to Mental Health, but it takes time to build it. Life Groups provide an opportunity for connection, especially when they are places where the members can be transparent and feel safe.
As group leaders, we need to become students of the patterns of the people in the group. If we are able to recognize their patterns we will be able to notice when things are off.
Remember that the responsibility for the people in your group is not all on your shoulders! Encourage relationships and connections to develop between the different members as they spend time together inside and outside of group.
And don't forget that you always have your coaches and campus leaders to turn to if you have questions or needs.
You can download the show notes by clicking below:
The Real Life Groups Leadership Podcast: Season 2 Ep4 part 1 Show Notes
For more resources go to https://realliferesources.org/
Registration is opening soon for our Mental Health Response Basics Class happening at our Post Falls Campus. Gain some basic understanding of recognizing stressors, symptoms of mental distress, some basic responses, wellness practices and de-escalation techniques.
Check it out here: https://www.reallifeministries.com/classes