CNLP 409 | Rick Warren Opens Up About the Coming Tsunami of Grief, Handling Personal Tragedy, and How Saddleback Grew During the Pandemic

In 'The Purpose Driven Church', Rick Warren provides a framework for church growth by emphasizing the importance of balancing five New Testament purposes: worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry, and mission. The book shares insights from Warren's experience in growing Saddleback Church and offers practical strategies for church leaders to create a purpose-driven community. It emphasizes that healthy growth occurs naturally when a church is built around these biblical purposes.

In 'The Purpose Driven Life', Rick Warren guides readers through a personal 42-day spiritual journey to transform their understanding of life's purpose. The book addresses three fundamental questions: Why am I alive? Does my life matter? What on Earth am I here for? Warren emphasizes that real meaning and significance come from understanding and fulfilling God’s eternal purposes for each person. The book is divided into short chapters, each designed to be read as a daily devotional, and includes God's five purposes for life: to love God, to be part of His family, to become like Christ, to serve Him, and to tell others about Him.

A Grief Observed is a collection of C.S. Lewis's reflections on his experience of bereavement after the death of his wife, Joy Davidman, in 1960. The book explores the processes undergone by the human brain and mind during grief, questioning the nature of grief, faith, and theodicy. Lewis writes candidly about his anger and bewilderment towards God, his struggle to maintain his faith, and the gradual reacceptance of his theories on suffering. The book is compiled from four notebooks Lewis used to vent and explore his grief, offering profound insights into the human experience of loss and the search for meaning in the midst of suffering.