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

I loved this book! I just got saved in November after spending 30+ years in church. I was introduced to this book right after I got saved and it’s helped rebuild my faith with the truth while helping to tear down bad theology and lies I had learned from the church and my own misinterpretation of the Bible. I think it’s a great book for every believer. I can’t wait to start the second one in the series.

I really liked the perspective on how this book was written. It was very positive and encouraging.I found out that this book is a part of a series, so I'm going to check out the other books.

I was very interested in reading this book after hearing James Bryan Smith speak at the Divine Conspiracy Conference. Upon reading the first few pages, I learned that his mentors were none other than Richard Foster and Dallas Willard! I was even more interested and fortunately I was not disappointed.If you are familiar with Dallas Willard and Richard Foster, this book has similar imprints of these writing, but Smith has his own distinct style.His style of writing draws you in, entices you to let down defenses, and shares his life experiences with you.The book is laden with stories about his life and others. How real people are being conformed to the image of God. He talks about trust, by comparing the trust his son has in him. He affirms the Goodness of God even while talking about how he suffered through the loss of his daughter. The book is good, not only because it content, but because it is utterly realistic.The book has 229 pgs, which consists of 9 Chapters. Each chapter has an addition with a spiritual discipline that should be practiced that week. Furthermore the book has questions associated with each chapter at the back.Which is very useful seeing that one of the purposes of the book is to be used in a group!How is the content of the book? Here is an excerpt below:"God loves us so much that he longs for us to be pure and works tirelessly to make us pure. MacDonald points out how God is against sin and thus for humans: 'He is always against sin; in so far as, and while, they and sin are one, he is against them-- against their desires, their aims, their fears, and their hopes; and thus he is altogether for them.'God is against my sin because he is for me. And if I am for sin, God stands against those desires, MacDonald is saying, because they cause my destruction. I would not have it any other way. To be sure, I am prone to excusing my sin or rationalizing my weaknesses, but God is not in that business. Though we are now reconciled through Christ, God is not indifferent to my sin. It hurts me, and therefore it hurts God--because God loves me."There are many other ah ha moments, which gives you a new perspective on certain things such as the will, or your identity in Christ, or even the nature of God. To Smith's credit, the book was never dull or boring. At the end the book just left me longing for the next book in the series: The Good and Beautiful Life.I recommend this book and I think it would work well with other excellent books on spiritual formation such as renovation of the heart, longing for God, the spirit of the disciplines or even celebration of discipline. Buy the book and like me, you will be awaiting the next book of the series!-------------------------------------------------------------------------Table of ContentsIntroductionHow to Get the Most Out of This Book1. What Are You Seeking?Soul Training: Sleep2. God is GoodSoul Training:Silence and Awareness of Creation3. God is TrustworthySoul Training: Counting Your Blessings4. God is GenerousSoul Training: Praying Psalm 235. God is LoveSoul Training: Lectio Divina6. God is HolySoul Training: Margin7. God is Self-SacrificingSoul Training; Reading the Gospel of John8. God TransformsSoul Training: Solitude9. How to Make a PickleSoul Training: Slowing DownAppendix: Small Group Discussion GuideNotesAcknowledgments-------------------------------------------------------------------------Reviews & Endorsements"The Apprentice Series is the best practice I have seen in Christian spiritual formation."--Dallas Willard, author of The Divine Conspiracy"I know from our long relationship that Jim Smith is a fine and trustworthy man, who authentically knows 'the good and beautiful God.' I can think of no higher compliment than this: I would happily trust the care of my soul to Jim and the good and beautiful God he commends to us."--Todd Hunter, author of Christianity Beyond Belief and pastor of Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Costa Mesa"This first book in The Apprentice Series, The Good and Beautiful God, 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 this book immediately! Read it and apply it. Then live it 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-------------------------------------------------------------------------

I've seen books in poorer condition at retail stores. Great buy!!

Do you want to understand God the Father? What did Jesus know and reveal about God? Surprisingly the book does not answer these questions immediately and focuses on a chapter about how to get enough sleep. This is important to think about since I know for myself a lack of sleep can dramatically affect my moods and reactions. You may feel the same way.The second chapter will make you laugh and then feel like crying. There is a detailed discussion on whether or not God punishes sin in this life. I am convinced that it does happen and is a bit like karma. Didn't Jesus say we'd reap what we sow? Needless to say this chapter was very comforting and explains that we will understand everything that happens to us once we get to heaven. Not everything is however our fault, God has a plan.This book mostly focuses on qualities of God like how he is good, trustworthy, generous, loving, holy and self-sacrificing. James Bryan Smith also presents practical applications of spiritual concepts. He makes a great point about how knowing God loves us and loving him in return gives us lasting incentives to change for the better.I felt this book was a calming and comforting message and a gentle reminder of how God loves us unconditionally.~The Rebecca Review

This a very readable book. Up lifting and not Denominational. Basic Christian commentary supported by scripture. Have really enjoyed this book.

This is a really powerful and basic study on the character of God. Smith deals mostly with false narratives that we believe about God (God is mad at me, God wants me to do more things instead of being with him, etc.) and refutes those narratives with accurate pictures from the Bible (for example, Martha and Mary to refute that second false narrative). The book is structured well, with short chapters that deal well with simple concepts, not using an overwhelming amount of Scripture but using it effectively. There are helpful questions scattered throughout, along with good suggestions for using this book with a small group (I read it on my own, and it was good, but I probably would have gotten more from a group experience). Even though I was first discouraged by the "Soul training" exercises because of the weird name, they were actually quite helpful (for example, praying through Psalm 23 consistently for a few days and recording your experiences).My main complaint with this book is that it is so basic - it's true that Christians often live like our picture of God matches some of the false narratives in the book, so it is good to continually return to basics, but for the most part, if the reader has read the Gospels a few times, none of the basic concepts is new. "God is holy" is necessary to remember, but as presented in this book, Smith's teaching is more effective to introduce the idea to a new believer or someone with a totally false narrative than to develop the idea for someone who has already given it years of thought.I would not hesitate to use this book as an aid in meeting with one or more new Christians, but I think the other two books in the trilogy may turn out to be more effective for myself.

This is a really good book. The "theory" bit is working on getting us to see God as Jesus actually taught and to see God as loving but holy. And then there are the "practical" bits at the end of each chapter, requiring us to do something. Really good read, and even better if you have a friend to discuss the book with as you read it.

This is a great book .... Easy to read but provocatively written, encouraging reflection and action. There are suggested activities in relation to each chapter which are helpful applications of the content.

So far I'm finding this helpful and challenging and good with the questions to answer them as you go along.

Studying in a group brings it alive

I recently joined a bible study group at my local church and this book as helped enormously.My understanding of Scriptures the Old and the New Testaments,are now more meaningful.A great book which enabled me to feel closer to God. Also an excellent text for course work.