The Five Purposes "Worship"

This week we are going to wrap up our posts on “The 5 Purposes” by sharing some thoughts on Worship. As you know Worship is so much more than just a song that we sing or a CD that we listen to. Worship is, simply put, our obedience to God. Don’t get me wrong, I think signing is an integral and important part of worship and I am thankful that God only requires a joyful noise from me when I do it but I believe that there is much more to worship that many people are unaware of. I believe that there is much more to worship for our connection groups to experience that we are unaware of and I hope this post sheds a little light on that subject, so here we go!

THE CONTEXT FOR WORHIP!
“Since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be destroyed, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping Him with holy fear and awe.” Hebrews 12:28 (NLT)

UNDERSTANDING WORSHIP!
We must understand as leaders that at the heart of worship there is a surrendering of your heart to God and a remembrance of what he has done for each of us. That the expression of worship is more than music but that it is anything that pleases God.

“And so, dear brothers and sisters I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.” Romans 12:1 (NLT)

We must further understand as leaders that worship in Jesus economy is not about performance as one would perform for an audience but it is about eternity and what motivates the heart to please God. Even the grandest outward acts of what seems to be worship can be a mere sham if our motivation is for someone other than He who is worthy.

THE BASICS OF WORSHIP IN A CONNECTION GROUP!

I would encourage you to consider that worship in a connection group should involve both expression and reflection. Many times we have expression down but we are a bit less comfortable with the reflection side of it. We express worship through prayer, music, thanksgiving, and sharing our struggles together but how often as a group have you stopped to worship through solitude, meditation (Not the yoga kind), or fasting? These are ways to enjoy reflecting worship and they can be very impactful.

I. Understand that worship requires surrender and that it involves group support & disclosure.

II. Allow for group times of sharing and support during trials, temptations, and suffering. The beginning of healing is when someone trusts the group enough to reveal a struggle, sin, or tragedy!

HOW TO WORSHIP AS A GROUP DURING CRITICAL TIMES!
1. Be available for the members of the group! Author C.S. Lewis writes that “God whispers in our joys and shouts in our pain.” God writes “Weep with those who weep.” Romans 12:15 (NLT)
2. Allow members to express to you and God exactly how they feel (God is not afraid of the tough questions or emotions that we have).
3. Focus on who God is and his unchanging nature.
4. Trust God to keep his promises.
5. Remember what God has already done in the past and celebrate it.
“When you feel abandoned by God and still continue to trust Him; you connect and worship Him in the deepest way.”

III. Teach the group how to pray in community.

HOW TO PRAY IN COMMUNITY!
1. Start slowly and don’t make people pray
2. As a leader model simple and brief prayers
3. Pray more than you share about your requests
4. Encourage one word or sentence prayers
5. Share as a group but pray in three’s
6. Share what’s been happening in your quite time and solitude with the Lord
7. Stop and pray immediately when a group member shares a serious, deep, and critical need.

IV. Constantly bring them back to the cross!

Our worship is for an audience of one! When our focus is the father and what pleases Him then we will be leading our groups in a proper example of worship! How well is your group balancing the purpose of worship?