Be One, Make One – Part 7 Loving God: Sacrifice, Service, and Humility: Responding to Christ’s Love and Relying on the Spirit
Be One, Make One – Part 7
Loving God: Sacrifice, Service, and Humility: Responding to Christ’s Love and Relying on the Spirit
INTRODUCTION
The Christian life is not about performance—it’s a response to what Jesus has already done. Christ laid down His life, served us humbly, and calls us to follow His example. When we understand His sacrifice, we begin to live sacrificially—not out of guilt, but out of gratitude.
True service and humility are only possible through the power of the Holy Spirit. He works in us to lay down pride, to love beyond convenience, and to live for others. In this study, we’ll explore how loving God leads us into a life marked by daily sacrifice, humble service, and dependence on the Spirit.
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PART 1: SACRIFICE – RESPONDING TO THE CROSS
Overview:
Jesus gave everything for us. Our response is a life of daily surrender, not to earn His love, but because we’ve already received it. Sacrifice means dying to our own desires so we can walk in His will. It’s not always easy—but the Holy Spirit strengthens us to lay down our lives joyfully.
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Key Scriptures:
• Luke 9:23 – “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”
• Romans 12:1 – “Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”
• 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 – “For Christ’s love compels us… that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them…”
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What Is the Text Saying?
• Luke 9:23 – Jesus calls us to follow Him through daily surrender, not occasional acts.
• Romans 12:1 – Our lives become an offering when we respond in worship to God’s mercy.
• 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 – It’s Christ’s love—not guilt—that moves us to live for Him, not ourselves.
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Discussion Questions:
• What does it look like to “take up your cross” in everyday life?
• In what area is God calling you to surrender something in response to His love?
• How can you rely on the Holy Spirit when sacrificing your comfort or preferences?
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PART 2: SERVICE – FOLLOWING JESUS’ EXAMPLE
Overview:
Jesus didn’t come to be served but to serve. As His followers, we are called to serve others with the same heart. Service becomes worship when it flows from gratitude for how Christ served us. With the Holy Spirit’s help, we can serve with strength, compassion, and joy—even when it’s inconvenient.
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Key Scriptures:
• John 13:14-15 – “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet… you should wash one another’s feet.”
• Galatians 5:13 – “Serve one another humbly in love.”
• Philippians 2:3-4 – “Do nothing out of selfish ambition… but in humility value others above yourselves.”
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What Is the Text Saying?
• John 13:14-15 – Jesus modeled what servant leadership looks like in action.
• Galatians 5:13 – Our freedom in Christ is used best when we serve in love.
• Philippians 2:3-4 – True service comes from thinking of others as more important than ourselves.
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Discussion Questions:
• How does remembering Jesus’ service to you affect how you serve others?
• What opportunities around you could become acts of worship through service?
• Where do you need the Spirit’s help to serve without grumbling or pride?
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PART 3: HUMILITY – DEPENDING ON GOD’S STRENGTH
Overview:
Humility is not weakness—it’s recognizing our need for God. Jesus humbled Himself to the cross, and we follow Him by living in lowliness of heart. We need the Holy Spirit to help us walk in peace, gratitude, and submission to God’s will. Humility invites God to lift us up in His time.
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Key Scriptures:
• James 4:10 – “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”
• Micah 6:8 – “…what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
• Colossians 3:12-14 – “…clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
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What Is the Text Saying?
• James 4:10 – God raises up those who are willing to bow down before Him.
• Micah 6:8 – Humility is a lifestyle, not a moment—it’s how we walk with God.
• Colossians 3:12-14 – Humility is part of the Spirit-formed character that unites and strengthens the Church.
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Discussion Questions:
• Why is humility essential to following Jesus?
• What are signs that you’re walking in humility—or lacking it?
• How can the Holy Spirit help you practice humility in a relationship or role this week?
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CLOSING DISCUSSION:
• Which of these—sacrifice, service, or humility—is the biggest challenge for you right now?
• How does Christ’s example empower and motivate your daily lifestyle?
• In what ways do you rely on the Holy Spirit to live differently?
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CLOSING APPLICATION:
This week, live in response to what Christ has done with the Spirit’s help:
• Sacrifice – Identify one comfort or habit God is asking you to lay down, and surrender it to Him in prayer.
• Service – Look for someone to serve without expecting recognition—let it be an act of worship.
• Humility – Ask the Holy Spirit to help you listen more, speak less, and consider others’ needs above your own.
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NEXT STEPS:
Next session, we’ll explore Loving People—learning how forgiveness, patience, and spiritual maturity shape our relationships. We’ll continue to respond to Christ’s love and walk in the Spirit’s power to reflect Him in our world.
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Let me know if you’d like a printable study guide, group worksheet, or presentation slides to go with this!