Has anyone else read or done the Purpose Driven Life book/class? Let me know your experience, I am just started, I think it is wonderful. Let me know if it has helped you.
Stephanie
UPDATE******
I am in my 17th day of the Purpose Driven Life book. I am encoraged and find that I have had some revelations revealed to me. If you have the opportunity to do this with your church, DO IT. Have an open mind and heart.
Posted by: JeriRose12
We are having a series of sermons based on this book in our church. I am behind on my reading and need to get started. I liked the first few pages I read. The idea that life is not about "your happiness" -- but about the purpose God created you for -- really ministered to me. My brother-in-law keeps saying "I'm finally happy!" and 'I've finally found MY purpose." (now that he's rejected Biblical truth for cult teachings.) So many people spend their whole life pursuing "happiness," but miss out on the satisfaction of fulfilling God's purpose for their lives. It's not about MY purpose -- it's about GOD'S purpose for me.
This was and is a very powerful book. I read the book on my own first, then joined a small group and studied it over a 10 week period. I must admit that this really made me think about my life, my purpose and the direction I needed to go.
I pray that you will ble blessed by the messages here. This is one of those books that truly can change your life for the better!
Posted by: MamaCat
Quote:
Originally Posted by smb1976
Has anyone else read or done the Purpose Driven Life book/class? Let me know your experience, I am just started, I think it is wonderful. Let me know if it has helped you.
Stephanie
I read the book on my own for 40 days. I found it amazing and one I plan to read again and again. I did not agree with everything written, however, overall, it was an excellent book. Glad I bought it.
Posted by: alynelleu
I first read the book on my own and learned from it. Then my church did it together, giving out a book per family, and I learned even more. At the same time we had small groups that went over the criteria. We would watch a taped sermon from Rick Warren and then go over the study together. I really learned alot from that. I believe that it was one of the turning points for me since it answered the age old question "What on earth am I here for?". If possible get the study guides/journal also and read it more than once.
Posted by: nwcollegegal
I read the book with the adult worship team at my church, and then later on our whole church went through it. Being only 17 at the time I read it with the worship team, I didn't get much out of it. My focus was mostly on school, and I didn't want to put forth all the effort to be "changed" or "touched" by the book. Granted, it is a good book, but I didn't really get all that much out of it. Warren has a lot of good things to say, and some things stuck out to me, but for the most part it was hard for me to put forth any effort. When the whole church went through it, I didn't go through it with them because I again, was focusing on school. Many people got saved though, many got baptized, and many were changed. It is amazing because even though I didn't go through it, just watching how the whole atmosphere of the church changed enthralled me. Everyone was so much nicer to each other! Our services hugely jumped up in people (more people were coming). I made a lot of new friends, and was able to see how God was working in other peoples' lives. One thing that happened was that an anonymous person gave me 100 dollars because God laid me on their heart. It was right at that time that the church was going through the chapter on sacrifice and tithing and giving (I don't exactly know what the chapter was on exactly, but something like that!). I was very VERY touched and almost lead to tears by this. A lot of other things personally happened to me from the church going through the Purpose Driven Life. Our church is still growing today because of it, and we are doing very well. Lives are being changed and lifted up to God. Many small groups are still continuing on from originally beginning by the Purpose Driven Life. Now they have moved on to other things - but still as a group. Friendships were formed, and worship became more intimate and meaningful. Never before have I seen so many people engaged in worship - raising their hands and such. Mostly our church just stands there and sings. But, not anymore really. People who I never thought would ever raise their hands in worship now do! It's great. Also, our church has become a church of prayer. We went through the Purpose Driven Life without a Senior Pastor. (We just finally chose a Senior Pastor, after 8 monthes without one! WOOHOO!). Very powerful times of letting God be used and move.
Hope you enjoy it!
~Christianna
Posted by: smb1976
Thank you all for your responses. I truly appreciate your imput. I especially enjoyed Christina's look at the effects of other people and a church as a whole. I am moving towards my closer relationship with God.