When Helping Hurts: The Small Group Experience: An Online Video-Based Study on Alleviating Poverty

by Steve Corbett

When Helping Hurts is a paradigm-forming contemporary classic on the subject of poverty alleviation and has over 300,000 copies in print. Now there is a stand-alone resource to introduce this paradigm in an accessible way. Rather than simply looking at economics, it looks at the poverty of relationships between man and God, man and man, man and creation, and man and self. Utilizing free, online video lessons set both in Africa and the United States, the Small Group Experience is the ideal resource for small groups, Sunday school classes, parachurch and non-profit ministries, ministry training, and even individuals.In six lessons, the concepts of When Helping Hurts are brought to the reader in a format that is perfect for training, discussion, and application. It is an ideal introduction to life-changing ideas and offers the perfect context for engagement. The videos provide expert instruction, and the Small Group Experience provides questions and prompts for conversation, deeper learning, and taking action.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction

125 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 1, 2014

About the author

Mr. Corbett is an Assistant Professor of Community Development in the Dep. of Economics at Covenant College. He also serves as a Community Development Specialist for the Chalmers Center as Director of Field Operations and Training.

Previously, Corbett worked for Food for the Hungry International (FHI) as the Regional Director for Central and South America for two years. Before assuming these responsibilities, he served as the Director of Staff Training for nine years. In this capacity, he participated in the orientation and training of 1500 staff working in 25 countries. Corbett has a B.A. from Covenant College and a M.Ed. in Adult Education from the University of Georgia.

Reviews

[Ava Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

So eye opening and informative! I loved reading this with a group. Since God’s people are commanded to show compassion towards the poor, this book provides strategies to equip North American believers to better serve the poor, creating lasting change.

[daniella · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was read with a group. The text combined with the videos depicts the helpers almost always as White and those being helped as Black. Implies that we earn through labor- some cannot work/labor; sounded like meritocracy (who is deserving isn't up to us). I do appreciate the call to use the communities assets versus coming into a community with a plan. Overall though this book has the potential to do damage in reinforcing prejudices.

[TJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this and then read the original book. Think this is more accessible and helpful than the original book.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good look at what motivates missions and mission work.
Are all mission outcomes trully beneficial?
How can we better live, love, and serve each other?

[Heysell Yaneth Sandoval Machado · Rating 5 out of 5]

Creo que es un libro que se aplica mucho a la realidad, te pone a reflexionar y te hacer aprender que en Cristo las personas tienen valor y dignidad

[Ari Frueh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative! This book helped me understand poverty from a Biblical perspective and gave me practical ways to help support and love those in poverty.

[Hallie Simpson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very insightful and eye opening

[Shari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very challenging and meaty. Addresses the North American church's helping efforts towards the poor. The focus is poverty alleviation through humble, authentic relationships that acknowledge our need for Jesus to heal our broken relationships...all of us. The authors ask us to dig deep and look at how our sin can contribute to a lack of progress in helping the poor, and sometimes may have hindered people's progress. Yet it's uplifting because it offers better hope for real change. It makes perfect sense. Highly recommended.

[Chad Manske · Rating 4 out of 5]

A needs-based approach to church charitable giving, with charitable giving defined as both monetary resources and volunteering. Turns the old paradigm on giving just to give on its head by approaching the topic more practically a la "teach a person to fish." Read as part of my men's small group. Good read, good discussions!

[Janet (Muy) · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a very good book for people who want to know what to do (deny/accept) the favor from people who's asking for financially help. Ex: Maria, a single mother, walks into your church's office asking for help paying her electric bill.

What would you do?