Be One, Make One – Part 6 Loving God: Obedience and Bringing Glory to God
INTRODUCTION
In this session, we’re going deeper into what it means to love God by living in obedience and doing all things to bring Him glory. Obedience is not about religious rules—it’s about relationship. True obedience is born from love and trust.
Just as Jesus obeyed the Father in everything—even when it was hard—so we also glorify God through daily, joyful obedience. Our actions, choices, and even how we treat others all reveal how deeply we love Him.
This study will guide us through three connected themes:
1. Obedience as an Expression of Love
2. Living for God’s Glory in All Things
3. Loving Others as a Measure of True Obedience
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PART 1: OBEDIENCE AS AN EXPRESSION OF LOVE
Overview:
When we love God, we obey Him—not out of fear, but out of devotion. Jesus made it clear that love and obedience go hand-in-hand. Following His commands is how we respond to His love and trust His leadership in our lives.
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Key Scriptures:
• John 14:15 – “If you love me, keep my commands.”
• Deuteronomy 10:12 – “…what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him…”
• James 1:22 – “Do not merely listen to the word… Do what it says.”
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What Is the Text Saying?
• John 14:15 – Our obedience proves that our love for Jesus is real and not just words.
• Deuteronomy 10:12 – Obedience flows from a heart that reveres, loves, and walks with God.
• James 1:22 – Hearing God’s word without obeying it is deception—real faith acts on truth.
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Discussion Questions:
• How does your love for God show in the choices you make?
• What helps you obey God when it’s inconvenient or difficult?
• Are there areas where you hear God’s Word but struggle to live it out?
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PART 2: LIVING FOR GOD’S GLORY IN ALL THINGS
Overview:
Obedience includes glorifying God in every part of our lives. Whether it’s how we eat, talk, work, or relate with others—everything becomes an act of worship. Living for God’s glory means choosing His ways over our own and pointing others to Him by how we live.
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Key Scriptures:
• 1 Corinthians 10:31 – “…whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
• Colossians 3:23-24 – “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord…”
• Matthew 5:16 – “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
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What Is the Text Saying?
• 1 Corinthians 10:31 – Everything we do—big or small—should reflect God’s worth and goodness.
• Colossians 3:23-24 – Our work and actions become sacred when done with God in mind.
• Matthew 5:16 – Our obedience and good works are meant to inspire others to glorify God.
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Discussion Questions:
• What does it look like to glorify God in your normal, everyday life?
• How can your work or school life become a form of worship?
• Who in your life might be watching your example right now?
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PART 3: LOVING OTHERS AS A MEASURE OF TRUE OBEDIENCE
Overview:
Obedience to God always includes how we treat others. You can’t say you love God but refuse to love people. Scripture shows that loving others is not optional—it’s evidence of genuine love and obedience to God’s commands.
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Key Scriptures:
• 1 John 4:20-21 – “Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar…”
• Galatians 5:14 – “The entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
• John 13:34-35 – “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
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What Is the Text Saying?
• 1 John 4:20-21 – Our relationship with God is proven in how we treat others.
• Galatians 5:14 – Love sums up all obedience—it fulfills the heart of God’s law.
• John 13:34-35 – Jesus defined discipleship by our love for one another.
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Discussion Questions:
• Why is it impossible to love God and still hate people?
• Who is God calling you to love practically this week?
• How does loving others bring glory to God?
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CLOSING DISCUSSION:
• Which part of the study challenged or encouraged you most today?
• How are obedience, glorifying God, and loving others connected?
• What would change in your life if you truly lived to glorify God in everything?
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CLOSING APPLICATION:
Choose one action step from each section to apply this week:
• Obedience – Identify one area where you’ve been resisting God’s will and take a step of obedience.
• Glorifying God – Offer your everyday routine (work, home, school) as worship to God.
• Loving Others – Reach out to someone you’ve struggled to love and choose to serve or encourage them.
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NEXT STEPS:
In the next session of Be One – Make One, we’ll dive into Serving with Humility—discovering how selfless service, modeled by Christ, is another powerful expression of our love for God and others.