I’d Like You More if You Were More Like Me by John Ortberg–Book Review

The subject of this book is intimacy — intimacy in our relationships with one another and intimacy with God. It’s a mixture of sound theology and practical advice. As usual, John Ortberg does not disappoint. In an eminently readable fashion, he takes on some difficult topics such as:

*Defining and understanding true intimacy

*How to connect with others

*The importance of commitment

*Barriers to commitment

*Vulnerability and authority

*Intimacy in suffering

*How to repair intimate relationships

Every reader will find something helpful and enlightening that can be applied to their own life and circumstances. It would be a great choice for a small group study. And if you’re wondering how it connects with the theme for this month (death and dying), check out the chapter entitled, “Who Will Cry at Your Funeral?”.

VERDICT: 5 STARS. I loved it!

For more about relationships see these posts:

Relationships! Relationships! Relationships!

Godly Relationships

Is This a Relationship?

John Ortberg on Death

“Here’s the thing about death. We’re not going to stay dead. Jesus promises those of us who trust Jesus with our lives that death will not be the end. When it comes, he will say, ‘Get up’, and he will take us by the hand and help us to our feet. And then we will see the tears. Not tears of sorrow. Tears of joy. The joyful tears of God.”

John Ortberg, “I’d Like You More if You Were More Like Me”

For more about death see these posts:

United with Christ in Death and Resurrection

Martin Luther on Death and a New Beginning

death is but a dream by Christopher Kerr, MD—Book review

Union or Communion?

If you are part of a Cursillo community, you will be familiar with the idea of reunion groups. A reunion group is a meeting of friends who hold one another accountable in their spiritual life. The discussion centers around our piety, study and action, and how we have been doing in those areas. One of the questions we ask one another about study is, “What was the most helpful Spiritual insight from you study? (since the last meeting). Here’s a recent one of mine. It’s a quote from a book I’ve been reading by John Ortberg.

“Rankin Wilbourne writes about an old distinction between union with God and communion with God. Union is an objective connection –for example, I will always be my parents’ child; whereas communion is a subjective sense of closeness that will wax and wane.”

A while back when our Bible study group was learning about union with Christ, I found myself wondering, “If I have this wonderful union with Jesus, why do I still sin? Why don’t I feel closer to Him?” This is the answer. I hope it helps you understand this concept better, too!

For more about union with Christ see these posts:

Sinclair Ferguson and Union with Christ

Union With Christ — Four Principles

How Big is Our Union with Christ?

Groups: the life-giving power of community by John Ortberg, Laurie Pederson & Judson Poling –Book Review

This is one of a series of bible studies published by Zondervan and entitled “Pursuing Spiritual Transformation.”  In my opinion, it is an excellent choice for small groups.  It includes an overview of the series along with what you will need to have and do in preparation for each lesson.  The core values of spiritual formation are also listed.

This particular study guide has seven lessons based on the topic of community.  They are:

• This Is A  Friendship
• Love Pays Attention
• Knowing And Being Known
• When Community Breaks Down
• Forgiveness
• Building A Passionately Inclusive Church
• Being “For” One Another

Each lesson includes questions that lead the participant to examine his or her own life experiences in light of the Scripture.  There are also spiritual exercises for each section, encouraging each person to put what they’ve studied into practice.  It can be challenging — but that’s a good thing!  As Paul writes in the book of Philippians we should:

“…press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 3:14

There are also leaders’ notes for each session at the back of the book.

Finally included are suggestions and formats for planning retreats:  either individually or with the group.

I worked through the material on my own and enjoyed it so much that I plan to suggest in to my own small group for our next session.

Others in the same series are:

• Fully Devoted:  Living Each Day in Jesus’ Name
• Grace:  An Invitation to a Way of Life
• Growth: Training vs. Trying
• Gifts: The Joy of Serving God
•  Giving: Unlocking the Heart of Good Stewardship

VERDICT:  5 Stars!  If you have a small group I recommend you take a look at this material

For more on small groups, see these posts:

Small Groups Made Easy – A Book Review

Fanning the Flame #19 — Small Groups of Saints

Small Groups of Saints #2 — Joan’s Experience

 

 

The Cross — A Symbol of Community

I just started reading a book about small groups and building community, and I came across this description of the cross as a symbol of community.  I thought it was worth sharing.

“The very shape of the cross suggests the two main transactions that were effected through it.  The upright post stands for the restoration of our community with God.  God reached down from the holiness of his transcendence above, into the abyss of our human need in order to reconcile us to himself….The arms of Jesus were stretched on that horizontal beam, and his servant hands nailed to it.  His extended arms reach out from the crossbar to all who want reconciliation with God in order that we may also be reconciled to one another, forming one body in his embrace of love.  Perfect community is to be found at the intersection of the two segments of the cross, where those who are reconciled with God are reconciled together–where we love God with all we have and we love our neighbor as ourselves.”

From Groups:  the life-giving power of community by John Ortberg, Laurie Pederson & Judson Poling