June 30, 2026
Think Discipleship
A reflection on Real Life Ministries, small groups, and how intentional leaders, relational environments, and reproducible processes can move people from spectators to mature disciple-makers.
Articles for tag: small groups
November 5, 2010
Smaller Groups, More Disciples
Michael Mack explains why small group leaders burn out when they try to disciple too many people and points to Jesus’ focused investment in three disciples as a healthier model.
November 5, 2010
Marks of a Successful Discipler
Rick Lowry offers a concise checklist for small group leaders, emphasizing personal spiritual growth, prayerful care for members, intentional discipleship, and purposeful meeting planning.
November 3, 2010
Small Groups . . . Foundation for a Healthy Church
Dick Alexander explains why small groups are essential to biblical church life, offering the community, pastoral care, accountability, and “one another” relationships large worship gatherings cannot provide.
September 20, 2010
Interview with Jay Akin
Jay Akin describes how Elberton Christian Church embraced slow, intentional change, small groups, and community service to connect people to Jesus and one another in rural Georgia.
February 28, 2010
Leadership Coaching in the Local Church (Developing Leaders of Leaders)
Janet McMahon reflects on how volunteer coaching, shared responsibility, and intentional leadership structures can release leaders and help local churches care for people more effectively.
October 14, 2009
No Laughing Matter
Mark A. Taylor reflects on Jay Leno’s disciplined preparation and asks what might change if Christian servants brought similar passion to teaching, preaching, evangelism, and discipleship.
May 20, 2009
Interview with Tony Jeary
Tony Jeary explains how Christians can communicate more effectively through preparation, audience awareness, teamwork, and confidence in everyday presentations.
More Than One Way to Use a Magazine
Mark A. Taylor shares how churches can use CHRISTIAN STANDARD with leaders, elders, and small groups, then previews the upcoming annual megachurch issue.
February 22, 2009
Spiritual Growth at Manchester Christian Church
Josh Peigh describes how intentional discipleship at Manchester Christian Church helps people pursue spiritual growth through worship, small groups, planning, mentoring, and recovery support.
January 4, 2009
Small Groups that Give and Live Graciously
Brian Mavis shares how LifeBridge Christian Church gave small groups half their tithes to invest in ministry, helping members serve needs, grow in generosity, and strengthen community.
December 7, 2008
Stop Baptizing!
Dave Ferguson challenges church leaders to stop doing all the baptizing and let disciples, family members, and spiritual mentors share in the joy and responsibility of baptism.
August 31, 2008
Everyone Connected: Relational Strategies to Get Your Whole Church Involved
Michael C. Mack offers seven relational strategies for helping people connect in small groups, urging church leaders to equip God’s people and restore a New Testament understanding of church.
July 20, 2008
More Than the ABC’s
Mountain Christian Church keeps disciple making at the center of its mission, measuring growth by spiritual transformation rather than attendance alone.
July 20, 2008
Intentional Events
Southland Christian Church’s discipleship approach emphasizes fewer events, deeper relationships, home-based formation, and small groups shaped by shared life, spiritual growth, and service.
July 20, 2008
ONLINE EXTRA: Making Disciples-An Interview with Ethan Magness
Ethan Magness of Mountain Christian Church discusses how churches can resist pandering, pursue deepening faith, and use both large events and small groups to make disciples.
June 8, 2008
Good to Great Groups
Michael C. Mack explains how small groups can move from good to great through transformed leaders, devoted teams, and a God-Sized Plan that pushes them toward mission.
June 8, 2008
Great Small Groups Need Shepherds
Michael C. Mack explains why great small group leaders must be more than facilitators or hosts. They are shepherds who follow Jesus’ model of spiritual guidance and care.
June 8, 2008
Light on Our Path
Diane Stortz shares how reading through the Bible in a small group helped participants know God, gain wisdom, build community, and experience spiritual transformation together.
June 4, 2008
Four Standards for Small Groups
Mark A. Taylor identifies four standards for thriving small groups: begin with the Bible, adopt a strategy, train leaders, and expect community to grow organically.
