The Pleasures of God by John Piper
Week 3: Chapter 2 — The Pleasure of God in His Creation
Read Chapter 2 of The Pleasures of God. Key Scripture: Genesis 1:31; Psalm 104:31; Job 38–39.
Previewing Week 3 of The Pleasures of God
Read 3 of 7 discussion questions below. Unlock the complete 12-week guide when you’re ready.
God looked at what he had made and called it 'very good'—and Piper wants us to feel the weight of that verdict. This week, we consider what it means that the God who needs nothing delighted in making something.
Discussion Questions
7 questions1.Genesis 1 ends with God declaring his creation 'very good.' Piper argues this is not a quality-control inspection but an expression of genuine divine pleasure. What difference does that distinction make? How does it change how you read the creation account?
2.Piper points to the wildness and extravagance of creation—creatures like the leviathan and the mountain goat described in Job 38–39—as evidence that God creates for delight, not just utility. What part of the natural world fills you with the most wonder? How might that wonder be a clue to the character of the One who made it?
3.Psalm 104:31 says 'May the LORD rejoice in his works.' Piper takes this seriously as a window into God's emotional life. Does it surprise you that Scripture speaks this way? What does it tell you about the God who inspired those words?
a.If God rejoices in his works, what does that say about the value of the material world? How should that affect how you think about your body, your work, or the physical creation around you?
b.How might this shape a Christian's view of environmentalism or care for creation?