This week Kevin Lee joins Inside Saddleback. Contact Kevin at KevinL@saddleback.com  The New Digital Edge Article 2021 Connections Retreat   (Marks of a Good Shepherd) From Jesus in John 10 By Rick Warren        GOOD SHEPHERDSGIVE PERSONAL ATTENTION TO INDIVIDUALS “The good shepherd calls his own sheep by name...”  John 10:3                                 GOOD SHEPHERDSLEAD BY EXAMPLE “After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them,...”                                                                          John 10:4a          GOOD SHEPHERDSDEVELOPS TRUST THROUGH RELATIONSHIPS “The sheep follow the good shepherd because they recognize his voice.  They won't follow a stranger.”  John 10:4-5   GOOD SHEPHERDSSACRIFICE FOR THOSE THEY LEAD ‘The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” John 10:11     GOOD SHEPHERDSSTAY WITH THE FLOCK IN TOUGH TIMES “A hired hand will run away when he sees a wolf coming. He will abandon the sheep because they aren't his and he isn't their real shepherd. So the wolf attacks and scatters the flock, but a hired hand runs away because it’s only a job,  and he has no real concern for the sheep.”  John 10:12-13   From Other Scriptures   GOOD SHEPHERDSFEED & LEAD WITH LOVE “He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close  to his heart. He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young.”   Isaiah 40:11 (NLT)   “When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd.” Mark 6:34     GOOD SHEPHERDSKEEP GROWING IN KNOWLEDGE & SKILL “I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding.”    Jeremiah 3:15 (NIV)   “David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them.”    Psalm 78:72 (NIV)       GOOD SHEPHERDSHELP THE HURTING "Prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Give them this message from God:  Shouldn't shepherds take care of their sheep?…But you have NOT strengthened the weak. And you have NOT supported the sick. And you have NOT bandaged the broken.”  Ezekiel 34:2+4       GOOD SHEPHERDSGO AFTER THE LOST “You have not gone looking for those who have wandered away and are lost… So I (the Lord) will hold you responsible for what has happened to my flock.”       Ezekiel 34:4b + 10 (NLT)       GOOD SHEPHERDSSERVE JOYFULLY “Care for the flock of God entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly--not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. Don't lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your good example. And when the head Shepherd comes, your reward will be a never-ending share in his glory and honor.”        1 Pet 5:2- 4 (NLT)

Group Talk

INSIDE SADDLEBACK: Who’s Replacing Rick—Let the Pipeline Begin!—Digital Madness—4 Fall Planning Keys

Description:  This month we take a break from reading to tackle the breakout TV show Ted Lasso. We have so much to learn from Ted Lasso. He’s the ideal small group point person. He’s humble, curious, and timely. My guest, Ben Reed, and I break down three key lessons we've learned from the show and how they are shaping our leadership and small groups.  Lesson One - Seeing the Best in Everyone (17:47)   Lesson Two - Be Curious (36:18)   Lesson Three - Better Together (48:23)   Get your SGN Coffee today!!

READING LENZ: Being Ted Lasso with Your Small Groups

LEADERSHIP JOURNEY: Integrity, Obedience, and the Word

 How do we move from a homogenous church or group to one that welcomes full participation of people from different ethnicities? Why is it so important for churches to reflect their communities and be ethnically integrated as a reflection of the full Gospel? What can we do in our small groups to help create safe spaces for people to discuss issues related to ethnicity and socioeconomic differences as part of our discipleship?  Listen as Dr. Derwin Gray envisions and calls churches to "grow out of ignorance, classism, racism, and greed into the flourishing, vibrant, and grace-filled communities of believers that God intended."    Guests:  Dr. Derwin Gray & Kristel Avecedo     Bio: Dr. Derwin L. Gray, a former NFL player, is the founding and lead pastor of Transformation Church (TC). Transformation Church is a multiethnic, multigeneration, mission-shaped community in the Charlotte, North Carolina area. Derwin and Vicki have been married for twenty-eight years and have two adult children. Derwin is the author of Building a Multiethnic Church: A Gospel Vision of Love, Grace, and Reconciliation in a Divided World and the host of Marinate on That Podcast Kristel Acevedo serves at Transformation Church as a Content Creator and also works in small groups ministry. She writes transformational discipleship resources in English and Spanish and is passionate about helping people get connected to God and each other.    LINKS: https://www.derwinlgray.com/ https://www.kristelacevedo.com/ https://transformationchurch.tc/   

HERE TO THERE: Building a Multiethnic Church or Small Group - Why It Matters and First Steps Toward an Integrated Gospel Community

Saddleback Small Groups Website Small Group Network Events 10 Things that for easy engagement ANY Small Group Pastor can do1 Being on Time 2 Work Ethic 3 Effort 4 Body Language 5 Energy 6 Attitude 7 Passion 8 Being Coachable 9 Doing Extra 10 Being Prepared

INSIDE SADDLEBACK: The 5 R’s of Summer

How aligned in your small groups ministry with the rest of your staff? Many in ministry struggle with "buy-in" from senior leadership. But James Browning takes a fairly deep dive into the idea that small group point people would benefit from buying into other ministries in their church. In particular we look at the role of church communication leaders and how to align small groups ministry with church comms. Our guest on this episode is Shawn Gendall. Shawn was born and raised on the Canadian plains, but – following a few years in Arizona – met and married Kelly, a Los Angeles native. Shawn and Kelly have served in student and family ministries for 18 years, all on the Westside. They are grateful parents to Delaney (’03), Caden (’06), and Peyton (’08). The Gendalls typically spend their free time on the bike paths and in the basketball gyms of this beautiful city. Shawn holds a Master of Divinity from Denver Seminary and is currently completing his Doctor of Ministry in Pastoral Leadership. This episode is for anyone who is a student of church leadership, wants to take a deeper dive into the small groups world, or even fans of Carey Neuhoff or Thom Rainer and just want to explore church development.

5th Wednesday: Aligning Small Groups With Church Communications

Our small group gatherings shouldn't be repetitive and predictable but rather places where our members and guest can be known and flourish. his month's Reading Lenz features an insightful discussion regarding the book "The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why it Matters" by Priya Parker with Andrew Camp, Carolyn Taketa, and Nick Lenzi

READING LENZ: The Art of the Gathering

LEADERSHIP JOURNEY: Foundations of Leadership

Guests:  From Calvary Community Church in Westlake Village, CA  Britt Vargas, High School Ministry Director - brittany.vargas@calvarywestlake.org Connor Johnson, Middle School Pastor - connor.johnson@calvarywestlake.org   https://calvarywestlake.org/middle-school/ https://calvarywestlake.org/high-school/    How do we disciple the next generation through small groups?  Why have student small groups?  What do you look for in student group leaders?  How do you train leaders of various ages and life experiences?  How to connect and develop effective student groups?   How do you handle complicated messy life issues that affect students such as the LGBTQ issues and self-harming behaviors?  

HERE TO THERE: Discipling MS & HS Students Through Small Groups

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INSIDE SADDLEBACK: Is Sermon-Based Curriculum Hazardous to your Small Group’s Health?

Do you ever feel the ministry you run and the church you work for are on different pages? Or maybe your small groups and care group are fighting for the same leaders? Join us this month as we welcome Nick Schonlau from Third City Christian Chruch in Grand Island, Nebraska to break down the book Silos, Politics and Turf Wars by Patrick Lencioni. It's only a matter of time until you'll find yourself in a silo. Listen in to hear how you can take steps to identify silos and prevent yourself and your groups from finding yourself in one.   Lightning Round Books: Emotionally Healthy Leader by Peter Scazerro Canoeing the Mountain by Tod Bolsinger

READING LENZ: Eliminating Church Silos

LEADERSHIP JOURNEY: Upgrading Your Prayer Time w/ Kyle Strobel

Guest: James Browning    Bio: James Browning is the new Pastor of Small Group Network Development. He has over 10 years of marketing and digital evangelism experience both in the church world and the corporate space. He is married to Hannah and has two daughters, Eliza and Eleanor.

HERE TO THERE: Introducing Our New SGN Development Pastor!

 Covid-19 Small Group Stories   Amazon Information   Small Group Network Conferences

INSIDE SADDLEBACK: What We Can Learn From The 5 Words That Changed Amazon

This month Andrew Camp rejoins Reading Lenz to break down the book How to Lead When You Are Not in Charge by Clay Scroggins   Next month's book Silos, Politics and Turf Wars by Patrick Lencioni   Small Group Network Facebook Group

READING LENZ: How To Lead When You're Not In Charge

Group Talk is a podcast created by the Small Group Network (SGN) as a way to provide support, inspiration and information so no small group point person stands alone.

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Group Talk

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