The God's Design series is a 6 week series for small groups, families, and churches. Each season explores what the Bible has to say about God's design for you individually and as a community. This popular series goes through: 1. God's Design For Your Life 2. God's Design For Great Relationships 3. God's Design For Growing Spiritually 4. God's Design For Greatness 5. God's Design For Changing The World 6. God's Design For Authentic Worship Each episode includes free access to study guides and ...
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Best Small Group Curriculum Podcasts

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Ecclesiastes: Finding Meaning in a World of Passing Pursuits - With Barnabas Piper - A Lifeway Study
Barnabas Piper | Lifeway Bible Studies | Lumivoz
Barnabas Piper is an assistant pastor at Immanuel Church in Nashville and is the author or coauthor of several books and small group studies, including The Pastor’s Kid, Help My Unbelief, and Hoping for Happiness. Prior to being called into ministry Barnabas worked in Christian publishing for almost 15 years. He co-hosts the Curious Curmudgeons podcast, writes regularly for He Reads Truth, and has contributed to numerous other websites and publications. Piper speaks regularly at churches, ca ...
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How do you build groups? Are you building or maintaining your small groups ministry? We seek to start, spark, and spur on thought trails you otherwise wouldn't have to get you asking questions you normally wouldn't because you get to hear to some of the best church leaders in Groups ministry across the country. Tune in to learn and explore areas of Groups ministry you've never considered before or need reminders.
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Romans Chapter 8: Climbing to a Place of Confident Faith Take a journey together with your small group to greater faith! If you’ve ever had feelings like, “I’m not good enough,” “I’m never going to change,” or “Life is too hard,” Romans eight is the chapter for you! Pastor Tom Holladay taught this video series beginning at the bottom and moving to the top of Saddleback Mountain through each of the four sessions to help us see clearly the journey from doubt to faith—from discouragement to hop ...
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Exploring the Heart of the Parables Stories Jesus Told is a six week mini-series with teaching from author Daniel Fusco. Everyone loves a good story. Whether it’s a novel, film, or song, we are products of the narratives that have formed us—for good or bad. If you need fresh inspiration or are stuck living under the weight of a story you can’t shake off, consider this study of the parables of Jesus. Through six sessions, you’ll hear directly from Jesus through the Word. His parables not only ...
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Your online home for leadership lessons for both the church and the workplace.
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The Men in the Arena podcast equips Christian men in the stress bubble of life: married, with kids, building your career and trying to follow God while leading your family well. We'll help you become your best version, equipping you to honor God in your marriage, parenting, work, church and community! Tuesday's podcast is Equipping Men in Ten - a ten-minute, laser-focused teaching from Jim Ramos to help you become your best version of a man. Friday's podcast is a high-octane interview with a ...
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An agency of The United Methodist Church, Discipleship Ministries helps local church, district, and conference leaders fulfill the shared dream of making world-changing disciples. The agency connects leaders with needed resourcing, training, consulting, and networking that support spiritual formation, new church development, revitalization of local churches, and materials for use in Central Conferences. Discipleship Ministries has embarked upon an integrated, strategic direction that serves ...
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Seven Occasions When You Should Not Hire More Church Staff
24:53
24:53
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24:53Hiring staff can strengthen a church—but not always. In this episode, Thom and Sam discuss seven times when adding staff is a mistake, from removing ministry opportunities from the laity to financial missteps and agenda-driven hires. Learn how to make wise, mission-focused staffing decisions for your church’s health. When it takes ministry away fro…
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REBOOT: Calm Parenting: Discipline Without Anger w/ Kirk Martin EP 875
1:05:16
1:05:16
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1:05:16This is a reboot of a past episode #614 of the Men in the Arena Podcast. Dad, are you tired of yelling at your kids? Does your child seem to push all your buttons? Do you struggle with how to respond to rebellious or disobedient kids in a way that is loving but also holds the line? In this week's episode, Kirk Martin, host of the Calm Parenting pod…
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A pastor’s salary is determined by several factors, including church size and budget, geographic location, cost of living, education, experience, and responsibilities. While there is no universal answer, Josh and Sam discuss general guidelines and what pastors should expect from their churches. Remember, everything is negotiable on the front end. D…
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Mid-Week Truth Every Christian Needs to Hear - Podcast Highlight: Mark Batterson EP 874
5:15
5:15
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5:15This is a Men in the Arena podcast highlight from EP 784, Hidden Miracles You're Missing Every Single Day: Regaining Your Holy Curiosity w/ Mark Batterson Check it out! This episode is sponsored by MTNTOUGH Fitness Lab, a Christian-owned fitness app. Get 6 weeks free with the code ARENA30 at MTNTOUGH.com. Every man needs a locker room. Join a broth…
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Escape the Marriage Death Spiral: The Choice that has Saved Marriages Since Adam and Eve – Equipping Men in Ten EP 873
10:15
10:15
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10:15Are you stuck in a marriage that feels like a battleground? Tired of the nagging, the silence, the tension that never seems to end? In this week’s 10-minute equipping episode, Pastor Jim Ramos unpacks the “Crazy Cycle” that’s sabotaging your marriage—and what it really means to be Jesus in the fight. Discover why your wife nags, why you shut down, …
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The Burge Report: Are Religious People More Prone to Conspiracy Theories?
32:14
32:14
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32:14Both prophets and conspiracy theorists cater to the human desire to make sense of chaos. This connection sparks compelling questions: Do religious belief and conspiracy thinking go hand in hand, as both involve leaps of imagination? Or does a strong religious framework offer enough structure, reducing the need for conspiracy theories? Ryan Burge jo…
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Reboot: Becoming the Man the World Needs w/ Brant Hansen EP 872
1:09:13
1:09:13
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1:09:13This is a reboot of a past episode #639 of the Men in the Arena Podcast. The world needs real men, real bad. And there are all sorts of conflicting ideas and messages about what a "real man" is (and is not). This week, radio host and author Brant Hansen joins Jim Ramos to discuss his book The Men We Need: God's Purpose for the Manly Man, the Avid I…
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The Future of America’s Largest Churches: An Interview with Eric Geiger
30:33
30:33
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30:33The future of America’s largest churches (specifically megachurches—2,000+ weekly attendees) is a complex mix of momentum, innovation, and cultural headwinds. Eric Geiger from Mariners Church joins Sam on the show to discuss the reality facing large churches. Will they keep growing? Some will, but many are plateauing or entering slow decline. What …
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Husband's Mistake That Keeps Wives Broken - Podcast Highlight: Heidi St. John EP 871
6:31
6:31
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6:31This is a Men in the Arena podcast highlight from EP 699, Loving Your Wife Through Brokenness (How My Husband Did It) w/ Heidi St. John Check it out! (https://tinyurl.com/Battle115) his episode is sponsored by MTNTOUGH Fitness Lab, a Christian-owned fitness app. Get 6 weeks free with the code ARENA30 at MTNTOUGH.com. Every man needs a locker room. …
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Ready to Lead Men? 7 Steps to Launch Your Men's Group – Equipping Men in Ten EP 870
11:19
11:19
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11:19Are you tired of waiting for someone else to lead the men in your church? Do you have what it takes to rally a brotherhood and charge into battle for their souls? In this week’s 10-minute equipping episode, Pastor Jim Ramos shares a 7-step battle plan to launch a men’s group that transforms lives. Whether you've failed before or you're starting fro…
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The Shifts in How Churches Choose Small Group Curriculum (What You Need to Know): An Interview with Michael Kelley
28:35
28:35
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28:35In this episode, Sam interviews Michael Kelley, Executive Director for the Rooted Network and a seasoned writer of church small group curriculum. As churches adapt to evolving discipleship needs, small group materials are also transforming. We’ll explore what’s driving these changes, how new approaches are resonating with different congregations, a…
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The Most Misunderstood Words in the Church: Mercy, Grace, Judgment & Wrath – Message at the MAG EP 869
26:20
26:20
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26:20Are you dishing out judgment when you should be offering mercy? Is your version of justice undermining God’s grace? In this week’s message, Pastor Jim Ramos delves into mercy, grace, judgment, and wrath. If you don’t understand these principles, you're fumbling the fundamentals of the Christian life. These aren't just theological buzzwords—they det…
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Many people are passionate about Bible translations and have strong opinions about which one is the best. Pastors are no exception. Josh and Sam discuss what translations they believe are best suited for preaching. Formal equivalence, dynamic equivalence, and optimal equivalence are helpful terms but ultimately just marketing language. Word-for-wor…
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Remove THIS Word From Your Marriage NOW - Podcast Highlight: Kim Kimberling EP 868
6:45
6:45
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6:45This is a Men in the Arena podcast highlight from EP 770, Love Through the Decades: How to Make It Long-Term in Marriage w/ Kim Kimberling. Check it out! This episode is sponsored by MTNTOUGH Fitness Lab, a Christian-owned fitness app. Get 6 weeks free with the code ARENA30 at MTNTOUGH.com. Every man needs a locker room. Join a brotherhood of like-…
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3 Powerful Questions Men Asked in The Locker Room EP 867
16:39
16:39
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16:39Today’s episode is a special peek behind the curtain of The Locker Room—our bi-monthly Zoom call where men tackle life’s toughest questions and connect directly with Jim Ramos on all things relating to Biblical masculinity. We dive into real struggles that Christian men face. Here are three powerful questions from some recent Locker Room sessions w…
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Four Kinds of Church Leaders Who Will Not Lead in Revitalization
25:23
25:23
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25:23In this episode, Thom and Sam explore four types of church leaders who are unlikely to lead effectively in revitalization: Fearful leaders who avoid risk. Leaders in denial who ignore decline. Comfortable leaders who resist change. Coasting leaders who have lost their drive. Each of these leadership postures hinders momentum, blocks vision, and sta…
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The ‘Serpent’ and ‘Dove’ Paradox: What Jesus Meant – Message at the MAG EP 866
33:09
33:09
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33:09Jesus calls us men to walk a powerful paradox—bold in truth, but gentle in spirit. In this week’s message, Pastor Jim Ramos breaks down what it looks like to be a tactical, discerning noticer of people without losing the humility and purity that makes the gospel irresistible. You’ve been sent out like sheep among wolves, not to be passive or polite…
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What Should I Do After Getting Fired from a Church?
23:39
23:39
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23:39One of the most challenging parts of ministry is the rejection of getting fired by a church. Josh and Sam discuss the immediate next steps pastors can take to begin the healing process. Was the action by the church warranted? If so, seek the spiritual and emotional help you need. If the action was not warranted (most cases are not), you should stil…
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The Hidden Battle Plan Written in Scripture - Podcast Highlight: Jeff Voth EP 865
3:39
3:39
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3:39This is a Men in the Arena podcast highlight from EP 686, Becoming a Serpent Crusher: How to Crush the Enemies of Your Best Version w/ Jeff Voth. Check it out! This episode is sponsored by MTNTOUGH Fitness Lab, a Christian-owned fitness app. Get 6 weeks free with the code ARENA30 at MTNTOUGH.com. Every man needs a locker room. Join a brotherhood of…
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Dad Bod to God Bod: 6 Rules + 7 Steps – Equipping Men in Ten EP 864
10:27
10:27
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10:27The “dad bod” is just another lie the world sold you. The Bible instructs us to treat our bodies as a living temple — but for many of us, it's a ticking time bomb. In this week’s 10-minute equipping episode, Pastor Jim Ramos discusses why the dad bod is not biblical, not healthy, and not sustainable if you want to lead well, live long, and finish s…
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Four Common Reasons Most Churches Aren’t Breakout Churches
25:21
25:21
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25:21What stops a church from having a breakout? Thom and Sam discuss four primary reasons they often see in their consultations and research. Lack of leadership development. Most pastors have little training or background in leadership. But they are expected to lead a church. Some may have extensive theological and biblical training, but they are weak …
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