Small Groups, Big Impact: Connecting People to God and One Another in Thriving Groups

by Jim Egli, Dwight Marble

Why do some small groups thrive and grow while others struggle and falter?

The authors have surveyed over 3000 group leaders in more than 200 churches. Their findings will place practical, applicable principles into the hands of small group leaders and pastors. This book also includes access to additional resources from the author's website.

Genres: Church

112 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Jeff Block · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is exceptional. It’s very straightforward and accessible, yet communicates vital learning for small group ministry leaders. Y focuses on growth as a key are of health of small groups, which I applaud. And it puts voice (out of what I believe was careful study) to key principles we’ve known for a while. It also presented me with new information that I found vitally important but had never considered before. I would love to see an expansion of this work (or perhaps a volume 2) focused on “healing” or “serving” as key health indicators, since I don’t think “growth” (though vital) is the only mark of health a small group should consider. All up, an excellent and important work. Well worth your time to engage this short text.

[Nicholas Seders · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helpful Reminders
Well-researched affirmations regarding the need for intercession, openness, supportive community, and active participation in every small group. If you've never done any reading on group ministry, this would be a nice primer; if you have, this book will be a review of familiar material.

[Tucker Netherton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gave me a lot of peace - I was initially focused on doing everything myself and preparing the perfect topics. Peace comes from more reliance and direction in prayer.

[Keith · Rating 5 out of 5]

In "Small Groups, Big Impact" Jim Egli and Dwight Marable have given small group leaders and pastors an invaluable resource. This is a practical handbook to the drivers for success in growing small groups.

The authors show that in order to grow and multiply a group, a leader must do three things: Bring people to conversion, Assimilate them into the group then multiply the group. While that may sound difficult, the four keys to making it happen are not: Pray, Reach, Care and Equip.

The book provides an understanding of group dynamics in each of these stages as well as practical advice to make it happen. Searching questions at the end of each chapter make it possible for leaders to make the application to their own group.

[Lauralyn Vasquez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential small group training manual

As a small group pastor in a church of 2500 I was looking for a toll to assist our facilitators. A tool that looked at philosophy, research and training all in one spot, and I found it. Incredible insight that is spelled out in language that all can understand. Great discussions came from our group leaders working through the book. I look forward to using the tools found in the back of the book.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book. Sound research and analysis. Definitely a book to keep for reference.