The good and beautiful community
Published: Wed, 11/20/24
Updated: Thu, 11/21/24
Sessions Include:The Good and Beautiful Community, Lesson #1 Why Study Books?My church recently transitioned to using books as curriculum in our Sunday School. The reason is simple. My life has been profoundly influenced by the reading of books. I don’t think my life has ever been changed by any curriculum piece I have ever read. Ever. I have actually surveyed a number of groups I have taught over the years, asking: Has your life ever been changed by any curriculum? The most common response is for people to laugh out loud. Our first study was the Bless book by Dave and Jon Ferguson. It is a great study on relational lifestyle evangelism. About half-way through the the study, we did a survey to help determine what we would study next. No one wanted to go back to the curriculum. Not. One. Person. The #1 choice for what to study next was a tie:
We will be studying these two books over the next year and a half or so. Here is what Amazon says about Ortberg’s book: The Me I Want to Be will help you discover spiritual vitality like never before as you learn to "live in the flow of the spirit." Why does spiritual growth seem so difficult? God's vision for your life is not just that you are saved by grace, but that you also learn to live by grace, flourishing with the Spirit flowing through you. And this book will show how God's perfect vision for you starts with a powerful promise: All those who trust in God "will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit" (Jeremiah 17:7-8). Pastor and best-selling author John Ortberg first helps gauge your spiritual health and measure the gap between where you are now and where God intends you to be. Then he provides detailed tasks and exercises to help you live in the flow of the Spirit, circumventing real-world barriers - pain and sorrow, temptations, self-doubt, sin - to flourish even in a dark and broken world. As you start living in the flow, you will feel:
God invites you to join him in crafting an abundant and joy-filled life. The Me I Want to Be shows you how to graciously accept his invitation. I have just completed a new, 22-week study of John Ortberg’s book, The Me I Want to Be that we will be using in my church. (I had previously done a 7-week study.) I have always thought that using books as a curriculum would be a good idea, and I have written a lot of book studies over the years. One of the things that actually using books as curriculum caused me to realize has to do with cost. By writing a study on every chapter of this book, instead of my previous study that had a lesson for every section, the cost drops to below what we were paying for curriculum. Better curriculum. Cheaper cost. Win. Win.
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The Good and Beautiful Community by James Bryan Smith is an insightful, transformative guide to building genuine, Christ-centered community. Part of Smith’s Apprentice Series, this book encourages readers to live out their faith in connection with others, emphasizing that Christianity is not a solo endeavor but a call to shared, meaningful relationships. While the first two books in the series—The Good and Beautiful God and The Good and Beautiful Life—focus on personal transformation, The Good and Beautiful Community centers on moving outward, integrating spiritual growth into the broader faith community. The premise of The Good and Beautiful Community is that the church and its members are called to be reflections of Christ’s love, embodying virtues like kindness, service, and humility. Smith argues that too often, churches or faith communities fall into the trap of focusing solely on individual faith or personal salvation, overlooking the transformative power of community. He emphasizes that real, authentic Christianity is experienced in the context of relationships with others, where faith comes alive through action and connection. Throughout the book, Smith identifies common barriers to creating these life-giving communities. Among them are individualism, which can isolate believers from one another, and a consumerist mindset that often treats church as a place to be served rather than to serve. These cultural influences can weaken community bonds, making it easy to view church as just another obligation or place to attend rather than as a true family and support system. In response, Smith encourages readers to challenge these views and to take on a mindset of generosity, compassion, and humility. The book is structured into ten chapters, each focusing on a different aspect of community life that aligns with Jesus’ teachings. These chapters cover themes like forgiveness, compassion, hospitality, unity, and sacrifice. Smith doesn’t just discuss these topics theoretically; he gives practical advice on how to live them out, making the book accessible for anyone at any stage of their faith journey. Each chapter ends with a “soul training” exercise—an actionable step or spiritual practice that readers can incorporate into their daily lives to help cultivate the virtues discussed. For instance, in a chapter on forgiveness, Smith might encourage readers to practice empathy toward someone who has wronged them, helping to foster forgiveness and understanding. One of the book’s strengths is Smith’s use of storytelling. He shares real-life examples and anecdotes that illustrate the struggles and rewards of building a faith-filled community. These stories ground his teachings in relatable, everyday scenarios, showing that spiritual growth and community-building aren’t limited to idealized settings but can flourish in the messiness of real life. By sharing personal stories of his own journey and that of others, Smith paints a vivid picture of what it looks like to live out the teachings of Jesus in a modern world. Smith’s perspective on community also includes a strong focus on diversity and inclusion. He stresses that true Christian community welcomes people of all backgrounds and walks of life, breaking down barriers of race, class, and culture. This inclusivity, he argues, is not only essential for building a healthy community but is also a powerful witness to the outside world. By embracing diversity, faith communities can reflect the kingdom of God more fully and offer a more compelling vision of what it means to follow Christ. Another key aspect of The Good and Beautiful Community is its focus on service. Smith calls readers to go beyond their comfort zones to serve those around them, both within and outside the church. He emphasizes that service is at the heart of Jesus’ ministry and is one of the most powerful ways to build meaningful connections. By serving together, members of a community can forge strong bonds and cultivate a spirit of humility and selflessness, moving away from a consumerist mindset and toward one of giving and generosity. The book is designed to be used by both individuals and small groups, making it an excellent choice for church reading groups or Bible studies. The “soul training” exercises provide practical steps for group discussions, encouraging members to support one another in their efforts to live out these teachings. Many readers find that going through the book with others enhances their understanding and motivates them to practice the principles in their own lives. This group format also reflects the book’s central theme: that community is not just something we think about but something we actively build together. Ultimately, The Good and Beautiful Community is a call to action. It challenges readers to embody the values of the kingdom of God in their relationships and interactions. Smith presents a vision of community that is not only possible but deeply transformative—one that goes beyond traditional church attendance to foster deep, meaningful connections rooted in Christ. By following the principles in this book, readers can create communities that are loving, compassionate, and unified, providing a supportive environment where individuals can grow in faith together. In a world that often emphasizes individualism and self-centeredness, The Good and Beautiful Community stands out as a refreshing guide for those who want to live differently. It shows that true fulfillment comes not from focusing solely on oneself but from investing in the lives of others. By fostering a community that embodies the teachings of Jesus, Smith argues, believers can create a space where everyone feels valued, loved, and supported. This book is a powerful resource for anyone looking to deepen their faith through community, reminding readers that together, we can become a powerful force for good in the world. If you would like to explore this new study, it is available on Amazon, as well as part of Good Questions Have Groups Talking |
