The Good and Beautiful Life: Putting on the Character of Christ

· InterVarsity Press
5 reviews
Ebook
264
Pages
Tools
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About this ebook

Finding the Good Life through the Sermon on the Mount

James Bryan Smith argues that we’ve bought into false ideas of happiness and success, pushing us toward self-centered decisions that fuel destructive vices like anger, lying, and judging. Building from Jesus' teachings in the Sermon on the Mount, this compelling follow-up to The Good and Beautiful God invites us to replace these false beliefs with the transformative teachings of Jesus about life in God’s kingdom.

Through Biblical teaching and practical exercises, Smith equips readers to confront our failings, inviting us to replace them with practices taught by Jesus, helping to form his character in us. Thought-provoking and deeply spiritual,this book offers a roadmap for turning away from harmful beliefs and living a life rooted in the vibrant and renewing kingdom of God.

In The Good and Beautiful Life, you'll find chapters like

  • Learning to Live Without Worry
  • Learning to Bless Those Who Curse Us
  • Living in the Kingdom Day by Day

You'll also gain practical insights through "soul training" activities like

  • Writing a letter to God
  • Practicing disciplines likesilence and prayer
  • Fasting from media
  • Living one day devotionally
  • and more!

If you're ready to discover a deeper, more meaningful way to live, The Good and Beautiful Life is the guide you've been waiting for. This book offers tools to shape your heart to become more like Christ. Begin your journey toward truly living in the kingdom of God.

About the Series

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.

Finding the Good Life through the Sermon on the Mount James Bryan Smith argues that we’ve bought into false ideas of happiness and success, pushing us toward self-centered decisions that fuel destructive vices like anger, lying, and judging. Building from Jesus' teachings in the Sermon on the Mo...

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Ratings and reviews

5 reviews
A Google user
August 23, 2012
This book along with the other 2 in the series make up a great resource to help us along with our apprenticeship/discipleship to Jesus. James Bryan Smith does an excellent job of distilling the best teachings by Dallas Willard, Richard Foster, Henri Nowen and many others; and making them accessible to the lay person and clergyman/woman alike. I highly recommend this series if you, your group, your Church or all three want to get serious about becoming and/or making disciples of Jesus - Matt 28:19
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A Google user
February 17, 2012
This book felt a little thin as it worked through the Sermon on the Mount. It was difficult for me to follow the idealogical journey through the narratives of vice.
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About the author

James Bryan Smith is the author of The Good and Beautiful Series. He is a theology professor at Friends University in Wichita, Kansas, where he also serves as the director of the Apprentice Institute for Christian Spiritual Formation. 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.

James Bryan Smith is the author of The Good and Beautiful Series. He is a theology professor at Friends University in Wichita, Kansas, where he also serves as the director of the Apprentice Institute for Christian Spiritual Formation. A founding member of Richard J. Foster's spiritual renewal min...

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