Be One, Make One – Part 5 Loving God: Pursuing God, Seeking Him, and Hungering for Righteousness
INTRODUCTION
Loving God isn’t static—it calls us into action. When we love Him, we pursue His presence, seek Him daily, and develop a longing for righteousness that reflects His heart. In this session, we’ll explore three powerful expressions of our love for God:
1. Pursuing God – A personal and passionate longing for God.
2. Seeking Him – A lifestyle of consistent connection with God.
3. Hungering for Righteousness – A heart that desires to reflect God’s holiness.
Let these truths renew your love and transform your walk with God.
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PART 1: PURSUING GOD
Overview:
To pursue God is to long for Him above all else. It’s not about chasing blessings, but about desiring Him—His presence, character, and closeness. True pursuit comes from the heart and grows from a personal encounter with His love.
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Key Scriptures:
• Jeremiah 29:13 – “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
• Philippians 3:10 – “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings…”
• Song of Songs 3:1-2 – “All night long on my bed I looked for the one my heart loves; I looked for him but did not find him…”
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What Is the Text Saying?
• Jeremiah 29:13 – God promises that wholehearted pursuit leads to encounter.
• Philippians 3:10 – Paul’s pursuit of Christ goes beyond knowledge—he desires full union, even through suffering.
• Song of Songs 3:1-2 – Symbolizes deep spiritual longing and desire for intimacy with God.
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Discussion Questions:
• What does it look like for you to pursue God with your whole heart?
• What distractions compete with your desire for God?
• How does personal longing fuel your relationship with Him?
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PART 2: SEEKING HIM
Overview:
Seeking God is more than desire—it’s devotion. We seek Him by making space in our lives for prayer, worship, and listening. Seeking shows priority, not convenience. God promises to respond to those who diligently seek Him.
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Key Scriptures:
• Matthew 6:33 – “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
• Isaiah 55:6 – “Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near.”
• Hebrews 11:6 – “…he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
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What Is the Text Saying?
• Matthew 6:33 – Seeking God means placing His rule and values above our own agendas.
• Isaiah 55:6 – Urges timely and intentional pursuit, reminding us that opportunities for intimacy can be missed.
• Hebrews 11:6 – God delights in being sought and reveals Himself to faith-filled seekers.
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Discussion Questions:
• What does “seeking first the kingdom” look like in your current season?
• How can you turn moments of stress into moments of seeking God?
• What rewards have you experienced when you’ve consistently sought God?
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PART 3: HUNGERING FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS
Overview:
Loving God naturally leads to a hunger to be like Him. Righteousness is not just moral behavior—it’s alignment with God’s will and character. When we hunger for righteousness, we’re no longer satisfied with surface-level faith; we long to live holy, surrendered lives.
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Key Scriptures:
• Matthew 5:6 – “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”
• Romans 12:1-2 – “Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God…”
• Titus 2:11-12 – “…It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives…”
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What Is the Text Saying?
• Matthew 5:6 – God promises spiritual satisfaction to those who deeply desire righteousness.
• Romans 12:1-2 – True righteousness transforms not just actions, but our minds and motives.
• Titus 2:11-12 – Grace not only saves—it empowers righteous living in a fallen world.
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Discussion Questions:
• What are you truly hungry for right now—God or something else?
• How can you align your habits and thoughts with your hunger for righteousness?
• In what ways has God used His grace to help you grow in holiness?
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CLOSING DISCUSSION:
• Which aspect—Pursuing, Seeking, or Hungering—resonated most with you today?
• How do these three actions work together to deepen your love for God?
• Where is God inviting you to grow in your pursuit of Him this week?
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CLOSING APPLICATION
Take a clear, intentional action in each area this week:
• Pursue God – Set aside a specific time or space each day just to draw near to Him in worship or longing.
• Seek God – Build a habit of prayer or devotion that brings God into your daily decisions.
• Hunger for Righteousness – Identify one practical area where God is calling you to live more set apart, and take a step of obedience.
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NEXT STEPS
In our next session, we’ll shift focus to Loving People—exploring how our relationship with God fuels healthy, sacrificial relationships with others. We’ll learn how love, forgiveness, and service flow out of a heart surrendered to God.