HOUSEGROUPS
The leader’s survival guide
Edited by Ian Coffey and Stephen Gaukroger. IVP. 184 pages. £6.99
ISBN 978 1 844 745 104
This book is packed full of ideas, but, like recipes in a cookbook, some appeal and some don’t — and that’s down to personal taste, the nature of the group and church aims for the role of the house group.
It is a collection of essays written by 11 experienced authors and, although the editors have done a great job in covering a large topic, the first few chapters do tend to tread over some of the same ground.
This book is an excellent resource if you feel alone and inexperienced in the world of house groups. It is laced with humour and down-to-earth, as one of the reviews says on the back cover. It is easy to read, includes chapters on leadership, worship, prayer, trouble-shooting, communication, sharing and evangelism, all in the context of a house group or small group.
The chapter, ‘Teaching the Bible in small groups’, is written by Steve Motyer and his opening paragraphs reminiscing about his father’s home Bible study groups are incredibly warm and tantalising. He believes that, over time, the desire for strongly led expository Bible study has faded, although he is by no means undermining the study of the Bible. He lists his reasons, which include a general desire for more interactive learning. The chapter goes on to examine goals and preparation and resources, but, if the Bible study is the ‘main course’ of a house group, then this 13-page chapter could have been much longer.
And, like any good cookbook, it does challenge. You may find yourself tweaking that favourite and much-admired dish that’s so very familiar.
If your house group is already a Bible-based study group that feeds and nourishes and disciples one another in love and truth to be fully devoted followers of Christ, then this book is likely to make you grateful.
Janet Burrowes,
long-term lover of homegroups;
Enfield Evangelical Free Church
