Living to Please the Lord
Speaker: Blake Bradley
Main Scripture: Isaiah 6; Exodus 19; 2 Corinthians 5:9
Study Guide Introduction
This 5-day devotional study is designed to help you go deeper into the message “Living to Please the Lord” by Blake Bradley. Each day focuses on a key truth from the sermon, rooted in Scripture, and offers discussion questions and application steps tailored to:
- New Christians
- Mature Christians
- Jr. & Sr. High Students
- Families with Young Children
- Families with Teenagers
Through the example of Isaiah’s encounter with God, Israel’s journey to Mount Sinai, and the New Testament call to walk in holiness, we are reminded that God’s desire is not just for outward behavior, but for hearts fully surrendered to living to please Him. Whether you’re engaging this study alone, with your family, or in a Roads Group, take time each day to listen, reflect, and respond to the Holy Spirit as He shapes you in reverence, truth, and love.
Day 1: The Fear of the Lord vs. the Fear of Man
Big Idea: Holy fear frees us from being controlled by the opinions of people.
Key Scripture:
“Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”
— Matthew 10:28 (ESV)“So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.”
— 2 Corinthians 5:9 (ESV)
Quote from the Sermon:
“We often ask God to live to please us, when we’ve been called to live to please Him.”
Discussion & Application:
- New Christians
- Why do you think people sometimes stay quiet about their faith?
- What does it mean to fear God in a healthy, honoring way?
- Application: Ask God to help you be bold in a specific situation this week.
- Mature Christians
- Where has fear of people subtly influenced your obedience?
- How can holy fear shape your decision-making differently?
- Application: Identify one area where you’ve been silent and commit to speak truth in love this week.
- Jr. & Sr. High Students
- Who do you worry most about impressing or pleasing?
- How does it feel to live for God even when it’s unpopular?
- Application: Take one bold step this week to stand for your faith at school or online.
- Families with Young Children
- Who should we listen to more—God or people? Why?
- What does it mean to show God respect every day?
- Application: Memorize Matthew 10:28 together as a family.
- Families with Teenagers
- How can you tell if you’re fearing man more than God?
- What pressures in your world compete with God’s approval?
- Application: As a family, write down one way you’ll honor God publicly this week.
Day 2: God’s Holiness Demands a Response
Big Idea: When we truly see God’s holiness, we are undone—and changed.
Key Scripture:
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory! … And I said: ‘Woe is me! For I am lost.’”
— Isaiah 6:3–5 (ESV)
Quote from the Sermon:
“When you see the throne room, you realize you can’t fake it anymore.”
Discussion & Application:
- New Christians
- What do you think it means that God is holy?
- How do you respond when you realize you’ve done something wrong before God?
- Application: Take time to pray honestly and ask God to show you more of who He is.
- Mature Christians
- Are you still broken by the holiness of God, or have you grown familiar?
- How does Isaiah’s response challenge your view of worship?
- Application: Spend time in silent worship this week, meditating on Isaiah 6.
- Jr. & Sr. High Students
- What does it mean to treat God as “holy” instead of ordinary?
- How do you think Isaiah felt when he saw the Lord?
- Application: Write a prayer telling God what makes Him amazing to you.
- Families with Young Children
- What did Isaiah see when he looked at God’s throne?
- How do we show God respect when we pray or worship?
- Application: Read Isaiah 6 together and act out the scene with imagination and reverence.
- Families with Teenagers
- How does God’s holiness affect the way we live?
- What things in your life might be crowding out holy awe?
- Application: Talk about one area of your home or life you can make more honoring to God.
Day 3: You Were Brought Out to Be Brought Close
Big Idea: God saves us not just to set us free—but to bring us to Himself.
Key Scripture:
“I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.”
— Exodus 19:4 (ESV)“When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.”
— Exodus 3:12 (ESV)
Quote from the Sermon:
“God was less interested in getting them to a land and more interested in getting them to Himself.”
Discussion & Application:
- New Christians
- Do you think of your relationship with God as personal or distant?
- Why do you think God wants to be close to you?
- Application: Set aside 10 minutes today to be quiet before God and talk to Him.
- Mature Christians
- Are you focused more on what God gives or who He is?
- How has God invited you lately to deeper intimacy with Him?
- Application: Fast something this week (e.g. media, sweets) to focus on being with Him.
- Jr. & Sr. High Students
- How is being close to God different from just “believing” in Him?
- Why do you think God wants to be with you?
- Application: Spend time journaling or reading a Psalm every day this week.
- Families with Young Children
- What does it mean to be “brought close” to God?
- How do we spend time with God like we do with friends?
- Application: Have a family “quiet time” with worship music or reading together.
- Families with Teenagers
- Are there areas where your family talks more about blessings than relationship with God?
- How can your home become a place of worship, not just routine?
- Application: Schedule one evening this week to pray or worship together intentionally.
Day 4: Familiarity Must Not Replace Reverence
Big Idea: The longer we’re around holy things, the more tempted we are to treat them casually.
Key Scripture:
“Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God… and God struck him down there.”
— 2 Samuel 6:6–7 (ESV)
Quote from the Sermon:
“When we get comfortable, we take things for granted. The presence of God is not to be managed—it’s to be honored.”
Discussion & Application:
- New Christians
- Have you ever caught yourself rushing through prayer or worship?
- Why is it important to treat God as holy, not just familiar?
- Application: Choose one spiritual habit this week to approach more intentionally.
- Mature Christians
- Where has spiritual routine dulled your reverence for God’s presence?
- How can you renew awe without falling into legalism?
- Application: Slow down your prayer time and re-engage your heart in wonder.
- Jr. & Sr. High Students
- What’s something you’ve taken lightly that should be holy (like church or worship)?
- Why do you think Uzzah was judged so harshly?
- Application: Practice preparing for worship this Sunday with focus and reverence.
- Families with Young Children
- What are some ways we show respect (at church, during prayer)?
- Why do we treat God as more important than anything else?
- Application: Let each child lead a simple prayer or song to God this week with help.
- Families with Teenagers
- Do you think your family ever treats God’s presence casually?
- How could familiarity with church make us forget how holy God is?
- Application: As a family, talk about one way to honor God more in your home or habits.
Day 5: Obedience Is the Expression of Love
Big Idea: Loving God means obeying Him—even when it’s not easy.
Key Scripture:
“To obey is better than sacrifice.”
— 1 Samuel 15:22 (ESV)“Walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him.”
— Colossians 1:10 (ESV)
Quote from the Sermon:
“Obedience is not legalism—it’s love rightly ordered.”
Discussion & Application:
- New Christians
- What’s something you know God has asked you to do recently?
- Why does obedience show that we love God?
- Application: Take one step of obedience today, even if it feels small.
- Mature Christians
- Is there any area where you’ve delayed obedience?
- How do you handle conviction—do you act on it or brush it off?
- Application: Write out and act on one obedience God has been prompting you to follow.
- Jr. & Sr. High Students
- Why is it hard to obey God when no one else around you is?
- What’s one command from Scripture you want to obey better?
- Application: Choose one way this week to obey God in private, not just public.
- Families with Young Children
- What does it mean to obey God right away and with a good attitude?
- Why do parents and God both give rules to help us grow?
- Application: Create a “heart check” chart for joyful obedience this week.
- Families with Teenagers
- How does obedience look different as we grow older?
- What’s the difference between legalism and wholehearted surrender?
- Application: Choose one Bible verse as a family to live out intentionally this week.