Starting Small: The Ultimate Small Group Blueprint

by Ben Reed

Church small groups are powerful. Through small groups, God uses intentional relationships to bring change to people's lives. But it's not always easy to foster a small group environment in the local church. It takes a system to produce disciples, churn out leaders, and compel people to be on mission together through small groups. In "Starting The Ultimate Small Group Blueprint," Ben Reed helps you through the process of putting a small group ministry together. Through this book, you will discover how small groups can be a place where people belong so they can become.

Genres: Christianity, Christian, Church

96 pages, Paperback

First published October 30, 2013

Reviews

[Lee]

Been going back and forth on this one since I finished it. It makes some good points about the need, importance, and even the vital nature of small groups, especially within a church large enough that people get lost or don't know everyone else within the church. Even among those churches small groups are important, but the church itself can function like a small group. But it does highly emphasize an American cultural view of leadership, and sometimes seems to over-value parts of the church that aren't necessarily helpful. Though that could be my own bias talking. And it was yet another thing that mentioned service as an important aspect of community building, which is something I've been thinking about a lot lately. So overall not harmful I suppose, and it has some good stuff for people in a different position than me.

[Brett · Rating 2 out of 5]

While Starting Small did have some helpful content, it fell woefully short of providing the promised "ultimate small group blueprint." The book offered some practical suggestions (training leaders, getting groups started, what should happen at group), but lacked any clear philosophy or consistent approach. Again, Starting Small isn't without value, but in the sea of small group resources that exist today, it simply fell short of expectations. C+

[Cheryl Vorhauer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good information

Easy to read, concrete ideas to start a small group ministry. "Ultimate"is a little prideful,but the book contained useful ideas that would be helpful in starting a ministry like this.

[Phillip · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brief. Practical. Theologically sound.

[Mike Wenzel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good book on starting and maintaining small groups in church.

[Michael Mack · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just counted them ... 90. In my office I have 90 books written about leading small groups.

Make that 91.

I just read Ben Reed's new book on how to put together a small group system in your church titled, Starting Small: The Ultimate Small Group Blueprint. Now why would Ben, or anyone else for that matter, write another book on the subject? And why should you read it?

Here are 7 reasons I think you should get this book and read it. It's:

Easy to read. At just 52 pages, I read the whole thing in one sitting ... and loved it!

Fun. This is not some dry, same old, same old, content. Ben is a funny guy and it comes out in this book. He shares his personal stories, so it's kind of like a travelogue as you go along with Ben as he has learned how to build and grow a healthy small group ministry himself.

Practical. There is very little theory in this book. Instead, Ben provides very practical steps you can take in your ministry. He also gives us lots of useful lists, which is a great way to share practical information!

Accommodating. Ben doesn't just give some one-size-fits-all, our-church's-way-is-the-only-way philosophy. He provides lots of great options as you make decisions about your group strategies. He says, "Can I share something with you? There is no magic bullet. No secret pill you can give group leaders. No one-stop-shop for your small group health needs" (p. 38). That's true.

Strategic. As you read this book, you'll be able to develop your own strategies that will work in your own church environment. One of my favorite strategies Ben discusses is the Test Group idea in Chapter 3.

Thought- and Action-Provoking. This book will help you think through how to (or how to better) organize and develop your small group ministry, but it is also written to help you take action right away. The questions at the end of each chapter will help you take the chapter's contents and do something strategic with it.

Health-Conscious. That tag may sound funny, but one thing I noticed through the book is Ben's focus on the health of small groups. As I've said over and over, healthy things grow and reproduce themselves; therefore, focus on the health of your group(s) and you'll see the growth and multiplication you desire (see my book Small Group Vital Signs ). Ben understands the vitality of healthy leaders and healthy groups.

You don't need to go out and buy 91 small group books to develop a healthy, strong, growing system of small groups. (Most of them fail the test of my 7 factors above, anyway!) I just added Starting Small to my list of 3-5 books I recommend to every small group ministry leader I coach and church I consult with.

By the way, I want to share my favorite line in the book. Ben talks about his #1 marker or sign of a successful small group: "When we say 'Amen,' we're not done" (p. 39). He said he and his wife knew his group was doing well when the official group meeting started at 6:30 and people were still hanging out until 11:00. I agree! Small groups are about relationships and how God uses them to bring about transformation in our lives. And that is no small deal!

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ben Reed has quickly learned how to form and lead small groups - not just his own, but throughout his church. This is a great, simple, volume that will become a valuable resource for small group leaders. If you lead a group of small group leaders or lead your own small group you'll want to read this book and apply the principles that Ben describes. It's the best book I've read on small groups in years - maybe ever!

[Jayson · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the simplest and most practical books on small group ministry I've read. This is definitely and "go to" book for anyone wanting to introduce small groups into their discipleship structure.

Short, simple, and practical. Ben has a very conversational writing style that keeps one's attention. Well worth the invested time and cost.

[Dan Winnberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful, practical book on giving you a plan and practical helps on starting small groups.