Book Review: Iron Sharpens Iron - Orlando Saer

     This is a 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.

     However, the book is not a comprehensive guide to leading a Bible study and Saer offers a list of further readings at the end of the book. Nevertheless, this book is a very helpful introduction to this topic and if someone asked me for a book on how to lead a small group, I would definitely recommend this - perhaps because this is the only book I've read on the topic. Regardless, I've found it immensely beneficial, especially in how he ably crystallises the foundations of and tips for leading a good small group Bible study.