Learn more and download group guides at https://lumivoz.com/making-time/

For questions, comments, or sharing your tips on how to make more time, reach out to makingtime@lumivoz.com

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Introducing a new series: Making Time!

DIGITAL GROUP GUIDE

How are you at making time? Do you feel like you have enough time in the day? Do you know if you have enough time in the day? Is there a difference between how you feel about time and what you think about your time?

This is the first of a 6 part series on Making Time. Everyone has the same number of hours in the day so why do some people seem to get so much more done? Why do some other people seem so rushed and others seem so casual?

While this series can be listened to on your end, you’ll get more out of it if you listen to it together with someone else, your spouse, family, small group, book/podcast club or whatever. If you want to make it more fun and interactive with your group, download the GROUP Method discussion guide here: https://lumivoz.com/making-time/

And we are giving away 50 free GROUP Method  Notebooks. Each notebook has premium BLACK paper and comes with a white pen. To get a free notebook, you can do 1 of the following:

1. Leave a review for Making Time on your podcast app of choice.
2. Share the Making Time podcast on social media.

Take a screenshot of either one and email it to makingtime@lumivoz.com

This podcast is just launching and still very small so if you enter, you are probably going to win! But here’s the catch, only 1 notebook and pen per email entry. If you want one for each member of your group, they each have to enter. Sorry, we can only afford to ship to the US and Canada at this time but will hopefully have some more international options soon, especially if y’all share this podcast and it gets popular enough ;)

Music in this episode comes from
Artlist.com and Musicbed.com
- Good Time by Ben Fox
- The Sin by Francesco D’Andrea
- Theater Magnus by Marco Martini
- String Arpeggios
- The Great Wild by Out of Flux
- The Sky Within by Romeo
- I Owe It To You
- Premiere by Adrian Berenguer
- Lily’s Bounce

Edited using Descript

And for more great podcasts check out https://lumivoz.com

Learn more and download group guides at https://lumivoz.com/making-time/

For questions, comments, or sharing your tips on how to make more time, reach out to makingtime@lumivoz.com

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Check out the Simple Faith podcast with Rusty George, the lead pastor at Crossroads Christian Church. Rusty and the Simple Faith podcast are doing a brand new limited experience in the month of June called, "Friend of God"

This is a sneak peek at the first of the 40 episode series, for the full series, look for "Simple Faith With Rusty George" on your favorite podcast app or by clicking here: http://www.pastorrustygeorge.com

This first episode: Ever thought about what it means to be "the one Jesus loves"? In today's devotional, we're kicking off our series with a deep dive into this incredible concept. John faced unimaginable trials, yet he defined himself by Jesus' love. Join me as we explore how viewing ourselves as loved by Jesus can reshape our identity and transform our daily lives.

About Rusty: Rusty George is the Lead Pastor at Crossroads Christian Church in Grand Prairie. Under his dedicated leadership, Crossroads Christian Church aspires to flourish as a vibrant community committed to guiding individuals in their journey to discover and follow the path of Jesus.

Beyond leading Crossroads Church, Rusty is a global speaker, leader and teacher focusing on making real life simple. Rusty has also written several books and can be heard weekly on his podcast, Leading Simple with Rusty George.

Aside from being a loyal Chiefs, Royals, and Lakers fan, Rusty is first and foremost committed to his family. Rusty has been married to his wife, Lorrie, for over twenty-five years, and they have two daughters, Lindsey and Sidney. As a family, they enjoy walking the dogs, playing board games together, and watching HGTV while Rusty watches ESPN on his iPad.

Learn more and download group guides at https://lumivoz.com/making-time/

For questions, comments, or sharing your tips on how to make more time, reach out to makingtime@lumivoz.com

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Bill Search goes into the basics on small group ministry and leading groups, churches, and more from a personal and biblical perspective. This is a commonsense reminder episode on what it takes to connect in a meaningful way with your people. 

Learn more and download group guides at https://lumivoz.com/making-time/

For questions, comments, or sharing your tips on how to make more time, reach out to makingtime@lumivoz.com

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We revisit this podcast that was published in April of 2022. This was one of Bill's favorite episodes.

Join Bill Search as he digs into Leadership Lessons with John Ortberg. They cover a lot of ground including:
- John Ortberg's legacy
- The difference between being a mentor and a mentee
- Advice that John has received from some of the best leaders of our generation

Check it out and don't forget to subscribe and leave a review!

Learn more and download group guides at https://lumivoz.com/making-time/

For questions, comments, or sharing your tips on how to make more time, reach out to makingtime@lumivoz.com

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For more information on Ruth Haley Barton check out her website at https://www.ruthhaleybarton.com/ and learn more about the Transforming Center at https://transformingcenter.org/

Embracing Rhythms of Work and Rest: From Sabbath to Sabbatical and Back Again

Early Release from IV Press: https://www.ivpress.com/embracing-rhythms-of-work-and-rest
Amazon (Oct 11): https://www.amazon.com/Embracing-Rhythms-Work-Rest-Sabbatical/dp/1514002639

This episode really just took a surface level look at Sabbath and barely even introduced the topic of sabbatical. If you want to go deeper, check out Ruth Haley Barton's book, Embracing Rhythms of Work and Rest by winning a copy from us or by purchasing an early release copy directly from Intervarsity Press. Or you can wait for the regular release in October and buy it from Amazon.

We will be giving out a pair of the books and their are two different ways to enter. We will choose the winners via a random drawing on September 7th. The first method of entering is to leave a review for this podcast on your podcast player of choice. It doesn't even have to be a good review, it can be any review. Just take a screenshot of your review and send it to me at info@lumivoz.com

The second method is to find lumivoz on Facebook and leave a comment on the contest post with your favorite or best sabbath tip. 

You can enter both ways and as many times as you link in order to win. Good luck! I can't wait to talk with you on the next 5th Wednesday!

Learn more and download group guides at https://lumivoz.com/making-time/

For questions, comments, or sharing your tips on how to make more time, reach out to makingtime@lumivoz.com

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Join Bill Search as he digs into Leadership Lessons with John Ortberg. They cover a lot of ground including:
- John Ortberg's legacy
- The difference between being a mentor and a mentee
- Advice that John has received from some of the best leaders of our generation

Check it out and don't forget to subscribe and leave a review!

Learn more and download group guides at https://lumivoz.com/making-time/

For questions, comments, or sharing your tips on how to make more time, reach out to makingtime@lumivoz.com

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Show Notes:
The Art of Gathering: How we meet and why it matters by Priya Parker 

The Essential Guide for Small Group Leaders by Bill Search
Why does a group get tired? 

•Leader begins to coast
•Meeting becomes routine
•Relationships hit a plateau
•Purpose is lost
#1 Leader Coasting 

Am I practicing “Generous Authority”? 

– [Priya Parker] 

“’Chill’ is selfishness disguised as kindness.” 

- Priya Parker 

Generous Authority Serves others by: 

1.Protecting group members 
2.Equalizing group members 
3.Inter-Connecting group members 

We practice Generous Authority by:
1.Practicing good MANNERS in the group
 2.Reminding all of the “RULES” 
3.Encourage “Sprout” Speeches not “Stump” Speeches 

Now What?
1. Re-affirm Covenant 

2. Have tough conversations
3. Re-up as the leader or get out 
4. Share Leadership 

#2 Meeting Routine 

“The room is doing 80% of the job” – Jerry Seinfeld 

Venue Matters 

1.The space should be a symbol of reason for meeting 

2.The space should bring out desired behaviors and discourage those you don’t 

3.Consider density 

Format Matters 

1.Mix it up
2.Curtail the dull parts 
3.Try different curriculum 

Now What? 
1. Rotate Hosting 

2. Share testimony
3. Serve together
4. Choose an unlikely meeting place 

#3 Relationships Plateaued 

Why does this happen? 

1.We stop being curious about others 
2.We decide how far we will go relationally
3.Potential conflict zones are avoided 
4.We don’t feel safe 

What can you do about it? 

1.Don’t avoid the awkward – embrace it 

2.Utilize GOOD ice-breakers 
3.Encourage people to share what no one in the group would guess/ know about them
4.Talk about the forbidden subjects of politics, sex, and religion 
5.Don’t stop conflict but guide it 
6.Navigate underlying conflicts 

Now What? 
1. Split by gender 

2. Subgroup for prayer
3. Retreat
4. Day trip, local restaurants, or local tourism 

#4 Lost Purpose 

“A good gathering purpose should be ‘disputable’”
 – The Art of Gathering by Parker 

Start by asking “WHY are we meeting?” 

1.First, ask the church leadership 
2.Reverse engineer current meeting 

and compare to stated goal 
3.Who is this for? 

Second ask “Why are WE meeting?” 

1.Is our goal the same as the leadership’s goal? 

2.Do we have a different goal? 

Third, re-state and re-affirm your purpose 

1.Discuss the purpose as a group 
2.Arrive at consensus
3.Everyone has to re-up 

That didn’t work. Now what? 

How to End Your Group 

(Page 87, Essential Guide for Small Group Leaders) 
1.Understand all groups come to a natural end 
2.Get input from group members
3.Ask everyone to make a personal plan 
4.Plan a final meeting and put it on the calendar
5.End the group in a prayer circle
6.Don’t forget to tell your pastor or small group coach that your group has ended 

Recommended Resources: 

Dare to Lead by Brene Brown
The Art of Gathering By Parker
Essential Guide for Small Group Leaders by Search Questions? 

Learn more and download group guides at https://lumivoz.com/making-time/

For questions, comments, or sharing your tips on how to make more time, reach out to makingtime@lumivoz.com

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Show Notes:
The Art of Gathering: How we meet and why it matters by Priya Parker 

The Essential Guide for Small Group Leaders by Bill Search
Why does a group get tired? 

•Leader begins to coast
•Meeting becomes routine
•Relationships hit a plateau
•Purpose is lost
#1 Leader Coasting 

Am I practicing “Generous Authority”? 

– [Priya Parker] 

“’Chill’ is selfishness disguised as kindness.” 

- Priya Parker 

Generous Authority Serves others by: 

1.Protecting group members 
2.Equalizing group members 
3.Inter-Connecting group members 

We practice Generous Authority by:
1.Practicing good MANNERS in the group
 2.Reminding all of the “RULES” 
3.Encourage “Sprout” Speeches not “Stump” Speeches 

Now What?
1. Re-affirm Covenant 

2. Have tough conversations
3. Re-up as the leader or get out 
4. Share Leadership 

#2 Meeting Routine 

“The room is doing 80% of the job” – Jerry Seinfeld 

Venue Matters 

1.The space should be a symbol of reason for meeting 

2.The space should bring out desired behaviors and discourage those you don’t 

3.Consider density 

Format Matters 

1.Mix it up
2.Curtail the dull parts 
3.Try different curriculum 

Now What? 
1. Rotate Hosting 

2. Share testimony
3. Serve together
4. Choose an unlikely meeting place 

#3 Relationships Plateaued 

Why does this happen? 

1.We stop being curious about others 
2.We decide how far we will go relationally
3.Potential conflict zones are avoided 
4.We don’t feel safe 

What can you do about it? 

1.Don’t avoid the awkward – embrace it 

2.Utilize GOOD ice-breakers 
3.Encourage people to share what no one in the group would guess/ know about them
4.Talk about the forbidden subjects of politics, sex, and religion 
5.Don’t stop conflict but guide it 
6.Navigate underlying conflicts 

Now What? 
1. Split by gender 

2. Subgroup for prayer
3. Retreat
4. Day trip, local restaurants, or local tourism 

#4 Lost Purpose 

“A good gathering purpose should be ‘disputable’”
 – The Art of Gathering by Parker 

Start by asking “WHY are we meeting?” 

1.First, ask the church leadership 
2.Reverse engineer current meeting 

and compare to stated goal 
3.Who is this for? 

Second ask “Why are WE meeting?” 

1.Is our goal the same as the leadership’s goal? 

2.Do we have a different goal? 

Third, re-state and re-affirm your purpose 

1.Discuss the purpose as a group 
2.Arrive at consensus
3.Everyone has to re-up 

That didn’t work. Now what? 

How to End Your Group 

(Page 87, Essential Guide for Small Group Leaders) 
1.Understand all groups come to a natural end 
2.Get input from group members
3.Ask everyone to make a personal plan 
4.Plan a final meeting and put it on the calendar
5.End the group in a prayer circle
6.Don’t forget to tell your pastor or small group coach that your group has ended 

Recommended Resources: 

Dare to Lead by Brene Brown
The Art of Gathering By Parker
Essential Guide for Small Group Leaders by Search Questions? 

Learn more and download group guides at https://lumivoz.com/making-time/

For questions, comments, or sharing your tips on how to make more time, reach out to makingtime@lumivoz.com

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bill Search goes into the basics on small group ministry and leading groups, churches, and more from a personal and biblical perspective. This is a commonsense reminder episode on what it takes to connect in a meaningful way with your people.