Be One - Make One: Class 5
Study: Loving God – Pursuing God, Seeking Him, and Hungering for Righteousness
Class Objective:
Provide an overview of three essential aspects of loving God:
Pursuing God – Actively seeking a deeper relationship with Him through prayer, worship, and Bible study.
Trusting God – Having faith in His sovereignty, believing that He works for our good in all circumstances.
Hungering for Righteousness – Striving to live a life pleasing to God, marked by holiness and a desire for spiritual growth.
This session will guide small group discussion and personal reflection on how to deepen our love for God through practical applications.
Part 1: Pursuing and Seeking God
Overview:
Loving God begins with actively pursuing a relationship with Him. This pursuit involves consistently seeking Him through prayer, worship, and Bible study. A deeper relationship with God leads to a greater understanding of His heart, and this pursuit should be a constant part of our daily lives.
Key Scripture References:
Psalm 63:1: "You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you."
1 Thessalonians 5:17: "Pray continually."
Jeremiah 29:13: "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."
Discussion Questions:
What does it look like in daily life to seek God earnestly?
How can we build a more consistent prayer life and time with God’s Word?
What are some obstacles that prevent us from pursuing God more fully?
Application:
Spend 10 minutes each morning in prayer and Bible reading, asking God to reveal more of Himself to you.
Share with the group one practice or routine you can implement to seek God more intentionally this week.
Part 2: Trust in God
Overview:
Trusting God means having faith in His sovereignty, even in difficult circumstances. It involves believing that God is in control and working for our good, even when we don’t understand the bigger picture. Trust in God brings peace and confidence, especially in times of trial.
Key Scripture References:
Proverbs 3:5-6: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
Romans 8:28: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
Psalm 37:5: "Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this."
Discussion Questions:
What does it mean to trust God completely in all circumstances?
How can we remind ourselves to lean on God’s plans and not our own understanding?
What are some ways you’ve experienced God’s faithfulness during difficult times?
Application:
Reflect on a challenging situation in your life right now. Take time to pray and surrender that situation to God, trusting Him to guide you.
This week, when you face a difficult moment, pause and remind yourself of God’s promises, then share with the group how that impacted your response.
Part 3: Hunger for Holiness and Righteousness
Overview:
A deep love for God manifests in a desire to live a life that is pleasing to Him, marked by holiness and righteousness. This involves resisting sin and striving to become more like Christ. Hungering for righteousness means that we are never satisfied with spiritual stagnation but are constantly seeking growth.
Key Scripture References:
1 Peter 1:15-16: "But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’"
Matthew 5:6: "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled."
Romans 12:1-2: "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."
Discussion Questions:
What does it mean to hunger and thirst for righteousness?
In what areas of your life do you feel God calling you to grow in holiness?
How can we practically pursue holiness in a world that often promotes the opposite?
Application:
Identify one area of your life where you feel called to grow in holiness. Spend time this week actively working to align that area with God’s standards.
Practice self-examination each day and ask the Holy Spirit to convict you of areas where you can grow in righteousness. Share any insights with the group during the next meeting.
Closing Discussion:
What stood out to you the most about loving God through pursuing Him, trusting Him, and hungering for righteousness?
How do these three aspects—pursuing God, trusting God, and hungering for righteousness—work together in deepening our love for God?
Closing Application:
For the coming week, focus on putting one element from each category (Pursuing God, Trusting God, and Hungering for Righteousness) into practice. Come prepared next time to share what you learned and how God worked in your life through these actions.
Next Steps:
This was just the introductory class on loving God. Over the next few weeks, we will explore each of these aspects in greater detail, diving deeper into how we can live a life centered on a growing love for God.