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True Community: The Biblical Practice of Koinonia
Fellowship among believers is more than just talking over coffee after church service. Biblical fellowship in New Testament times—or koinonia—had rich and varied meanings, including covenant relationship, partnership in the gospel, communion with God and others, and the sharing of earthly possessions.
In True Community, best-selling author Jerry Bridges guides you through koinonia and its implications for today’s church. With discussion questions at the end of each chapter, this book will help you dig deeper into what Christian community in the twenty-first century should look like. You will come away with a new appreciation for fellowship, the church, and what God intended the body of Christ to be.
In True Community, best-selling author Jerry Bridges guides you through koinonia and its implications for today’s church. With discussion questions at the end of each chapter, this book will help you dig deeper into what Christian community in the twenty-first century should look like. You will come away with a new appreciation for fellowship, the church, and what God intended the body of Christ to be.
176 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 1985
196 people are currently reading
1659 people want to read
About the author
Jerry Bridges
121 books686 followersJERRY BRIDGES was an author and conference speaker. His most popular book, The Pursuit of Holiness, has sold over one million copies. Jerry was on the staff of The Navigators for over fifty years, and currently served in the Collegiate Mission where he was involved primarily in staff development, but also served as a speaker resource to the campus ministries.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 118 reviews
December 14, 2015
If I had one author whose books I was allowed to bring to a desert island, Jerry Bridges would be that author. And of all his books, if I was only allowed one, I would choose this book - True Fellowship: The Biblical Practice of Koinonia.
We hear the word 'fellowship' a lot today, but it is mainly used in a social, entertainment, sporting context. Whereas, the biblical concept is something deeper, higher and better! Jerry Bridges explores the full biblical import of the word 'koinonia'/fellowship and challenges our low modern views! His chapter headings are enough to make us salivate spiritually ...
Chapter 2: Union with God
Chapter 3: Communion with God
Chapter 4: Fellowship is a Community
Chapter 5: Spiritual Fellowship
Chapter 6: Partnership in the Gospel
Chapter 7: The Fellowship of Spiritual Gifts
Chapter 10: The Fellowship of Suffering
Chapter 11; The Fellowship of Serving.
Bridges captures the essence of koinonias/fellowship as a relationship, a partnership, a communion, and sharing in and a sharing with! These sub-meanings summarise the true meaning of fellowship, the fellowship we have with God and with each other in the body of Christ.
His final paragraphs most ably describe the outcome of this study, "In this study of fellowship we have covered a wide range of topics. We have examined koinonia as the living expression of our objective relationship with God and with all other believers. we have seen that fellowship is a caring community and a partnership in the gospel, a sharing with one another spiritually and a caring for each other materially. Suffering together, serving one another, and using our spiritual gifts for the benefit of the entire Body are all conscious expressions of true biblical fellowship. With such a diversity of topics, how can we tie them all together? Is there a common thread, a single idea that will enable us to begin to apply all that we have learned intellectually about koinonia?
"Yes, there is. the foundation of daily experiential fellowship among believers is found in Paul's statement that 'in Christ ... each member belongs to all the others' (Romans 12:5). I belong to you and you belong to me, and we each belong to and have 'ownership' in every other believer in the world. This mutual belonging to one another is the thread that ties together all the seemingly diverse elements of fellowship. As we recognise and apply the fact that we belong to each other, we will genuinely love and care for one another. We will seek to build up one another through spiritual sharing, and we will meet each other's material needs. We will enjoy one another in times of social fellowship, and we will suffer with one another in times of trial. All of these many facets of fellowship are rooted in the concept that we belong to one another.
"So let's not view all these glorious elements of New Testament koinonia as just a somewhat long list of Christian duties to be juggled precariously among all the other pressures of life. Rather, let's concentrate on this objective nature of koinonia, this belonging to one another in Christ. Then we will see these other expressions of biblical fellowship falling more naturally into place in our lives. They will not seem to be diverse, unrelated duties, but simply the appropriate responses of true koinonia to each situation and relationship we encounter. We will then begin to experience the joy of fellowship, and we will understand why those first New Testament believers 'devoted themselves ... to fellowship'" [pages 189-190].
This is a truly 5-star read, and having had the pleasure of meeting Mr bridges and speaking with him, his books, and this one in particular, takes on a whole new resonance!
We hear the word 'fellowship' a lot today, but it is mainly used in a social, entertainment, sporting context. Whereas, the biblical concept is something deeper, higher and better! Jerry Bridges explores the full biblical import of the word 'koinonia'/fellowship and challenges our low modern views! His chapter headings are enough to make us salivate spiritually ...
Chapter 2: Union with God
Chapter 3: Communion with God
Chapter 4: Fellowship is a Community
Chapter 5: Spiritual Fellowship
Chapter 6: Partnership in the Gospel
Chapter 7: The Fellowship of Spiritual Gifts
Chapter 10: The Fellowship of Suffering
Chapter 11; The Fellowship of Serving.
Bridges captures the essence of koinonias/fellowship as a relationship, a partnership, a communion, and sharing in and a sharing with! These sub-meanings summarise the true meaning of fellowship, the fellowship we have with God and with each other in the body of Christ.
His final paragraphs most ably describe the outcome of this study, "In this study of fellowship we have covered a wide range of topics. We have examined koinonia as the living expression of our objective relationship with God and with all other believers. we have seen that fellowship is a caring community and a partnership in the gospel, a sharing with one another spiritually and a caring for each other materially. Suffering together, serving one another, and using our spiritual gifts for the benefit of the entire Body are all conscious expressions of true biblical fellowship. With such a diversity of topics, how can we tie them all together? Is there a common thread, a single idea that will enable us to begin to apply all that we have learned intellectually about koinonia?
"Yes, there is. the foundation of daily experiential fellowship among believers is found in Paul's statement that 'in Christ ... each member belongs to all the others' (Romans 12:5). I belong to you and you belong to me, and we each belong to and have 'ownership' in every other believer in the world. This mutual belonging to one another is the thread that ties together all the seemingly diverse elements of fellowship. As we recognise and apply the fact that we belong to each other, we will genuinely love and care for one another. We will seek to build up one another through spiritual sharing, and we will meet each other's material needs. We will enjoy one another in times of social fellowship, and we will suffer with one another in times of trial. All of these many facets of fellowship are rooted in the concept that we belong to one another.
"So let's not view all these glorious elements of New Testament koinonia as just a somewhat long list of Christian duties to be juggled precariously among all the other pressures of life. Rather, let's concentrate on this objective nature of koinonia, this belonging to one another in Christ. Then we will see these other expressions of biblical fellowship falling more naturally into place in our lives. They will not seem to be diverse, unrelated duties, but simply the appropriate responses of true koinonia to each situation and relationship we encounter. We will then begin to experience the joy of fellowship, and we will understand why those first New Testament believers 'devoted themselves ... to fellowship'" [pages 189-190].
This is a truly 5-star read, and having had the pleasure of meeting Mr bridges and speaking with him, his books, and this one in particular, takes on a whole new resonance!
January 17, 2020
Like most books on the Church, there are a couple areas where you wish the book went into more detail. But the main point of this one is to define what Biblical fellowship is in the Church - how it's much deeper than Christian social functions. Fellowship means sharing in the risen, supernatural life of Jesus that unites us and binds us together in the Body of Christ. Really good stuff, and a good book to give or recommend to others.
1/15/20 Read again. Very encouraging, and helpful to right the compass for why we do church.
1/15/20 Read again. Very encouraging, and helpful to right the compass for why we do church.
June 25, 2022
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 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.
September 28, 2024
Jerry Bridges is a wonderful applicational author with tremendous insight and wisdom to the topics of which he writes, and he was clearly given a gift to write in such a way that a layperson could understand him with such ease.
But Bridges also isn’t a super memorable writer. Throughout reading this book, I only find myself remembering a small number of things by the end of it. (I’m also poor at retaining information, but such is also likely to be the case if you spend months reading something slowly).
The first is the objective nature of our fellowship. Our relationships with one another are fully based on our relationship with Christ. Our union with God is not a subjective feeling. It is an established fact. Our communion with God is more experiential and dynamic, ebbing and flowing as we struggle on a path toward holiness while God remains ever faithful to us. We cannot understand truly our relationships with others and how they should be structured until we understand our relationship with Christ.
The second is the necessity of spending time with God in the morning. This was mentioned in a small portion of the book, but it struck me and I found it to be deeply convicting. I often find myself going to bed at the last minute so that I can get straight to my to-do list as soon as I wake up. I still struggle with this. But Bridges quotes Mark 1:35, which says, “And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.” Knowing that Jesus found it important to spend time alone with God in the morning, also being God Himself and understanding the significance of fellowship with the Father, I became convinced that all Christians should do this every morning. I am working to do so and struggle to be successful with it still, but I am committed to this idea. (See Psalm 5:3)
I am a deeply social person. I love being with people all the time and often dislike being alone. Therefore, I deeply value community and this book has been incredibly helpful. In a nutshell, Bridges takes the Greek word “koinonia” and through twelve chapters, explains how it is used through the NT and what it means for us today.
Even if I don’t remember a ton of it, I still find it very beneficial for Christians to read stuff like this. I hope to read one or two of Bridges books each year. We’ll see how I do.
But Bridges also isn’t a super memorable writer. Throughout reading this book, I only find myself remembering a small number of things by the end of it. (I’m also poor at retaining information, but such is also likely to be the case if you spend months reading something slowly).
The first is the objective nature of our fellowship. Our relationships with one another are fully based on our relationship with Christ. Our union with God is not a subjective feeling. It is an established fact. Our communion with God is more experiential and dynamic, ebbing and flowing as we struggle on a path toward holiness while God remains ever faithful to us. We cannot understand truly our relationships with others and how they should be structured until we understand our relationship with Christ.
The second is the necessity of spending time with God in the morning. This was mentioned in a small portion of the book, but it struck me and I found it to be deeply convicting. I often find myself going to bed at the last minute so that I can get straight to my to-do list as soon as I wake up. I still struggle with this. But Bridges quotes Mark 1:35, which says, “And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.” Knowing that Jesus found it important to spend time alone with God in the morning, also being God Himself and understanding the significance of fellowship with the Father, I became convinced that all Christians should do this every morning. I am working to do so and struggle to be successful with it still, but I am committed to this idea. (See Psalm 5:3)
I am a deeply social person. I love being with people all the time and often dislike being alone. Therefore, I deeply value community and this book has been incredibly helpful. In a nutshell, Bridges takes the Greek word “koinonia” and through twelve chapters, explains how it is used through the NT and what it means for us today.
Even if I don’t remember a ton of it, I still find it very beneficial for Christians to read stuff like this. I hope to read one or two of Bridges books each year. We’ll see how I do.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 2, 2024
If you’ve ever finished a book and felt a deep, almost overwhelming sense of gratitude, that was my experience with Jerry Bridges’ "True Community." Reading this book was like savoring a fine chocolate—slowly and thoughtfully, allowing each concept to resonate deeply. Over several weeks, I meticulously took notes and reflected on its teachings, leading to an impressive 30 pages of insights from a book that's not overly lengthy.
Bridges dives into the biblical concept of koinonia, or true community, which transcends mere social interaction. He paints a vivid picture of fellowship as a profound, shared life in Christ. Drawing on the early Christian example in Acts 2, Bridges illustrates how true community is rooted in faith and expressed through mutual support and partnership in God’s mission.
The book’s exploration of community relationship, partnership, communion, and the sharing of material possessions offers practical advice and deep theological reflection. Bridges challenges readers to engage in continuous communion with God, fostering genuine horizontal relationships within the church.
What struck me most was the book’s ability to make me revisit and reconsider biblical texts, enriching my understanding of fellowship. It’s both practical and thought-provoking, encouraging a deeper examination of one’s own role in the body of Christ.
I thoroughly recommend "True Community" to anyone eager to grasp the essence of biblical fellowship. It’s a book that will inspire and challenge you, and I’m already planning to buy a few copies to share with friends and my pastor. You won’t regret diving into this enriching read.
Bridges dives into the biblical concept of koinonia, or true community, which transcends mere social interaction. He paints a vivid picture of fellowship as a profound, shared life in Christ. Drawing on the early Christian example in Acts 2, Bridges illustrates how true community is rooted in faith and expressed through mutual support and partnership in God’s mission.
The book’s exploration of community relationship, partnership, communion, and the sharing of material possessions offers practical advice and deep theological reflection. Bridges challenges readers to engage in continuous communion with God, fostering genuine horizontal relationships within the church.
What struck me most was the book’s ability to make me revisit and reconsider biblical texts, enriching my understanding of fellowship. It’s both practical and thought-provoking, encouraging a deeper examination of one’s own role in the body of Christ.
I thoroughly recommend "True Community" to anyone eager to grasp the essence of biblical fellowship. It’s a book that will inspire and challenge you, and I’m already planning to buy a few copies to share with friends and my pastor. You won’t regret diving into this enriching read.
August 31, 2023
4 stars because of his allegorical view of Song of Solomon as well as some other verses taken out of context. However, this book had me thinking out the topics discussed in there all day long. I love how he talked about communion and union with God, daily prayer time, have true fellowship with only a select few, using your gifts in the church, serving without any expectation of recognition, and so many more topics.
I think this is important for all christians to use!
I think this is important for all christians to use!
January 9, 2018
Great. Favorite portion was the teaching on spiritual gifts. This chapter alone makes the book worth reading, but really I've never met a Jerry Bridges book I didn't like :) Community within the body of Christ is a spiritual reality that God has given to Believers. It comes with joys and responsibilities. It has very little to do with social activities.
December 25, 2012
If you want to understand the point, the price and the power of biblical fellowship, then read this book. Jerry Bridges, in his candid writing style, does an excellent job in outlining biblical fellowship. Fellowship is not just the deliberate act of caring and sharing for one another, it is also an objective fact for everyone who claims to be born again. If you are in Christ, you are in community.
Being part of the Body of Christ is an objective reality. However, being an active part of this Body is a subjective reality. Bridges outlines the essence of true fellowship in simple and understandable terms. I am to love my neighbor, not so that I can be justified before God, but because I already stand justified. This book encouraged me to value and pursue biblical fellowship. I also didn't know there were so many uses of the word "Koinonia" in the Bible. Pick up the book and find out what they are. You will not be disappointed.
This book is a goodread.
Being part of the Body of Christ is an objective reality. However, being an active part of this Body is a subjective reality. Bridges outlines the essence of true fellowship in simple and understandable terms. I am to love my neighbor, not so that I can be justified before God, but because I already stand justified. This book encouraged me to value and pursue biblical fellowship. I also didn't know there were so many uses of the word "Koinonia" in the Bible. Pick up the book and find out what they are. You will not be disappointed.
This book is a goodread.
September 29, 2020
Jerry Bridges' books have the knack of communicating profound things in simple terms. This book is no different. Engaging, informative, and if it is read with a mind and heart in an appropriate place, a challenging one to the point of changing perspectives. Have not read a better book on the practical wisdom about being a church than this.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
October 30, 2023
Koinonia- a book about living in community and all that it entails. It offered many wonderful practical ways to practice being in fellowship with one another. I love Jerry Bridges writing. So easy to read and understand.
May 8, 2018
This is a very helpful book. I've appreciated studying it together with some of the ladies from my church!
February 15, 2024
Would be a great book to give to new members of a church
March 17, 2025
I think I would've enjoyed this book more if I wasn't required to read it for work.
Still, it did offer nice insight into what it means to find the unity in community, and I think organizations can benefit from reading this, especially to find a spiritual aspect to what community is all about.
Still, it did offer nice insight into what it means to find the unity in community, and I think organizations can benefit from reading this, especially to find a spiritual aspect to what community is all about.
July 7, 2024
Book in a word/phrase: close, but no cigar
Our group generally really enjoyed reading through this book and discussing it. The first 3 chapters were impactful and bore a lot of fruitful discussions. After that it was a little more difficult as some of the chapters seem strained in their differentiation from each other. Our group certainly recognized the strain, as well as the stretching of a couple passages interpretativly.
Nonetheless, it did a good job of exporting the believer to be with other believers and to seek to encourage them in their pursuit of Christ.
Our group generally really enjoyed reading through this book and discussing it. The first 3 chapters were impactful and bore a lot of fruitful discussions. After that it was a little more difficult as some of the chapters seem strained in their differentiation from each other. Our group certainly recognized the strain, as well as the stretching of a couple passages interpretativly.
Nonetheless, it did a good job of exporting the believer to be with other believers and to seek to encourage them in their pursuit of Christ.
August 12, 2010
This is an excellent book on Biblical fellowship. Bridges main point is that our fellowship is based on the fact that share a relationship with Jesus Christ. Consequently, we belong to each other.
Bridges examines how this should effect our use of time, participation in the church, use of possessions, suffering and sharing.
I particularly liked his reminder that we should be less focused on our spiritual gifts and more focused on our function within the body of Christ. Start serving and your gifts will become clear.
Bridges examines how this should effect our use of time, participation in the church, use of possessions, suffering and sharing.
I particularly liked his reminder that we should be less focused on our spiritual gifts and more focused on our function within the body of Christ. Start serving and your gifts will become clear.
August 17, 2022
As I was preparing to teach “How the Gospel Produces Community,” this book seemed like a natural fit. And while it had lots of good info and ideas in it, it did not really hit on how things gospel leads to community, instead it spent a lot of time talking about practices that lead to community. I think it was assumed but not as clear as I would have liked. Still a good book with lots of good stuff.
November 7, 2012
This is an accessible book that covers significant aspects of the rich and incredibly important word: koinonia. Those seeking to better understand the Scriptural truths of living in fellowship (in communion, community) with Christ and other Believers will be blessed by this book.
August 9, 2015
Convicting.
Read in 2013 and 2015
Read in 2013 and 2015
December 16, 2018
So much of what Christians might call 'fellowship' falls far short of the Biblical concept of 'koinonia'. The word group itself has a range of meaning which is translated as 'fellowship', 'participation', 'sharing-in...', etc... however, getting to the root of the concept - what it means and what it looks like practically lived out in the life of a believer is the key issue that is often not adequately addressed. As a result, many Christians end up missing out on the full beauty of the Biblical idea of 'koinonia' - settling instead for mere hangouts or social activity when something much richer and deeper could be enjoyed!
Jerry Bridges does such an amazing job in this book of fleshing out both the Biblical basis and meaning of true community and Christian fellowship, then applying that framework in practical ways to everyday Christian life. This book would be a great asset for small groups to go through together, and individual Christians! If you've never explored in depth what the true Biblical concept of fellowship and community is - this book will be a great read! Even for those who have studied it before, it serves as a great, fresh reminder written in a winsome and compelling way to continue to exhort us towards true community.
I highly recommend this to add to your reading list or maybe even study together with a friend or small group!
Jerry Bridges does such an amazing job in this book of fleshing out both the Biblical basis and meaning of true community and Christian fellowship, then applying that framework in practical ways to everyday Christian life. This book would be a great asset for small groups to go through together, and individual Christians! If you've never explored in depth what the true Biblical concept of fellowship and community is - this book will be a great read! Even for those who have studied it before, it serves as a great, fresh reminder written in a winsome and compelling way to continue to exhort us towards true community.
I highly recommend this to add to your reading list or maybe even study together with a friend or small group!
August 4, 2020
Not my favorite Jerry Bridges book, but it was helpful and will no doubt continue to foster good conversation among the church staff I’m on. Bridges looks at the Greek word koinonia (fellowship) and expands on its implications for community in the Christian life. I liked this summary in the closing thoughts: “As we recognize and apply the fact that we belong to each other [see Romans 12:5], we will genuinely love and care for one another. We will seek to build up one another through spiritual sharing, and we will meet each other’s material needs. We will enjoy one another in times in social fellowship, and we will suffer with one another in times of trial. All of these many facets of fellowship are rooted in the concept that we belong to one another.” My desire is to continue growing in the exercise of biblical fellowship, not only in the one-dimensional social way, but according to all its nuances and avenues by which God may be glorified and His people may be cared for.
December 15, 2020
~3.5 stars. Was a good primer on the depth to the word koinonia, and has challenged me to think more critically about how I share/partner/fellowship with other believers. Jerry Bridges's style of writing has really helped to frame my thoughts about enduring through suffering (in Trusting God), in mortifying my sin (in Respectable Sins), and becoming more like the Holy One who called me (The Pursuit of Holiness). I think that was his strength as a writer, that is, dealing with individual issues that might be discussed in one-on-one counseling, so this book was good but perhaps not as impactful as some of the others listed.
September 9, 2024
A great little book on the value (and the price) of real, biblical fellowship!
“If we are to master the scriptural principles of true biblical community, we must master this one: True greatness in the kingdom of heaven involves serving one another. Jesus said, “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant” (Matthew 20:26).”
“The reason most of us do not see opportunities to serve is that we are continually thinking about ourselves instead of others.”
“Practice of true community involves responsibilities and actions that do not come naturally to us.”
“If we are to master the scriptural principles of true biblical community, we must master this one: True greatness in the kingdom of heaven involves serving one another. Jesus said, “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant” (Matthew 20:26).”
“The reason most of us do not see opportunities to serve is that we are continually thinking about ourselves instead of others.”
“Practice of true community involves responsibilities and actions that do not come naturally to us.”
September 5, 2019
I loved the first chapter and the last chapter. It was a new idea for me that community/fellowship is something that I'm objectively a part of as a Christ-follower rather than an event I chose to participate in. It helped to change the way I think about "fellowship" overall. The last chapter had a very helpful graphic illustrating levels of fellowship. I would have appreciated that graphic much earlier in the book.
It was a good book with some new concepts in it for me. Though if I read about book on the topic, I would want one that challenged me more.
It was a good book with some new concepts in it for me. Though if I read about book on the topic, I would want one that challenged me more.
April 7, 2021
This was such a good book to read in small group - read about true fellowship and experience it at the same time. Everything in the book is grounded in the fact that we objectively have fellowship with all believers in Christ, even if sometimes the experiential aspect of it is not present. Starting from here, the book explores the different aspects of fellowship and how we experience it: the sharing of what we have (our time, energy, resources) as well as ourselves.
This book really expanded my view of fellowship. I highly recommend it!
This book really expanded my view of fellowship. I highly recommend it!
January 12, 2023
I really liked the first chapter, I wish the author simply expanded on his points. As the book went on, it was a “mile wide inch deep” kind of situation. BUT for someone newer to the faith I think this book would be perfect. He gives a great overview of community in Christ. If you’ve been around a while, you (probably) are pretty familiar already with the topics he broaches. I picked this book up because church community has been just not working, and I was interested in a new way of imagining community that would be healthier.
July 14, 2023
We hear the word fellowship much in Christian circles and in church. Too often the words has come to mean social engagement, hanging out, eating a meal together, or just having fun. But, Jerry Bridges takes the reader even deeper to recover the true meaning of biblical fellowship. He says, “fellowship is much, much more than food and fun or even more than an enjoyable time over scriptures with another believer. Fellowship at times may involve blood, sweat and tears as we stand side by side with our persecuted brothers and sisters.”
This is a must read book for every Christian!
This is a must read book for every Christian!
February 21, 2019
Overall, a solid book built around the idea of "fellowship" as displayed throughout the New Testament. While at times I felt like the author stretched some ideas and concepts, I think his overall study of the word and its implications in the life of the church is absolutely one for each believer to consider.
Discussion guide in the back will be helpful for groups looking to work through this idea and apply it to their lives and their church body.
Discussion guide in the back will be helpful for groups looking to work through this idea and apply it to their lives and their church body.
April 9, 2020
Most people when we hear the word "church", a building comes to mind. Sadly, this is not the true representation of the church. In "True Community" Jerry Bridges highlights the greek word "koinonia which is translated "Church" but carries the meaning of fellowship, sharing, caring...you get the picture. Throughout the book, Jerry Bridges desires for believers to change their way of thinking about what the church is as well as its function. Definitely a good read.
June 25, 2023
Read this as part of my Men’s Friday Morning Accountability Group and it made so much more sense hearing others perspective on what they read. We do a Chapter a week and then meet to discuss it. I have a complete new appreciation for the term Koinonia. We used this term at a church I attended for our potlucks but this book opened my eyes that it means so much more. The author has a way of causing me to look deeper into my Christian Faith.
May 27, 2019
An Insightful Study
Jerry Bridges does a faithful job of presenting many of the facets of biblical community. I was tremendously blessed by reading this and found myself often pausing to either pray, repent, or worship God for the rich truths associated with being in the body of Christ. I recommend this book to all.
Jerry Bridges does a faithful job of presenting many of the facets of biblical community. I was tremendously blessed by reading this and found myself often pausing to either pray, repent, or worship God for the rich truths associated with being in the body of Christ. I recommend this book to all.
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