If you need an idea for a personal Bible study guide, a LifeGroup lesson, or a pulpit sermon or series, consider the subject of Loving God. Recently I looked up every Scriptural reference I could find to this subject and came up with 50 passages. In simple fashion, I systematized them and developed the following outline. Perhaps you’ll find it useful.
1. Loving the Lord is the Most Important Thing We Do — Life’s Greatest Priority
- Deuteronomy 6:4-5
- Matthew 22:36-40
- Mark 12:28-30
- 2 Timothy 3:4
- 1 Corinthians 16:22
2. The Lord Gauges Our Love For Him
- Deuteronomy 13:1-3
- John 21:15-17
3. Loving the Lord Means Loving Someone Currently Invisible
- 1 Peter 1:8
- 1 John 4:20
4. Loving the Lord Means We Can Hardly Wait for His Return
- 2 Timothy 4:8 (NKJV)
5. Until He Comes, We Demonstrate Our Love For Him By:
- Putting Him first – Matthew 10:37-38
- Telling Him of our love – Psalm 18:1
- Acknowledging His Name – Psalm 91:14. Also see Psalm 5:11
- Loving His Word – Psalm 119:48, 97, 113, 119, 127, 140, 159, 163, 165, 168
- Obeying His commands – John 14:15-21 & 1 John 5:3-4
- Hating evil – Psalm 97:10
- Conversing with Him in prayer – Psalm 116:1-2
- Loving and helping His people – 1 John 4:20 – 5:1
6. How God Blesses Those Who Love Him
- He shows us His love to a thousand generations – Exodus 20:4-6.
- He grants us provision and protection – Deuteronomy 11:13-15 & 22-25
- He becomes for us our very life – Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (Compare Colossians 3:4)
- He turns us into sunshine for the world – Judges 5:31
- He habitually extends mercy and grace to us – Psalm 119:132 & Ephesians 6:24
- He watches over us – Psalm 145:17-20
- He moves in to make His home with us – John 14:21-23 & 1 Corinthians 8:3
- He makes everything work together for our good – Romans 8:28
- He prepares a future for us beyond comprehension – 1 Corinthians 2:9
- He bestows on us a kingdom and a crown – James 1:12 & 2:5
Conclusion: And why do we love Him? It’s simple—because He first loved us – 1 John 4:19