Building a Relationship with God

Right Relationship with God

The specific, personal connection God desires with each person, centered on worship and growth in holiness.

Worship

The act of honoring and adoring God; what you choose to worship shapes who you become.

Holiness

A state of being set apart for God, reflecting His character; commanded in both Old and New Testaments.

1 Peter 1:15-16

New-Testament passage: “Be holy, for I am holy,” calling believers to mirror God’s holiness.

Leviticus 19:2

Old-Testament verse where God commands Israel, “Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.”

Hebrews 12:14

Verse urging believers to “work at living a holy life,” warning that without holiness no one will see the Lord.

Matthew 6:11

Line from the Lord’s Prayer—“Give us this day our daily bread”—illustrating daily dependence on God.

Becoming Like What You Worship

A principle stating that devotion shapes character; worshipping God leads to holiness, while other idols reshape us otherwise.

Faith as Foundation

The idea that a strong faith undergirds spiritual life, comparable to a house’s foundation.

House-Building Analogy

Building faith likened to constructing a house from scratch—requiring planning, time, and steady effort.

Mastering a Craft Analogy

Growing faith compared to learning a skill, where disciplined practice leads to expertise.

Workout Plan Analogy

Faith development likened to long hours in the gym with a structured regimen for growth.

Quick-Fix Misconceptions

False views of faith-building—blending a protein shake, subscribing for entertainment, or tossing wishes in a well—contrasting true disciplined growth.

Calling

The unique purpose or task God directs each believer toward, which should not be compared to others’ paths.

Comparison in Calling

Measuring your own God-given purpose against someone else’s, which can distort contentment and clarity.

Soul and Glory

The human soul is designed to give worship, not to carry the weight of glory meant for God alone.

Worship

Pouring out praise, burdens, and devotion before God, acknowledging Him as the only One worthy of glory.

God’s General Will

Universal commands for all believers—loving good, hating evil, repentance, obedience, selflessness, faith, and continual righteousness.

God’s Specific Will

Individual guidance that always aligns with God’s general moral commands and never contradicts Scripture.

Consistency (Step 3)

Regular, steadfast obedience and worship in daily life—often the primary way God asks us to live out faith.

Faithful Obedience (Step 2)

Actively doing what Scripture teaches, evidencing love for God through actions, not just words.

Repentance

Turning away from sin with genuine remorse and moving toward God’s ways.

Purging of Sin

Intentional removal of sinful habits from one’s life as part of true repentance.

Conviction

The Holy Spirit’s inner prompting that exposes sin and guides correction, which believers are encouraged to welcome.

Selflessness

Serving others as Christ did, prioritizing others’ needs above personal comfort or recognition.

Faith in Christ

Trust in Jesus as the way, truth, and life—making Him the cornerstone of belief and practice.

Cornerstone (Christ)

The foundational stone upon which a believer’s life and faith are built.

Personal Study and Prayer

Humbly seeking God through Scripture and conversation with Him, where He meets and shapes the believer.

The Gospel

The overall message of salvation: humanity’s sinfulness and Christ’s redemptive work inviting repentance and submission.

Good News of Salvation

God offers forgiveness and new life through Jesus’ sacrifice.

Bad News of Spiritual Death

Humanity is naturally separated from God and spiritually dead without Christ.

Grace

Receiving blessings and love from God that we do not deserve.

Mercy

Being spared the punishment we do deserve for choosing self over God.

Extreme Moments of Faith

Times when God asks for bold, risk-taking trust beyond ordinary routines.

Boldness in Faith

Courageous action rooted in trust in God, especially when obedience is costly.

Praise

Speaking or singing admiration to God, attributing worth and glory to Him alone.

"Love what is Good, Hate what is Evil"

A summary of righteous living learned through Scripture study.

John 14:15

Jesus’ teaching: “If you love Me, you will keep My commands,” linking love with obedience.

James 1:22

Exhortation to be doers of the Word, not merely hearers, to avoid self-deception.

Step 2 → Step 3 Path

Progression from obeying God’s revealed commands to maintaining steady consistency in everyday life.

Habitual Obedience

Choosing to follow God daily as a continual practice rather than an occasional test.

Faithful Obedience

Obedience that leads to sanctification, progressively making a believer more like Jesus.

Intimacy as the Source of Obedience

True obedience flows from close relationship and loyal love toward God.

God’s Love Language

Demonstrating love for God by keeping His commands (1 John 5:3-4).

Burdensome Commands – Myth

God’s commands are not oppressive for those born of God; they bring life and joy.

Training in Righteousness

Submitting to God is not weakness but spiritual conditioning toward holiness.

Consistency

A steady habit of engaging God through understanding, connection, and application; essential for growth.

Mentor vs. Loving Father

Knowing about God without relationship makes Him a mere mentor; intimacy reveals Him as Father.

Disobedient Prayer

Connecting to God in prayer without applying His truth to life, resulting in inconsistency.

Application without Understanding

Acting without grasping God’s truth, leading to actions that lack conviction.

Steadfast & Immovable

Description of believers who abound in God’s work, knowing their labor isn’t in vain (1 Cor 15:58).

Meditating Day and Night

Continual delight in and focus on God’s law (Psalm 1:2).

Simple & Honest Start

Beginning consistency with Bible reading, prayer, and immediate application, approached with honesty.

Honesty with God

Transparent communication that deepens engagement and amplifies spiritual growth.

Word of God as Lens

Using Scripture to shape thoughts and actions, bringing clarity to life.

Temple of the Holy Spirit

Identity of believers—wherever they go, God’s presence accompanies them.

God’s General Will

God desires His family to live under His authority and blessing, following His revealed purposes.

Blessing within God’s Will

Experiencing God’s favor by operating inside His intended purposes.

Life Worthy of the Calling

Every Christian’s duty to live up to the vocation received from God (Eph 4:1).

Obscurity

A season of being unknown in which God teaches humility and dependence.

Lessons of Obscurity

Key spiritual insights on humility, trust, and preparation learned during hidden seasons.

Biblical Examples of Obscurity

Moses, Joseph, David, and John the Baptist—figures whom God trained in hidden seasons before public ministry.