Customer Reviews

Finding the Flow: A Guide for Leading Small Groups and Gatherings

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is an amazing resource for leaders and groups. In it you'll find the foundational elements of group life taught to you in fresh ways and with new language. You'll also find insight on what's new in group life and how groups are changing and morphing for a new generation.

My favorite part is that at the end of each chapter there are exercises and questions that really help you dig into how you do and lead groups. Actually...there are provoking questions scattered all through the book. So if you like thought challenging questions, great writing and good tools for you and your leaders. Go get this book right now!

Once again, great book, just wish all disciples would strike any use of the word "magic" from their arsenal of words. The section on preparing one for spiritual warfare and what happens when one's inside pours outside was very wise indeed.

For over 15 years I worked in the area of small groups and during that time I read much of what was written on the subject from both a Christian and a secular perspective. Recently, when I picked up "Finding the Flow", I was less than excited about another Christian book on the subject of small groups.

I was in for a pleasant surprise. From the moment I began reading I was hooked. The openness and honesty of these two authors is fantastic. No politically correct "Christianeeze", no follow the bouncing ball and you will have a perfect Small Group Ministry, no avoiding the hard questions. And that doesn't mean it lacks depth. The life and ministry experience that Miller and Peppers bring to this book will give those involved in small group ministry real practical guidance.

Buy the book, read and enjoy. And if you're a pastor or small group ministry leader, then buy enough books to use it as a training resource for all of your small group facilitators. They will thank you for it.

While I'm not a huge fan of small groups, I do love the general concept of intentionally getting to know people through regular conversation about meaningful topics. The problem I've found is that this rarely happens, at least in the small groups in which I've participated. Finding the Flow addresses this reality and offers some very practical guidance on how to forge meaningful relationships through small groups.

I especially appreciate how the authors encourage a strong knowledge of one's self in relation to the group, as well as understanding of group dynamics and conflict. Each chapter has discussion questions and "Do This" exercises sprinkled throughout which are thoughtful, not cheesey. There are also tons of resources at the end of the book to utilize in small group situations.

While I detest Christian how-to books, I do appreciate clear, concise analysis on concrete yet realistic ways to tackle tough issues. This book certainly does that with wisdom, clarity, and honesty. Check out the book's website for more information and resources.

Jenn Peppers and co-author Tara Miller have put together a resource that does what few (if any) other Xtian small group resources do: Assume that God is actually present in the midst of a small group gathering, and respect His role as the primary leader of the group.

Here's what I mean: Though most Christian small group resources strive to be God-honoring in their content, their strategic advice and group study outlines tend to be written as if God isn't present. I've written small group curriculum for over 20 years now, and I can tell you that most of it is written in a functionally agnostic way...believing God is real, but not terribly close by, and certainly not actively engaged in a small group discussion. Most curriculum "bookends" God with a prayer at the beginning and a prayer at then end, but the guts of it assumes He's on the bench watching passively as we teach.

Finding the Flow puts God back in the Leader's chair. And it gives small group facilitators real-world practical guidance for how to move beyond addressing small group issues as "issues" and instead fully engaging with other people as human beings. Jenn and Tara lead the way by sharing a lot of their own personal stories in the book. They don't give easy answers or any quaint but ridiculous "5 Steps to Success." Instead, they invite you into a conversation where God is present and active and pointing the way forward. And that is what finding the flow is all about.

Michael Warden--author The Transformed Heart and the Pearlsong Refounding Trilogy
The Transformed Heart
[......].

This book was probably worth reading but definitely not the best book I have ever read.