Note: I have been posting a lot of apologetics this week. Here’s something more practical!
Jerry Bridges. True Community: The Biblical Practice of Koinonia. Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, October 9, 2018. 192 pp.
4 out of 5
Purchase: Amazon
I love Jerry Bridges who have written many wonderful books on Christian holy living. Like other books by Bridges this title was edifying and helpful. Here in this work Jerry Bridges focuses on Christian relationship with other believers and also relationship to the church. In our individualistic day and age this book is very relevant.
The book consists of twelve chapters. They are based upon the observation in the beginning of the book that Bridges notice of how there are four dimensions with fellowship: there’s community relationship, partnership, communion and sharing material possessions. Bridges define communion as sharing God and he has the opening chapters focus on our relationship with God since it is the foundation for the other dimensions of fellowship.
I not only read this but also prayed about this for my church to live out what God wants according to His Word. I thought it would be appropriate to do so and not just only think about my own growth of being part of a community (though that is important). I recommend others do the same thing.
In terms of what I learned from the book there were various things. I learned that fellowship first appearance in the New Testament is in Acts 2. Fellowship is involved with purpose and for believers it must involve a relationship with God. I love how in chapter 3 shows Union of Christ is basis with communion with God. Bridges does a good job of showing how biblical doctrines matter.
It wasn’t so much heavy theological truths that I got out of this book but the importance of walking with God and having that impact our relations with others. The book was practical. It was convicting to hear Bridges believe memorizing Scripture is foundations for fellowship. Our age seems to be a time where memorization as a learning device is in disfavor.
The book wasn’t just about learning new information but it was encouraging as well. I was moved when Bridges mentioned about how famous missionary to India William Carrey has a sister that wasn’t as well-known by others in Church history but she was instrumental in praying for the work and ministry of William Carrey though she was bed ridden nevertheless her she shared in his Gospel work. There’s also a good discussion toward the end of the book about fellowship with and identifying with persecuted Christians around the world.
Overall good book, I recommend it.
The Domain for Truth 
Thanks for the insight. Timely topic for sure.
“It wasn’t so much heavy theological truths that I got out of this book but the importance of walking with God and having that impact our relations with others.” Well said! I want to walk in a manner that is pleasing and acceptable to Christ and that also encourages others and points others to Jesus. Jerry Bridges’ heart for believers to grow in sanctification and application is a voice we need to hear today. Thank you for this review!
RE: “ I want to walk in a manner that is pleasing and acceptable to Christ and that also encourages others and points others to Jesus.”. Amen. This is what I want to live my life. That is my heartbeat. I’m excited for the youth group. Praying!!!
Thank you for your prayers!!!! Praying for y’all!
May add this to my reading list. Churches today don’t seem to stress the importance of community enough and I think that is too bad.
Yeah. I admit I’m really burned out from working to try to forge a community with my church. Sometimes I think of my time in persecuted countries and wonder if in the US we have so many niche identity and “needs” that are wants as one’s priorities that blind people to see the precious saints that are in their midst…
I will keep you and your church in prayer. It’s really sad to me that people don’t value community any more. In the U.S. I think social media is a big part of the problem. People spend a lot of time online and they think that is community. In a way it is but it’s fake and impersonal. People need real connections, not artificial online connections.
Thanks for this good review and the good exhortations re: fellowship!
You are welcome! How are you with today’s shift???
RE: shift
Thanks! Very little work today, so I’m auditing every order 100% to stretch the time. Normally I audit only 20-25%.
How is your prep day starting out?
“Our age seems to be a time where memorization as a learning device is in disfavor.” True! Why memorize even a phone number, when it’s in your “contacts” list?
Just this morning I was reviewing Philippians, which I memorized years ago during a season when I wanted to commit longer passages of Scripture to memory. This was partly because people were having a tendency to quote verses out of context, but also because (and this may still apply) we never know when we may be deprived of our Bibles. Then we will be dependent upon what we and our companions can remember.
Sadly you might be right that the days of open Bibles might not be available with the darkness of the days ahead…that is an amazing feat that you memorized Philippians. I’m not good with memorization but your comment stirred me to read and study more to have a reservoir of biblical knowledge In my mind for others in the future if somehow books on the Bible are also banned…we gotta be ready
Here’s another idea … I was thinking I could “visit” a country where Bibles aren’t allowed. They could search me all they want at the airport and find nothing. Then, if I get together with the underground church, I could share Scripture with them. All I would need would be a translator. 😀
Always nice to hear of another encouraging book for Christians, Pastor Jim. Thank you for sharing. I’d get it but it would just go to the bottom of a huge pile.
I hope you have a blessed weekend.
Thanks for reading this review, hope your Saturday is going well so far!
You’re welcome, Pastor Jim. Saturday was good and Sunday is off to a good start, praise God. I pray that God helps you with all the activities your pastor-ship involves you with this day.
God’s blessings…
Jerry Bridges writes well. Many of his works can be borrowed on The Internet Archive for those who want to get a taste of writing.
Thanks for sharing that about Internet Archives. I hope the breakfast this morning went well!
Needed reading for post pandemic church
Bridges love for the truth as well as love for believers’ sanctification is such a beautiful display of Gospel enriching spiritual writing
Amen. Thank you.
You are welcome! Bonnie if you ever want any of the book I review you just let me know for me to send it as a gift!!!
I will . Thank you, Pastor.