Life Together

Life Together

by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

“Behold, how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” 

- Psalm 133:1

Life Together is a book describing and explaining authentic and true Christian community. Bonhoeffer describes the fellowship that takes place under the Word and the benefits, hardships, and joy that comes from experiencing true community. “Behold, how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” - Psalm 133:1 This is foundational statement that Bonhoeffer explains through outlining the community, a day together, a day alone, ministry, and the act of confession and communion.

Reading this book was so enlightening, as I was made aware of the authentic and true Christian community that can comes from being under the Word, being of one mind, and of giving thanks for the community that you are so graciously able to be a part of. I agree with Bonhoeffer as he gave new perspectives and shed light on several different parts of fellowship in our daily life.

Three huge takeaways are community is a gift, we must not think of others or ourselves greater, and we must be intentional with the ministries we live out.

• “Let him who until now has had the privilege of living a common Christian life with other Christians praise God’s grace from the bottom of his hear. Let him thank God on his knees and declare: It is grace, nothing but grace, that we are allowed to live in community with Christian brethren.” (p. 20) Community is a gift, and we should thank God for the times when we have been able to dwell together in unity.

• “There arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be the greatest.” – Luke 9:46 “It is vitally necessary that every Christian community from the very outset face this dangerous enemy squarely, and eradicate it.” (p. 90) “Strong and weak, wise and foolish, gifted or ungifted, pious or impious, the diverse individuals in the community, are no longer incentives for talking and judging and condemning, and thus excuses for self-justification. They are rather cause for rejoicing in one another and serving one another.” (p. 93)

• “The Ministry of holding one’s tongue, the ministry of meekness, the ministry of listening, of helpfulness, of bearing, of proclaiming, and of authority.” (ch. 4) It is a progression that one must do in order to achieve the full benefit of the ministries.