Post by Katie on May 3, 2010 13:25:38 GMT -6
We tend to put worship in a box. It's a nice box full of wonderful and powerful songs, but worship is an outside of the box experience too. Worship is our lifestyle not just what comes before the sermon on Sunday morning. Here are some important characteristics of "authentic, Christian worship:"
1) it never starts with us, but always with God through his creation, love and blessing of us.
2) it is our response to God for who He is and what He's done [Great and Good God].
3) it is holistic, involving all of us in all of life.
4) it is both personal and corporate.
5) it includes obedience.
Here are a few definitions from other people:
"Worship is our response to what we value most... So ow do you know where and what you worship? It's easy. You simply follow the trail of your time, your affection, your energy, your money and your allegiance. At the end of that trail you'll find a throne: and whatever, or whomever, is on that throne is what's of highest value to you. On that throne is what you worship." --Louie Giglio, Air I Breathe
"Worship is our response to the overtures of love from the heart of the Father... It is kindled within us only when the Holy Spirit touches our spirit. Forms and rituals do not produce worship, nor does the disuse of forms and rituals. We can use all the right techniques and methods,... but we have not worshipped the Lord until Spirit touches spirit." --Richard Foster, Celebration of Discipline
"Worship is our response, both personal and corporate, to God-- for who He is, and what He has done expressed in and by the things we say and the way we live." --Louie Giglio, Air I Breathe
Discussion Questions
1) What do you think is a good definition of worship? Do you connect to one of the definitions above?
2) According to the first quote by Louie Giglio where our time and affection, etc. go is what we truly worship. What are some things you have found yourself valuing above God?
3) Praise, prayers, Scripture reading, teaching and exhortation, giving, and baptism and the Lord's Supper are all common and essential elements of worship. How does your church body worship? What are your favorite ways to worship and why? What are some other ways you worship in your life?
1) it never starts with us, but always with God through his creation, love and blessing of us.
2) it is our response to God for who He is and what He's done [Great and Good God].
3) it is holistic, involving all of us in all of life.
4) it is both personal and corporate.
5) it includes obedience.
Here are a few definitions from other people:
"Worship is our response to what we value most... So ow do you know where and what you worship? It's easy. You simply follow the trail of your time, your affection, your energy, your money and your allegiance. At the end of that trail you'll find a throne: and whatever, or whomever, is on that throne is what's of highest value to you. On that throne is what you worship." --Louie Giglio, Air I Breathe
"Worship is our response to the overtures of love from the heart of the Father... It is kindled within us only when the Holy Spirit touches our spirit. Forms and rituals do not produce worship, nor does the disuse of forms and rituals. We can use all the right techniques and methods,... but we have not worshipped the Lord until Spirit touches spirit." --Richard Foster, Celebration of Discipline
"Worship is our response, both personal and corporate, to God-- for who He is, and what He has done expressed in and by the things we say and the way we live." --Louie Giglio, Air I Breathe
Discussion Questions
1) What do you think is a good definition of worship? Do you connect to one of the definitions above?
2) According to the first quote by Louie Giglio where our time and affection, etc. go is what we truly worship. What are some things you have found yourself valuing above God?
3) Praise, prayers, Scripture reading, teaching and exhortation, giving, and baptism and the Lord's Supper are all common and essential elements of worship. How does your church body worship? What are your favorite ways to worship and why? What are some other ways you worship in your life?