Customer Reviews

Seeker Small Groups: Engaging Spiritual Seekers in Life-Changing Discussions

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This book has all the answers! It is a postmodern look at engaging spiritual seekers in today's world. Garry Poole bases this on true relationships with people but gives suggestions on how to take the conversation--and ultimately the seeker's trust--to a deeper spiritual level. It focuses on listening, truly listening, and asking relevent questions. And every question someone could possibly have in leading his or her own small group is answered. And it works! I've used this book on a practical level--and never thought I could. I highly recommend this book to those who have spiritual seekers in their lives (which includes just about everyone).

In my opinion, Garry Poole's book is an outstanding work on one of the best evangelistic tools in contemporary Christianity; Seeker Small Groups (SSG's). In this work Poole explores many aspects of developing, leading, and maintaining SSG's. If you are interested in SSG's this book is a must read.

On top of the helpful insight and advice given for SSG's - Poole includes a hidden nugget for personal evangelism. In Chapter 5, 6, & 7 Poole explains the importance of asking great questions, listening well, and "emapthic evangelism." These three elements help to outline the most important skills that Christians need to truly share their faith and to love people well. This book gives readers tangible steps that will help them share their faith in a world that is increasingly postmodern.

All-in-all this book is a great read for anyone interested in SSG's and evangelism. Don't let the title fool you, there is more in this book than just Small Group advice.

I have always admired people who could strike up spiritual conversations the way I ask directions to the ladies' room. But I was too shy and afraid--afraid I'd be rejected, or worse, that I'd be asked a question I couldn't answer and blow it. This book has the answers for people just like I am. Without suggesting a personality change and requiring we non-evangelist-types reach out to seekers with brazen boldness, Poole offers a gentle, yet effective approach to evangelizing. And guess what? It works. The author walks the reader step-by-step through the process in such a way that spiritual discussions aren't forced, but an outgrowth of a genuine interest in the other person. I regret all my missed opportunities to share my faith with family and friends, but now, I have very effective tools that fit the personality of a non-evangelist like I am. What's more, I'm not afraid to use them!

Not sure of how, exactly, my glowing review of Garry's book would be conveyed, I surveyed some other reviews already posted. The most negative stated:

"Its a lie to think you have to arrange a time and place and to build relationships with people to share the gospel or to get them to a point where they are open to spiritual truths."

I would like to thank the author of this review for giving me the words with which to praise Garry's book. If I may paraphrase the line, above, it says that "you don't need to spend so much time in relationship-building in order to accomplish your agenda of sharing the Gospel."

The point of Garry's book, I believe, is that building a relationship IS sharing the Gospel!!! Loving people and creating a safe environment for them isn't a means to sharing the Gospel, it IS the Gospel!!!

As someone involved in vocational ministry, I would like to thank Garry for teaching me how to leave my hidden agenda aside, so that I may accomplish God's agenda. This book breaks the mold of our thinking, where evangelism is relegated to doing anything possible to force the Gospel down a person's throat at any time.

By putting into practice the philosophy of this book, we are able to BE the Good News in a person's life while, at the same time, providing a forum where a seeker may be comfortably introduced to fellowship and accountability as they take their first steps on a path which will eventually lead them to an intimate relationship with our Lord and Savior.

Seeker Small Groups is an invaluable resource for ministry in a postmodern society. Gary Poole's heart for seekers is contagious! He writes, "Seekers matter to God; therefore they matter to us." If the 21st century church is to make great strides in reaching the lost for Christ, we must understand the spiritual concerns of seekers and create opportunities where they can ask probing questions regarding the Christian faith. A seeker small group has tremendous value in that it provides a non-threatening environment for unbelievers to explore the claims of Scripture. This book provides the reader with principles and methods for launching a seeker small group.

Poole argues that everyday, ordinary Christians can lead a seeker small group. He provides practical instruction in guiding seekers through the Five Phases of Spiritual Discovery. This strategy, referred to as Emphatic Evangelism, does not require expertise in outreach ministries. It simply requires that one be willing to accept the seeker, ask great questions and listen intently.

For those who may be a bit nervous about starting a seeker small group, Poole offers some suggestions for inviting friends, making a first impression, and conducting future meetings. He also explains how to develop a discussion outline that moves seekers from their current beliefs to the biblical truth they need to discover. Personal stories by the author, leaders, and participants give testimony to how the small group ministry has been a powerful tool in helping seekers cross the line of faith. For every Christian who is serious about leading seekers to Christ, this book is a must.

Amen! It's all right here. Everything you need to know to lead a seekers small group. After decades of working in the trenches, Garry Poole has mastered this process and provides us with a step-by-step guide. Extending Invitations to Seekers /Use of Icebreakers /Formulating Great Spiritual Questions /The Art of Listening & Empathic Evangelism /The Crucial Role of the Bible and Scripture /The Power of Discussion & Creating Impact /Appointing Apprentices and finally, leading seekers over the line of faith.
Use this book to learn how to witness and effectively share your faith. Find ideas on how to open opportunities to transition from secular conversations to spiritual ones. This evangelism-in-everyday-life approach has all the resources to educate, equip and empower future leaders. I especially enjoyed the personal, real-life testimonies. They are so powerful and inspiring.
Coupled with his other writings, Garry shows us the entire formula for success: The Tough Questions Series /The Three Habits of Highly Contagious Christians /Experiencing the Passion of Jesus /Faith Under Fire/and the Complete Book of Questions.
The love and care put into this book makes it possible for the 'ordinary' Christian to lead a successful seekers small group. So cast a vision and set a goal, and use these encouraging words to enlighten you!

This is THE manual for seeker small group leaders, or, potential leaders. It's clearly written by someone that has done it. Alot. Some books are written from a theoretical point of view, and that can be good, but this book is written by someone right off the front lines. It's obvious throughout the book. This should be required reading for anyone, or any church, starting a seeker small group program.

I cannot recommend this book more highly - it is the definitive text on how to run one of the world's most important ministries: seeker small groups. Garry has developed an approach to seeker small groups that is counter-intuitive, insightful, and most importantly, proven effective in his 25+ years of leading groups.

Not only does the book offer well-thought-out concepts for approaching seeker small groups, but it gets painstakingly practical in how to apply them. It even offers step-by-step instructions on how to prepare for and run the first few meetings, questions to ask, and logistical tips. Anyone that reads the book will be prepared and inspired to lead a seeker small group, regardless of his/her level of evangelical "giftedness" or experience.

Finally, the book is an engaging and enjoyable read, peppered with captivating stories of individuals whose lives have been changed by the very groups Garry has led or inspired.

If you are considering starting a seeker small group, this is a must-read before launching. If you are not, you owe it to yourself to read this book to understand the immense impact these groups can have on the lives of people far from God.

I work through my church in outreach to women in my community. Many of these women are reluctant to come to church, yet most have some degree of interest in spiritual matters. They feel uncomfortable in church for many different reasons, but these reasons usually boil down to either feeling they don't "measure up" (social class, morality issues, lack of Bible knowledge, etc.) or that churches don't "measure up" (hypocrisy, cliches, lack of compassion, etc.). Since all of us fall short of God's perfect standard, I wanted to find a way to help other women who are imperfect like I am discover God's provision for us in our imperfections. After talking with the educational director of my church, I began to search for a small group guide that I could use to provide a way for women to discuss together their beliefs in a home setting where everyone can feel comfortable and accepted in their pursuit of answers.

I looked at sample pages of many small group books, but when I finally found "Seeker Small Groups," I knew I had found what *I* was seeking. First I downloaded the Kindle version and read it through. Then I purchased the soft cover edition through Amazon so I can quickly mark important things to remember and easily flip to the needed info by indexing my notes with a few key words and page numbers inside the front cover. This book is filled with stories of people who are just like the people I seek to help who have been helped by people like me. And the stories of those who led the groups represented in the book are so like my story...questioning my ability to do the group, yet trusting that God can, daring to move forward, and expecting to see God work in ways I cannot yet imagine.

Our educational director is working with me in this to provide small group training and support to help get this off the ground, and we hope to launch it soon. We don't currently have small groups in our church, but this is a great opportunity to get started and reach out to our community in a way that they can feel comfortable and accepted as well.

I'm thankful for the challenge this book presents as I tremble with both fear and excitement over the great opportunity that awaits.

I am finding this book to be inspirational and insighful. I feel called to reach out to seekers and this is giving me confidence that I can do it in a way consistent with the teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ, our mother father God.