Iron Sharpens Iron: Leading Bible–Oriented Small Groups that Thrive

by Orlando Saer

Iron Sharpens Iron! Small Bible–study groups are great places for Christians both to interact with God’s Word and to share their lives with others. They provide relaxed and informal settings which facilitate growth in grace and understanding. Orlando Saer provides a realistic and practical guide for anyone leading or wanting to lead such a group. This book will give you the tools you need as a leader to see your group thrive.

Genres: Christian, Leadership, Theology, Discipleship, Christian Living, Christianity, Church

144 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2010

Reviews

[Cassandra Chung · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would highly recommend this book to those who are just starting out as small group leaders or who have been leading a small group for a significant amount of time. This is a very comprehensive book that covers the very important aspects of small group leading i.e. how to guide others into learning to read the Bible for themselves, how to get quiet people to speak, managing expectations among leaders and members and how to model prayer as a leader in a small group (I found this particular chapter very challenging for my own personal life).

Alongside being a practical guide, the book never fails to remind its readers what small group leading is about: bringing others to maturity in Christ and caring for your group members.

The only thing I found lacking in this book was how to manage male-female leadership dynamics; I attend a church that expresses its complementarism in such a way that males must lead the small groups while females are to be co-leaders. As I read this while undergoing small group leader training, it was a bit frustrating that the book didn't have a guide on navigating this aspect of small group leading.

[Brian Pate · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent manual for leading small groups. I would give this to each of my small group leaders, Sunday School teachers, and disciple makers. The material on how to study the Bible (particularly on application) and discipleship were fantastic.

[Matt Chapman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chapters 4 and 5 were excellent in their focus on 'Mapping out the study' and 'Leading the meeting'.
I'd like to return to these two chapters on a regular basis.
Chapter 4 is perhaps the best and clearest material I've come across for how to prepare a Bible study.

[Marisha Caballero · Rating 4 out of 5]

I gleaned so many helpful things from this book! From developing and asking leading discussion questions to managing group dynamics. The book is full of wise and experienced advice that I am putting into practice as I lead a ladies Bible study.

For example, how to deal with good and bad contributions in a discussion, how to graciously deal with different personality types, and how to foster a culture of praying biblically for spiritual needs primarily (as well as physical).

This book has helped me to focus on how to honor God as I lead people to understand and be changed by the truth of his Word. I feel as though I’ve been greatly helped and mentored by a mature believer who has given me practical wisdom that I am sure will bear fruit in my life for God’s glory.

[Gwilym Davies · Rating 2 out of 5]

A decent all-round guide to leading a Bible study. It's an easy read, with lots of tried and tested wisdom - lots of it wisdom that I've shared in the past. It's a bit bitty - through the course of 140 pages, there must be hundreds of machine-gun tips and imperatives. Sound tips and imperatives - but probably a bit difficult to process and execute. And I think Karen Soole's book is ultimately a better guide. But this is solid.

[Jack Holtby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some really helpful things in here for leaders. I feel like it's almost a manual to come back to and check on what's the best way to work through certain situations. So I think I'll need to keep this handy. Also draws on lots of other books which it recommends for further reading at the end.

[Alexa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciated how highly the author valued the small group setting and that he saw leadership as something to be taken very seriously. However, I disagreed with a lot of his practical applications for within the small group setting.

[Taylor Sines · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maintains a rare balance of practical guidance and method while relying upon the means of grace to transform Christians through discipleship in small groups.

[Xing Yi Ngiam · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid instructional primer for leader of small groups at any stage of their experience.

[Jennifer Franzke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super practical, especially Chapter 4 which talks about preparation and developing discussion questions!

[Luke Watts · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short and helpful title that does not so much present anything “new” but presents the necessary material with superb clarity and accessibility.

[Gareth Davies · Rating 3 out of 5]

There’s so much good material in this book that it’s almost overwhelming. Some chapters felt non stop. I feel the best use of it would be going through it in a small group in small sections.

[Benedict Tan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great resource on how to lead a small group Bible study. The chapters are:

1) Why Small Group Bible Study?
2) Preparing for Leadership
3) Managing the Group
4) Mapping Out the Study
5) Leading the Meeting
6) Prayer, Care and Personal Nurture

The book length is manageable, and each chapter has robust content despite being quite a short
book.

Saer's thought moves from the importance of small group Bible study to consider the nitty-gritties of actually planning, managing and leading the group. He provides practical tips with clear Biblical foundations.

The book is written from experience and that comes across in the issues - dangers, challenges, realities - of small group study and is thus very helpful for anyone in such a leadership position. The book is also accessible to Christians who are not leaders - it offers a glimpse of what gospel-centred ministry looks like and I believe would help readers be better small group members.

[Matthew Lindell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the most helpful, practical, how-to book on leading a small group that I have ever read. It is faithful to the heart of the New Testament church model, realistic in its recommendations, and exceedingly practical and encouraging.

I'm preparing to start a new small group and feel much more equipped and motivated to begin the endeavor.

[Aaron Choi · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book had some helpful practical tips on how to lead small groups. However, the observations in the book are likely what everyone who has participated in small groups before has already noticed.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

For those leading or thinking of pursuing small groups, this is must read material. Lots of practical wisdom here.

[Kenneth Clayton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a helpful little book giving much practical advice on how to better lead small group bible studies. I found much of it helpful and will seek to apply it to the current bible study I lead

[Chris Little]

Lent to Mike Huntington, April 2013

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy-to-read, practical and helpful guide to leading a small group bible study. Really realistic and useful advice.

[Justin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best instructional book on leading a group (especially a study based group) that I've read.

[Brentice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very practical guide for creating Bible-led small groups. Will be referencing the "Mapping the Study" chapter for good group discussion questions.

[Bob Gooch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good practical advice. I'm sure I'll be referring back to it.