The Good and Beautiful God: Falling in Love with the God Jesus Knows (The Good and Beautiful Series) - Hardcover

Smith, James Bryan

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0830835318 ISBN 13: 9780830835317

Publisher: IVP, 2009

Synopsis

• Over 200,000 sold!

"God wants me to try harder." "God blesses me when I'm good and punishes me when I'm bad." "God is angry with me." We all have ideas that we tell ourselves about God and how he works in our lives. Some are true--but many are false. James Bryan Smith believes those thoughts determine not only who we are, but how we live. In fact, Smith declares, the most important thing about a person is what they think about God. The path to spiritual transformation begins here. Turning to the Gospels, Smith invites you to put your ideas to the test to see if they match up with what Jesus himself reveals about God. Once you've discovered the truth in Scripture, Smith leads you through a process of spiritual formation that includes specific activities aimed at making these new narratives real in your body and soul as well as your mind. At the end of each chapter you'll find an opportunity for soul training, engaging in spiritual practices that reinforce the biblical messages on your mind and heart. Because the best way to make a complete and lasting change is to go through the material in community, small group discussion questions also accompany each chapter. Those who are leading apprentice groups will also find additional help and opportunities to interact with other leaders at the Apprentice website, www.apprenticeofjesus.com. This deep, loving and transformative book will help you discover the narratives that Jesus lived by--to know the Lord he knew and the kingdom he proclaimed--and to practice spiritual exercises that will help you grow in the knowledge of our good and beautiful God.

About this title

Review:

"I predict this book, and the two more in the series, will become deeply influential books in evangelical churches that want to deepen spiritual formation."--Scot McKnight, Jesus Creed blog, July 15, 2009

"Smith challenges those who seek to follow God to examine the stories they already know. . . . [Includes] exercises and questions . . . to deepen their knowledge of God."--Publishers Weekly, May 22, 2009

"I have observed that every individual, whether a new beliver or seasoned veteran, has given testimony of a new joy in their journey as a result of this book. The content is sound, inspiring and enlightening."--Jerry Barker, Dallas Baptist Standard, March 14, 2011

"If you're looking for books to help patrons rekindle or enhance their relationships with God, buy this one. Highly recommended for small groups interested in deepening their relationships with God."--Church Libraries, Fall 2009

"Make spiritual mentors, group leaders, youth pastors, Christian educators, and Willard/Foster fans aware of this material."--David Mundt, CBA Retailers + Resources, July 2009

Other authors have written extensively on spiritual disciplines and the spiritual life, but few have created a curriculum that is as accessible to the common believer seeking spiritual growth. I exuberantly recommend this book to anyone interested in a practical model of spiritual growth.--Steve Gioielli, Journal of Spiritual Formation Soul Care, Fall 2009

Book Description:

Book one of the Apprentice Series, a course in spiritual transformation

About this edition

• Publisher: IVP
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 0830835318
• ISBN 13: 9780830835317
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 232