A Long Obedience in the Same Direction Bible Study

by Eugene H. Peterson

We are surrounded by a society that idealizes quick results and stimulating experiences. The Christian life, however, calls us to be not tourists but pilgrims—disciples committed to a long journey of faith.

These six studies, based on Eugene Peterson's bestselling A Long Obedience in the Same Direction, provide an accessible guide for growing in perseverance. Find encouragement in the Psalms to press on with qualities such as hope, repentance, patience, and joy.

As companions to the IVP Signature Collection, IVP Signature Bible Studies help individuals and groups explore and apply biblical truths found in classic books. Each session features quotations from A Long Obedience in the Same Direction matched with Scripture passages, reflection questions, and application ideas that will equip readers to connect the text to their own lives. A leader's guide and list of suggested resources are also included.

Genres: Christian, Christianity, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Faith, Christian Non Fiction, Christian Living

55 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 11, 2021

About the author

Eugene H. Peterson was a pastor, scholar, author, and poet. For many years he was James M. Houston Professor of Spiritual Theology at Regent College in Vancouver, British Columbia. He also served as founding pastor of Christ Our King Presbyterian Church in Bel Air, Maryland. He had written over thirty books, including Gold Medallion Book Award winner The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language a contemporary translation of the Bible. After retiring from full-time teaching, Eugene and his wife Jan lived in the Big Sky Country of rural Montana. He died in October 2018.

Reviews

[Purshia Gambles · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been (very) slowly reading through this since before Thanksgiving. I think that’s purposeful because of the season I find myself in right now. Petersons words have helped me gain a heavenly perspective and enduring hope. Jesus is everything and I will be walking this journey in him, toward him, because of him…for the rest of my life. Every Christian should probably read this book once, and then again every 2-5 years. For real.

[Emma Becker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent meditation on the Psalms of Ascent. Highly recommend.

[Kristen Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Read with a friend over the summer and was underwhelmed. Maybe it had been hyped up too much to me?

[Heather Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I unintentionally bought this thinking it was the actual book of the same name. This is the Bible Study companion. I personally would have preferred a study for each Psalm. Instead, this only dives deep into 6 of the Psalms. What is in the six sessions is excellent.

The book, however, is an excellent stand alone resource which I highly recommend.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eugene Peterson's A Long Obedience in the Same Direction is an exploration of Christian discipleship as a lifelong journey. I read this book as part of my small group and as we read and reflected I was constantly encouraged and challenged to view Christian discipleship not as a series of quick decisions, but as a steady, committed pursuit of Christ.

Our small group read this book together, and it was a deeply enriching experience. Peterson took us through the Psalms of Ascents (Psalms 120-134), a collection of songs sung by pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem. These psalms reflect the struggles, hopes, and faith of God's people on their journey toward Him. Peterson shows how these ancient texts speak to the realities of our own discipleship, offering both comfort and challenge as we navigate life's difficulties.

Peterson also emphasizes that Christian discipleship, like the pilgrimage described in the Psalms, requires patience, endurance, and direction. It's not a quick or easy process, but one that calls for perseverance and faith over time. In our group discussions, the Psalms of Ascents helped us understand that discipleship is about progress—moving steadily toward God, even when the path is hard.

What makes A Long Obedience in the Same Direction a worthwhile read is how Peterson combines theological depth with practical insight. He challenged me to see discipleship as a holistic way of life that touches every area—my work, relationships, and spiritual growth. Most important, discipleship is not a weekend activity but an ongoing commitment, a “long obedience,” where the goal is not just to make progress but to live faithfully over time, blessing God, and trusting that God will shape me through the journey. Discipleship is a lifelong journey of faith, hope, and transformation.

[Madison Carty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I took my time reading this book because I wanted to absorb it. This book is beautiful. It is the tightrope that I think Christianity is meant to walk but gets wrong most of the time. Not Christianity paired with a political party. Not Christianity paired with a nation. But Christianity focused on Christ.
It was full of a grace, joy, love, and obedience and acknowledged the beauty of humans and our ability to worship, commune, and love and our how absolutely fickle we can be. There were many quotes that stuck out to me that I wrote down but this one really stuck with me:
“A Christian with David in his bones, Jeremiah in his bloodstream, Paul in his fingertips, and Christ in his heart will know how much and how little value to put on his own momentary feelings and the experience of the past week.” Pg. 161

[Kathryn Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

HANDS DOWN THE BEST BOOK I'VE READ ALL YEAR!!! I cannot say enough good things about this book. Whether you're new to the faith or a Christian veteran or somewhere in-between, you will learn something new that will strengthen your walk with God. You'll be encouraged, you'll find new insights and you will see the Psalms in a whole new light. This book is the perfect accompaniment for devotional times, small group studies, and persons looking for Christian living books to grow their faith. The short chapters and constant scriptural inclusion make it an easy read that is incredibly edifying and faith-filled. I can't wait to read it again.

[Micah Sharp · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fruitful at times but not all I hoped it to be. Understanding that brevity was the goal, I still think more sessions in the guide would have been better, perhaps by removing the longer quotations of LOSD and the passage, to which the reader presumably already has access. I also found many of the questions failed to either mine the depths of the passage considered or apply as widely and profoundly as possible when an application question. That said some questions, especially application ones, I found very helpful and enlightening.

[The Wanderer · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Peterson wrote this, his theology obviously informed it, but he writes as a shepherd, not as an educator. He's concerned about my spiritual life, much less about splitting hairs over the correct interpretation of X verse. As a result, I felt nourished. There's no way I'd have understood the Psalms of Ascent without this.

I'm going to have to come back to it a few times, though. I started off reading too fast, and not really pondering. Then I left off for way too long and mostly forgot everything. But at least I wrote quotes. So many quotes!

[Mike Beranek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eugene is the master in drawing out the content of scripture with lessons that speak to univeresal human emotion, testify to the experience of freedom in God, and for me above all, bring an an acute eye to the snares and contradictions of contemporary modernity. Although he has now passed, considering the state of the world and the tenacious grip that 'instant society' still has on us, I dare say his reflections will not go out of date any time soon.

[Harold Guptill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peterson discusses the fact that Christians are to be people of obedience. They are to be faithful in the high calling. He talks about being those that say no to the world WHILE saying yes to God. He further addresses the idea that the Psalms are necessary in the devotional life of the Christian. He also discusses on our lives are to be reoriented to Christ.

[KathKehl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went through this book slowly - not because I did not like it but because I wanted to focus on each chapter. There is so much in this book. Peterson is a gifted author in explaining scripture in an intelligent manner and directing us toward ways of incorporating that scripture knowledge into our hearts.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Christian classic is a new read to me. It’s based on the Psalms of ascent, and sparkles with Eugene Peterson’s signature wisdom and candor. I’m drinking from the depths of this book, enjoying every new insight.

Get your own copy at Amazon or CBD

[Natasha Sims · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book! If you are a long time follower of Christ it is such a good reminder and refresher! If you are a believer and at the place of doubting if following Jesus is worth it. Read this book. I love reading the psalms before each chapter.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook. I would like to read a physical copy to think more deeply about this but initially I found it encouraging and fresh.

[Jarrod Holt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not what I expected, but ended up really enjoying it. In my experience with Peterson it seems like that's his thing.

Basically a commentary or reflection on the Psalms of Ascent (his translation of them), through the lens of an idea found within a Nietzsche quote.

A particular quote that stuck out to me, which actually belongs to Bonhoeffer: “The Christ in his own heart is weaker than the Christ in the word of his brother; his own heart is uncertain, his brother’s is sure.” Referring to one of the blessings of brotherhood and sisterhood in Christ.