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Cover of The Purpose-Driven Life by Rick WarrenThe Purpose-Driven Life
Modern · Nonfiction, Classics, Religion

The Purpose-Driven Life

by Rick Warren
2002 · 128 pages · Nonfiction
66.8Must-Read
Score Modern
Lifetime bestseller
≈ 3 hours to read · about 6 days at 30 minutes a day

What it's about

Rick Warren, pastor of Saddleback Church in California, offers a forty-day journey to answer the question 'What on earth am I here for?' In short daily chapters, he lays out five purposes he believes God has for every person: worship, fellowship, becoming like Christ, service and mission, with reflection questions for each day.

Why it's worth reading

It's one of the best-selling books ever, read by millions of individuals and church groups. It's clear and encouraging for Christian readers.

You'll love it if you liked

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Good to know

It's an explicitly evangelical Christian book, designed to be read one chapter a day.

By the numbers

66.8Must-Read Score
  • Readers41 out of 100 · counts 42%
  • Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
  • Bestseller57 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
  • Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%

Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.

Where it ranks

Why it made the list

Bestseller
One of the best-selling books ever (about 50 million copies)

Reads as

Thought-provoking

How we rank

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Explore the best-of lists

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Quick answers

Is The Purpose-Driven Life worth reading?

Yes. It's one of the best-selling books ever, read by millions of individuals and church groups. It ranks #1,676 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 66.8 (the best book we found scores 99).

What is The Purpose-Driven Life about?

Rick Warren, pastor of Saddleback Church in California, offers a forty-day journey to answer the question 'What on earth am I here for?' In short daily chapters, he lays out five purposes he believes God has for every person: worship, fellowship, becoming like Christ, service and mission, with reflection questions for each day.

How long does it take to read The Purpose-Driven Life?

About 3 hours (128 pages), or about 6 days at 30 minutes a day.

What should I read after The Purpose-Driven Life?

If you liked it, try The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan, A Man Called Peter by Catherine Marshall or Have a Little Faith: A True Story by Mitch Albom.