The Good and Beautiful God - by James Bryan Smith (Hardcover)

About the Book

Turning to the Gospels, Smith invites readers to put their ideas about God to the test to see if they match up with what Jesus himself reveals about his Father. The author then leads readers through a process of spiritual formation.

Book Synopsis

Over 250,000 Sold Worldwide!

"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.

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.

The Good and Beautiful Series includes four essential discipleship books from James Bryan Smith. Work through these proven Bible study resources individually or with a group to learn who God is, what it means to be a Christian, how to live in community, and how to address toxic self-narratives that hinder spiritual growth.

Review Quotes

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

"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 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

"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

"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

"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

About the Author

James Bryan Smith is a theology professor at Friends University in Wichita, Kansas. He is a founding board member of RENOVARÉ and frequently speaks at RENOVARÉ conferences. Jim is also the author of A Spiritual Formation Workbook, Devotional Classics (with Richard Foster), Embracing the Love of God, Rich Mullins: An Arrow Pointing to Heaven, which hit the New York Times bestseller list, and Room of Marvels.