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The Tension:
- Traditional versus Contemporary
- Volume & Beat versus Reverence & Awe
- Spirit-led versus Planned
The Test:
Jesus said we are to "worship in spirit and in truth" (Jn. 4:24). The question is: What does that look like?
To begin to answer that question, we must somehow separate out form from substance and precept from principle. It is then that we can begin to distinguish between preferences and Biblical priorities in worship.
The Truth:
Truth 1:
Worship is about God, not about us and not even about the form or medium used to worship.
"Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of things that were to come; the reality (substance), however, is found in Christ" (Col. 2:16-17)
Truth 2:
What is in the heart matters more than outward appearance or style.
"With what shall I come before the Lord and bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy with and to walk humbly with your God" (Mic. 6:6-8).
Truth 3:
Worship is more than a Sunday affair, more than something we do at church or in our quiet times.
It involves the whole of our lives, every day. --"Therefore I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God --this is your spiritual act of worship" (Rom. 12:1).
The Truth About Worship Discussion Guides will help your group deal with the substance, the Biblical priorities, the truth about worship rather than debate the controversial.
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12 lessons using discussion guides for an adult Sunday School class, Bible study or small group
Other discussion guides available from Ministry Tools Resource Center:
Click Here to learn how to lead a good small group, using discussion guides effectively.
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