Big Idea

From this day forward, commit to Seek God.

Scripture

Exodus 20:3, Matthew 22:37-38, 1 John 4:9-10, 1 John 4:19

Ice Breaker & Opening Thought

1. Did you have an all-time favorite love song? How do you feel whenever you hear it?
2. The longing for love has always been the dominant narrative of human culture. That’s not a new thing at all. We were created to love and to be loved. After all, we were created in the image of God, who is love. However, what we experience is often not what we expected. In what ways has love not turned out the way you thought or planned?

Bible Discussion

3. Read Exodus 20:3 and Matthew 22:37-38. God does not want us to equate anything in life to or above God. If we are not careful, idol worship can sneak up on us. We often relegate God to the back burner when someone or something new and exciting comes into our lives. Can you think of a time when you got so infatuated with a new situation that you stopped focusing on God?
4. Read 1 John 4:9-10 and 4:19. What practical things are these verses saying about love and how we might practice loving God and others?

Life Application

5. We are made to seek God first among all our relationships. The longing we feel deep in our souls, the longing to be known and cared for and belong, that longing is meant to be met in a relationship with God. We seek God first. Looking at your life today, can you see where you may be putting more time into mundane things that don’t edify or further God’s purpose for your life?
6. Read Romans 5:5. When we look to God for love, that love is poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. We find our belonging, our identity, our security in God. The same Spirit that fills us with God’s love empowers us to love others as we could never love on our own. In what ways would you like to love others well?

Challenge

Read the relevant challenge(s) from Pastor Tim Keller below and discuss which part(s) of these challenge(s) are most applicable to you and your relationship with God?

Singles: “There are many people in this world who have not yet found a romantic partner, and they need to hear the Lord say, ‘I am the true Bridegroom. There is only one set of arms that will give you all your heart’s desire, and await you at the end of time, if only you turn to me. And know that I love you now.’” -Tim Keller, Counterfeit Gods

Marrieds: “It is not just those without spouses who need to see that God is our ultimate spouse, but those with spouses as well. They need this in order to save their marriage from the crushing weight of their divine expectations. If you marry someone expecting them to be like a god, it is only inevitable that they will disappoint you. It’s not that you should try to love your spouse less, but rather that you should know and love God more.” -Tim Keller, Counterfeit Gods