Small groups have become an essential discipleship strategy in the church today. They exist in different forms—from formal home Bible studies to monthly breakfasts at a local restaurant. Small groups excel at creating connections and openness between people.

Henry Cloud and John Townsend know small groups. In fact, the twelve final pages of this book are dedicated to blurbing their small group curriculum! (Boundaries, anyone?)

One of the key challenges to implementing small groups is the need for leadership. Here’s where this book comes in. In fifty-five very short and easy-to-read chapters, Cloud and Townsend cover everything a leader needs to know to guide their small group. Most helpful was the section on “How to Deal with Problems in Groups.” The authors cover everything from neediness to passivity, from narcissism to spiritualization.

Pastors looking to implement small groups would do well to put this volume in the hands of each of their leaders. It could be the discussion material for some fruitful leadership sessions.

This book is supremely practical. People looking for a theological foundation for small group ministry should look elsewhere! With a keen eye for the psychology of group relationships, Cloud and Townsend have given small group leaders everywhere a reliable guidebook to the twists and turns of effective small group ministry.

Cloud, Henry and John Townsend. Making Small Groups Work: What Every Small Group Leader Needs to Know. Zondervan, 2003.