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Publisher's Summary

"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. Those who are leading apprentice groups will also find additional help and opportunities to interact with other leaders at the Apprentice website.

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.
©2009 James Bryan Smith (P)2010 christianaudio.com
Bible Study Christian Living Christianity
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What listeners say about The Good and Beautiful God

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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • Leslie
  • 30-12-2010

Off Kilter

When my mind starts to replay narratives about Jesus that are not true causing me to act in all sorts of strange ways in self contempt. Just a few words from this book set me right in the love of God once again.

7 people found this helpful

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  • Matthew
  • 26-11-2012

A must for Christ followers

Would you listen to The Good and Beautiful God again? Why?

Get the right naratives in your life...so many are put there by people other than God. This book helps bridge many gaps of understanding who God really is.

3 people found this helpful

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  • Bobby
  • 13-08-2018

spiritual transformation in practice

Smith is an excellent storyteller. He knows how to take big theological ideas and make them real and accessible. Anyone who struggles with who God is will find valuable guidance here.

1 person found this helpful

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  • Amazon Customer
  • 06-01-2018

Love this book!

The narrator's voice took a little getting used to in the beginning but soon the content really brought me in deeper. This book dispelled the lies or misunderstandings people tell each other and really solidified my idea of God, the Trinity, and I even teared up a few times. In my healing journey with God from PTSD, He has been teaching me much and His Love is one of the lessons. True Love is what we all desperately need but often are stand-off - ish because of past experiences with people. Trust God to let Him teach you what true love feels like and what it does for our souls. God is Love and "Love never fails." I Corinthians 13:8

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  • Kayla
  • 31-03-2017

Dry narration

The content was great, however the narration was nearly robotic. This book would benifit from a pdf of the chapter questions, as listening to questions leave very little time to search your heart for response.

1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • Adam Shields
  • 11-08-2011

I will read this again.

This is intended as a group study, although written in a book form. I read it by myself and really enjoyed it, but I can see that it would be better as a group. Smith walks us through a number of false beliefs about God and why they are wrong and then tries to show us God the Father as Jesus knows him. Interspersed throughout are 'soul training' exercises. If you read a chapter a week (as intended) then they are introductory look at spiritual disciplines. It is the first book in a three book series. I have all three and plan on reading the next soon. This will be a book I read again.

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  • Amanda
  • 03-05-2022

Worth the read

Loved the book ! The narrator makes me a little sleepy, I have the hardback also I like to follow along with the narrator from time to time. all round though enjoyed it. I already DL the other two books that goes with this one.😊

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  • Michaela snowden
  • 05-02-2022

Great book for knowing God and how to experience Him

James Bryant Smith does a great job hashing out false narratives about God and restoring correct perspectives along with practical steps to developing a more intimate relationship with the true God, the one Jesus knows.

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  • Terie Brown
  • 13-10-2021

Easy to Follow

Listened all at once, while driving. Easy to follow and learn without any interruptions - excellent!

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  • Jross513
  • 02-09-2021

Great for individual and group spiritual growth

My small group and I are reading this 3-book series. We have had such great discussions and have actually been able to change our false narratives or at least be aware that we can! This book is just as important to the individual as it is a community/group! Looking forward to the next two books!

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  • David Brown
  • 14-01-2018

I thought provoking, holy spirit filled, gem of a book!

This is wonderfully well paced book that not only highlights many of the false narratives we hold about God, but through clear and practical exercises and thought-provoking questions helps us to see past them and to grow in Christ like faith. I loved it. I'll be using it in a discipleship group over the coming year. I think you'll love it too.

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