Book Review: Why Small Groups?
20 Sep 2008 Leave a Comment
If you’re seeking to understand the purpose of small groups, Why Small Groups? is a good book to begin with. It successfully provides the biblical basis for small groups. It’s edited by C.J. Mahaney and contains 7 chapters, each authored by different men. It also includes an essay that confronts the “What does this verse mean to you?” practice of bringing feelings or opinions into the interpretation of a passage.
The book addresses things like fellowship, small group leadership, correction, and conflicts, with an emphasis on sanctification throughout. One thing I love about the book is that small groups are continually addressed within the context of the local church. In fact, the last chapter is dedicated to looking at the “bigger picture” of small groups, and emphasizes the importance of having a biblical understanding of Scripture’s teaching concerning the church. It includes a section on para-church ministries and, while the author is very, very careful not to give the impression that he’s altogether dismissing them, he firmly affirms the importance and necessity of the biblical local church and authority of church leadership. The book leaves the reader with a powerful exhortation to love and be committed to their local church.
If I could change one thing in the book, it would be the section in the last chapter that addresses why some Christians may opt not to go to church, providing reasons like not feeling like it, worldly ambitions, love of leisure, etc. I really don’t want to sound too harsh, but I would also gently add “unregenerate” to that list, because (apart from simply being applicable) I think it’s commonplace and eternally significant enough to warrant the inclusion.
Because the book is written by different authors, you may notice some minor differences throughout, such as one author placing an emphasis on evangelistic outreach, while another has you focus on sanctification. However, this does not conflict with the overall biblical purpose for small groups that’s presented in the book. The question, “Why small groups?” will be clearly and thoroughly answered.
