Desiring God Study Guide: Finding Complete Satisfaction and Joy in God Paperback – January 18, 2011

Great print, good read. Delivered very quickly.

My son asked me to order this to use with others in a study group. He likes it very much.

First let me say when I saw the opportunity to review anything by John Piper I was immediately excited but the DVD series is a unique opportunity for anyone who may lead a small group of any size or merely need to be walked through what John Piper meant when he envisioned Desiring God several years ago.First I want to cover some logistics of the DVD and study guide. As expected this high quality content worthy of any church or person to invest in to help lay a foundation in their believer's hearts regarding Desiring God above all other things. The DVD series is broken into 10 manageable segments that cover the scope of what I assume was a workshop offered by Piper and Desiring God. The study book is laid out well with high level overview and questions that guide the user through the series and provoke reflection and point to God with amazement and gratitude.The overarching benefit of this media format is simply the fact that Piper has taken a hugely popular book and ministry to the masses with guidance through the study guide and personal engagement by way of leading each discussion and lecture himself, adding emphasis and clarity where needed as He intends it to be interpreted as the author.The main topic throughout the series which is implicit by its title is "DESIRING GOD" what does that mean, what does that look like, and why does that matter? Piper coined the term Christian Hedonism which is the opposite of the hedonism we see in the world. It simply means the source of utmost satisfaction and enjoyment. In the world we see hedonism in materialism, career success, sex and intoxication that people lust for to the detriment of their lives and, by God's grace, Piper turns it on it's head and leads us through desiring God above all things, Lusting for His glory, and finding complete enjoyment in His grace with sound biblical doctrine.I highly recommend this source for small groups or individuals who need to understand the core fundamental idea of praising our Lord and Savior above all things, and the Glory of God being the primary motivation of all things, God's grace and His Word as something to be savored.This material was provided by Waterbrook Multnomah free in exchange for an honest review of the material.

Desiring God by John Piper is an excellent book. The ideas presented within it about Christian Hedonism and glorifying God in our joyfulness in Him, are impressive in their backing. And more than that, I feel that have much merit.I received the Desiring God DVDs with the hopes of listening to Mr. Piper speak and teach from the Desiring God book. In fact, that is not what these DVDs are at all. Instead of working their way through the book, they are sessions of John Piper speaking at a Desiring God conference. And rather than using the book as a springboard, Mr. Piper instead gives more of a conglomerate overview of some of the content presented in the book while mixing in new content.Mr. Piper is an extremely passionate and engaging speaker. I very much enjoyed listening to him speak in manageable thirty or forty minute sessions. And perhaps more so than even the book, though with less of a mounting facts feel, Mr. Piper impresses on the audience the fervor and joy found when seeking our absolute highest enjoyment in God can bring.I recommend these DVDs not as a heavy weight lecture series, but as an exceptional introduction to Christian Hedonism.I received this book free from Mulnomah Waterbrook Publishers as part of their Blogging for books book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.

Our Bible study group is using it to lead the discussion

I first read Desiring God by John Piper seven years ago. I was wrestling with many issues as a worship leader, as a new wife, and as a Christian in general, and this book revolutionized the way that I worshiped and lived life. I've often thought that it would make a great study for groups, and this 10-part DVD series and study guide is a wonderful way to dive deeper into the insights found in Desiring God. It would also be good for personal use, but I think that the greatest benefit would probably be found in working this out with other believers.The DVD's companion study guide is unbelievably thorough. Each chapter is equipped with 5 days of preparation "homework" that is meant to focus your mind and prepare you for the message that Piper brings by video. The homework is short, yet thought-provoking, and includes numerous references to Scripture. The questions are far from shallow. There is also a section in each chapter titled "Further Up and Further In" in which the student is challenged to dig deeper by viewing a sermon or reading an article (usually found on the Desiring God website).Each video session is approximately 20-30 minutes in length, and the study guide provides questions and blanks to fill in throughout the video. The chapter closes with questions designed to be discussed in a group setting.Note: I received this product for free from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers in exchange for this honest review.