God Desires Relationship, Not Religious Rituals

Welcome to Moments with God: Weekly Soul Nourishment, a self-guided bible study. This week’s episode dives deep into the truth that God desires a genuine relationship with you, not empty religious rituals. Through Isaiah 1:11–17, we’ll uncover how God longs for hearts aligned with His justice, mercy, and love — not just outward actions. Listen in, pray, reflect, and discover how to trade routine for real intimacy with your Creator. 

Use the Study Guide below. You can grab the pdf here

Main Passage:

Isaiah 1:11–17
Read this carefully in a few translations if possible.

Additional Scriptures to Meditate On:

• Psalm 51:16–17 — “You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”
• Micah 6:6–8 — “What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
• Matthew 15:7–9 — Jesus quoting Isaiah: “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me…”
• John 4:23–24 — “True worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth…”
• James 1:27 — “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows…”

 

Bible Study Questions:

1. According to Isaiah 1:11–17, why did God reject the sacrifices and assemblies of Judah?
2. How does this passage challenge your current understanding of worship and religious practice?
3. What does true worship look like according to the additional scriptures?
4. Are there areas in your life where you rely on routine more than relationships?
5. How can you align your daily actions with a heart that reflects God’s justice and mercy?

Journal Prompt:

Reflect on a time when you did something for God out of routine rather than genuine love. How can you shift from ritual to relationship this week? 

Action Step:

Identify one religious habit you’ve done without much heart (e.g., church attendance, serving, or prayer out of duty). This week, intentionally pause and do that practice with a renewed focus on deepening your relationship with God. Invite the Holy Spirit to make it real and heartfelt.

For supporting resources:

How to Study the Bible

Most common bible translations

Study Guide of Tribes of Is

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