Product Details

• Format: NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: G (General Audience)
• Studio: Multnomah Books
• DVD Release Date: January 18, 2011
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 160142311X
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #125,636 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

The Pursuit of Pleasure Is Not Optional. It Is Essential

In this DVD version of Desiring God—the classic description of Christian hedonism—John Piper explains how the supreme calling of life is to "glorify God by enjoying Him forever."  
    Drawing upon Scripture after Scripture, Piper shows why pursuing maximum joy is essential to glorifying God and, in what may be surprising to some, how God is ready to pursue with all His might our pleasure in Him! The implications of this truth are discussed in regard to conversion, worship, love, Scripture, prayer, money, marriage, missions, and suffering.
 
   In ten sessions Piper teaches on: 

   • One Great Mission and Motivation
   • A Summary of Christian Hedonism
   • The Foundation of Christian Hedonism
   • The Essence of Christian Hedonism
   • The Grand Obligation
   • How Then Shall We Fight for Joy?


Recorded in HD with subtitles in English, these video sessions are ideal for use in adult and youth Sunday-school classes, small groups, retreats, classrooms, and families. To get the most from this resource, use it along with the Desiring God DVD Study Guide.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Desiring God DVD by John Piper, September 14, 2011

By 

D. Vannostrand - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Desiring God: Finding Complete Satisfaction and Joy in God (DVD)

The desire to have an intimate relationship with God is something that many claim to want. But desiring the relationship is not enough. John Piper shows us from scripture that it is not enough just to want a relationship with God. We should desire God Himself.

In this dvd study, Piper shows us what he means by desiring God. "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him." This is the mantra of Piper's life and ministry. Piper sets the foundation for Christian hedonism by walking us through the influences (mainly scripture) that formed his thinking. He moves on to how this impacts our lives. Finally, he gives us instruction on how to keep the desire burning.

This presentation is saturated with scripture and practical, personal examples. If you have ever heard Piper you know that he is a gifted communicator. This presentation is no exception. My six year old daughter insisted in watching the whole ten-part series with me. The picture is excellent and the audio was flawless. You can hear every word and inflection but it is not so sensitive that you hear every nose whistle.

One word of caution: this is but a bird's eye view of the book. There were many verses and quotes that Piper simply did not have time to present. It will leave you wanting more. For that I would recommend the book. Even if you have already read the book you will benefit from hearing this straight from the man in all his passion for the subject.

I received this DVD series for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

Content: 2 dvds (10 sessions) each session is 20-30 minutes in length

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Review of Desiring God DVD, October 3, 2011

By 

Considering The Fields - See all my reviews

This review is from: Desiring God: Finding Complete Satisfaction and Joy in God (DVD)

I have previously mentioned the John Piper and his ministry, Desiring God. Desiring God: Finding Complete Satisfaction and Joy in God is the DVD seminar series of John Piper's previously published book, Desiring God. The DVDs are simply a video recording of Piper's lectures to a small seminar for the Bethlehem Institute; therefore, it is not a dramatic DVD presentation in any sort. They have broken down the 5 hour lecture series into 10 manageable parts that can be watched by an individual or used for group studies in a Sunday School, small group, or other such settings. While watching it I felt as if I were in college ready to take notes and learn. Honestly, Piper's teaching style is a bit scattered at times for my type A self but it is not so distracting that I could not focus on the subject at hand. If you are looking to be entertained, look elsewhere. If, however, you are looking to dive into the Word of God and learn more about Him and finding complete joy in Him, this series is fabulous.

Piper begins with the mission/thesis statement of not only the seminar but that of his church: "We exist to spread a passion for the supremacy of God in all things for the joy of all peoples." He goes on to explain and support biblically how he and the other elders and deacons arrived at this statement. Piper also does an excellent job at describing his own struggle with his motivation for joy and how he ultimately landed at Christian Hedonism. This is a struggle that I have heard in debate with other believers. The question of: do we, or even should we, do something good because we are "obligated" or only when we truly feel a pure heart motivating our actions? Piper so accurately points out that "When you become born again, your quest for happiness does not end. You just have a whole new world of what makes you glad." He affirms that "longing to be happy is universal human experience and it is good, not sinful." The key is to have the source of our happiness and satisfaction in God not in ourselves! When we, when I, get this then everything seems to fall in place so simply!

I appreciated that Piper uses the majority of his seminar to explain and support his Christian Hedonism position. During the last two sessions he takes the time to do what I think of as practical application by asking "how then shall we fight for joy?" The one that I resonate and struggle with the most is to "get rest". Essentially he is reminding us that our bodies are temples and we are to take care of them but he also humbled me by saying "you are not God, you must get rest!" He quotes Ps 127:1, encouraging me to allow the Lord to minister to me in my sleep. My husband often extols this very fact to me but I need to be okay with letting things go till tomorrow so I can rest. Since having children rest is a bit of a constant struggle but I can control my bedtime, most of the time, so I need to make an effort to do so.

Throughout the DVD Piper refers to a study guide and notes. I did have these, however, I could see how this would be helpful especially in a small group study. You can purchase the DVD on Amazon for about $27 and the study guide for $10. Part of Desiring God's ministry is to make resources available free. They have the seminar series and study guide available, it is broken up differently but its all there, if you want to watch it on your computer or download it.

I am thankful for this seminar as it has helped me better understand Christian hedonism and challenged me to "spread a passion for the supremacy of God in all things for the joy of all peoples". If you are looking to be challenged or even reminded of our source of joy, take some time to watch this seminar.

Note: I received this DVD for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

5.0 out of 5 stars Desiring God DVD review, September 30, 2011

By 

J. D. Griffiths (Nampa, ID) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Desiring God: Finding Complete Satisfaction and Joy in God (DVD)

Earlier this year I had the opportunity to read and review the book Desiring God by John Piper. This was the 25th anniversary release and I have told numerous people that, upon reading the book for the first time this year, I found such joy and delight in the words that it is firmly in the category of most important books (outside of the Bible) that I've ever read. When I had the opportunity to review this DVD release, it was with gladness that I signed up.
Rather than a straight transfer of book to DVD, this two-disc set is a high definition video of John Piper teaching a live seminar on the foundations, teaching and application of Christian hedonism as a Biblical way of living and seeing life. My wife and I have been watching a session or two each week and though it's only been a few months since I read the book, I am delighted to be hearing Piper speak and teach what he is so eminently passionate about.

The audio and video quality is high, though not filled with visual candy since this is a live seminar. Each session is between 20 and 30 minutes long and would work very well for a small group or Sunday School curriculum. If that were the plan it might be worth investigating the DVD study guide, or using the 25th Anniversary edition of the book which features a study guide too.

Piper is convincing and convicting as he deals with the issues of joy, submission, love, worship and much more. Expect to come away challenged and changed.

The review copy was provided by Waterbrook Multnomah as part of their blog review program. No effort was made to secure a favorable review, or otherwise influence my opinions. The thoughts expressed are my own.