Book Review: True Community

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True Community by Jerry Bridges

2012

 

This book has also been marketed under the title" The Crisis Of Caring", but now, on request,

has been published under its original title as above.

The opening chapter is headed" Sharing a Common Life" and follows with these words from

1 John 1:3, "What we have seen and heard we declare to you, so that you and we together may share in a common life, that life which we share with the Father and His Son Jesus Christ."

 

We are then led chapter by chapter through the important aspects of being true caring, loving members of the body of Christ.

Fellowship is more than just talking over coffee after the church service.

 

"KOINONIA"... joining together to learn/study/celebrate.

 This book focuses on the many aspects of the meaning of sharing as God's people.

 

In a partnership, all partners are equal though they may perform different tasks.

They share not just the positives but also the negatives.

 

Many areas we can improve on are highlighted. The book gives encouragement to

 those who struggle spiritually and socially but also has well-balanced meaning for those of us who are "out there"... those who know it all and are inclined to not listen very well to others.

 

To build a spiritual house, we need to bind together, and that can only happen with love for each other.

 

Practical thought is also given to our financial sharing ... 1 Corinthians 16:2.

We need to learn how to serve, just as Christ did ... Matthew 20:28,  and we need to support adequately those who serve all over the world.

 

It is better to be the lesser than to strive to be the greater ... Christ came to serve and there are many examples of that ... Luke 22:27.

 

J.Bridges teaches us to be loving, faithful and trustworthy ... don't volunteer, if you cannot  be relied upon. Something, he says, happens too frequently in churches.

 

I really enjoyed this book with its practical and thought-provoking chapters.

 

The study guide is also very structured with just a few questions on each chapter.

 

I would highly recommend this book for any study/book group.

 

Mary Schoof, FRC Albany