'Finally Alive' finally has study guide

Desiring God is offering a free 12-week study guide for John Pipers book Finally Alive, a book about what it means to be "born again."

Download a PDF copies of the study guide or the book.

Desiring God's introduction to John Piper's book Finally Alive states the following: What does the Bible teach about the miracle of rebirth? ... John Piper explores Jesus' peculiar command, "You must be born again." Spiritual rebirth is precious and crucial. When Jesus said, "You must be born again," he wasn't simply sharing interesting information; he was directing us toward eternal life. It is essential to know what God intends when he uses this language of being born again, so that we may experience new birth and help others do the same.

Piper answers the following questions in the book:

1. What is the new birth?
2. Why must we be born again?
3. How does the new birth Come about?
4. What are the effects of the new birth?
5. How can we help others be born again?

Desiring God's explanation of the study guide: In an effort to encourage discussion and deeper engagement with Finally Alive, we have developed this twelve-week study
guide. Each week consists of reading a chapter or two of the book, meditating upon concepts and Scripture passages, and answering questions. Each week’s study is divided into main two sections, “Reading and Reflection” and “Digging Deeper.”

Here's the study guide's table of contents:

Introduction
An Explanation of the Study Guide
For Leaders
Lesson 1: Introduction to Finally Alive
Lesson 2: What Is the New Birth?
Lesson 3: Why Must We Be Born Again? Part 1
Lesson 4: Why Must We Be Born Again? Part 2
Lesson 5: Born Again Through the Washing of Regeneration
Lesson 6: Born Again Through Faith in Jesus Christ
Lesson 7: Born Again Through Intelligible Good News
Lesson 8: The New Birth Overcomes the World
Lesson 9: Regeneration, Faith, Love
Lesson 10: Freedom from the Practice of Sinning
Lesson 11: Loving Others with the Love of God
Lesson 12: Helping Others Be Born Again
Appendix: Leading Productive Group Discussions