Welcome, Small Group Leaders!
We believe that transformation happens best in small groups, and that's why your role as a small group leader is so important. We've designed this page to equip you to lead your group well. Take a moment to go through the information below, and feel free to contact us if you have questions!
3 Essentials of Small Group Leadership
Fill Up First
A group is only as healthy as its leader. This means your relationship with Christ needs to be a top priority in your life. Make time to spend in God’s word and in prayer, and pray for your small group members and your meeting time together.
Develop Relationships
Sometimes it can be difficult to find community. But God calls the body of Christ to be connected. The people who are or will be in your group are ready to connect. And we want you, as the leader, to help develop these relationships.
Multiply Leaders
We want to see every person in a small group, so they have the chance to grow more in their faith and experience community. By focusing on multiplying leaders within our groups, we can create room in our small groups for more people to join.
Featured Small Group Studies
The Book of Ephesians
Pastor and author J.D. Greear walks through the powerful words of Paul. In 9 sessions, J.D. digs into the text of Ephesians verse-by-verse and challenges believers to live out the gospel. If the people of your city, of your school, of your family are going to hear the gospel, it's going to be from your mouth. Encounter Ephesians, and get swept up into the story of Jesus.
The Armor of God
Women's Study
All day, every day, an invisible war rages around you — unseen, unheard, yet felt throughout every aspect of your life. A devoted, devilish enemy seeks to wreak havoc on everything that matters to you: your heart, your mind, your marriage, your children, your relationships, your resilience, your dreams, your destiny.
But his battle plan depends on catching you unaware and unarmed. If you're tired of being pushed around and caught with your guard down, this study is for you.
View More Studies In RightNow Media
RightNow Media is an online video library with more than 6,000 Bible-based resources from great leaders, teachers, and pastors—and it's free for you and your small group! Explore hundreds of great small group curriculum choices. If you have questions about which one to use, connect with your Pastor of Groups. They’ll be sure to help you out!
Meet the Pastors of Groups
The Pastors of Groups at your campus are your best resource for advice, prayer, and encouragement. No matter what kind of question you have (e.g., what to study next, how to handle a situation within the group, etc), they are there for you.
Leah Van Gorp
Anoka Campus
Dave Schussman
Blaine Campus
Adam Waldron
Blaine Campus
Brett Schmidt
Lino Lakes Campus
Kylie Erickson
Spring Lake Park Campus
Cory Gregory
Wayzata Campus
Mike Okonek
White Bear Lake Campus
Ken Vogel
Woodbury Campus
Nate Larson
Woodbury Campus
New Leaders Start Here
We are so excited to have you lead a group here at Eagle Brook! By now, you should have gone through our Closer Look and Lead Well classes, which are designed to introduce you to Eagle Brook’s vision culture and give you the necessary tools to lead a small group. If you've completed these two steps, you should be ready to start your group! As you prepare to launch your group, here are a few additional resources to consider.
New Leader Packet
At your Lead Well class, you should have received a new leader packet to help you get started in leading a group! This packet will assist you with some of the basics we want you to know right away.
Start Well
This is our 6-week starter curriculum, designed and written by Eagle Brook staff. It emphasizes getting your group to share their stories so that as your group starts, you’re truly developing relationships! This will set your group up for success as you continue. Contact your Pastor of Groups if you'd like more information on the curriculum.
Story Cards
Story Cards are designed to be the perfect ice breaker for your small group. They are comprised of about 60 random, fun pictures. Spread them out on a coffee table and then come up with a question to ask, such as What picture best represents your week? These cards are available for free from your Pastor of Groups, so contact them to pick up a packet!
Upcoming Trainings/Events
Engage: How the Bible’s Story Shapes My Story
Sept. 30 – Dec. 8
As a small group leader, you play such an important part in our church! We want to invest in you and equip you in your faith so that you feel prepared to engage with your small group members, friends, and family about the Bible more confidently.
Because of that, we’re inviting you to grow as a leader through an online learning experience called Engage: How the Bible’s Story Shapes My Story. This course is designed to help you understand the Bible as a Grand Story, learn core Christian doctrines, gain life wisdom, and develop habits of spiritual growth. Here’s what past participants had to say about it:
- I can honestly say that I found this study to be of incredible value. I have gained not only knowledge of Biblical principles, but have also gained wisdom and a stronger relationship to God. I am incredibly thankful for this opportunity!
- Providing experiences like this is important. As leaders, we have stepped forward because we want others to experience what we are experiencing in Christ. Sometimes, we may shy away from challenging discussions or difficult questions due to a lack of confidence in ourselves. The more we study, the more we are exposed to, the better we will be when those moments arise.
- Filled a gap for my spouse and I. Enjoyed the depth and challenging content.
What is Engage?
It is a 10-week online course that reviews Christian beliefs, starting with the Bible, and integrates that with theology. It then takes those Biblical and theological ideas and connects them to current cultural issues. Dr. David Clark, the recently retired VP and Dean of Bethel Seminary, teaches it.
What is the time commitment? 30 minutes 5 days/week, plus 15-30 minutes once a week for “digging deeper” sections.
Cost: $29 per person or $39 per couple
Dates: The course will run from Sept. 30 – Dec. 8 (You will have access to the material from Sept. 27–Dec. 31.).
Additional Resources
Fall 2018 Group Leader Gathering
by Don Graffam, Executive Director of Campus Ministry
Discussion QuestionsFive Values Handout
Eagle Brook Small Group Resources
- Small Group Leader Position Description
- Small Group Leader Agreement
- Getting Started
- MyEBC Quick Start
- Eagle Brook's Vision Culture
Recommended Podcasts
Articles, Podcasts, and Books