Let’s Please God
Study Guide
Understanding the Core Message
The podcast "Let's Please God" explores the concept of living a life that is pleasing to God. It addresses potential misunderstandings or negative associations with this idea, such as feeling pressure or unworthiness. The central argument is that pleasing God should be a source of freedom and purpose, stemming from a relationship based on love and trust, not obligation or the need to earn approval.
Key Themes and Arguments
- Challenging Misconceptions: The podcast confronts the idea that God is distant, angry, or demanding perfection. It suggests that these negative perceptions can hinder people from attempting to please Him.
- The Motivation for Pleasing God: The motivation presented is not to earn God's love (because it is already given), but rather as a natural response to receiving His love. It is compared to doing things for someone you love because it brings you joy.
- Alignment and Fulfillment: Living to please God is described as living in alignment with one's Creator, leading to peace and purpose.
- Practical Expressions of Pleasing God: The podcast identifies several key actions or attitudes that the Bible highlights as pleasing to God.
- Starting and Sustaining the Journey: Simple, actionable steps are offered for individuals to begin or continue living a life focused on pleasing God.
- Focus on the Heart: The ultimate emphasis is placed on the state of one's heart and intention rather than outward perfection or achievement.
Key Concepts and Examples
- Why people don't try to please God:Misunderstanding God's nature (perceiving Him as distant, angry, punishing).
- Feeling unworthy due to past mistakes.
- Why people should try to please God:Because they already have His love (not to earn it).
- It aligns with one's design and brings peace and purpose.
- What actually pleases God:Faith: Trusting God even in difficult circumstances (Hebrews 11:6).
- Obedience: Keeping His commands out of love (John 14:15). Examples: forgiving, telling the truth, letting go of toxic things.
- Compassion: Acting justly, loving mercy, walking humbly (Micah 6:8). Treating others with love and mercy, even when undeserved.
- Gratitude: Giving thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Expressing trust in God even during hardship.
- How to start today:Praying daily for help to please God.
- Reflecting nightly on choices made.
- Connecting with a supportive community of believers.
- The Goal Shift: Moving the focus from "Am I successful?" to "Is God pleased with my heart today?"
Quiz
Answer each question in 2-3 sentences.
- According to the podcast, what is one reason people might feel pressured by the phrase "Let's Please God"?
- How does the podcast suggest understanding God's nature differently than someone who sees Him as distant or angry?
- Why does the podcast state that we should try to please God, and how is this motivation different from trying to earn something?
- What specific action does the podcast link to the idea of living in alignment with God?
- Based on Hebrews 11:6, what is one essential element needed to please God?
- According to John 14:15, how is obedience connected to one's relationship with Jesus?
- What three actions, mentioned in Micah 6:8, are highlighted as ways to honor God through our treatment of others?
- The podcast mentions giving thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18). What does a thankful heart signify about one's trust in God?
- What is one practical step suggested in the podcast for someone wanting to start living a life that pleases God?
- Instead of focusing on being successful, what is the suggested shift in focus that leads to life, peace, and purpose?
Quiz Answer Key
- Some people might feel pressured because they misunderstand God, perhaps seeing Him as distant, angry, or waiting to punish them, making the idea of pleasing Him seem exhausting.
- Instead of distant or angry, the podcast suggests considering that God is actually for you and that His heart is pleased by even small steps taken toward Him.
- We should try to please God not to earn His love, but because we already have it. It's described as a response of love, similar to doing things for someone you love because it brings you joy.
- Living to please God is linked to living in alignment with the One who made us, which brings peace and purpose.
- Hebrews 11:6 states that without faith, it is impossible to please God. This means trusting Him even when circumstances are difficult or don't make sense.
- According to John 14:15, Jesus says, "If you love Me, keep My commands." This connects obedience directly to expressing love for Him.
- Micah 6:8 highlights acting justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God as ways to honor Him, particularly in how we treat others with love and mercy.
- A thankful heart, even in difficult circumstances, signifies trust in God. It says, "God, I trust You—even here," acknowledging His sovereignty and goodness.
- One suggested step is to pray each morning, "God, help me please You today," inviting God's guidance for daily choices.
- The suggested shift is from focusing on "Am I successful?" to focusing on "Is God pleased with my heart today?" This shift leads to a life characterized by peace and purpose.
Essay Questions
- Analyze the podcast's central argument regarding the true motivation behind living a life that pleases God. How does this perspective challenge common misconceptions, and what are the potential implications for an individual's spiritual journey?
- Discuss the four key practices (Faith, Obedience, Compassion, Gratitude) highlighted in the podcast as pleasing to God. Explain how each practice, supported by the provided biblical references, contributes to a life aligned with God's will.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of the podcast's approach in making the concept of pleasing God feel accessible and freeing. Consider the language used, the examples provided, and the suggested practical steps.
- Compare and contrast the podcast's depiction of God with negative or fearful perceptions that might prevent someone from trying to please Him. How does the emphasis on God's love and desire for relationship influence the listener's potential response?
- Explore the significance of the suggested shift in focus from "Am I successful?" to "Is God pleased with my heart today?" How might this change in perspective impact daily decision-making, self-worth, and the pursuit of spiritual growth?
Glossary of Key Terms
- Pleasing God: Living in a way that is agreeable or satisfactory to God, often understood in the context of aligning one's heart, attitudes, and actions with His will and character.
- Alignment: In the context of the podcast, living in harmony or conformity with God's nature and purposes.
- Faith: Trusting in God, His character, promises, and sovereignty, especially when circumstances are uncertain or challenging. (Referenced in Hebrews 11:6).
- Obedience: Willingly following God's commands and instructions, seen not as a burden but as an expression of love and trust. (Referenced in John 14:15).
- Compassion: Showing kindness, mercy, and justice towards others, reflecting God's own character. (Referenced in Micah 6:8).
- Gratitude: Expressing thankfulness to God in all circumstances, acknowledging His goodness and trusting His plan. (Referenced in 1 Thessalonians 5:18).
- Unworthiness: The feeling of being undeserving of something, specifically God's love or approval, often stemming from past mistakes or shortcomings.
- The Heart: Used in the podcast to represent the inner person – intentions, motives, desires, and core being – which is seen as the primary focus of God's attention rather than outward perfection.
- Relationship (with God): A connection based on love, trust, and communication, as opposed to a transactional or performance-based interaction.
- Purpose: A sense of meaning and direction in life, often linked in the podcast to living in alignment with God's design and will.