I have been experimenting with an idea at my church involving books and a blog. I’ve set up an online reading group where the lot of us select a book, read a certain amount each week, and then I post some thoughts on our class blog to our weekly discussion over the reading. The jury is out on whether this has turned out to be a good idea or not. And before I go any further, I should give credit for the idea to Tim Challies since he has put together a group that reads classics this way.

So…I thought that I might open it up to anyone who reads this blog semi-regularly and enjoys reading books with a group of people. The book is Finally Alive by John Piper. Here’s a description:

When Jesus said to Nicodemus, ‘You must be born again’, the devout and learned religious leader was unsure what Jesus meant. It would seem nothing has changed. Today ‘born again Christians’ fill churches that are seen as ineffectual at best, and even characterised by the ‘mosaic’ generation as ‘unchristian’. The term ‘born again’ has been devalued both in society and in the church. Those claiming to be ‘born again’ live lives that are indistinguishable from those who don’t; they sin the same, embrace injustice the same, covert the same, do almost everything the same. Being ‘born again’ is now defined by what people say they believe. The New Testament however defines Christians very differently. “When Jesus said to Nicodemus, “You must be born again” (John 3:7), he was not sharing interesting and unimportant information. He was leading him to eternal life… If he does that for you (or if he already has), then you are (or you will be) truly, invincibly, finally alive.” (John Piper)

Each week we’ll read one chapter (starting with the Introduction) and then I’ll post a review and some thoughts the following Monday. The cheapest way to buy the book is to order it from Westminster Bookstore. They have the best prices on most books and their shipping is fast and inexpensive. If you can handle reading a book through the computer or an e-reader, then you can download it for free at Desiring God. Personally I’m old school when it comes to books. I still like to have a physical book in my hands.

I will put up a post for the Introduction this coming Monday. I don’t have any catchy name for the group (not that everything needs a fancy name) so please feel free to share your ideas if something comes to mind. So let the reading and discussion begin.