What is better worship? I remember asking my parents if it was OK to sit up in the balcony with my friends for church. I was so excited when they finally gave in and said yes. They had always taught me to pay attention in service–they even taught me the game where you count how many times the preacher says “Jesus” to help me focus. But to sit with my friends in the back offered me escape from the boredom I was sure more than not people were feeling. Even then I wondered if there was a better way of meeting God for worship.
I stayed going to church as I grew up but started having a deeper interest in finding other ways to connect with God and others (see Worship That Nourishes)
In high school my freshman English teacher, Bruce Freeman, started a youth to youth ministry group called “The Light Company.” In the light company I learned about creating an atmosphere for fellowship. We often would use Ice Breakers (click here for an awesome list of 40 icebreakers or mixer ideas) as a way for folks to get to know each other better. Sometimes we would have something to eat. Than we would get into Bible study in small groups of 2-4 people where we would share about a Scripture. Then we would share with the larger group what we had explored in the smaller group. Everything was lead by a facilitator who often gave special insight.
He trained me to be a facilitator of small group worship. In my opinion there is nothing better. I really miss those gatherings to this day. It reminds of the description in the beginning of Acts of the early church. Let’s read about it:
The Fellowship of the Believers
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. (NIV)
When you invite friends over to your house and play games don’t you develop a sense of closeness? Also, do you find that when you eat regularly with friends from work that you develop a strong bond? Well the early church had that bond. Today’s church often lacks that bond. This concerns me.
a meaningful context that isn’t informal for the sake of being cool but that is intimate for the sake of being real
The picture above is me holding my baby girl, Maia. I don’t want Maia to be turned off to Jesus by our practice of worship. I want her to find a way to connect with her Savior and with others in a meaningful context that isn’t informal for the sake of being cool but that is intimate for the sake of being real.
I don’t want my children to be bored by church. I want them to understand that Jesus isn’t boring–just our ritual of worship. So I’m on a mission to find better worship. Can you help me?
What is better worship for you?
Please share your comments below.
Yes David. I too love to worship and I want to believe that my children love it so much today because we worshipped together when they were young and it was the highlight of our times together.
Thank you for your comment, Pearl. I hope to have that testimony from my children that our worship times were the highlight of our times together. God bless you.
This resonated with me so much! I’m happy to say that after I became a mother, my (late) husband and I made a decision to have family worship together, and we engaged in small group Bible study with our children. They were active in our music ministry, often filling in for adults who were unable to participate. When they became teenagers, we didn’t have to drag them to our house to house meetings- they enjoyed the fellowship and developed a genuine love for the family ministry. Now they are adults, and it warms my heart when they share what they are doing for the Lord from wherever they are, in different parts of the world.
It makes a difference when we let the children participate, and approach worship time with joy. They don’t feel it is a burden, and one of the biggest benefits, is they will seek mates who share their love of worship and service to the Lord. Demonstration in the home of an intimate relationship with Jesus is the best legacy we can leave our children.
Wow. What an awesome testimony! Thanks for sharing Bridget. I pray that I’m able to have the great results you’ve experienced.
dcg
The worship you describe is why most Sabbath schools and Sunday school classes are more effective and often better attended.
It gives the opportunities to listen share and learn different perspectives and yet connect it to what God wants for us.
As a little girl I enjoyed listening to my Dad Sunday School class. He was the teacher and Superintendent of the Sunday School. Their discussionsite were vibrant, exhilarating, and often went past the time set for class. You could hear their discussionsite on their way to the main sanctuary.
That was my idea of worship!
Then the sermon tapped into real life circumstances that we could all understand leaving you pumped up for the week! That’s what I remember. I was called to join the church by my angels at age 8. I remember being pulled up out if my seat,looking crazy at my Mom and Dad saying “I have to go”. I was very shy and quiet at that time:) I felt a push all the way down that aisle to my pastor who held his arms put and hugged me. I knew then the awesome power of God’s love,comfort,and protection. I thank God for that lasting memory.
Thank you. What a beautiful memory. Imagine how few come to Sabbath school or Sunday school compared to how many come to Divine Hour service. I think they might think of worship as something you watch and might not ever have the engaged with Christ walk that you are having.
Here you can find worship sets from our weekend services, as well as a few other videos from time to time. Worship 07.
Thank you
Thank you for sharing.