Best Small Group Leader Training Podcasts (2025)

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322. More Than Enough: Vulnerability, Faith, and Leading Groups with Christine Hoover 36:32

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10h ago36:32

36:32

How do we lead small groups that embrace real life—the joys, the struggles, and everything in between? In this episode of The Group Answers Show, Brian Daniel sits down with Christine Hoover, author of the new Bible study More Than Enough, centered on 2 Corinthians. Christine opens up about her journey writing this study while navigating personal t…

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25-295 Spiritual Leadership at Home 5:31

10h ago5:31

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TODAY’S LESSON Every man wants to conquer something — but the real test of a man’s strength is not in what he builds outside his home, but in what he nurtures inside it. It’s easy to show courage in the public arena — to take a stand online, to debate, to argue, to act tough when the lights are on. But leadership at home? That’s the proving ground …

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33: From ATTENDANCE to APPRENTICESHIP | This vs That | On-Staff Mentorship | And Taking on the Keyboard Warriors 57:50

15h ago57:50

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From Northern Lights and “read-minds-vs-fly” debates to deep reflections on what truly counts in ministry, Derek and Danielle explore how churches can move from attendance to apprenticeship. Dave Rhodes redefines success, and guest Jeremy Adelman shows how an old Minneapolis church found new life by focusing on training disciples who multiply. Perf…

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25-294 Courage Under Pressure 5:52

1d ago5:52

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TODAY’S LESSON Let’s be blunt: courage isn’t the absence of fear — it’s refusing to let fear decide your next move. Every man faces moments when pressure hits hard — at home, at work, in faith. You feel that tightening in your chest, that whisper saying, “Maybe stay quiet this time.” But that’s exactly when a godly man stands up. Our culture reward…

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Living Out Biblical Manhood: Practical Steps with Joby Martin (Part 2) 32:59

1d ago32:59

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This is the second episode in our two-part series on biblical manhood. In this conversation, Albo Esilaba is joined again by Joby Martin, pastor of The Church of Eleven22 and author of Stand Firm and Act Like a Man. Together, they go deeper into practical ways of living out godly manhood in everyday life—whether you’re a dad, a leader, or a man of …

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25-293 What Defines a Godly Man 5:36

2d ago5:36

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TODAY’S LESSON Let’s get one thing straight: masculinity is not toxic—it’s sacred when it’s redeemed.The world has spent years trying to blur, shame, and redefine manhood until it’s unrecognizable. Yet Scripture gives zero apologies for calling men to strength, courage, and leadership under God’s authority. A godly man isn’t the loudest guy in the …

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25-292 A Love Letter from God: My Church, My Bride 3:45

3d ago3:45

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“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.’” — Revelation 21:3 (ESV) My beloved Bride, You are not a building of stone and wood—you are My dwelling place. My Spirit lives within you, and My glo…

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25-291 Standing Together in Trials 5:00

4d ago5:00

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TODAY’S LESSON Let’s talk about reality, not religion.Trials aren’t a matter of if — they’re a matter of when. Every believer faces them. Every church walks through them. But here’s the real question: when the pressure hits, will we stand together or scatter? Paul said it straight: “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”That…

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25-290 Generosity in the Church 4:59

5d ago4:59

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TODAY’S LESSON Let’s be real—money makes people squirm. Talk about generosity in church, and folks start checking their wallets or bracing for a guilt trip. But generosity isn’t about pressure—it’s about power. It’s about advancing the Kingdom of God and unleashing blessing in your own life. Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 9:7 that God loves a che…

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25-289 The Power of Accountability 5:00

6d ago5:00

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TODAY’S LESSON Let’s get blunt—too many Christians are trying to live the faith alone, with nobody to check their blind spots. And that’s exactly how the enemy likes it. Lone wolves are easy prey. But Scripture says, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” You can’t sharpen yourself. You need people in your life who will challenge you, …

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Why the Church's Future Isn't Innovation & How to Reclaim Biblical Depth 49:28

7d ago49:28

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We explore how authority from God creates confidence without ego and why rebuilding Bible literacy is the safest path back to health in youth ministry. John Rush shares stories, practical tools, and a call to play the long game: disciple deeply and watch evangelism grow. • Authority that produces humility and courage • Candid youth ministry stories…

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25-288 Living as the Church 5:05

7d ago5:05

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TODAY’S LESSON Here’s a hard truth: too many Christians treat church as something they go to instead of something they are. But Scripture doesn’t say, “You attend the body of Christ.” It says, “You ARE the body of Christ.” That means church isn’t a building or a Sunday morning—it’s an identity. When you see church as an event, you reduce faith to r…

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321. Discipleship in a Changing Culture: How Church Leaders Can Reach Cultural Christians with Pastor Dean Inserra 39:36

7d ago39:36

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What does it take to make disciples in a world shaped by therapy culture, shifting values, and cultural Christianity? In this episode of Group Answers Show, host Brian Daniel welcomes back Pastor Dean Inserra from City Church in Tallahassee, Florida, for a timely and thought-provoking conversation on the evolving landscape of discipleship and evang…

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32: From TEACHING to TRAINING | Falling into Autumn | This week at Grace | And how to have difficult conversations - yay! 58:28

8d ago58:28

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Most churches are great at teaching but weak at training. In Episode 32 of Reinventing Church, Derek and Danielle kick off with fall vibes in Erie, then dive into Dave Rhodes on building training centers. Derek sits down with Pastor Mark Canada of Parkway Bible to talk about shifting from passive content delivery to active, experiential discipleshi…

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25-287 Joining a Small Group 4:44

8d ago4:44

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TODAY’S LESSON One of the most dangerous lies Christians believe is this: “I don’t need anyone else. Just me and Jesus.” Sounds spiritual, but it’s not biblical. From the very beginning, God declared, “It is not good for man to be alone.” And that wasn’t just about marriage—that was about community. The early Church understood this. Acts 2 tells us…

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Stand Firm: Joby Martin on Biblical Manhood (Part 1) 27:48

9d ago27:48

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Today on the No Regrets Podcast, Albo Esilaba is joined by pastor and author Joby Martin from The Church of Eleven22 for the first episode in a special two-part series. Joby shares from his new book, Stand Firm and Act Like a Man, a biblical guide to what Scripture says about who men are and how they are called to live. Instrumental in discipling m…

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25-286 Supporting Your Leaders 4:53

9d ago4:53

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TODAY’S LESSON Here’s a truth most people don’t realize: your spiritual leaders carry more weight than you can see. They’re not just preaching on Sundays. They’re fighting unseen battles during the week. They’re interceding for families, counseling the broken, leading through conflict, and standing on the frontlines of spiritual warfare. And let’s …

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25-285 A Love Letter from God: Hospitality & Fellowship 3:16

10d ago3:16

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“Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.” — Romans 12:13 (ESV) My beloved child, When you open your home, you open your heart to Me. Hospitality is not simply setting a table or offering a meal—it is making room for My Spirit to move through you. Every time you welcome a brother or sister, every time you give space to a …

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25-284 Loving One Another Well 5:01

11d ago5:01

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TODAY’S LESSON If there’s one mark that should define the Church, it’s love. Not how loud we sing. Not how polished our sermons are. Not how big our buildings get. Jesus said it plainly: “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” But let’s be honest—sometimes Christians can be the worst at loving eac…

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25-283 Church Outside the Walls 5:12

12d ago5:12

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TODAY’S LESSON Somewhere along the way, many believers started thinking of “church” as a location. A building. A service time. Four walls and a cross on the roof. But let me tell you something straight—the Church is not a Sunday morning event. It’s not a program. It’s you. Jesus didn’t tell His disciples, “Go build a building and wait for people to…

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25-282 Healing from Church Hurt 5:15

13d ago5:15

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TODAY’S LESSON Let’s be honest—some of the deepest wounds in life don’t come from strangers, they come from the Church. A careless word, a betrayal by a leader, gossip that cuts, rejection from people who should have embraced you… church hurt runs deep. And here’s the harsh reality: when the wound comes from God’s family, it can shake your faith in…

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320. Scott McConnell on Trends in Adult Discipleship and Group Ministry 37:05

14d ago37:05

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In a rapidly changing world, discipleship cannot remain static. The ways people gather, connect, and grow in faith have shifted dramatically, especially in the wake of the pandemic. For church leaders and group facilitators, this season has brought both new challenges and fresh opportunities to shepherd believers more intentionally. In this episode…

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25-281 Unity Among Believers 5:16

14d ago5:16

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TODAY’S LESSON Let’s not sugarcoat it: we are living in one of the most divided times in history. Politics, culture, even petty differences rip people apart. Sadly, the Church isn’t immune. Denominations split. Friendships collapse. Whole communities fracture. And every time we let division win, the enemy laughs. But Jesus prayed something radical …

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31: From STAFF DRIVEN to LEADER MULTIPLYING | Have we gone too far? | Tapping the Untapped | 10 Recruitment Barriers 56:01

15d ago56:01

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By Derek Standford

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25-280 Serving with Your Gifts 5:08

15d ago5:08

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By Matthew T. Adams and Michelle Adams

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Trying vs. Training: John Ortberg on True Transformation 41:05

15d ago41:05

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By Steve Sonderman

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25-279 Finding Your Place in the Body 5:00

16d ago5:00

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TODAY’S LESSON Let me tell you something bold: the Church is not a building you go to. It’s not Sunday service, a worship playlist, or a pulpit. The Church is a living, breathing organism—the Body of Christ. And here’s the kicker: if you belong to Jesus, you’re part of it. Paul doesn’t leave room for debate. He says, “You are the body of Christ and…

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25-278 A Love Letter from God: My Son, You Are Mine 3:53

17d ago3:53

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“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” — Isaiah 43:1 (ESV) My son, listen closely—I want you to hear this truth above every other voice: you are Mine. You are not defined by your failures. You are not chained to your past. You are not measured by your weaknesses. You belong to Me. I bought you with a price, re…

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25-277 Standing Firm in Trials 5:00

18d ago5:00

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Every man faces trials. Some are financial. Some are physical. Some are deeply spiritual. And while our first instinct is often to pray them away, God often uses trials to forge strength in us that comfort never could. Trials reveal what’s inside of us. They expose our weaknesses, but they also showcase God’s faithfulness. Today we’re talking about…

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25-276 Strength Through Prayer 4:43

19d ago4:43

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The world tells men to find strength in hard work, grit, or sheer determination. And while those qualities have their place, they can only take you so far. True strength—the kind that sustains you in battle, carries you through trials, and fuels you to lead your family—doesn’t come from within. It comes from prayer. A man of God is only as strong a…

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25-275 Men After God’s Heart 4:53

20d ago4:53

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When we think about King David, most of us remember two things: he killed Goliath, and he sinned with Bathsheba. His life was marked by both great victories and great failures. And yet, Scripture calls him “a man after God’s own heart.” That title wasn’t given because he was flawless—it was given because, despite his flaws, his heart’s deepest purs…

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Igniting Evangelism, Modeling the Call, and Cultivating a Missional Culture 48:57

21d ago48:57

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Phil Johnson shares how to create a youth ministry culture centered on missional living by modeling authentic evangelism and celebrating students who live out the Great Commission in their daily lives. • Discipleship and evangelism should be integrated, not treated as separate ministry focuses • Creating a missional culture starts with what we cele…

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25-274 Leading Through Service 4:38

21d ago4:38

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The world tells men that leadership is about being in charge, having authority, and getting others to serve you. But Jesus flipped that script upside down. He showed us that true leadership isn’t about being the loudest voice or the one with the most power—it’s about being the first to serve. A godly man doesn’t climb the ladder to stand above othe…

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319. Discipleship and Deconstruction: How Leaders Can Respond with Grace and Truth with Courtney Reissig 36:17

21d ago36:17

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Discipleship often requires walking with people through both clarity and confusion, moments of deep faith and seasons of doubt. Brian Daniel and Haley Malone sit down with author Courtney Reissig to explore the essential role of discipleship in the local church. Together, they discuss the growing need for biblical literacy, the tension between theo…

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30: From COMPLEXITY to CLARITY | Must see TV| It’s Christmas time in the city | Livin on a prayer 1:00:15

22d ago1:00:15

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By Derek Standford

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25-273 Raising Godly Sons 4:37

22d ago4:37

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Raising sons isn’t just about teaching them how to throw a ball, change a tire, or land a job. Those things matter, but they’re not eternal. What matters most is passing down faith. Sons don’t just inherit your last name—they inherit your example. They’re watching how you treat their mother, how you handle stress, how you walk with God when life ge…

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25-272 Brotherhood and Accountability 4:21

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One of the greatest lies the enemy whispers to men is, “You’re better off alone.” He wants you isolated, convinced you don’t need anyone, and ashamed of your struggles. But Scripture tells us something different: we are stronger together. God designed brotherhood and accountability as weapons against sin, weakness, and discouragement. Real men don’…

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25-271 A Love Letter from God: Son, I See Your Labor 4:16

24d ago4:16

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“For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.” — Hebrews 6:10 (ESV) My Child, I see you. I see the hours you pour into your work. I see the effort you give when no one else thanks you. I see the way you fight for your family, even when you feel like you’re ru…

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25-270 Faithfulness in Work 4:45

25d ago4:45

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For many men, work feels like a grind—a paycheck, a necessity, or a burden. But in God’s kingdom, work is never wasted. From the garden of Eden, God gave Adam the responsibility to cultivate and keep it. Work has always been part of man’s calling, not a curse. Faithfulness in work isn’t about climbing the corporate ladder—it’s about honoring God in…

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25-269 Rejecting Passivity 4:52

26d ago4:52

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From the very beginning, passivity has been man’s greatest temptation. Adam’s first failure in the garden wasn’t eating the fruit—it was standing silent while the serpent deceived his wife. And that same temptation still stalks men today. It whispers, “Stay quiet. Don’t rock the boat. Don’t get involved.” But passivity leaves gaps the enemy loves t…

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25-268 Purity and Integrity 5:00

27d ago5:00

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Everywhere you turn, the world tries to sell men on shortcuts, secrets, and compromises. Purity and integrity aren’t celebrated much anymore—yet they’re the very foundation of a godly man’s strength. What you choose in private shapes who you are in public. The hidden battles you fight—what you watch, what you think about, what you dwell on—will eve…

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25-267 Spiritual Leadership at Home 4:39

28d ago4:39

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Every man is a leader somewhere—but the most important place you’ll ever lead is under your own roof. Too many men pour themselves out for work, hobbies, or even ministry, but neglect the sacred responsibility of leading their families spiritually. Leadership at home isn’t about being a dictator—it’s about being a shepherd. It’s not about ruling wi…

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29:From SUNDAY to EVERYDAY | the most accurate personality test of all, becoming Influencers, and empowering team members with a 1:3:1 Tool 1:04:27

29d ago1:04:27

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By Derek Stanford

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25-266 Courage Under Pressure 5:00

29d ago5:00

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Courage isn’t about never feeling fear—it’s about choosing faith in the middle of it. Every man faces moments where the pressure is overwhelming—whether in our family, our work, or our walk with Christ. The easy road is to shrink back, to freeze, or to compromise. But courage, the kind God whispers into the heart of His sons, isn’t natural—it’s sup…

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25-265 What Defines a Godly Man 5:06

1M ago5:06

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The world shouts a thousand different definitions of manhood. Some say it’s about how much money you make. Others say it’s about how strong you are, how tough you act, or how many people you can control. But if you strip away the noise, what’s left? God’s whisper tells a very different story. True manhood isn’t measured by outward success—it’s reve…

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25-264 A Love Letter from God: I Hear Your Whisper 4:00

1M ago4:00

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“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” — Psalm 46:10 (ESV) My Beloved Child, You don’t have to shout to reach Me. I hear even the faintest whisper of your heart. Before the words form on your tongue, I already know them. Before the tears touch your cheeks, I have felt the ache in you…

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25-263 Overcoming Dry Prayer Seasons 4:45

1M ago4:45

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Let’s be honest—there are seasons when prayer feels like talking to the ceiling. The words feel hollow, the passion isn’t there, and your heart wonders if God is even listening. Every believer walks through dry seasons in prayer. But here’s the truth: dryness doesn’t mean distance. Silence doesn’t mean absence. God is closer than you feel, and thos…

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25-262 Praying for Others Effectively 5:07

1M ago5:07

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When we bow our heads, it’s natural for our prayers to center on us—our needs, our pain, our struggles. But one of the clearest signs of spiritual maturity is when prayer shifts outward. When you choose to step into the fight for someone else. That’s intercession. It’s when you stand in the gap, not for your benefit, but because someone else desper…

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25-261 Persevering in Prayer 5:01

1M ago5:01

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We’ve all had those moments—when we’ve prayed over and over again, and heaven seems silent. No response. No shift. Just the quiet, and the temptation to give up. But discipleship isn’t just marked by what we pray—it’s marked by how long we keep praying. Real intimacy is formed in the waiting. Our springboard for today’s discussion is:“Rejoice in ho…

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Mobilizing Missional Leaders, Volunteer Recruitment Strategies, and Building Pipelines That Multiply 51:15

1M ago51:15

51:15

Joseph Kellogg shares his strategic approach to leadership development in youth ministry, focusing on how to mobilize leaders for a missional youth movement. His four-year strategy prioritizes multiplication at every level, creating systems that transform followers into commissioned leaders who can effectively reach Gen Z and Gen Alpha. • Joseph ha…