Live Life on Purpose

by Claude Hickman

Your life only makes sense in the context of God's plan to finish the Great Commission. God has given us the direction we need to make our lives count and leave our mark on eternity. When we find it, we move from merely existing to truly living life on purpose.

Genres: Christian, Christianity, Nonfiction, Christian Living, Evangelism

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 20, 2015

About the author

Claude Hickman is the Executive Director for The Traveling Team, a national missions mobilization movement. After marrying his wife Rebecca they embarked on journey together in 2000, traveling ten months of the year, speaking to over two-hundred and fifty thousand students at universities, conferences, and churches, casting vision for the evangelization of the world. Claude is a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary where he has also spoken many times, and he is the author of Live Life On Purpose. He now lives with his family in Southern California, and continues to travel, speak and awaken believers to God’s global purposes.

Reviews

[Jonathan Frost · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you don’t think missions is for you read this book!

[Gwendolyn Kwong · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the way this book was written because it appealed well to intuition by including many helpful analogies and modern-day stories throughout. I understand how this book may seem radical to readers hearing this perspective for the first time, but I appreciate how Hickman does not beat around the bush with respect to the centrality of worship and the global task. Hickman is not afraid to call out the Christian who is tempted to settle for the outer courts (myself included) rather than allow the gospel to interrupt their life. But he does not make his argument without frequent reference to scripture for which he also gives big-picture context. This book left me with the important question: "Are you in a place where you can truly say, 'I desire nothing on earth, besides God.'?" (227)

Some quotes that stood out to me or challenged my thinking:

- "It's not about changing vocations, but about changing our passions." (30)
- "We are so affirming of others that no one has the boldness to tell anyone they are wasting their life on temporal things." (32)
- "The decline of the influence of the church in America is not because the world has become more secular, but because the church has. We have claimed to have a treasure in Heaven but chased after the same treasure as the world." (43)
- "When someone does make a radical commitment to join God in engaging the lost world, we say that they are "called" to ministry. In reality, the Bible only speaks of one calling--kaleo, the calling to salvation." (43)
- "God's purpose for the world is not just to save the lost, but to fill the earth with the knowledge of His greatness and draw to Himself a worshipping church." (58)
- "agreement does not equal obedience." (158)
- "To take every thought captive, that is worship. To lay aside your dreams and talents, that is worship." (176) -- a quote from Todd Ahrend
- "Why don't you stop telling God what you want to do for Him, and begin by asking God what He wants you to do." (203)

[Emily Herd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book by an amazing author to help guide students to living for God’s global purpose! I wish that I read this while in college, especially my senior year. Must read!

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I talk to Christian missionaries or people heavily invested in Christian mission, they almost invariably say that the book on mission is John Piper's "Let the Nations Be Glad." I've read "Let the Nations," and I understand why it's so highly thought of. It's also a long book, and deep.
I would describe "Live Life on Purpose" as Piper lite. It isn't watered down in the least, but it is considerably shorter and written in a way that, to me, is more accessible. Also for me, reading it has motivated me and encouraged me and possibly even changed my life (we'll see) in a way that Piper's book didn't. This may have had something to do with timing.
I would recommend it especially strongly for Jesus followers who find they are developing a heart for missions, but it's a little unfocused. This book will give you that focus. Warning: If you invite me to your high school or college graduation open house, you are likely to receive a a copy of "Live Life on Purpose."
A few excerpts:
The decline of the influence of the church in America is not because the world has become more secular, but because the church has.

Do you know what the Lord is searching the Earth for right now? It's a normal person who will allow the gospel to interrupt normal people life and normal people plans.

There are something like 600 churches and 460,000 Christians for every one unreached people group.

The gospel has the authority to interrupt our lives, moving us to a new position, sometimes toward risk and danger, in order that the gospel might be passed on through us to the nations.

The world mocks Christianity because they see clearly what we refuse to acknowledge -- the beam of the American Dream in our eye as we claim to live for the eternal.

"Lord, let me make a difference for you that is that is utterly disproportionate to who I am." (a John Piper quote)

The greatest danger is not that you will mess it up or fail, but that you will do nothing.

[Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great reminder to reset one’s compass to the True North Star. Not doing missions is not an option.

[sharon]

The pace of life today is so dizzingly fast, many have stopped and wondered, "What's it all for?" If we're looking for directions to a fullfilled life, instead of using "maps" of other people's experiences and our own plans for our lives, missions mobilizer Claude Hickman calls us to align our lives to the compass of God's heart and will. For only then can we find the true Way to real fulfillment in life.

[Cheryl Yennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book describes my heart so clearly...excellent summary of why I live with passion because I have the answer to "why did God create me?" highly recommend this book for all Truth Seekers. You won't be disappointed!

[Brenda Lei · Rating 3 out of 5]

If there was a way to rate the first half of this book separate from the last half, I would give the first half a mere one star. I only kept going because it came with such a good recommendation from a wise friend of ours. The second half I would rate 4 stars.

I would say the first half is great for any new believer or someone completely new to faith in general. The analogy of the North Star was way (way way) over the top for me, but I can see how it would be beneficial (extremely even!) to someone just starting out on their walk with God and wanting to get a big picture perspective of missions and how God is working around the world.

The second half was a real winner for me. It was simple, challenging, thought-provoking, and motivational. This takes someone who has a general love and appreciation for Jesus in their life through the path of what it would look like to be 110% sold out for Him and His plan.

"When someone does make a radical commitment to join God in engaging the lost world, we say that they are "called" to ministry. In reality, the Bible only speaks of one calling--kaleo, the calling to salvation. Lordship, ministry, evangelism, and missions are not electives for the Christian life. They come with the job description."

[Tara Guiffredo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recommended for any Young Adult or College Student who believes in Christ and the journey He has created for each of us. Hickman works through the whys and why nots of many young adults that do or do not join in on the journey of taking the Gospel to all nations. He really helps students understand the immediacy of joining in on the journey God has in store for them and the North Star we should always be following. This read may just help you realize the journey has God planned for your life and the obedience he wants to receive from you.

[Nathanael Ayling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Be prepared to be challenged!

This book is a wake up call for sleepy Christians to live life on purpose, for the purpose for which God made us: His glory among the nations! Claude challenges us to love what God loves, instead of settling for lesser things such as a comfortable life and material possessions, and to take personal responsibility for our part in the Great Commission.

[Kerstin New · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Very inspirational.

[Sujita · Rating 5 out of 5]

i want download

[Hannah Turley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I finally finished this book. While parts of it were inspiring, other sections made me feel inferior for having a passion for mission opportunities I am/dearly hope to be involved in that happen to be domestic as opposed to abroad. Several sections of the book were repetitive and took me a long time to plod through. The author commends a couple for donating a sizable amount of their salary to missions instead of moving abroad to become missionaries, yet several pages later discourages us from "just" sending money as a way of supporting mission work. The book contained several typos, and while normally I don't nitpick things like that, at least one of the typos so greatly altered the meaning of the sentence that it ended up conveying the exact opposite message that it intended to say. All in all, I think the message of this book would have been a lot more inspiring if it had been condensed into a well-written blog post.

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Started this book a couple years ago and just finished it. I probably underlined half of the book. Many of the things Hickman says are a bit narrow minded...but that's done purposefully. He argues that Christians should share the same focus of bringing Christ to every nation and be actively involved in making sure His name is known (e.g. Doing more than sending money to missionaries). The portion that I read a couple years ago ignited a deeper interest in international ministry that I didn't fully recognize until I picked up this book again a couple days ago. If you can deal with Hickman's narrow mindedness, this is a necessary book for you to read to understand God's passion for the world.

[James Griffes · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very powerful book, went through it in less that 2 days. I would not recomend this book if you dont want to have a life altering movement in your life. It focuses on how the American Chruch has lost its global focus of speading the gospel throughout the world. while some of the analogies were a bit odd. This book has set the bar of convicting reads.

[Charmin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highlights:
1. Be willing to take calculated risks

2. Listen to inner voice 15-30 minutes daily

3. Listen to the voice within

4. Reach out to other people, Network

5. Optimize opportunities. Explore possibilities.

6. Do the work and take action

7. Submit every life decision to the “vision test.”

[Debs Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

A large portion of the book is one point recycled. I wrestled quite a bit with the supporting ideas, but that was what I valued about this book: forcing me to think through what I believe is our purpose in life, and the theology of mission.

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm reading this book for mission-work preparation.

[Judy]

speaking to a new generation.

[Melissa]

Life Changing!

[Sarah Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book for those who were exposed to the Gospel early on in life. This book helped open my eyes to what I have been called to as a Christian.

[Amanda Degler]

EVERY CHRISTIAN SHOULD READ THIS BOOK! WE NEED TO BE INFORMED.