Tom Mercer

I do not like writing negative reviews, but I think that a warning to potential buyers should be available for this book. Unlike myself who bought the book from the website without seeing any reviews first, anyone that reads this review will be informed of at least one opinion.

Basically, the book is one good concept hidden in 300+ pages of fluff and literal blank pages.

Besides the content of the fluff, I feel like the large print, unnecessary self-quotation blocks, and blank pages are a sort show more of deception like a college student playing with the font of the punctuation in order to make a length requirement. There is not enough material here for a hardcover book. This should have been a 30 page e-book at best. It's also an updating of the author's previous book based around the same concept, "8-15". I haven't read the earlier book, but it's shorter, so I assume it's better.

I can give you the entire book in 3 sentences.

***SPOILERS***
Evangelism should be personal and not random scatter-shot. 95% of Believers are so because they were influenced by someone the know personally. Everyone has the opportunity to influence the 8-15 people on the "front row" (Oikos) of their lives for Christ, so they should focus there.

There is some basic practical advice near the end of the book for how to approach this, but it's nothing revolutionary. Write down the names, pray for them, and be open to sharing Christ. There is also some exegesis along the way, but it's sometimes shaky and not presented well.

I don't disagree with the "front row" concept, and I will try to remember it and apply it. I just don't think this book and it's price tag are necessary. show less