Groups: The Life-Giving Power of Community [Paperback]

John Ortberg (Author), Laurie Pederson (Author), Judson Poling (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2000

Community is God's idea. Only in community can we know and be known, love and be loved, celebrate others and be celebrated by them. And only through close, transparent relationships can we be transformed as individuals. Groups invites you to enjoy the rewards--and embrace the risks--of community. Step by step, this study will challenge and encourage you to explore the amazing potential for growth found in authentic relationships. You'll study the true nature of friendship. The power of paying attention. The path to intimacy. The encouragement of being for one another. You'll learn what it means to live out these and other simple but vital truths for being all you are, giving all you've got, and receiving all you need as a member of God's dynamic community, the church. Leader's guide included! Groups group sessions are: This Is a Friendship Love Pays Attention Knowing and Being Known When Community Breaks Down Forgiveness Building a Passionately Inclusive Church Being 'For' One Another

Editorial Reviews

From the Author

John Ortberg is a teaching pastor at Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois. Each week he speaks to thousands of people at the church's New Community services. John has written for Christianity Today and is a frequent contributor to Leadership Journal

From the Back Cover

Community is God’s idea. Only in community can we know and be known, love and be loved, celebrate others and be celebrated by them. And only through close, transparent relationships can we be transformed as individuals.

Groups invites you to enjoy the rewards--and embrace the risks--of community. Step by step, this study will challenge and encourage you to explore the amazing potential for growth found in authentic relationships. You’ll study the true nature of friendship. The power of paying attention. The path to intimacy. The encouragement of being for one another. You’ll learn what it means to live out these and other simple but vital truths for being all you are, giving all you’ve got, and receiving all you need as a member of God’s dynamic community, the church. Leader’s guide included! Groups group sessions are: This Is a Friendship Love Pays Attention Knowing and Being Known When Community Breaks Down Forgiveness Building a Passionately Inclusive Church Being "For" One Another

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (September 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310220769
• ISBN-13: 978-0310220763
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #742,278 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good resource and guide, January 14, 2003

By 

lh "-lh-" (california) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Groups: The Life-Giving Power of Community (Paperback)

This book is a good tool to use for small groups, fellowship studies, or sunday school class. I used it for my college sunday school class to place emphasis on embracing our Christian community. While John Ortberg does a good job at painting the picture for us, it is basically his "The Life You've Always Wanted" book re-done for small groups in a practical way. I enjoyed using this guide but had to restructure the questions and format to cater to a sunday school environment. I would recommend making sure you know your group, and understand their needs, and perhaps come up with additional questions to meet the needs of your group.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Solid Small Group Material, March 25, 2007

By 

D. Bueser (Colorado Springs, CO United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Groups: The Life-Giving Power of Community (Paperback)

This is a great first book for small groups. It reveals the important elememts of relationships and sets the stage for some good self examination coupled with the truth of Scripture. The leader notes and questions also make leading the group a snap. The study portion takes about 1 full hour each week.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Director, Small Group Ministry, March 8, 2007

By 

A. Follower "Director, Small Groups Ministry" (Sonoma, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Groups: The Life-Giving Power of Community (Paperback)

This is the first curriculum chosen for our 350 member church's launching of 'small groups'. We used it in advance to train the Leaders and each Leader is now using it to kick off his or her own small group. It has been profoundly useful and inspirational. Each participant gets this book for study and note-taking. The Scripture content is exactly what the 'small group' movement requires as a Bible study component.