[1] Reading Guide How to use this guide Thank you for beginning this journey through a modern classic of the Christian faith. Dietrich Bonhoeffer s book, Life Together contains powerful insights about how Christians can experience community, and was written during a time when Bonhoeffer was leading an underground seminary in Nazi Germany. Although the material in this book contains profound insights that are rich in practical value for our lives today, it may also prove a challenging read for some. That s where this guide comes in! This guide will walk through each chapter of the book and will contain two types of sections. will give background on the book, Bonhoeffer s theology, and definitions of any terms that might be confusing. Read these parts of the guide before you read the corresponding section of the book to maximize your understanding of the text. are brief questions designed to help you draw out major themes from the text, as well as to wrestle critically with the ideas and insights presented in the text. You may find it helpful to take notes on your answers to these questions to aid you in discussing the book with your group.
[2] Introduction The introduction to the book gives a lot of helpful background on Bonhoeffer s life, so it s worth reading carefully. Most of the details included are self-explanatory, so as we begin this journey together, let s spend a few minutes thinking about general principles for reading this book. This book is really good, but it s not Scripture Something important to keep in mind at the outset is that studying this book is very different from studying the Bible. Life Together is a classic because it contains a lot of biblical wisdom and profound insights from one of the greatest Christian minds of the past century, but it still isn t the word of God. As you engage with this text, feel free to think critically, ask questions, and consider the way that the world has changed since Bonhoeffer penned these words. Don t get lost in the weeds There are sections of this book that focus a lot on particular details of practice or theology, and trying to understand every detail of these passages may quickly feel overwhelming. That s ok! The point of studying this book isn t to analyze every line, but rather to engage with significant themes that can help us live out vibrant community today. Make it your goal in each section to get a 10,000-foot view of Bonhoeffer s argument, and don t worry if you miss some details here and there. Context is key Bonhoeffer wrote this book while living in close community with 25 other pastors, who met several times daily for prayer and community while also studying theology as their full-time pursuit. They were living under intense threat of discovery by the Nazis and likely persecution if they were caught. These are very different circumstances than we find ourselves in today. It will take some work to translate Bonhoeffer s instruction in this book to a context where we gather as a church body once a week, with small groups meeting a few more times per month. That s part of the reason why this guide is here to help you apply these principles today. What about Bonhoeffer s story do you find most striking?
[3] Chapter 1 Community Bonhoeffer wrote this book while surrounded by other pastors, but they were among the few faithful believers remaining in Germany at the time. The Nazi party had gained control of the state sponsored German Lutheran church, and much of the teaching therein was no longer focused on Jesus, but rather on the Third Reich. Bonhoeffer was a member of a small group of pastors known as the Confessing Church who remained faithful to Christ during this time and worked in subversive ways to protect the Gospel. This dangerous work left them cut off from many brothers and sisters in Christ, a theme which is drawn out in this opening section. It is true, of course, that what is an unspeakable gift of God for the lonely individual is easily disregarded and trodden under foot by those who have the gift every day. In what ways have you personally taken the gift of Christian fellowship for granted? Through and In Jesus Christ In this section we begin to dive into some deeper theological categories. As you read about the basis for Christian community, remember that Bonhoeffer s ultimate argument here is that the main basis of Christian community is that we are all saved by grace through Jesus. What are some of the ways Bonhoeffer identifies in this section that Christ allows us to experience Christian community?
[4] Not an Ideal but a Divine Reality The title of this section might be a bit confusing. Bonhoeffer is arguing that Christian community isn t perfect, and that s exactly as God intends. If we try to pretend it s perfect, or get disappointed when we find out that it s not perfect, we re actually damaging the community that we re trying to build up. Have there been times when you ve been disappointed because your community wasn t perfect? How did that impact your faith and your relationship with others? What are you thankful for in your community right now? A Spiritual not a Human Reality Pay attention to the footnote that clarifies the meaning of the terms in the section title. You may find it helpful to view the distinction Bonhoeffer draws in this section as between a community driven by what God desires for His purposes, and a one driven by what the sinful people within that community desire for their own ends. The phrase collegium pietatis is used near the end of the chapter. It s a Latin phrase meaning schools of piety, and refers back to a 16 th century German groups of Christians who gathered to study scripture and practice personal piety. How can a Small Group make sure that it is driven by God s desires, and not the desires of men? What does Bonhoeffer say about the inclusiveness of spiritual community on pages 37 & 38? Do you agree?
[5] Chapter 2 The Day With Others The first thing that s worth mentioning is that this will probably be the most challenging chapter in the book. Not only is it the longest, but it is also the section that is most dependent on the context in which Bonhoeffer was writing. For this reason, it s going to require a bit of extra work to apply the principles in this chapter to our experience as 21 st century Christians. That s why this guide is here! As you read this chapter, recall that Bonhoeffer wrote this while surrounded by 25 other pastors who were living and studying in community. Their proximity, common purpose and intimate fellowship made it possible for them to meet several times a day for worship, devotions and prayer. In this chapter, Bonhoeffer tells his readers how this rhythm honors God and builds up believers. Today, it is very unlikely that you have others with whom you can gather multiple times per day for this type of fellowship. Many people find it challenging to carve out time for a worship service once a week! Bonhoeffer s words challenge us to grow in our commitment to fellowship. We can also wrestle with the principles presented in this chapter. As you work through these sections, you may find it helpful to ask questions such as: - How does this principle apply to our weekend worship services? - How could our Small Group achieve the outcomes Bonhoeffer discusses? - How can my friendships change to point others back to God? Finally, a brief word on scriptural quotations in Life Together. In this edition of Life Together, scripture quotations are given from the King James Version, which is over 400 years old. This book is tough enough without being confused about what the Bible passages say, so if you come upon a scripture reference you don t understand, feel free to look the same passage up in a modern Bible translation. Also, Bonhoeffer quotes from some books, like Ecclesiasticus and the Wisdom of Solomon, that you probably won t find in your Bible. These books are from the Apocrypha, a collection of writings that are regarded as scripture by the Roman Catholic church, but not by most modern Protestants. They can be helpful, which is why Bonhoeffer quotes them, but are not viewed as God s inspired word. Whether you re a morning person or not, the way you start your day can have a big impact on your outlook. Do you find yourself reflecting on God when you wake up, or jumping straight to the worries of the day? How does this impact your day?
[6] The Secret of the Psalter In this section Bonhoeffer talks about how powerful it can be to pray God s word back to Him, especially when done in the context of community. The uniqueness of the prayers of the psalms as both divine and human words makes them a powerful example of how and what to pray. One type of Psalm that Bonhoeffer mentions in this chapter is imprecatory psalms. These are psalms where the author prays for judgment or punishment for his enemies. For an example, check out Psalm 69:22-28. These psalms are challenging, because asking God to punish people doesn t seem very loving. When wrestling with these passages, remember that the author is trusting God to judge the wicked, not taking vengeance into his own hand. In this way, though the language is harsh, the author is submitting his suffering and hope for deliverance to God. How is your experience of God different when you pray alone and when you pray with others? Take a few moments and pray through Psalm 71. As you reflect on that Psalm, and the experience of praying the Psalms, what stands out to you? Between now and when your group meets, select a Psalm that you think it would be helpful for your group to pray through together. Record the reference below. Reading the Scriptures In this section, Bonhoeffer recommends a practice of studying scripture called lectio continua, which means the continuous reading through a book. He suggests that when believers spend together reading scripture, they should pick up and read
[7] straight through the book of Matthew (for example), rather than reading snippets from all four of the Gospels. Although most of us don t make a habit of reading long sections of scripture aloud when we gather in community, this advice can be applied to our personal devotional lives as well. To apply a modern example, Bonhoeffer would argue that while working through a devotional book with a few verses each day would be helpful, reading an entire book over time would be better. That being said, keep in mind that the best devotional plan is the one you will actually do! What types of insights do you think we can gain from studying an entire book of scripture, rather than just working through a few verses at a time? Why does Bonhoeffer say we must have a deep knowledge of the Bible? Singing the New Song In this section, Bonhoeffer includes both theological and practical reflections on group singing in worship. Musical styles have changed a great deal in the decades since Bonhoeffer lived and wrote, but the overriding principle remains the same: the focus on community worship is on God s glory, not individual performance. How is your faith enriched by singing with other believers? Saying Our Prayers Together Bonhoeffer now addresses the vital practice of praying in our own language. It s interesting to note that this is the first time that he suggests we bring our own words
[8] and thoughts into our worship and fellowship. One of his principle suggestions is that each fellowship should designate a single person to pray on behalf of the community on a regular basis. Some Small Groups do in fact entrust the primary responsibility for prayer to an individual, but much of the advice included in this section can apply to each of us in our own prayer lives. Bonhoeffer writes, Every word of criticism must be transformed into fervent intercession and brotherly help. When you find yourself in conflict with someone, do you criticize him or her or use that as an opportunity for prayer? How can you become more aware of the needs of others in order to pray for them? Bonhoeffer states that we should pray even when we aren t in the mood. How can we build prayer as a discipline? The Fellowship of the Table Although Bonhoeffer refers to communion in this section, his primary focus is on the blessing of enjoying meals in the midst of Christian brothers and sisters as a reminder of God s constant provision and grace in our lives. How can sharing meals and celebrating together enrich Christian community?
[9] The Day s Work This is a tricky section that employs some theologically convoluted language. The essence of Bonhoeffer s argument is that one of the purposes of work is to remind us of our own limits, and in so doing, increase our reliance upon God. The more aware we are of these limits, the more we will be driven to seek God in prayer throughout our day, and view each aspect of our work as worship to God. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters Colossians 3:23 Bonhoeffer quotes this verse to indicate how we ought to view our work. How might your experience with your work be different if you took this view? How can your Small Group support one another in viewing work as worship? Noonday and Evening At the close of the chapter and the close of the day, Bonhoeffer suggests that during times of rest, Christians should once again gather for fellowship, devotions and prayer. In particular, he notes that we ought to end the day by laying the day s cares at God s feet in prayer, and that we ought to seek forgiveness from anyone in our fellowship we may have wronged. When there is conflict between yourself and another person, how quick are you to seek to reconcile that conflict? What happens in your heart while that conflict is unresolved?
[10] Chapter 3 The Day Alone Some of the language in this chapter can be a bit confusing and sound almost paradoxical. Bonhoeffer is arguing that if you are battling with private struggles, stepping into community won t magically solve those problems. On the other hand, those with private struggles still need healthy community as a part of that healing process. Although this seems like a chicken-and-egg scenario, Bonhoeffer is instead calling for each of us to grow in our walk with God privately and in community at the same time. Solitude and Silence In this section, Bonhoeffer is pointing out why intentional times of silence are so vital to the Christian life. He clarifies that the silence he envisions is not merely a lack of noise, but a listening silence, humble stillness. It means creating space for God to speak through His word, expecting that He will do so, but not predetermining what He will say. In a book all about community, why do you think Bonhoeffer included a chapter about silence and being alone? Silence is a challenging discipline for many Christians today. What barriers interfere with you from being able to be silent before the Word of God?
[11] Meditation Here Bonhoeffer commends to us the careful consideration of God s word so that we might apply it to our lives. He advises a deep dive into each passage until the truth therein transforms our lives. In the last chapter, he made a case that large portions of scripture should be covered as a group, so with that work done, he advises slow and deliberate mediation in our time alone. In many groups today, we see this trend reversed. Small Groups may dive deeply into a shorter passage of scripture, while many people use Bible reading plans to cover the breadth of the Bible. The key point here is that both types of engagement with God s word are necessary. Bonhoeffer instructs us to mediate on a text to arrive at what it says for us, not for others. What are some ways we might train ourselves to focus in this way, particularly for difficult or confusing passages? Bonhoeffer also notes that there will be times when our mediation on scripture may feel dry and fruitless. Have you walked through seasons like this in your devotional life before? How did you overcome them? Prayer & Intercession We ll tackle two short sections together here because they are closely related. One issue that immediately presents itself is that Bonhoeffer views prayer and intercession (praying for the needs of others) as separate categories. The type of prayer he has in view in the first section is prayer to God about our own state and our needs before Him, based chiefly upon our reflections on scripture. This type of prayer is likely overlooked by many Christians, but Bonhoeffer views it as a vital aspect of our relationship with God. Praying for the needs of others can then follow.
[12] Bonhoeffer says of prayer, Prayer means nothing else but the readiness and willingness to receive and appropriate the Word, and, what is more, to accept it in one s personal situation, particular tasks, decisions, sins and temptations. In your own words, what does Bonhoeffer mean when he describes prayer this way? Do you spend time praying with this type of focus? One of the key impacts of intercession is described here: I can no longer condemn or hate a brother for whom I pray, no matter how much trouble he causes me. Do you make a habit of praying for your enemies or those with whom you have conflict? How do you think your relationships would change if you made this a regular habit? The Test of Meditation Bonhoeffer ends this chapter by reminding us that the results of our faith will be put on display when we are apart from our brothers and sisters in Christ. This can seem intimidating, but is in fact part of God s design. If the only time we worship and fellowship with God is when we are surrounded by other believers, then our community and our own devotion to God hasn t prepared us to have a vigorous Christian walk. On the other hand, if we go out from the fellowship to be bold witnesses for Christ, then the whole body is strengthened. In the times when you are apart from your Christian community, how strong is your faith? Are you free, strong and mature or weak and dependent? If you don t like the answer to this question, how might you change your daily and weekly rhythms to get a different result?
[13] Chapter 4 Ministry After a few chapters of mostly encouraging instruction, Bonhoeffer opens this chapter with words of warning. When sinful people gather in community, competition and selfishness create issues within the community. Even if our desire is not to be the greatest as in Luke 9, we may act as though we are greater than others by putting our own desires and comforts ahead of what is best for the community. Thinking back on past experiences you have had with Christian community, have you ever tried to make yourself the greatest within a group? How did that damage your relationships? The Ministry of Holding One s Tongue Bonhoeffer lays out a vital relational principle in this section. Holding one s tongue isn t about keeping secrets, but rather about refraining from criticism, whether to the person s face, or behind their back (a.k.a. gossip). If we hold back on voicing our criticism, over time we will stop thinking critically about others, and that is the crux of Bonhoeffer s argument. When we allow our brothers and sisters to be who they are without criticizing them, fellowship will flourish. When tear them down in our thoughts, and especially our words, communities will be destroyed. Important note: Bonhoeffer s statement, A community which allows unemployed members to exist within it will perish because of them, is not a statement about someone s occupational status, but rather decries those who aren t engaged in serving and enriching the community. How often are do you voice criticism about others? How can you discipline yourself to be less critical? Are their people in your community who have a critical spirit that tears down you or others? How can you lovingly address that issue while avoiding criticism yourself?
[14] The Ministry of Meekness One of the greatest gifts you can give to your community is humility. Bonhoeffer calls us to always look first at our own sin, and to only reflect upon others after we have carefully considered how far short of God s standard we each have fallen. If identify primarily as people that stand under the grace of God, then we are more able to give grace to others, to overlook and forgive offenses against us, and we can dispense with the need to puff ourselves up with pride. How aware am I of my need for God s grace on a daily basis? Do I view myself as better than others because of my choices, situation or piety? How do I respond when others sin against me? Am I able to take small offenses in stride, or do I feel the need to exact justice for every wrong? The Ministry of Listening Lending a listening ear is truly a remarkable gift. As Bonhoeffer points out, if we are mainly listening so that we can plan our response, or to interject our own thoughts at the first opportunity, then we are failing to bless our brothers and sisters in this way. Here s a strategy for growing in this discipline. When listening to someone, rather than thinking about what you will say next, try to think about how you could put what he or she is saying into your own words. This will force you to engage with what is being said so you can grasp the meaning. You may even repeat back what you heard by saying something like, So, what I hear you saying is This will hopefully help the person to know they are being heard, or give him or her an opportunity to clarify so that you are hearing correctly. Practice the above exercise with a family member or close friend, and record what you learned from that experience below.
[15] The Ministry of Helpfulness Bonhoeffer describes another incarnation of humility, namely, the willingness to lend practical help to those around us on request. If we maintain an openness to the needs of others, we hold our own plans loosely in order to leave room for serving. Are you able and willing to engage with the needs of others when they occur? The Ministry of Bearing Bonhoeffer refers to brothers and sisters as being a burden on one, a phrase that carries a lot of negative connotation today. We live in a very individualistic society, and the idea of imposing on one another feels very uncomfortable for us. On the contrary, Bonhoeffer argues that true fellowship means being close enough that we should intrude on each other s lives, and this is a desirable outcome. The ministry of bearing involves two components: allowing other people to be who they are, and forgiving them when they sin against us, not allowing us to be who we should be. On both sides of this equation, Bonhoeffer reminds us again to always look to our own faults and the ways that we can bless our brother or sister, rather than accusing him or her or breaking fellowship. How willing are you to let other people bear your burdens? Are you cutting yourself off from deeper fellowship because you don t want to be a burden? When others make a demand of you, how do you respond? Are you willing to be inconvenienced for the sake of your brother or sister in a time of need?
[16] The Ministry of Proclaiming Bonhoeffer views all the other ministries we have encountered in this chapter as prerequisite to the ministry of speaking God s word to a brother or sister. He seems keenly aware of the dangers of Bible thumping, or how fruitless it can be to attempt to correct someone who doesn t first trust the speaker. While proper humility may stop some of us from putting our foot in our mouth, there are also times where true love for our brothers and sisters will require starting a difficult conversation so that they can be helpfully corrected by God s word. In these moments, if we choose not to speak, we are actually doing them a grave disservice. How quick am I to offer advice or correction to my friends? Are there times when I should spend more time listening before I speak? Are there times when I m too afraid to speak, and miss a chance to love others with the truth? Do I know God s word well enough to bring it to bear in the lives of others? The Ministry of Authority After many sections focused on humble care for others, Bonhoeffer includes a final warning against those who would pursue authority for selfish gains. He argues that the Christian model of authority is based entirely on selfless servanthood, in contrast to the worldly cult of personality which so often surrounds leaders, especially in Bonhoeffer s day as the Nazi regime rose to power. In areas where you exercise authority, are you leading through service or skill?
[17] Chapter 5 Confession and Communion We now turn to a straightforward principle with perhaps the most difficult application of anything Bonhoeffer has suggested. Confessing our sins to one another is a relatively foreign practice for most Protestants, and will almost certainly be painful and challenging as we learn to practice it. However, as Bonhoeffer notes, if we only interact with brothers and sisters as devout people, then we haven t really known each other, since each and every one of us is a sinner. Confession allows us to move beyond that false exterior and invite our brothers and sisters into our inner life. When we do this, we are inviting them to be a tangible representation of the forgiving work of Christ to us. The truest expressions of life together cannot take place without this final step. Questions to Consider What are your initial reactions to the idea of confessing your sin to other believers? Why do you think so many modern Christians find this discipline hard to practice? Do you have anyone with whom you can truly have fellowship as sinners? Breaking Through to Community The step to confess our sin to another person is tremendously significant. The isolation in which sin thrives is shattered by this act, and much of sin s power is destroyed as a result. Pastor Rick Warren famously said, You re only as sick as your secrets, and when a sin is no longer one of your secrets, the grace of Jesus can work in that part of your life. Questions to Consider Has there been a time when you confessed your sin to someone else, or had someone confess to you? How was that struggle different after that confession?
[18] Breaking Through to the Cross One of the primary barriers to confession is pride, which is also one of the main stumbling blocks that keeps people from Jesus. To receive the Gospel, we must first admit that we are sinful, and in need of forgiveness from Jesus to be in right relationship with God. If our pride keeps us from being honest about our sin, then we are missing the impact of the Gospel in our lives. We must break down this pride if we are to break through to the saving cross of Christ. Questions to Consider Is my concern for what others think of me preventing me from being honest with them about my sin? Do I truly believe that I am forgiven by Jesus? Will I live in light of that truth? Breaking Through to New Life As long as we are slaves to unconfessed sin, we won t experience the redeemed new life that is available to us in Christ. Confession is the first step in breaking out of a pattern of secret sin and discovering the full and rich life God wants to offer us. Questions to Consider Do I really want to be free from my unconfessed sin? How would my life be better if I broke free from patterns of unconfessed sin?
[19] Breaking through to Certainty There s something about confessing our sin to a brother or sister that makes that confession feel more concrete. Confessing to God is a real confession, and in a strict sense (as Bonhoeffer observes), confession to a fellow believer is not necessary for us to be forgiven. However, if we will lay down our pride, acknowledge our weakness, and open our hearts to a brother or sister, this act will often provide solid assurance that our sin has been confessed and forgiven. For this reason, confessing to fellow believers may have a more immediate impact on our lives than confessing to God. Questions to Consider When I confess my sin to God, am I ever guilty of confessing to ourselves and attempting to gain self-absolution? If a brother or sister were to confess his or her sin to you, how might you go about offering assurance of forgiveness to that person? To Whom Confess? Finding a safe person to whom we can confess will feel like an important aspect of practicing this discipline. Certainly, our hope is that within Small Group communities, safe relationships are crafted that allow for confession to someone within that group, if not the group as a whole. For Bonhoeffer, the primary criteria is that we should confess to someone who understands the Gospel, which means that he or she is aware of the depth of his or her own sin, and that they stand before God only because of the Cross. Those who understand their own sin in that way are never in a position to pass judgment against others, making them ideal for confession. In this section, Bonhoeffer takes several shots at psychologists and other counseling professionals. The category of Christian counseling didn t specifically exist in his day, so when he references this profession, he is envisioning atheistic counselors. We are blessed today to have Christian counselors as aids for our spiritual journey, and their engagement in overcoming sin patterns should not be overlooked.
[20] Questions to Consider Who are you currently in relationship with who could hear your confession of sin in light of the cross of Christ? Two Dangers Bonhoeffer offers two important clarifications and warnings in this section. First, he suggests that if everyone in a community is confessing to a single person, that person might get burned out, especially if he or she is not confessing to someone else. He suggests that we must spread this responsibility around to be shared by many people. Second, he says that if the act of confession ever becomes routine, or if the amount that we confess ever becomes a point of spiritual pride, then we have missed the point entirely, and are in grave spiritual danger. We must be exceptionally careful to guard our hearts against this false view of confession. Questions to Consider Why do you suppose Bonhoeffer uses such strong language when giving his second warning in this section? The Joyful Sacrament Although the practice of communion certainly occupies a different place in Bonhoeffer s Lutheran tradition than it does in many of our own experiences, we certainly should not overlook this powerful gift from God. The opportunity to come together and remember the death of Christ for the forgiveness of sins should move us to confess in a special and powerful way, allowing the Lord s Table to be a potent expression of what it means for Christians to live life together. Questions to Consider How can confession prepare my heart to receive communion?