'....Small groups provide the ideal context for 'working out our salvation' together....'-from the back cover.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book is biblically founded and helped me to see the importance(largely from the bible) of having small groups. Accountability, biblical fellowship, speaking into each other's lives is the heart of the church. While small groups cannot take the place of the local church, they are a great context in which to apply the truths we learn in church. I especially liked the part about qualifications of a leader and being motivated by God' grace. Overall, the best book ever written (theologically and practically) on the subject!
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The premise of this book is that small groups are primarily for application of Christian teachings (rather than just listening to Bible studies). They should be a place where we have accountablility to one another, and have a chance to serve. At the same time, they should be more than just a place where we gather to exchange opinions about the Bible -- we are looking for God's truth, not just man's perceptions. In fact, I really liked this book up until page 59, where it bluntly stated that a small group leader had to be male. I do recognize that this is a valid Christian perspective, so I recommend the book even though I don't agree with the emphasis on this point.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Why Small Groups? addresses a question that far too few pastors have considered: Why are we doing small groups? Many of us know how to do small groups; we understand, teach, and implement the mechanics. But why are we doing them? We need to take a big step back and try to understand the purpose we are trying to accomplish through them. In Why Small Groups?, Mahaney and fellow authors begin with the Biblical basis for small groups and the theological purpose for them.
Since the book is a collection of chapters written by individual authors, there is sometimes a lack of a cohesive strategy or model of small groups. For instance, one chapter assumes that small group members must be members of the church first while another chapter assumes a small group can be a front door for the church. In my opinion, that's not a big deal because it's not the how but the why that this book is addressing.
Some of the distinguishing characteristics between this book and many of the others that have been written on small groups include the following:
* It is written by practitioners- men who have come up through the ranks from small group member to pastors. They have seen small groups from every angle.
* It includes a thorough discussion of the doctrine of sanctification and how it relates to the purpose of small groups.
* It gives a clear Biblical and theological explanation of the relationship to and importance of small groups to the mission of the local church.
There's also a great chapter on Biblical confession, confrontation, and conflict within the group setting.
The Appendix "What It Means to Me?" by Walt Russell takes a hard look at the difficulties faced in small groups when different members bring their own opinions to the interpretation of the text. This very good essay helps leaders understand the difference between the meaning of the text and the significance of the text and how to make that distinction within the group setting.
Certainly, different traditions will find things to disagree with (male-only leadership, small group members must first be church members, etc), but the question that Mahaney is posing is one that we must address: Why are we doing small groups? What are we trying to accomplish?
Why Small Groups? addresses this important question in a clear, Biblical way.
Since the book is a collection of chapters written by individual authors, there is sometimes a lack of a cohesive strategy or model of small groups. For instance, one chapter assumes that small group members must be members of the church first while another chapter assumes a small group can be a front door for the church. In my opinion, that's not a big deal because it's not the how but the why that this book is addressing.
Some of the distinguishing characteristics between this book and many of the others that have been written on small groups include the following:
* It is written by practitioners- men who have come up through the ranks from small group member to pastors. They have seen small groups from every angle.
* It includes a thorough discussion of the doctrine of sanctification and how it relates to the purpose of small groups.
* It gives a clear Biblical and theological explanation of the relationship to and importance of small groups to the mission of the local church.
There's also a great chapter on Biblical confession, confrontation, and conflict within the group setting.
The Appendix "What It Means to Me?" by Walt Russell takes a hard look at the difficulties faced in small groups when different members bring their own opinions to the interpretation of the text. This very good essay helps leaders understand the difference between the meaning of the text and the significance of the text and how to make that distinction within the group setting.
Certainly, different traditions will find things to disagree with (male-only leadership, small group members must first be church members, etc), but the question that Mahaney is posing is one that we must address: Why are we doing small groups? What are we trying to accomplish?
Why Small Groups? addresses this important question in a clear, Biblical way.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Great Resource To Help You Develop Healthy Small Groups
I don't know of a better study guide than this one to begin the process of training facilitators of small groups in the local church. Read more
Published 11 months ago by David P. Craig
A MUST read for all!!!
This was one of the books that was a turning point in my life in 2002. It has impacted my call, my studies, my ministry and the churches I have been a member of. Read more
Published 19 months ago by D. R. Iannelli-smith
Set Apart from the Rest
Why Small Groups? If you are already familiar with Sovereign Grace Ministries then the tone of this book will not surprise you. Read more
Published on February 14, 2010 by Pastorjeffcma
Makes the case for the presence and function of small groups very well
This is a well designed and written little book about the need to have properly functioning small groups within the context of the local church. Read more
Published on August 29, 2009 by M. Keating
A New Standard on Discipleship for the Church
An old black preacher once said, "You can no more do what you don't know than come back from where you ain't never been." That's so true. Read more
Published on July 9, 2009 by Robert S. Scott
Good Value Book
Book had little use on it and no writting in it. Fast delivery, well packaged, great price.
Published on April 9, 2009 by Randall Goff
Why Small Groups?
this is the best book on what a small group should be and it's place in the life of heathy local church. this a must read for pasters and laymen a like.
Published on August 4, 2005 by Russell J. Hoober
Purposeful Small Groups
Over the past several years of attending my church, I had heard several pastors and other leaders emphasize the importance of fellowship and community in our spiritual growth, but... Read more
Published on November 2, 2001 by "cwillyg"
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