Be One - Make One: Class 6
Study: Loving God - Obedience and Bringing Glory to God
Class Objective:
In this session, we will explore three essential aspects of living as a disciple of Christ:
Obedience to God's Word – Understanding the importance of obeying God's commands as a reflection of our love for Him.
Desire to Glorify God – Learning how to bring glory to God in everything we do, whether in our actions, decisions, or relationships.
Loving Others as an Expression of Loving God – Recognizing that our love for God is shown through how we love and serve others.
Through these three parts, we will guide small group discussion and personal reflection on how these elements are foundational to a disciple’s life and how to live them out practically.
Part 1: Obedience to God's Word
Overview:
Loving God means obeying His Word. True discipleship is marked by a commitment to live according to God’s commands. This involves making moral choices, seeking righteousness, and repenting when we fall short. Obedience is the fruit of our love for God and shows that we trust in His wisdom and goodness.
Key Scripture References:
John 14:15: "If you love me, keep my commands."
James 1:22: "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says."
1 John 5:3: "In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome."
Discussion Questions:
What does it mean to obey God’s Word in daily life?
How can we align our actions, speech, and relationships with God’s commands?
What challenges do we face when trying to live in obedience to God?
Application:
Reflect on an area of your life where you struggle to obey God’s Word. Pray for strength and wisdom to overcome that struggle and share it with the group for support.
This week, commit to applying one specific command of God’s Word in a practical way (e.g., forgiveness, generosity, truthfulness).
Part 2: Desire to Glorify God
Overview:
When we love God, we naturally seek to glorify Him in everything we do. This includes our actions, career, relationships, and decisions. Our motivation should always be to bring honor to God, using our talents, time, and resources to further His kingdom and reflect His character in our daily lives.
Key Scripture References:
1 Corinthians 10:31: "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."
Colossians 3:17: "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
Matthew 5:16: "In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
Discussion Questions:
How can we live in a way that brings glory to God in our everyday activities?
What are some areas of your life where you can better reflect Christ’s character and bring Him glory?
How can we balance our personal ambitions with the desire to glorify God?
Application:
Choose one area of your life—work, family, or personal goals—and reflect on how you can bring more glory to God through it. Share your plan with the group for encouragement.
As you go through the week, consciously ask yourself, “Is this bringing glory to God?” before making decisions or acting in various situations.
Part 3: Loving Others as an Expression of Loving God
Overview:
Our love for God is displayed in how we love and treat others. We are called to show kindness, forgiveness, and serve others selflessly. Whether it’s helping those in need, forgiving someone who has wronged us, or serving others without expecting anything in return, loving others is a reflection of our relationship with God.
Key Scripture References:
1 John 4:20-21: "Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen."
Matthew 25:40: "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."
Philippians 2:3-4: "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others."
Discussion Questions:
Why is loving others so closely tied to our love for God?
How can we show compassion and kindness to those who are difficult to love?
What are some practical ways we can serve others this week?
Application:
Identify one person in your life who may be difficult to love. Commit to showing them kindness and compassion this week, and reflect on how it impacted your relationship.
As a group, plan a small service project to help someone in need or volunteer together to serve your community.
Closing Discussion:
What stood out to you the most about obedience, glorifying God, and loving others?
How do these three aspects work together in deepening our relationship with God and shaping our witness to the world?
Closing Application:
For the coming week, focus on putting one element from each part (Obedience, Glorifying God, Loving Others) into practice. Come prepared next time to share how God worked in your life through these actions.
Next Steps:
Over the next few weeks, we will dive deeper into these aspects of living as a disciple—obedience, glorifying God, and loving others—so we can continue growing in our faith and love for God.
This class helps believers understand the practical aspects of loving God through obedience, bringing Him glory, and loving others, encouraging them to live out their faith with intentionality.