Groups that Thrive: 8 Surprising Discoveries About Life-Giving Small Groups

by Joel Comiskey, Jim Egli

Why are some small groups dynamic, attractive, and breathe the life of Christ? Why do other groups stagnate and close? In this ground-breaking book, Joel Comiskey and Jim Egli describe eight surprises about thriving small groups from their research of 4800 small group participants on four continents. The authors expose common small group assumptions and offer practical advice to group members and leaders to help their groups thrive. The book covers topics such as small group participation, the influence of food, worship, and how thriving small groups effectively reach others for Jesus Christ. Read this book if you want your group to grow healther and thrive with new life.

158 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 15, 2018

About the author

Joel Comiskey (Ph.D. Fuller Seminary) is a small group coach and consultant and and founder of Joel Comiskey Group. He has served as a missionary with the C&MA in Quito, Ecuador, started a cell-based church in Southern CA, and now coaches pastors in cell group ministry. Joel has written bestselling books on the worldwide cell group movement and teaches as an adjunct professor at Tozer Seminary. Joel and his wife, Celyce, have three daughters and live in Moreno Valley , California.

Reviews

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based on Christianity/Church groups, but took some good points from it.

[Ricky Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very helpful and thoughtfully organized. First chapter on the shift from “my” group to “our” group was paradigm shifting.

[Heesung Joo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very helpful.

This book is very helpful for small group leaders and pastors.
we can find the elements that small groups thriving have.

[W. Whalin · Rating 5 out of 5]

These Small Group Discoveries Will Boost Your Group

Joel Comiskey is an expert in small groups and how they function. He has taken this expertise and poured it into GROUPS THAT THRIVE. In the opening pages, he compares small groups to a rain forest, then writes, “Just like that Costa Rican rain forest, groups that thrive don’t happen by chance or simply because people want their groups to flourish. Thriving communities require a supernatural mix of prayer and Spirit-led anointing that makes a way for everyone to participate, for the healing presence of God, and for vibrant life that blesses others. This book explores how your group can thrive.” (Page 14)

I love the research and thought in this book. “The task of describing a thriving small group motivated Jim Egli and me to study the differences between a so-s0, run-of-the-mill meeting and a life-giving group that is ore than a religious meeting. We surveyed 1,800 small group members and leaders from around the world. This data was added to Jim’s previous investigation of over 3,000 small group leaders.” (Page 16).

This book emphasizes eight key principles. The entire book is designed with interesting subheads and pull-out quotes to make this well-written book easy to use and read. I highly recommend GROUPS THAT THRIVE.

[Belén Lechuga · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ameno, revelador, práctico y alentador.

[Todd McGlinchey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well researched by leaders in the small group ministry field. Great take away a and surprises in this book. Great examples and biblical examples to support their research. It was a very easy read.