The Good and Beautiful Community
Following the Spirit, Extending Grace, Demonstrating Love
The Apprentice Series
(hardcover)
By James Bryan Smith
Contents
Introduction
How to Get the Most Out of This Book
1 The Peculiar Community
Soul Training: Two-by-Four
2 The Hopeful Community
Soul Training: Sharing Your Faith
3 The Serving Community
Soul Training: Treasuring Our Treasures
4 The Christ-Centered Community
Soul Training: Loving Those We Disagree With
5 The Reconciling Community
Soul Training: Experiencing Reconciliation
6 The Encouraging Community
Soul Training: Finding an Accountability Friend
7 The Generous Community
Soul Training: Stewardship of Resources
8 The Worshiping Community
Soul Training: Worship
9 Writing a Soul-Training Plan
Appendix: Small Group Discussion Guide
Notes
Acknowledgments
About the Book
In this third book in the Apprentice Series trilogy, James Bryan Smith
helps us know how to live in relationship with others as apprentices of
Jesus. "Apprentices of Jesus are not part-time do-gooders,"
he writes. "They live in continuous contact with the kingdom of God,
and are constantly men and women in whom Christ dwells. They do not sometimes
tell the truth, sometimes live sacrificially or sometimes forgive. There
are myriad opportunities for us to impact the world in which we live."
Yet many times we've gotten it wrong, tending to emphasize personal faith
over social justice or vice versa. In these pages Jim Smith shows us how
to bring spiritual formation and community engagement together, and then
once again offers spiritual practices that root new, true narratives about
God and the world in our souls. His insight and humility as a fellow learner
with us will lead us to live in authentic ways as a good and beautiful
community of Christ-followers, shining the light of the Spirit into every
relationship.
Related Information & Resources
Learn more about the Apprentice Series at www.apprenticeofjesus.org.
Reviews & Endorsements
"The Apprentice Series is a treasure. Dr. Smith has thought long
and hard about the process of human transformation into the likeness of
Jesus. I urge you to buy these books immediately! Read them and apply
them. Then live them out in the context of a loving community. You will
not regret doing so."
—Richard J. Foster, author of Celebration of Discipline and coauthor
of Longing for God
"Jim Smith is the most articulate, accurate and helpful writer of
spiritual formation of my generation. I give this series my highest recommendation."
—Todd Hunter, author of Giving Church Another Chance
"The Apprentice Series is the best practice I have seen in Christian
spiritual formation."
—Dallas Willard, author of The Divine Conspiracy
Features & Benefits
• Includes questions for individual reflection and processing embedded
in the text
• Includes content for small group discussion and a companion spiritual
practice to try at the end of each chapter.
• More resources available for Apprentice Group leaders at the Apprentice
of Jesus website, www.apprenticeofjesus.org
• This book completes the three volume Apprentice Series
Vision Statement: Unleashing God’s Love through the joy of serving others
Mission and Ministry Statement: Promoting physical, emotional and spiritual health by reaching out to anyone who hungers for God’s love
Scripture Focus: Psalm 34:18 The Lord is near to those who are discouraged; he saves those who have lost all hope.
Kechi United Methodist Church 4533 East 61st Street Kechi, KS 67067 316-744-1221 Pastor Guy E Rendoff