Study's 6-10
Study's 6-10
Study 6
Worship the Lord your God and serve him only
Matthew 4:10
Throughout the Old Testament, the people of Israel are commanded either explicitly or by expectation, to worship and serve the Lord God alone. 'Do not worship any other god, because I, the Lord, tolerate no rivals' (Exodus 34:14) Look up Deuteronomy 10:12-13 Deut 11:13-15; Daniel 3:17-18; and Jesus quoted Deut 6:13 to the devil.
{A} Find out some of the characteristics of the Lord that make us want to worship him: Psalm 22:27-28; Psalm 86:8-10; Psalm 95:5-8,9
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{B} What do the following reactions tell us about mere 'hero-worship? As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. But Peter made him get up. 'Stand up, 'he said, I am only a man myself'. (Acts 10:25-26) Also, look up: Acts 14:11-15 and Revelation 19:10. Can you distinguish the difference between hero-worship and true worship?
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{C} How far do you think we can safely go , whether it's a pop singer, famous star, or even our girlfriend or boyfriend?
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Study 7
'Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve' Joshua 24:15
Jesus rarely received the worship that was his due as the Son of God, but occasionally his divine nature was recognized, even if only partially.
{A} See how this comes out in the following situations:
Matthew 14:33; Matthew 28:9,17; Luke 24:50-53; John
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In a loud voice they sang:
'Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honour and glory and praise!
Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea,and all that is in them, singing:
To hm who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honour and glory and power, for ever and ever!'
The four living creatures said, 'Amem,' and the elders fell down and worshipped (Revelation 5:12-14). Let us worship our risen and ascended Saviour, using the words of these verses from Revelation.
{B} From Paul's sermon to the Athenians in Acts 17:22-31, what part do knowledge and obedience play in making our worship real?
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{C} Lydia, a business woman of Thyatira changed from being simply a worshipper of God to a follower of Jesus. Check up what actually happened to her in Acts 16:13-15 and use this understanding to pray for any of your mere church-going friends and family.
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Study 8
'You will worship God on this mountain.'
Exodus 3:12
From the first, the Jews were given rules and regulations about their worship of God. Look up Hebrews 9:1-10 for a summary of these.
{A} However, worship of God is not merely a matter of ritual observance. In the following situations, what had the people discovered or acknowledged about God that prompted their worship?
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Whenever the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance to the tent, they all stood and worshipped (Exodus 33:10). Also, look up: Exodus 12:26-27; 2 Chronicles 7:3; 2 Chronicles 20:13-19.
{B} Jesus discussed worship with a woman who who wanted to know where was the right place to worship God (John 4:19-26). See how Jesus dealt with this question. Looking at the rest of the passage, what do you think he meant in verse 24 by worshipping 'in spirit and in truth?
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{C} In 1 Corinthians 14:26-40, Paul gives us some guidelines about the conduct of worship. Looking at verses 26 and 31, what should be the main aim of anyone contributing to worship?
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Pray for those responsible for leading the worship at services you'll be attending this week.
Study 9
'To God - which is your spiritual worship.'
Romans 12:1
Thoughout Scripture, worship of God is linked with service to him. The writers see no separation between what we say to God on Sunday and what we do (or don't do!) for our fellows during the week.
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world (James 1:27). See also: Deuteronomy 10:12-13; Isaiah 1:11-17; Matthew 5:23-24.
{A} Paul sums this up in Romans 12:1-2. Note down what is involved in true, spiritual worship here? Is there any part of your life which is not being included in this total offering?
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{B} God has promised to bless those who serve him - Exodus 23:25-26; 1 Samuel 7:3. What are the conditions attached to this blessing? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
{C} Sometimes we need to reconcile God's promise to bless with our failure to receive his blessing. When we don't get all that we want, is it necessary to conclude that our faith or our service is deficient?
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{D} Worship and service often spring from a joyful awareness of how good is our God. Looking at the surrounding verses, why do you think David and Job worshipped in the following situations: 2 Samuel 12:19-20; Job 1:20-21? How does this help us in our response to 'bad ' times?
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Study 10
`Worship the Lord in thesplendour of his holiness'
Psalm 29
David wants to ensure that God is worshipped for who he really is, and to help us in this instance he uses the analogy of a storm to try to convey God's power and might.
{A} Notice what aspects of God's character he's concerned about in his call to worship in verses 1:2. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
{B} He then sums up the activity of God in the phrase `the voice of God'. Try to imagine the scenes described. What is the impact of them? How far is there a parallel between the build-up and passage of a storm and the descriptions in these verses? Why do you think David chose those particular pictures? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ While all his mighty creation trembles at his voice, let us join with all those in his temple to proclaim `Glory to God'!
{C} Bearing in mind the dramatic descriptions of the might of God, what do verses 10 and 11 mean to his people? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Take some time to worship God, remembering what he is like, and what he has done. Use the themes you've looked at this week from Scripture to help you frame your worship and exalt our Redeemer, the King of kings and Lord of lords.
{D} Having looked in Scripture at how the Lord wishes us to worship him, think of the opportunities you have when you 'focus in worship'.
What changes, if any, would need to be made, perhaps in the method of worship, perhaps in your attitudes to worship? It may be necessary and helpful to spend time analysing your pattern of worship at present, both communally and in your daily life. Is your idea of worship too limited, or even too `spiritual? _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
{E} Some people say that worship is a private affair and therefore it is not necessary to go to church.
What is your response too this, in the light of the effect worship should have on our whole lives? How can the very practical helping of a neighbour be part of worship?
What has your work or study got to do with worship?
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