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Desiring God Study Guide: Finding Complete Satisfaction and Joy in God
THE PURSUIT OF PLEASURE IS NOT OPTIONAL. IT IS ESSENTIAL.
This study guide companion to the DVD version of Desiring God—the classic explanation of Christian hedonism by John Piper—will help individuals and groups understand that the supreme calling of life is to "glorify God by enjoying Him forever."
The DVD and this guide create an ideal package for adult and youth Sunday school classes, small groups, retreats, classrooms, families, as well as for individual study.
Topics for this 12-session guided group study include:
One Great Mission and Motivation
A Summary of Christian Hedonism
The Foundation of Christian Hedonism
The Essence of Christian Hedonism
The Grand Obligation (Part 1): Commanded to Rejoice
The Grand Obligation (Part 2): An Essential Element of Faith and Worship
The Grand Obligation (Part 3): Holy Hedonism Is Love
The Grand Obligation (Part 4): The Strength for Sanctification and Service
How Then Shall We Fight for Joy? (Part 1): Know Its Sources and Setbacks
How Then Shall We Fight for Joy? (Part 2): Make Use of the Means of Grace
Complete with Scripture, key quotations for reflection, penetrating questions, and five daily assignments per week, this study guide will help you understand why God’s pursuit of His glory and your pursuit of joy are not at odds—because God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.
Also includes a 6-session intensive track option. Leader’s Guide Included.
This study guide companion to the DVD version of Desiring God—the classic explanation of Christian hedonism by John Piper—will help individuals and groups understand that the supreme calling of life is to "glorify God by enjoying Him forever."
The DVD and this guide create an ideal package for adult and youth Sunday school classes, small groups, retreats, classrooms, families, as well as for individual study.
Topics for this 12-session guided group study include:
One Great Mission and Motivation
A Summary of Christian Hedonism
The Foundation of Christian Hedonism
The Essence of Christian Hedonism
The Grand Obligation (Part 1): Commanded to Rejoice
The Grand Obligation (Part 2): An Essential Element of Faith and Worship
The Grand Obligation (Part 3): Holy Hedonism Is Love
The Grand Obligation (Part 4): The Strength for Sanctification and Service
How Then Shall We Fight for Joy? (Part 1): Know Its Sources and Setbacks
How Then Shall We Fight for Joy? (Part 2): Make Use of the Means of Grace
Complete with Scripture, key quotations for reflection, penetrating questions, and five daily assignments per week, this study guide will help you understand why God’s pursuit of His glory and your pursuit of joy are not at odds—because God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.
Also includes a 6-session intensive track option. Leader’s Guide Included.
- GenresTheology
137 pages, Paperback
First published November 16, 2010
13 people are currently reading
65 people want to read
About the author
John Piper
558 books4,670 followersJohn Piper is founder and teacher of desiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary. For 33 years, he served as senior pastor at Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
He grew up in Greenville, South Carolina, and studied at Wheaton College, Fuller Theological Seminary (B.D.), and the University of Munich (D.theol.). For six years, he taught Biblical Studies at Bethel College in St. Paul, Minnesota, and in 1980 accepted the call to serve as pastor at Bethlehem.
John is the author of more than 50 books and more than 30 years of his preaching and teaching is available free at desiringGod.org. John and his wife, Noel, have four sons, one daughter, and twelve grandchildren.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
He grew up in Greenville, South Carolina, and studied at Wheaton College, Fuller Theological Seminary (B.D.), and the University of Munich (D.theol.). For six years, he taught Biblical Studies at Bethel College in St. Paul, Minnesota, and in 1980 accepted the call to serve as pastor at Bethlehem.
John is the author of more than 50 books and more than 30 years of his preaching and teaching is available free at desiringGod.org. John and his wife, Noel, have four sons, one daughter, and twelve grandchildren.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 2, 2014
John Piper is well-known among evangelicals, particularly proponents of Reformed theology within Evangelicalism, for his “Desiring God” ministry. He has dedicated his life to encouraging people to seek the absolute joy and happiness that can be gained only from worshiping God in gladness and complete submission to His will.
All of this started for Piper when he realized the truth that God does not want us to worship Him out of duty, but out of a glad heart. He wrote and published his book on the subject, *Desiring God*, in the mid-1980's, and it has been in print, with revisions, since. Subtitled *Reflections of a Christian Hedonist*, the book makes a powerful case for not just the virtue of seeking joy in God, but also that *not* seeking joy in God and obedience to Him is itself a sin.
The basic premise is that the catechism about man's chief end being to love and enjoy God forever, is not just a nice sentiment, but the very *heart* of the Christian faith, and of our existence. Piper goes about explaining how God's elevation of Himself, and desire for us to love and praise Him actually are facets not just of His Holy, Immutable Nature (though they are certainly a part of that, to be sure), but also of His great Love for us.
Each chapter deals with a different subject, and that subject's relation to a life of true Christian joy. The chapters are filled to the brim with Scriptures, which was one of the best parts of the book. So many authors today go out quoting from a plethora of extra-Biblical sources, and very few passages from the Bible. To be sure, Piper does quote other sources, but he makes these sources fit into the pattern of Scripture, *not* the other way around.
The central emphasis of the book, that of treating God as our greatest treasure, and seeking our joy in Him through service, suffering, and so much else, is a powerful message. I have noticed in my own life where I could have done a lot more in this regard. I have also noticed where at times I have bought into the lie that our service is a duty, and that we ought not feel joy in service and worship. Curiously, Christians seem to emphasize joy in suffering and agree with Piper on this, but not on joy anywhere else. This interesting divergence is perhaps a timely topic for Mr. Piper to write on in the future.
Now for the parts that I have to touch on in any review. Those areas I have some minor disagreement with Piper on.
First of all, the denouncement of material gain and wealth. Piper seems to stretch the meaning of passages to fit his viewpoint that money is not for enjoyment, but only for ministry. While God, through his ministers, does have first dibs, if you will, on our funds and the fruits of our labors, there is nothing in the Bible saying that the enjoyment, or seeking thereof, of said fruits is wrong. Lydia was quite wealthy, and there is no indication that Paul preached to her to get rid of her wealth, or not enjoy any luxuries. Service to God and luxury are not antithetical to each other. Suffering must needs come, but suffering is not the only facet to existence, even to those whose lives are generally defined by their horrid experiences. Also from the Scriptures, one could make mention of Roman officials, Jewish officials, and others, who were not viewed as sinful for enjoying life, while still standing strong for the Lord.
As a caveat, I will reveal to those who do not know so, that I am not AT ALL wealthy, or well-to-do. I am very much near the cusp of the level of lower-middle class, and at times, near the level of poor, at least as US standards go (God blesses us with less poverty than the rest of the world). I doubt that, barring a huge blessing of God, I will ever be wealthy. Nevertheless, the fact that I can not enjoy wealth myself does not change my view of the Bible that those that God blesses with it are not wrong to have some enjoyments with it.
I know the argument of the rich young ruler being instructed by our Lord to give away his possessions is on the tip of someone's tongue. The problem with using that example is in the necessity of taking all of the passages in Scripture in context. Christ was targeting the young man's pride and the barrier that was keeping him from accepting Christ fully; i. e., his possessions being his god, his unwillingness to suffer, and so forth.
The second area is Piper's call for increased missions to Muslim countries. This I AGREE WITH. What is my issue then? Well, simply that someone will listen to Piper's exhortations, and stories about witnessing in other countries, and apply them to heavily Islamic countries, WITHOUT DOING RESEARCH. If the person who wants to witness and be a missionary does not do diligent research, and find a way to adjust the message and lifestyle to the *jihad* (or religious war) minded Muslims, they will have the impact of their heads sawed off with the equivalent of a butter knife on al-Jazeera, and probably very little actual impact on those they want to reach, given that the war-minded radicals who hold so much sway would consider it a provocation. Plus said unprepared missionary may cause an incident that leads to potential war, and to riots killing other Christians. The research, and understanding how the Muslim areas are different, is necessary to have an effect for Christ, while also not being responsible for getting someone else killed.
However, if one does do research, and combines the missions with medical care, education, and so forth, they will have a much better impact. Open a field hospital in a Muslim country, you with God's help, there is a chance that, survive or not, you *will* succeed in drawing others to the Lord, if He wills. I wish Piper had called for diligent research, and not made it sound as if the same methods used on non-Muslim countries would work there. Christians need to do research, and then reach out to the Lost, including lost Muslims, who desperately need Christ. With that caveat, Mr. Piper is right as he is in so much of this wonderful book that God used him to write to help others. Amen and amen! HOOAH!!!
Hedonism, hedonism, hedonism. The word holds too much of a connotation to me, and others, and so I purposely substituted any word for it. I blanched and nearly lost the message at times due to it, until I got used to mentally censoring it. Piper states that part of his goal was to get his message across by sort of shocking people into taking stock of themselves and their relationship with God. For my part, the word “hedonist” and it's many forms did not do this. What did do it, and convict my heart, was realizing that my sense of duty, and not of joy, is a SIN. I thank Piper for bringing this point home to me. Praise God for His Word, and for using Piper to bring it to me and so many others.
I could criticize a few other points, including his lack of understanding in the actual philosophy of Western Civilization. I won't, because it will detract from the central message of this book review. Namely, that this book is one that will benefit any believer who gives it a chance. I feel both a guilt and a peace today. A guilt over what I have done wrong, by not treasuring Jesus and not seeking my joy in Him, and a peace that I know that God desires the best for me, and when I enjoy Him, I am not morally failing Him, but PLEASING Him.
Overall, despite the problems I had with some of the elements in the book, I am thoroughly happy that I read it, and am unreservedly recommending this to others. I honestly can not rate it any higher. It is in the top tier of theological books that I have read, and I really hope you all give it a try. You won't regret it!
Highly Recommended.
All of this started for Piper when he realized the truth that God does not want us to worship Him out of duty, but out of a glad heart. He wrote and published his book on the subject, *Desiring God*, in the mid-1980's, and it has been in print, with revisions, since. Subtitled *Reflections of a Christian Hedonist*, the book makes a powerful case for not just the virtue of seeking joy in God, but also that *not* seeking joy in God and obedience to Him is itself a sin.
The basic premise is that the catechism about man's chief end being to love and enjoy God forever, is not just a nice sentiment, but the very *heart* of the Christian faith, and of our existence. Piper goes about explaining how God's elevation of Himself, and desire for us to love and praise Him actually are facets not just of His Holy, Immutable Nature (though they are certainly a part of that, to be sure), but also of His great Love for us.
Each chapter deals with a different subject, and that subject's relation to a life of true Christian joy. The chapters are filled to the brim with Scriptures, which was one of the best parts of the book. So many authors today go out quoting from a plethora of extra-Biblical sources, and very few passages from the Bible. To be sure, Piper does quote other sources, but he makes these sources fit into the pattern of Scripture, *not* the other way around.
The central emphasis of the book, that of treating God as our greatest treasure, and seeking our joy in Him through service, suffering, and so much else, is a powerful message. I have noticed in my own life where I could have done a lot more in this regard. I have also noticed where at times I have bought into the lie that our service is a duty, and that we ought not feel joy in service and worship. Curiously, Christians seem to emphasize joy in suffering and agree with Piper on this, but not on joy anywhere else. This interesting divergence is perhaps a timely topic for Mr. Piper to write on in the future.
Now for the parts that I have to touch on in any review. Those areas I have some minor disagreement with Piper on.
First of all, the denouncement of material gain and wealth. Piper seems to stretch the meaning of passages to fit his viewpoint that money is not for enjoyment, but only for ministry. While God, through his ministers, does have first dibs, if you will, on our funds and the fruits of our labors, there is nothing in the Bible saying that the enjoyment, or seeking thereof, of said fruits is wrong. Lydia was quite wealthy, and there is no indication that Paul preached to her to get rid of her wealth, or not enjoy any luxuries. Service to God and luxury are not antithetical to each other. Suffering must needs come, but suffering is not the only facet to existence, even to those whose lives are generally defined by their horrid experiences. Also from the Scriptures, one could make mention of Roman officials, Jewish officials, and others, who were not viewed as sinful for enjoying life, while still standing strong for the Lord.
As a caveat, I will reveal to those who do not know so, that I am not AT ALL wealthy, or well-to-do. I am very much near the cusp of the level of lower-middle class, and at times, near the level of poor, at least as US standards go (God blesses us with less poverty than the rest of the world). I doubt that, barring a huge blessing of God, I will ever be wealthy. Nevertheless, the fact that I can not enjoy wealth myself does not change my view of the Bible that those that God blesses with it are not wrong to have some enjoyments with it.
I know the argument of the rich young ruler being instructed by our Lord to give away his possessions is on the tip of someone's tongue. The problem with using that example is in the necessity of taking all of the passages in Scripture in context. Christ was targeting the young man's pride and the barrier that was keeping him from accepting Christ fully; i. e., his possessions being his god, his unwillingness to suffer, and so forth.
The second area is Piper's call for increased missions to Muslim countries. This I AGREE WITH. What is my issue then? Well, simply that someone will listen to Piper's exhortations, and stories about witnessing in other countries, and apply them to heavily Islamic countries, WITHOUT DOING RESEARCH. If the person who wants to witness and be a missionary does not do diligent research, and find a way to adjust the message and lifestyle to the *jihad* (or religious war) minded Muslims, they will have the impact of their heads sawed off with the equivalent of a butter knife on al-Jazeera, and probably very little actual impact on those they want to reach, given that the war-minded radicals who hold so much sway would consider it a provocation. Plus said unprepared missionary may cause an incident that leads to potential war, and to riots killing other Christians. The research, and understanding how the Muslim areas are different, is necessary to have an effect for Christ, while also not being responsible for getting someone else killed.
However, if one does do research, and combines the missions with medical care, education, and so forth, they will have a much better impact. Open a field hospital in a Muslim country, you with God's help, there is a chance that, survive or not, you *will* succeed in drawing others to the Lord, if He wills. I wish Piper had called for diligent research, and not made it sound as if the same methods used on non-Muslim countries would work there. Christians need to do research, and then reach out to the Lost, including lost Muslims, who desperately need Christ. With that caveat, Mr. Piper is right as he is in so much of this wonderful book that God used him to write to help others. Amen and amen! HOOAH!!!
Hedonism, hedonism, hedonism. The word holds too much of a connotation to me, and others, and so I purposely substituted any word for it. I blanched and nearly lost the message at times due to it, until I got used to mentally censoring it. Piper states that part of his goal was to get his message across by sort of shocking people into taking stock of themselves and their relationship with God. For my part, the word “hedonist” and it's many forms did not do this. What did do it, and convict my heart, was realizing that my sense of duty, and not of joy, is a SIN. I thank Piper for bringing this point home to me. Praise God for His Word, and for using Piper to bring it to me and so many others.
I could criticize a few other points, including his lack of understanding in the actual philosophy of Western Civilization. I won't, because it will detract from the central message of this book review. Namely, that this book is one that will benefit any believer who gives it a chance. I feel both a guilt and a peace today. A guilt over what I have done wrong, by not treasuring Jesus and not seeking my joy in Him, and a peace that I know that God desires the best for me, and when I enjoy Him, I am not morally failing Him, but PLEASING Him.
Overall, despite the problems I had with some of the elements in the book, I am thoroughly happy that I read it, and am unreservedly recommending this to others. I honestly can not rate it any higher. It is in the top tier of theological books that I have read, and I really hope you all give it a try. You won't regret it!
Highly Recommended.
July 17, 2025
One of my favorites
October 1, 2024
“A girl should get so lost in God, that a guy has to seek Him to find her”. Talitha Ruth.
When delighting in God is the work of our lives (which is called Christian hedonism), there will be an inner strength for ministries of love to the very end.
God is not worshipped where He is not treasured and enjoyed. Not to enjoy God is to dishonor Him.
We have a name for those who try to praise when they have no pleasure in the object. We call them Hypocrites.
The hardened disobedience of men’s hearts leads not to the frustration of God’s plans, but to their fruition.
We praise what we enjoy because the delight is incomplete until it is expressed in praise.
No one is a Christian who does not embrace Jesus gladly as his most valued treasure, and then pursue the fullness of that joy in Christ that honors Him,
Glorying God is the duty not only of those who have heard the preaching of the gospel, but also of people who have only the witness of nature and their own conscience.
Deep within us we all know that it is our duty to glorying our Maker by thanking Him for all we have, trusting Him for all we need, and obeying all His revealed will.
We will never fully appreciate what a deep and awesome thug conversion is until we own up to the fact that it is a miracle. It’s a gift of God.
Before the confidence comes the craving. Before the decision comes the delight. Before trust comes the discovery of treasure.
When delighting in God is the work of our lives (which is called Christian hedonism), there will be an inner strength for ministries of love to the very end.
God is not worshipped where He is not treasured and enjoyed. Not to enjoy God is to dishonor Him.
We have a name for those who try to praise when they have no pleasure in the object. We call them Hypocrites.
The hardened disobedience of men’s hearts leads not to the frustration of God’s plans, but to their fruition.
We praise what we enjoy because the delight is incomplete until it is expressed in praise.
No one is a Christian who does not embrace Jesus gladly as his most valued treasure, and then pursue the fullness of that joy in Christ that honors Him,
Glorying God is the duty not only of those who have heard the preaching of the gospel, but also of people who have only the witness of nature and their own conscience.
Deep within us we all know that it is our duty to glorying our Maker by thanking Him for all we have, trusting Him for all we need, and obeying all His revealed will.
We will never fully appreciate what a deep and awesome thug conversion is until we own up to the fact that it is a miracle. It’s a gift of God.
Before the confidence comes the craving. Before the decision comes the delight. Before trust comes the discovery of treasure.
September 11, 2011
There's something about John Piper that makes me liken him to the Pied Piper--I just want to listen to him and follow where he leads. (This is why I love following him on Twitter.) Thankfully, he isn't using a magic flute to lure rats and children away, but using an extraordinarily clear view of God's Word to throw light on fundamental issues of faith for Christians.
In this 10-part DVD, John Piper is filmed teaching in a seminar about what he penned in his bestseller, Desiring God. He is a dynamic preacher, and he wastes little time scratching the surface of his topic. Listening to him requires full attention and a fully-functioning brain, since his thoughts always seem to be one step above mine--seem to be, because in truth his thoughts are far, far removed from mine, but his superb preaching skills have simplified it so that it is within my grasp.
John Piper's big ideas are often encased in big words and intimidating theological jargon, so if this DVD is used in group study you might lose a few people.
The DVD production also feels dated--John is using an overhead projector (he loves underlining words on the slides, so maybe that's why) and the camera angles, set background feel like a throwback to the 80s. But other than that, what John Piper has to say is worth hearing and pondering.
In this 10-part DVD, John Piper is filmed teaching in a seminar about what he penned in his bestseller, Desiring God. He is a dynamic preacher, and he wastes little time scratching the surface of his topic. Listening to him requires full attention and a fully-functioning brain, since his thoughts always seem to be one step above mine--seem to be, because in truth his thoughts are far, far removed from mine, but his superb preaching skills have simplified it so that it is within my grasp.
John Piper's big ideas are often encased in big words and intimidating theological jargon, so if this DVD is used in group study you might lose a few people.
The DVD production also feels dated--John is using an overhead projector (he loves underlining words on the slides, so maybe that's why) and the camera angles, set background feel like a throwback to the 80s. But other than that, what John Piper has to say is worth hearing and pondering.
December 15, 2013
I have to get back to this page and give Desiring God the review it deserves. But for now, let me highly recommend it without reservation. John Piper brilliantly puts forth his case for Christian Hedonism that is provocative, worshipful, and life-changing. He treats objectors with respect and makes a persuasive argument from the Bible that addresses a Christian audience.
In The Soul of Atlas , I wrote about the Conversation between Ayn Rand and Christianity that has taken place in my my life. My stepfather John introduced me to Ayn Rand and my biological father introduced me to Christianity. Since then, many others have joined the Conversation, making it more like a party at times, or a coffee house, depending on which metaphor draws you in. Either way, I have had a lot of help. John Piper's writing has been one of the biggest sources, especially Desiring God.
In The Soul of Atlas , I wrote about the Conversation between Ayn Rand and Christianity that has taken place in my my life. My stepfather John introduced me to Ayn Rand and my biological father introduced me to Christianity. Since then, many others have joined the Conversation, making it more like a party at times, or a coffee house, depending on which metaphor draws you in. Either way, I have had a lot of help. John Piper's writing has been one of the biggest sources, especially Desiring God.
May 28, 2014
VERY CONVICTING!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews