Simple Steps

Using Different Kinds of Studies

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 20:00:00 +0000

There's different ways to approach our time in the word during Growth Groups, each has strengths and limits. Matt asks Phil about a range of ways to open the word with people to make the most of the strengths for different passages.

How to help your group connect really well

Fri, 17 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

As we introduce new members to our groups and aim to connect more deeply as a group Matt asks Phil to share a simple strategy he has used to help his group form strong bonds.

Reading Old Testament Narrative

Sun, 10 Aug 2025 20:00:00 +0000

Of all the parts of the Bible that are hard to understand and apply to us today, Old Testament historical narratives can feel the most challenging. Ben and Phil chat about what to do with these precious and impactful parts of God's word.

Making the Most of Prayer Time

Tue, 05 Nov 2024 12:10:00 +0000

Cultivating a culture of honest, God-centred prayer

Growing in Godliness

Tue, 23 Jul 2024 01:00:00 +0000

Following on from our discussion at leaders launch, Ben and Ben chat further on how we can grow as leaders in our godliness and lead others in that.

Growing in Self Awareness - Part 2

Fri, 12 Apr 2024 18:30:00 +0000

Kareena and Ben continue the conversation about self awareness: how we can serve people better when we understand how they impact us.

Leading from the Second Chair

Fri, 23 Feb 2024 14:30:00 +0000

How do we serve the group when we're not the one leading? As leaders we can often find ourselves participating in a study that's being led by someone else - either because we're the assistant leader, a leader in training, or because we're training someone else. Ben chats with Tamara and Greg about some traps to avoid in this context and how we can best support the leader and encourage the group "from the second chair".

Keeping up Personal Devotions - Hacks for Different Seasons

Mon, 29 Jan 2024 21:00:00 +0000

As leaders, we want to see our brothers and sisters growing in Christ. But in the midst of the daily grind it's easy to neglect one of the most powerful means at our disposal, and one of the most important factors for our own spiritual health: spending regular private time with God in the word and prayer. Ben chats with Phil, Katie and Formo about some of the different seasons of life they've experienced: what the challenges and threats were to personal devotions, and what were some of the hacks that helped them make the most of these spiritual disciplines in each season.

The 20 Day Mission Challenge

Wed, 06 Dec 2023 12:00:00 +0000

How do we take simple, achievable steps as leaders who are active in mission? Summer mission season is coming up with heaps of great opportunities to be sharing Jesus with people on the coast. But it often feels overwhelming and scary to take the opportunities. Adrian and Ben chat about how we can make the most of this season to grow in our confidence and clarity about what it looks like to be on mission - and do it - one week at a time! (or perhaps 20 days?)

Growing in Self Awareness - Part 1

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 17:15:00 +0000

Ben and Kareena chat about how understanding ourselves better, can help us lead, serve and care for others.

Thinking Through Salvation

Fri, 15 Sep 2023 15:00:00 +0000

Next term at EV we'll be digging into the doctrine of salvation. In this episode Ben and Ben chat through the different angles we'll be considering this topic from as the weeks unfold. We'll see that there's a particular order to these aspects of salvation, and that they're bound together by our Union with Christ.

Disagreeing Well

Tue, 11 Jul 2023 21:00:00 +0000

There are things we disagree about as Christians - not least in the opening chapters of Genesis which we'll be looking at this term. Ben and Kareena share some thoughts about how we approach this in our groups in a way that's constructive.

Investing in others to make leaders

Wed, 16 Nov 2022 15:00:00 +0000

How do you develop a leader-in-training? How do you help them to grow as a leader? Kareena reflects with Dan on things that have been helpful in her experience.

Budding Groups and Sending People

Fri, 14 Oct 2022 08:00:00 +0000

When is the right time to bud your growth group into two groups? How do you decide who to send and who stays? Ben and Todd chat budding and sending.

God, Evil and the Book of Job

Thu, 04 Aug 2022 07:00:00 +0000

The book of Job has thrown up all sorts of questions for us, and given voice to pain many in our groups have experienced. Ben and Andrew discuss the issue of evil, and what to make of God in the midst of it all.

How to use the online study

Tue, 24 May 2022 13:00:00 +0000

Ben and Cathie continue to discuss how to prepare well for the GG study - this time talking about the different ways to interact with the written online study.

How to train yourself to read the Bible

Wed, 11 May 2022 09:00:00 +0000

Cathie and Ben discuss how to train yourself to read the Bible better, and the benefits that inevitably flow - both for you and your group.

What matters most.

Wed, 06 Apr 2022 10:00:00 +0000

If you are going to focus on getting one thing right, what should it be? Cathie and Ben talk about 'what matters most' in leading your study.

Sharing and Praying Deeply in group

Mon, 21 Mar 2022 07:00:00 +0000

How do you get your group both sharing and praying deeply? Andrew Hayes and Daniel Heard talk through one helpful and effective model for helping people to pray.

Creed: God is Three and One

Mon, 14 Mar 2022 12:00:00 +0000

Our minds matter. What we believe about God matters. So, every now and then we want to dig into some theology. Today, Ben and Dan talk the Trinity.

Working as a team

Mon, 07 Mar 2022 09:00:00 +0000

How do you get others in your group sharing the work together with you? Grahame and Dan talk the practicalities of working together as a team.

How to get people talking

Sat, 19 Feb 2022 13:00:00 +0000

Ever ask your group a question and all you get is awkward silence? Cathie Heard and Ben Broadfoot chat about getting everyone talking.

Thinking of ourselves as a team

Mon, 07 Feb 2022 10:00:00 +0000

Some things in life can have a huge positive impact, but they just aren't that obvious... Here's one of them!

Good Grow Go

Sun, 30 Jan 2022 19:00:00 +0000

A new *catchy* tool for Growth Group leaders.

Week 1

Thu, 20 Jan 2022 12:00:00 +0000

It's a new year! Week one of Growth Groups for 2022 is about to begin. What's going to help you begin your group on a really great note? In this episode Grahame, Dan, Nic and Leanne talk about setting expectations, doing community well from the get-go, and setting up the physical environment.