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Good And Beautiful Community: Following The Spirit, Extending Grace, Demonstrating Love (2011)

by James Bryan Smith(Favorite Author)

4.14 of 5 Votes: 3

ISBN

0340996064 (ISBN13: 9780340996065)

languge

English

genre

Nonfiction

publisher

Hodder & Stoughton

review 1: In the third book of Smith’s Apprentice series, he explores the communal practices which shape a vibrant Christian community. He introduces this by exploring the foundational disciplines that make us a “peculiar” community, radical connectedness to the Spirit’s leading that flows into radical generosity toward others and the world. Subsequent chapters focus on our shared hope and expression of the gospel, how we serve one another including prayerfulness, how we love across our differences in Christ, how we reconcile and forgive, how we care enough to commit to and hold one another accountable for growth in Christ, how we can become people who share extravagantly with each other, and how worship can shape our lives together. Each chapter includes “Soul Training... more” exercises.The reflection questions and soul-training exercises were personally significant. The greatest challenge to me was one he shared that came from Dallas Willard, the challenge to pray for other churches and ministries as an expression of our oneness and serving of one another in Christ. I was also challenged by his calls to generosity, to accountability and to reflect on my community's practices of worship.So often when we think of spiritual disciplines, we think in terms of personal practices. This book explores the communal practices that form Christ in us even as we give ourselves to one another in Christ.
review 2: How does what I believe change the way I live with others? At the heart of our discipleship is our relationship with Jesus; that same God has placed us in relationships with others. The Good and Beautiful Community asks the hard question about what transformation on a communal level looks like as we engage one another.This is the third and final book in the series, and like The Good and Beautiful God and The Good and Beautiful Life, it includes a study guide for small groups, as well as practices to implement in daily living. less

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