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The Good and Beautiful God: Falling in Love with the God Jesus Knows
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.
"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.
232 pages, Hardcover
First published June 5, 2009
1004 people are currently reading
3866 people want to read
About the author
James Bryan Smith
41 books183 followersJames Bryan Smith (M.Div., Yale University Divinity School, D.Min., Fuller Seminary) is a theology professor at Friends University in Wichita, KS and a writer and speaker in the area of Christian spiritual formation. He also serves as the director of the Aprentis Institute for Christian Spiritual Formation at Friends University.
A founding member of Richard J. Foster's spiritual renewal ministry, Renovaré Smith is an ordained United Methodist Church minister and has served in various capacities in local churches. Smith 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 and Room of Marvels.
A founding member of Richard J. Foster's spiritual renewal ministry, Renovaré Smith is an ordained United Methodist Church minister and has served in various capacities in local churches. Smith 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 and Room of Marvels.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 462 reviews
August 12, 2012
My former Theology professor suggested this book to me - to read. I had expected deep theological writing that would take a while to get through. I was surprised at the simplicity of the writing. There are also discussion questions at the end of each chapter which also surprised me.
As I read the book however, I realized that, although the book is written simply, the information in the book is profound and could change a persons life, wtih respect to their relationship with God.
We tend to project onto God our own thoughts, issues, understanding, instead of seeing God for who He is. If we can do away with our "false narratives" and see God as He is (not as we are), and see Him as Jesus saw Him (based on scriptural evidence)then our relationship with God will become stronger and healthier.
Great book, easy read...worth reading!
As I read the book however, I realized that, although the book is written simply, the information in the book is profound and could change a persons life, wtih respect to their relationship with God.
We tend to project onto God our own thoughts, issues, understanding, instead of seeing God for who He is. If we can do away with our "false narratives" and see God as He is (not as we are), and see Him as Jesus saw Him (based on scriptural evidence)then our relationship with God will become stronger and healthier.
Great book, easy read...worth reading!
April 7, 2017
This is by far the best book I read in awhile. I tend to steer away from religious books,but this one was captivating and so relevant to today's society! It explores the facts about God that you rarely hear in churches. Did you know God is love? Did you know He is not an angry monster? Did you know Christians are not sinners saved by Grace? If not,then let this book awaken you to the truth of the Gospel.
God is beautiful and Big,not only that but He is crazy in love with you!
Dump dead religion,and embrace the Gospel!
God is beautiful and Big,not only that but He is crazy in love with you!
Dump dead religion,and embrace the Gospel!
December 25, 2016
One of my church's adult bible study group choose to work through this book this quater. The leader hadn't finished reading this book--she choose it based on reviews. This is the first in a series of three books to be used for spiritual formation, in a group Bible study. It is written by a Quaker who is a mystic. The practices it teaches promote mysticism. This book teaches practices common to Cafeteria Christianity--where passages of the Bible that emphasize God's mercy are highlighted and the fact that God can get angry are ignored.
I could not stand this book, because it gave a "fluffy bunny" view of God--a God that is all loving. Unfortunately, God is much more complex--and has been known to anger. Unfortunately, this "fluffy bunny" view of God is a trend among Quakers, for they tend to rely on feelings over scripture in testing doctrine. This does come to play in this book. In the second chapter, Smith rejects the concept of the "wrathful God" in favor of a strictly loving God. There is one problem with this--the Bible. The apostle Paul, in Romans 2:5-6 describes God's anger it this way: "But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. God 'will give to each person according to what he has done."
WHO IS THIS BOOK FOR?
People wanting to learn basic Christian prayer and meditation techniques, including Leccio Divina--as long as you understand that Smith is a Quaker (very liberal) and this book is definitely Cafeteria Christianity.
WHO IS THIS BOOK NOT FOR?
Moderate and conservative Christians who dislike Cafeteria/Fluffy Bunny Christianity.
Christians who have crossed swords with wicked/evil/severely personality disordered people.
I could not stand this book, because it gave a "fluffy bunny" view of God--a God that is all loving. Unfortunately, God is much more complex--and has been known to anger. Unfortunately, this "fluffy bunny" view of God is a trend among Quakers, for they tend to rely on feelings over scripture in testing doctrine. This does come to play in this book. In the second chapter, Smith rejects the concept of the "wrathful God" in favor of a strictly loving God. There is one problem with this--the Bible. The apostle Paul, in Romans 2:5-6 describes God's anger it this way: "But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. God 'will give to each person according to what he has done."
WHO IS THIS BOOK FOR?
People wanting to learn basic Christian prayer and meditation techniques, including Leccio Divina--as long as you understand that Smith is a Quaker (very liberal) and this book is definitely Cafeteria Christianity.
WHO IS THIS BOOK NOT FOR?
Moderate and conservative Christians who dislike Cafeteria/Fluffy Bunny Christianity.
Christians who have crossed swords with wicked/evil/severely personality disordered people.
December 29, 2019
Good, easy read. Great introduction to the work of Dallas Willard and Richard Foster.
I have a few minor quibbles - Smith tends toward the mystical and pushes the "you're a saint, not a sinner" paradigm which I don't think is helpful (or accurate- I prefer Luther's simul justus et peccator or Keller's "You are far worse off than you ever imagined but, at the same time, more loved than you ever dreamed").
Worth reading if only for this brilliant insight:
By the power of the Holy Spirit, we change based on three things
- Narratives you believe
- Community you’re in
- Habits you engage in
This sums up much of what I've been learning recently (and what I've observed in 20+ years of college ministry).
I have a few minor quibbles - Smith tends toward the mystical and pushes the "you're a saint, not a sinner" paradigm which I don't think is helpful (or accurate- I prefer Luther's simul justus et peccator or Keller's "You are far worse off than you ever imagined but, at the same time, more loved than you ever dreamed").
Worth reading if only for this brilliant insight:
By the power of the Holy Spirit, we change based on three things
- Narratives you believe
- Community you’re in
- Habits you engage in
This sums up much of what I've been learning recently (and what I've observed in 20+ years of college ministry).
August 25, 2022
I read this book with a group of friends this summer, one chapter per week. I would recommend it, and I think it is better if you go through it with a group at a leisurely pace. James Bryan Smith talks a lot in the book about what narratives we believe, and what narratives Jesus held (especially the way he thought of his relationship with God the Father). This idea was relatively new to me, and I think it was a helpful structure for viewing spiritual formation.
The book is very approachable, with deep theological insights presented in the most down-to-earth, practical ways. My favorite part of this book is that each of the 9 chapters has a "Soul Training Exercise" associated with it. Each of these is very simple and restful. They include 'Sleep', 'Silence and Awareness of Creation', 'Counting Your Blessings', 'Praying Psalm 23', 'Lectio Divina', 'Margin', 'Reading the Gospel of John', 'Solitude', and 'Slowing Down'.
Overall a really helpful book, both on a practical level and a theological level.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
If you're interested, I've compiled a list of important quotes that I want to remember in the future when I reread this review. Here are a few quotes that get at the essence of the book:
-- "The number one enemy of Christian spiritual formation today is exhaustion." (p33)
-- "I now see how love that has been proved can be trusted even when things don't make sense." (65)
-- "We have never been and never will be in a place where we can turn to God and say, 'You owe me. I deserve this.' We do not deserve anything we have been given. We have earned nothing. Yet God continues to give. That is because God is not interested in what we can do for God." (p85)
-- "Jesus' narrative of unconditional acceptance goes against the gran of the performance-based-acceptance narrative that is so deeply embedded in our lives. [...] God loves sinners--as they are, and not as they should be." (p99)
-- "In the same way that God's love is not a silly, sappy feeling but rather a consistent desire for the good of his people, so also the wrath of God is not a crazed rage but rather a consistent opposition to sin and evil." (p120)
-- "Love loves unto purity" (George MacDonald, p123)
-- "Then it occurred to me that perhaps she needed first to hear that she was loved unconditionally before she could address the issue of sin." (p127, italics added)
-- "God never called anyone to marginlessness" (p130)
-- "The more we come to know this God, and the more we understand our true nature, the natural self-sacrifice will become for us." (p143)
-- "Christians are not merely forgiven sinners but a new species: persons indwelt by Jesus, possessing, the same eternal life that he has." (p154)
-- "You see, we get anxious and say we're bored, but what's really happening is that we aren't paying attention; we aren't living in the present moment." (p172)
-- "Too many of us are trying to serve God without listening to God. There will be time to serve, but listening to Jesus always takes precedence." (p181)
The book is very approachable, with deep theological insights presented in the most down-to-earth, practical ways. My favorite part of this book is that each of the 9 chapters has a "Soul Training Exercise" associated with it. Each of these is very simple and restful. They include 'Sleep', 'Silence and Awareness of Creation', 'Counting Your Blessings', 'Praying Psalm 23', 'Lectio Divina', 'Margin', 'Reading the Gospel of John', 'Solitude', and 'Slowing Down'.
Overall a really helpful book, both on a practical level and a theological level.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
If you're interested, I've compiled a list of important quotes that I want to remember in the future when I reread this review. Here are a few quotes that get at the essence of the book:
-- "The number one enemy of Christian spiritual formation today is exhaustion." (p33)
-- "I now see how love that has been proved can be trusted even when things don't make sense." (65)
-- "We have never been and never will be in a place where we can turn to God and say, 'You owe me. I deserve this.' We do not deserve anything we have been given. We have earned nothing. Yet God continues to give. That is because God is not interested in what we can do for God." (p85)
-- "Jesus' narrative of unconditional acceptance goes against the gran of the performance-based-acceptance narrative that is so deeply embedded in our lives. [...] God loves sinners--as they are, and not as they should be." (p99)
-- "In the same way that God's love is not a silly, sappy feeling but rather a consistent desire for the good of his people, so also the wrath of God is not a crazed rage but rather a consistent opposition to sin and evil." (p120)
-- "Love loves unto purity" (George MacDonald, p123)
-- "Then it occurred to me that perhaps she needed first to hear that she was loved unconditionally before she could address the issue of sin." (p127, italics added)
-- "God never called anyone to marginlessness" (p130)
-- "The more we come to know this God, and the more we understand our true nature, the natural self-sacrifice will become for us." (p143)
-- "Christians are not merely forgiven sinners but a new species: persons indwelt by Jesus, possessing, the same eternal life that he has." (p154)
-- "You see, we get anxious and say we're bored, but what's really happening is that we aren't paying attention; we aren't living in the present moment." (p172)
-- "Too many of us are trying to serve God without listening to God. There will be time to serve, but listening to Jesus always takes precedence." (p181)
March 31, 2025
4.5 !! .5 points of because I felt like some chapters were talking about the same thing but it’s always nice to be reminded.
Over all this was a great book to start off my family small group with ! I feel like it prepared us to be in the right mentality before diving into more scripture based studies. Also this book has uplifted so much in my lowest of days and brought me so much peace.
To anyone who’s feels like they don’t know God and want to know, as well as purse a relationship with, God I highly recommend this book because it helped me know God a bit better.
Over all this was a great book to start off my family small group with ! I feel like it prepared us to be in the right mentality before diving into more scripture based studies. Also this book has uplifted so much in my lowest of days and brought me so much peace.
To anyone who’s feels like they don’t know God and want to know, as well as purse a relationship with, God I highly recommend this book because it helped me know God a bit better.
February 14, 2021
Went through this book with my church. It prompted helpful conversations.
November 30, 2013
James Bryan Smith believes that our idea of God shapes everything about how we view and engage our world. He also believes that we cannot change our view of God by mere human effort, nor the way we live in light of this. Rather, he believes, having been influenced by Dallas Willard, that transformation comes from God and that we put ourselves in the place where we may experience this through spiritual practices, or soul-training exercises, where God can break in and change us from the inside out.
This is the first in three books in what Smith calls "The Apprentice Series" which is designed to help readers grow in Christ-likeness as their view of God, life, and Christian community are transformed as they encounter Christ. This first book focuses on the God revealed to us in Christ--his goodness, trustworthiness, generosity, love, holiness, self-sacrificing character, and transforming work. The book concludes in reflecting on the slow but certain process by which God transforms us as we continue to follow Christ--likened to the making of pickles!
Each chapter is accompanied by a "Soul Training" exercise. I studied this with a group and we attempted to practice each of these: sleep (everyone loved this one!), silence, counting blessings, praying Psalm 23, lectio divina, margin, reading John's gospel, solitude, and slowing down. Good, practical direction is giving for each of these. The book also includes a discussion guide for small groups studying it together, which I again found helpful--although this works best in a 90 minute setting which we had to abridge because we were on a 60 minute schedule.
While this book can be read profitably individually, I would recommend getting a group together to work through it together. Not only does this help with actually doing the exercises, but also, the varying experiences of group members make sense of the chapter content, which might not reflect every individual's experience (we had the experience of some not being able to relate to chapter material, particularly illustrations, until we were together as a group and someone shared how it connected to them).
In this, the book reveals something of a slant to experience and negative experiences of God and church at that. Sadly, there is enough of this to make this approach appealing and helpful to many and perhaps people with such experiences could not read on into the biblical treatment of Christ and God otherwise. For many in the student circles I work in, this approach, coupled with the soul training exercises has been very helpful in breaking through to an understanding of the grace and love of God for them, an experience of forgiveness, and a growing intimacy with God.
This is the first in three books in what Smith calls "The Apprentice Series" which is designed to help readers grow in Christ-likeness as their view of God, life, and Christian community are transformed as they encounter Christ. This first book focuses on the God revealed to us in Christ--his goodness, trustworthiness, generosity, love, holiness, self-sacrificing character, and transforming work. The book concludes in reflecting on the slow but certain process by which God transforms us as we continue to follow Christ--likened to the making of pickles!
Each chapter is accompanied by a "Soul Training" exercise. I studied this with a group and we attempted to practice each of these: sleep (everyone loved this one!), silence, counting blessings, praying Psalm 23, lectio divina, margin, reading John's gospel, solitude, and slowing down. Good, practical direction is giving for each of these. The book also includes a discussion guide for small groups studying it together, which I again found helpful--although this works best in a 90 minute setting which we had to abridge because we were on a 60 minute schedule.
While this book can be read profitably individually, I would recommend getting a group together to work through it together. Not only does this help with actually doing the exercises, but also, the varying experiences of group members make sense of the chapter content, which might not reflect every individual's experience (we had the experience of some not being able to relate to chapter material, particularly illustrations, until we were together as a group and someone shared how it connected to them).
In this, the book reveals something of a slant to experience and negative experiences of God and church at that. Sadly, there is enough of this to make this approach appealing and helpful to many and perhaps people with such experiences could not read on into the biblical treatment of Christ and God otherwise. For many in the student circles I work in, this approach, coupled with the soul training exercises has been very helpful in breaking through to an understanding of the grace and love of God for them, an experience of forgiveness, and a growing intimacy with God.
January 12, 2013
I had a lot of problems with this book when lining it up against God's Word. Even the subtitle "following in love with the God Jesus knows" is hard to get past. We are to love God not fall in love with Him. We are to love God that would include Christ since He is the Son. Smith credits the book to at least two Quakers and two Catholics of whom he says that if you read the book you are reading their writings. If you are familiar with the Renovare and the Emergent church then you realize that these are ecumenical which include Roman Catholicism and eastern thought. These teachings are foreign to the Scriptures.
Smith adheres to extra biblical content to acquire disciplines that are essential for being formed into Christlikeness. The Scripture claims the growth (or transformation) is through the renewing of the mind by God's Word through the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 12:1,2; 1 Peter 2:2; 2 Peter 1:3-8
Smith states that these disciplines in the book are essential and "means" of acquiring God's grace. This is a works/grace teaching.
The book has smatterings of truth throughout the book but its basis and foundational teaching conflict with God's Word and most believers are not well read in the Scriptures to discern the errors.
I would only recommend this book to someone who was sharpening their critique skills. Using a highlighter to evaluate the teachings and understanding the strange terms that are thrown around.
I have seen this movement do some serious damage to believers and churches.
Smith adheres to extra biblical content to acquire disciplines that are essential for being formed into Christlikeness. The Scripture claims the growth (or transformation) is through the renewing of the mind by God's Word through the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 12:1,2; 1 Peter 2:2; 2 Peter 1:3-8
Smith states that these disciplines in the book are essential and "means" of acquiring God's grace. This is a works/grace teaching.
The book has smatterings of truth throughout the book but its basis and foundational teaching conflict with God's Word and most believers are not well read in the Scriptures to discern the errors.
I would only recommend this book to someone who was sharpening their critique skills. Using a highlighter to evaluate the teachings and understanding the strange terms that are thrown around.
I have seen this movement do some serious damage to believers and churches.
December 15, 2017
We were going to give this book away when moving. But I was like, "hey, I haven't read it yet. Lemme just have a quick look...." So I speed read the thing in one and a half days. After that I was like "NO WAY I AM KEEPING THIS THING".
Because it was so jam packed with wisdom, you can't digest it in two days! It has alternate chapters for the "teaching" then the "practical" tips. You gotta DO IT to reap the fullest results. It can be pretty intelectual and info packed for some people but hey. YOU ARE ALL BOOK WORMS AND WORD LOVERS, NO? And for thos ewho don't mind THIS IS SUCH A MUST READ.
From sleeping well to learning how to live in the now to discussing the wrath of God this book is. so. worth. your time.
I highly recommend to all who read Christian nonfic!
Because it was so jam packed with wisdom, you can't digest it in two days! It has alternate chapters for the "teaching" then the "practical" tips. You gotta DO IT to reap the fullest results. It can be pretty intelectual and info packed for some people but hey. YOU ARE ALL BOOK WORMS AND WORD LOVERS, NO? And for thos ewho don't mind THIS IS SUCH A MUST READ.
From sleeping well to learning how to live in the now to discussing the wrath of God this book is. so. worth. your time.
I highly recommend to all who read Christian nonfic!
May 23, 2025
Excellent. Would be even better with a group because of the value of trying out the exercises in each chapter and discussing them.
"The best approach [to change] is to keep soaking in the truth of our identify in Christ, practicing spiritual disciplines that deepen those truths and being part of the community that will reinforce those truths.... Reading this book carefully and working to replace false narratives with the narratives of Jesus will help us make significant steps towards change.... Be encouraged. Change is slow, but is does take place" (164, 189).
"I am not trying to live a sinless life like Jesus. Jesus, who lived a sinless life, is now living in me.... Christians are not merely forgiven sinners but a new species: persons indwelt by Jesus.... When I hear a Christian say, 'I'm just a sinner save by grace,' I want to say, 'That makes as much sense as a butterfly saying, 'I'm just a worm with wings'" (154, 156).
"The best approach [to change] is to keep soaking in the truth of our identify in Christ, practicing spiritual disciplines that deepen those truths and being part of the community that will reinforce those truths.... Reading this book carefully and working to replace false narratives with the narratives of Jesus will help us make significant steps towards change.... Be encouraged. Change is slow, but is does take place" (164, 189).
"I am not trying to live a sinless life like Jesus. Jesus, who lived a sinless life, is now living in me.... Christians are not merely forgiven sinners but a new species: persons indwelt by Jesus.... When I hear a Christian say, 'I'm just a sinner save by grace,' I want to say, 'That makes as much sense as a butterfly saying, 'I'm just a worm with wings'" (154, 156).
February 19, 2024
This book does a good job of showing how easy it is to view God incorrectly and how damaging this can be to our relationship with Him. Going through this with a group from church has led to some really insightful conversation that has helped me recognize my own misconceptions and how to correct those.
May 23, 2024
The content in each chapter was simpler and more foundational than I expected going in, but this is overall a great book on what it practically looks like to pursue a life with Jesus. Enjoyed the practices at the end of each chapter and have already incorporated some in my daily and weekly rhythms.
January 31, 2014
I always know I'm in the presence of God when I feel two intense & conflicting emotions at the same time: conviction AND empowerment. This book ushers me into the presence of God.
This was my fourth time through this book (I've even written worksheets to accompany the material and this was my second time through THOSE) and there is just such richness and depth to these thoughts that it feels like a new book every time. At times, the god that I worship is very much UNlike the God that Jesus knows & the outcomes of my god are all destructive. I want freedom in life, I want the abundant life that God promised and I want to make a difference in the world - all 3 of these things have the same needed element of success: I must fall in love with the God Jesus knows and stop clinging to the god I THINK I know.
I first picked up the book in a time of life where I was fairly angry with God - The Good & Beautiful God began to strip away the wrong beliefs I had and help my heart heal. Now I'm in a season of life where I'm thirsty to take huge leaps of growth as often as the opportunity presents itself. For both seasons of life, The Good & Beautiful God suited my soul beautifully. It'll be a book I recommend frequently as well as a pool of wisdom I'll return to routinely to have a refreshing drink.
This was my fourth time through this book (I've even written worksheets to accompany the material and this was my second time through THOSE) and there is just such richness and depth to these thoughts that it feels like a new book every time. At times, the god that I worship is very much UNlike the God that Jesus knows & the outcomes of my god are all destructive. I want freedom in life, I want the abundant life that God promised and I want to make a difference in the world - all 3 of these things have the same needed element of success: I must fall in love with the God Jesus knows and stop clinging to the god I THINK I know.
I first picked up the book in a time of life where I was fairly angry with God - The Good & Beautiful God began to strip away the wrong beliefs I had and help my heart heal. Now I'm in a season of life where I'm thirsty to take huge leaps of growth as often as the opportunity presents itself. For both seasons of life, The Good & Beautiful God suited my soul beautifully. It'll be a book I recommend frequently as well as a pool of wisdom I'll return to routinely to have a refreshing drink.
September 11, 2014
This is a wonderful study that we did with my Sunday School class. Jim Smith does an excellent job of painting a picture of "the God Jesus knows" while sharing personal experiences of his own. Doing this in a group is fantastic, because you notice parts of each chapter you may have missed reading it on your own.
Smith incorporates "soul training" exercises at the end of each chapter for you to really internalize each concept/lesson. For example, when you learn about slowing down, he challenges us to choose the slow lane on the highway, turn off t.v. for 24 hours, or deliberately get in the longest line at the grocery store! Some are more challenging than others, but I learned so much. My favorite was the week where we listed our blessings on paper, 25 each day. It changed my whole mindset!
It's the first of a 3 part series, and we're moving on to the Good and Beautiful Life this Sunday. I'm eager to see what more I can learn in this next book!
Smith incorporates "soul training" exercises at the end of each chapter for you to really internalize each concept/lesson. For example, when you learn about slowing down, he challenges us to choose the slow lane on the highway, turn off t.v. for 24 hours, or deliberately get in the longest line at the grocery store! Some are more challenging than others, but I learned so much. My favorite was the week where we listed our blessings on paper, 25 each day. It changed my whole mindset!
It's the first of a 3 part series, and we're moving on to the Good and Beautiful Life this Sunday. I'm eager to see what more I can learn in this next book!
May 2, 2019
This was a nice small group bible study read !!
3.5 Stars !!!
3.5 Stars !!!
June 23, 2015
Poor doctrine with too much eisegesis. Some incorrectly cited and misquoted scriptures. Author makes many claims, especially about what is good for soul training, but rarely attempts to support his ideas of the spiritual realm with what God teaches in His Word about the the spiritual realm. While I'm sure he'd deny it, his writing is of a person that does not hold scripture as the ultimate authority.
It deserves a one star rating, but I gave it two because we used it as a six-person group study (questions for this are in the back of the book). Each week we'd read a chapter and then discuss it and answer the group study guide questions. In this way it served as a great way of opening discussions and really getting to know each other better.
It deserves a one star rating, but I gave it two because we used it as a six-person group study (questions for this are in the back of the book). Each week we'd read a chapter and then discuss it and answer the group study guide questions. In this way it served as a great way of opening discussions and really getting to know each other better.
December 8, 2016
Part of a series that represents the next iteration of Foster's "Celebration of Discipline," which was a faith-changing book for me (and plenty of other Christians bored with the superficial Americanity of the '90s). A repetitive book for those who are already familiar, but this would be excellent and profound for anyone desiring more depth or experience from Christianity. Good stuff!
February 14, 2018
A good book with lots of great questions and challenging exercises. Would be best read in a group, one chapter ever 2-4 weeks, so there is time for application.
December 29, 2020
A very lovely book focusing on the love and grace of God. This book is very much geared for weekly reflections and small group sharing, so I have a feeling that I will be returning to it again and again. Many of the exercises in the book feel very similar to mindfulness courses that I have taken in the past, but with a very different heart: rather than using mindfulness and meditation as a tool for self healing, Smith focuses on how this "soul training" primes ourselves to become better disciples. Many of the chapters - especially the earlier ones - feel like a conventional sermon, using that oft-used trope of introducing one-off individuals who undergo rapid character development that tie in with the message of the chapter. I am still not sure how I feel about this kind of writing as a whole, although it definitely does make the book very accessible. In addition, Smith certainly does not shy away from citing the Bible, other theologians, and other useful poems and literature, while also going a step further in doing interpretation rather than just collecting wisdom.
December 4, 2023
3.75⭐️Lisa (a lady in France that has been discipling me) & I got to go through this book together for the past several months, which I enjoyed. Each chapter explores different attributes of God and unpacking false narratives we might believe. There are spiritual exercises/disciplines to be able to establish in your life after each chapter. I enjoyed getting to read this book, along side with scripture. His main theme throughout the book is the importance for allowing margin in your life. That the Lord made work & rest-but what it looks like to have healthy rhythms.
My only hesitation, is that there were a few topics I wish he would have touched more on & reinforce a little stronger. I didn’t love his descriptions of “I am a sinner” & “I am a saint”.
“If our problem were ignorance, then education would be our solution. But the human problem is much deeper than that.”
My only hesitation, is that there were a few topics I wish he would have touched more on & reinforce a little stronger. I didn’t love his descriptions of “I am a sinner” & “I am a saint”.
“If our problem were ignorance, then education would be our solution. But the human problem is much deeper than that.”
March 8, 2025
Smith is a gifted writer who utilizes the rich spiritual history of the church to lead the reader into renewed perspectives on God’s nature. I appreciate the way in which he blends various traditions and uses Bible-based filters to help the reader decode common “lies” that are being perpetuate about God.
The book has many historical and personal examples of the ways in which we can distorted the good and beautiful picture of God in the Bible. For example, Smith shares a story from when he preached on God’s grace. Afterwards, one man had a transformative moment when he was freed from legalism. Yet, at the same meeting a woman expressed delight that God would not judge her for living with her boyfriend. With a pastoral voice, the book walks us through a holistic view of the holy and merciful God of Scriptures.
The author’s tone is rich with a passion to know God while also being loving to us who are dealing with their brokenness in the process.
The book has many historical and personal examples of the ways in which we can distorted the good and beautiful picture of God in the Bible. For example, Smith shares a story from when he preached on God’s grace. Afterwards, one man had a transformative moment when he was freed from legalism. Yet, at the same meeting a woman expressed delight that God would not judge her for living with her boyfriend. With a pastoral voice, the book walks us through a holistic view of the holy and merciful God of Scriptures.
The author’s tone is rich with a passion to know God while also being loving to us who are dealing with their brokenness in the process.
August 28, 2023
“We get anxious and say we’re bored, but what’s really happening is that we aren’t paying attention; we aren’t living in the present moment. And we do that because we think the present moment isn’t interesting. But it is.”
•••
“Instead of seeing ourselves as organisms - flexible and fluid, designed for rest and recreation, laughter and learning - we came to see the human person as yet another machine.”
•••
This book felt attainable, encouraging, and like a toolbox for spiritual formation. It’s both a calling to and an equipping for presence, silence, slow and steady change, and apprenticeship to Jesus. I already sent a Thank You text to the friend who gave it to me.
•••
“Instead of seeing ourselves as organisms - flexible and fluid, designed for rest and recreation, laughter and learning - we came to see the human person as yet another machine.”
•••
This book felt attainable, encouraging, and like a toolbox for spiritual formation. It’s both a calling to and an equipping for presence, silence, slow and steady change, and apprenticeship to Jesus. I already sent a Thank You text to the friend who gave it to me.
July 8, 2021
Want to go through a spiritual journey that will unfold the struggles we face between the current worldly culture we live in, versus the God we serve?
Highly recommend diving into this read with friends.
Covering one section a week was a great practice to watch the growth in all of us “oak trees”, and becoming more in tune with the God we don’t have to perform for, but rather, the God who loves us and we were given the opportunity to know through his Son who lives in us and our flesh.
Highly recommend diving into this read with friends.
Covering one section a week was a great practice to watch the growth in all of us “oak trees”, and becoming more in tune with the God we don’t have to perform for, but rather, the God who loves us and we were given the opportunity to know through his Son who lives in us and our flesh.
April 9, 2025
I really think this book impacted how I see God, as He is good and beautiful. It softened my heart to change the false narratives that I believed about God.
I enjoyed doing this in the group study and think that impacted how beneficial it was to me. Through group discussion though, we noticed some things that didn’t seem to be as direct or clear as the Bible is— which would make me hesitate to suggest this book to someone not familiar with the Bible.
God is good and beautiful — and He has given us a good and beautiful life, and an even better and more beautiful hope for the life to come. TYJ!
I enjoyed doing this in the group study and think that impacted how beneficial it was to me. Through group discussion though, we noticed some things that didn’t seem to be as direct or clear as the Bible is— which would make me hesitate to suggest this book to someone not familiar with the Bible.
God is good and beautiful — and He has given us a good and beautiful life, and an even better and more beautiful hope for the life to come. TYJ!
July 25, 2020
This was a great book - I especially liked the “soul training” sections attached to each chapter. I still have questions about reconciling the God of the Old Testament with “the God Jesus knew”, so 4 stars because I don’t feel the author addressed this well. But good concepts for a new believer or someone wanting to understand God’s character better.
February 2, 2022
Good! Gotta love a book about spiritual disciplines that starts off talking about how important sleep is! This book is about changing the narratives we believe about God, and then living out in regular practice these truths - especially the truth that Christ is IN and WITH us everyday! now onto The Good and Beautiful Life!
July 31, 2023
A practical, life giving book with real, tangible steps to transformation. I can’t suggest this book highly enough. Smith takes something that can feel difficult, even impossible, and invites us into a new way of living. It is truly a worthwhile book to read, savor, practice, and come back to again.
February 3, 2025
The perspective shift of who God actually is according to Jesus is so central to how we form our worldview--what we believe about God and about ourselves. The "soul exercises" in this book reminded me that God wants us to enjoy our relationship with him, and that He cares that we are healthy. It was a good book to use for a small group, full of good discussion questions that led to rich self-reflection and deep sharing.
April 7, 2025
1.5 rounded down
I went through this book with a group and it did open the door for good discussion with the group! I will admit I didn’t put a ton of effort into the soul-trainings at the end of each chapter, so I’m sure if you did you would get more out of it. There were a couple chapters that I thought were pretty good, but for the most part I wasn’t a huge fan.
I disagreed with some of the author’s theology so I couldn’t give it two stars. I wouldn’t suggest this book for personal use but if you’re looking to have good discussion, maybe go for it??
I went through this book with a group and it did open the door for good discussion with the group! I will admit I didn’t put a ton of effort into the soul-trainings at the end of each chapter, so I’m sure if you did you would get more out of it. There were a couple chapters that I thought were pretty good, but for the most part I wasn’t a huge fan.
I disagreed with some of the author’s theology so I couldn’t give it two stars. I wouldn’t suggest this book for personal use but if you’re looking to have good discussion, maybe go for it??
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