Why the church?
A Biblical Study
The Five Ministries of Each Local Church
Study 5
Worship
The whole idea of worship has become focussed, in recent years, almost entirely on the singing that happens during the corporate gathering of a local church. Terms life ‘the worship team’ and ‘the worship time’ and ‘the worship leader’ refer to the people or time when a group stands in front of the people and leads the congregation in that portion of the worship service that includes often choruses with a smattering of hymns.
The length of the singing time varies but often it can be as long as or maybe longer than the preaching time. Often the differences of the choice of music leads to tension if not downright division in a church. Some churches have tried to deal with this by having two separate services. One service would be set up for those who prefer more ‘contemporary’ music while the other service would be called ‘traditional’ for those, often older believers, who prefer hymns.
Unless we as believers have a basic understanding of the teaching from Scripture concerning worship we can be meeting together regularly thinking that we are worshipping when in fact we are not. This study will introduce key concepts from the Bible that will help us get a better grasp on this vital aspect of local church life.
The term used in Acts 2:42 for corporate worship is ‘the breaking of bread’. This phrase represented what came to be known as the Lord’s Supper. (If you would like to look into this further read through these verses: Matt. 26:26; Luke 22:19; Luke 24:30; Acts 20:7; 1 Cor 10:16,18; 1 Cor. 11:23.)
Let’s look at some key passages related to worship.
What We are Not to Worship.
1. Read Acts 10:25; Rev. 19:10; 22:8. What do you notice about these three verses that is common?
Why are we not to worship men?
2. Read Matt. 4:8-10. How does Satan tempt Jesus in these verses? What is Jesus’ response?
3. Read Acts 7:43 and Romans 1:25. What type of false worship is described in these verses?
Why are people prone to worship something else other than God Himself?
4. In Revelation 13:4,8,12-15 most people on the earth worship something unique at that time. Who is it? Why do people worship him?
What group of people do not worship him? Why?
5. Read Isaiah 42:8 and Isaiah 48:11. How do these verses help us understand that no one is to worship anyone or anything other than the LORD God Himself?
A Basic Explanation of the word, ‘worship’
6. Read Matt. 18:26. In this parable a servant prostrates himself before a king. The word used in this parable for prostrate is most often translated ‘worship’. Here are all the different ways it is translated by the NASB and the frequencies for this word: to do reverence to:— bow down(1), bow down before(1), bowed down(1), bowed down before(2), bowing before(1), bowing down(1), prostrated himself before(1), worship(32), worshiped(17), worshipers(1), worshiping(1), worships(1). In other words, worship is the acknowledgement of and clear expression of the lesser person, in rank or status or power or authority, to the greater person. The servant to the king. The created person to the Creator.
The recognition of the difference between the lesser and the greater to what ever degree
Is considered worship
.
7. Read these verses that illustrate worship for us: Matt. 2:2; Rev. 4:10; 5:14; 7:11; 11:16; 19:4. What impresses you about these expressions of worship?
Who We are to Worship
8. Read Matt. 4:10. According to Jesus, who is to be worshipped?
9. According to Hebrews 1:6 who is to be worshipped?
In what way does Hebrews 1:6 teach us about the Trinity?
10. Read John 4:20-24. How does this passage help to clarify our understanding of worship?
What does it mean to worship ‘in spirit and truth’? (John 4:24)
Why We can Worship
11. Read Hebrews 9:11-14, Colossians 2:8-15 and Romans 6:1-11. According to these passages what has happened to make it possible for people to worship the Lord?
Why We are to Worship
12. Read through 1 Chronicles 29:10-22. How did David express his worship of God?
13. Explain how Matthew 14-28-33 helps us understand why we are to worship?
14. Read Rev. 14:7 and 15:4. Why is worship expressed in these verses?
Finally, How We are to Worship (Attitudes)
15. Read Philippians 3:3. How does this verse describe our worship?
16. Read John 9:38 and 11:21,22. On what basis do we worship according to these two examples?
17. Read 1 Corinthians 14:24,25. What key component of our worship is described in this passage? (see also Isaiah 6:1-7)
18. Read Matthew 2:2; 8:2; 9:18 (see also Rev. 1:17). What physical response in each of these situations helps to illustrate the heart attitude we are to have when we worship?
Is there one position that is better for worship than another? Explain.
19. Read Romans 12:1,2 and Romans 14:7-12. Lastly, how is worship to be expressed in our everyday lives?