The Good and Beautiful Community

The Good and Beautiful Community

I found this a lovely book, a great aid to spiritual maturity. It’s the third of three titles in the ‘Apprentice’ series, designed to ‘help people in their efforts to grow in Christlikeness’ (the other two being The Good and Beautiful Life and The Good and Beautiful God). The Christian is an ‘apprentice of Jesus in his or her ordinary relationships.’ Christians are ‘peculiar people’, who follow a ‘peculiar God’. As a result, we discover that we are ‘maladjusted’ to the ways and culture of the world. The book has a holistic aim, to create a ‘happy marriage’ between contemplation and action, piety and mercy, personal devotion and social service. The writer comes out of the same stable as Richard Foster (and Renovare), Dallas Willard and Eugene Peterson, which to me is sure recommendation. Each chapter is designed to occupy you for one week, but this is a book to work at, not just to read in a cosy armchair. Read it thoroughly and completely not hurriedly, use a journal to answer the questions and engage in the exercises. While the solitary reader is sure to benefit, the greatest value will come through interaction in a group.
The Appendix is actually a Small Group Discussion Guide.
One thing that comes across strongly is Smith’s passion for unity among Christians, with this repeated saying: ‘If your heart beats in love for Jesus, then take my hand and we will walk together in fellowship’ (see the chapter on the Christ-Centred Community). Another saying that rewards reflection is ‘Holy yet broken – Broken yet holy’ (from the chapter on the Church as the Encouraging Community).
This is a good book to spend time with. Maybe get a group together?

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