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.

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.

Cultivating a culture of honest, God-centred prayer

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.

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

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".

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.

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?)

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.