The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? by Rick Warren (2002, Hardcover)

"The Purpose-Driven Life focuses on helping readers answer the question, "What on earth am I here for?" Warren sets out to help readers become the people that God wants them to be.

He elaborates on five truths to answer this question of why we are here. According to Warren, we exist for the purposes of worship, ministry, evangelism, fellowship and discipleship. He states that in fulfilling these roles on earth, we find and fulfill our purposes.

This is a comprehensive book about how to live the Christian life successfully. It discusses most of the major themes of The Bible. Warren cites over 1,000 scriptures in the book. He rarely makes a point without quoting from the Bible. The messages of the chapters are relevant for new and mature Christians.

The book is formatted in 40 chapters. Warren suggests readers study a chapter a day for 40 days, so that the reader can take time to reflect and meditate on each chapter's lesson. Each chapter ends with a main point to consider, a scripture to remember and a question to answer. I found these questions to be thought-provoking and meaningful.

This book is an excellent tool for study groups to read and discuss. It emphasizes the importance of Christian character development and of becoming an active member of a community of believers. Warren provides reasons and practical ways for the reader to serve others inside and outside the church.

For a church wanting to develop individuals excited and prepared to do ministry, promoting studies of The Purpose-Driven Life would help to meet this objective. Warren concludes the book by addressing each person's mission within the church and world. He also includes an appendix with further questions to initiate discussion among readers.

In citing 1000 scriptures throughout the book, Warren uses 15 different Bible translations interchangeably. He explains that all translations have limitations and that he uses various translations to present scriptures in a fresh way. The references for the scriptures he quotes are in endnotes, so I was continually turning to the back of the book to discover the version and verse of a scripture. To a minor extent, I think this undermines the integrity and flow of the book.

I always try to keep in mind when reading a book like this that the author's opinions are not infallible like the Bible. I say this because there are a few times while reading this book when I disagreed with an opinion of Warren's which was stated as a fact. Readers should keep in mind that opinions of Christian authors are debatable and not gospel.

I don't think these two criticisms detract much from the value of this book.

Warren writes that "The purpose of your life fits into a much larger, cosmic purpose that God has designed for eternity. That's what this book is about." In The Purpose Driven Life, Warren has written indefatigably about this purpose, and I think reading it will help you identify and fulfill your purpose."

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I started reading The Purpose Driven Life at the request of a friend who was going through a difficult time in her life. The book is designed to teach the reader about God's purpose for his/her life and how to live in such a way as to fulfill that purpose. It contains 40 short chapters (4-5 pages each) and suggests reading 1 chapter a day for 40 days (a symbolic number in the bible...40 days of rain, 40 days in the desert, etc.) The book recommends reading it with a friend so that you can stay accountable to the reading, discuss each chapter with that person, and better absorb the message.

The book is designed for Christians at any point in their faith. It does not matter if you are new to Christianity or have been following God for 60 years, it has something to teach you or reinforce in you wherever you are in your walk. Pastor Rick Warren does a good job of defining God's purpose for our lives as found in the scriptures. He writes in a very accessible way and because you only read 1 short chapter a day, you have time to let each message sink in. While at times some of the messages seem basic, it is through mastering the basics that we can grow and evolve into more authentic, committed Christians.

In addition to writing about God's purpose for us, Pastor Warren provides practical ways to fulfill our role. Each chapter concludes with a "Point to Ponder" (the message of the chapter), a "Verse to Memorize" (to reinforce God's purpose for us) and a "Question to Ask" (so that we can apply the message to our own life). All in all, it is a very practical and useful book that, whether you read with a friend or on your own, will provide daily encouragement that will enrich your life. It is the type of book that you'll be able to pick up many times in your life to help guide you in your Christian walk.

This is a book on seeking God's will for your life-not some self-help book that has you focus on yourself and your own powers. It is divided into 40 chapters-one to be read each day until you finish the book.

I believe every God placed every human being on this earth for a reason. And it's not to be happy or make money-even though He'd like us to be happy. In fact I need to become less self-centered and more God-centered. I need to seek out God's will for myself.

At the end of each chapter, there's a section called "Thinking About My Purpose". In it there's a "Point to Ponder", which is something to ponder on. The second part is a "Point to Ponder", which is something to ponder on the day you read the chapter. The third and final part is a "Question to Consider" which helps you think about what you read in the chapter and apply it to your life.

He also has "Discussion Questions" in Appendix I and encourages us to find friends to read and study the book with us for 40 days.

I do like the format of the book and the journal-which also contains the "Point to Ponder" and the "Question to Consider" as well as some other good material for the chapter. It also has space to write down the lessons you learned. Although I plan on reading it alone the first time so I can get started right away, I plan on talking to some Christian friends and neighbors about studying it with me in the future.

Since Rick Warren did suggest writing notes in the margin, I'd like to see him publish an edition with wide margins for this purpose.

The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren is an interesting tool for Christians to examine their faith and mission, particularly in a Church group setting. It asks people to examine themselves, as individuals, and to check up on where they are at as a congregation of Christ's ambassadors. I think the first part of the book is uncomfortable for many readers because while it mentions what a wondrous creation of God we all are, it also stresses that "it's not about us", it's about our living and working to bring glory to our Creator. It's all about Him. Many modern Christians are tied up with "prosperity preachers" who tell you that if you're right with God, you can expect great things to happen for you: money, success, and even, fame. Mr. Warren cautions the reader not to get too comfortable with the world around us and our success in it because our place, or lack of it, in eternity demands that people live by the will and rules of God, not man. It's a good wake-up call. I didn't like the use of so many sources of Scripture that were not familiar to me, but I read somewhere that he said he did that so people wouldn't see the same old text and just gloss over it because it was so familiar. While I don't think the book is perfect, it gives a needed perspective to faith in a society that is ever increasingly materialistic and status driven. I'd buy it again to gain that perspective.

I understand that this book has taken America by storm, but I would give a strong word of caution to any who are considering reading it. There is some useful stuff in there, but Scripture is tossed around rather loosely, and ends up being taken out of context on numerous occasions.

I would strongly encourage anyone who is, has, or is planning to read this book to do a search for "purpose driven life critism". You will undoubtedly find links such as http://www.biblebb.com/files/p​urpose.htm and http://www.biblebb.com/files/p​dl.htm which aren't unfair, but honest. They report honestly and give good, solid examples of why the book isn't on their top must-read lists.

I truly believe Rick Warren's heart is in the right place, but being a Christian isn't about being happy with your life; it's about being satisfied in God. Too many evangelists try to sell Christianity on "do this and you'll be better, happier, etc." That is NOT what the bible teaches; rather, it teaches that you can be content in every situation when you have the strength of faith to know that He will protect your eternal soul, regardless of what happens to you on this earth. Ask any Christian martyr if being happy is what following God is about!

Think twice before you buy, and PLEASE read with both eyes open: there's lots of smoke out there! Seek, rather, a "Spirit-lead life" and you will find TRUE happiness--in God!