The Good and Beautiful God: Falling in Love with the God Jesus Knows (The Apprentice Series)
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)"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)"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)"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 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)"The Apprentice Series is the best practice I have seen in Christian spiritual formation." (Dallas Willard, author of The Divine Conspiracy)