WORSHIP

Blog & Resources
Something Has To Change

Something Has To Change

“Something has to change.” That’s what I thought as November came to an end. I was sitting down to spend time with God and a part of me didn’t want to be there. And I didn’t know what to do about it. It was such a change from the summer. In the summer, I experienced...

Fireflies

Fireflies

Fireflies...or as we used to call them, “lightning bugs”, are incredibly interesting little creations of God. These tiny bugs would essentially go unnoticed were it not for the fact that they light up. But, because they do, this seemingly insignificant insect becomes...

Expressions Of Worship

Expressions Of Worship

So, how do we worship God? What does it look like? The short answer is, it looks different for everyone! Worship is ultimately not a single act but a lifestyle, the outward manifestation of a heart that treasures God above all else. Worship is expressed by the things...

WHAT IS WORSHIP?

Worship of God is not just something we do ten minutes a week prior to the weekend sermon. In fact, worship of God is much more than just praying and singing to Him. From a Biblical perspective, worship of God involves treasuring Him above all else. It is a life posture of honoring God through obedience and acknowledgment of His worth. “Worship is our response to God, both personally and corporately, for who He is and what He has done; expressed in and by the things we say and the way we live”. —Louie Giglio

WORSHIP IS HEART-BASED

No matter what form worship takes, authentic worship of God is always first and foremost a matter of the heart. It springs from our heart’s desire to express the supreme worth of God. In Matthew 15:8-9 Jesus said, “This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me.” From Jesus’ perspective, when the heart is not fully engaged, worship is empty and meaningless.

WORSHIP IS GOD-CENTERED

Jesus warned about self-centered worship (Matthew 6:5-16). Worship ultimately is not about us and what we get out of it. It’s not about how good our voice is, how polished our prayers are, how talented the worship band is, etc. We must remember that worship is all about God. Whatever expression worship takes, authentic worship is always God-focused and God-centered.

WHY DO WE WORSHIP?

Worship of God can be an emotional, adrenaline-producing experience. However, the same can be said about cheering for our favorite sports team. So why do we do this thing called worship? Here are several compelling reasons for why we worship God:

We worship God out of love for Him.

When we understand and feel the love of God for us we can’t help but respond in love back
to Him.

We worship God because He is worthy.

He created and sustains all things, it is by His will they exist.
When we see His value the only right response is worship
and adoration.

We worship God because it pleases Him.

Created in the image of God, humanity is the one creature that has the ability to move and bless the heart of God in praise.

We worship God out of reverence.

To revere someone is to place the highest value on them, setting them as first in our lives. This is what it means to worship God out of reverence.

1. We worship God because He is worthy.

He created and sustains all things, it is by His will they exist.
When we see His value the only right response is worship
and adoration.

2. We worship God out of reverence.

To revere someone is to place the highest value on them, setting them as first in our lives. This is what it means to worship God out of reverence.

3. We worship God out of love for Him.

When we understand and feel the love of God for us we can’t help but respond in love back
to Him.

4. We worship God because it pleases Him.

Created in the image of God, humanity is the one creature that has the ability to move and bless the heart of God in praise.

HOW DO WE WORSHIP?

Many of us get a weekly dose of corporate worship during weekend church services. That’s awesome! But since worship is a lifestyle and not just a weekly event, how do we worship God the other six days of the week? What does it look like? The short answer is, it looks different for everyone! Here are a few ideas to get you started with personal worship:

Worship God in a quiet place.

Create some solitude in a place where you can be alone with God to share your heart, offer your praise and hear His voice. Meet with Him there on a regular basis.

Worship God on the go.

Try praying to God during your daily jog. Listen to worship music as you’re driving to work or mowing the lawn. There is room for God in our busy lifestyles!

Worship God through creation.

Majestic mountains, a beautiful sunset, a baby’s tiny toes, a fearsome storm, a squirrel perched on a tree branch, a colorful rainbow… all of God’s creation can lead us in awe to His throne.

Worship God with your lifestyle.

Did you know that serving and obeying God is an act of worship? Paul referred to this as a “living sacrifice,” which he called our “true and proper worship” (Romans 12:1).

HOW DO WE WORSHIP

Many of us get a weekly dose of corporate worship during weekend church services. That’s awesome! But since worship is a lifestyle and not just a weekly event, how do we worship God the other six days of the week? What does it look like? The short answer is, it looks different for everyone! Here are a few ideas to get you started with personal worship:

Worship God in a quiet place.

Create some solitude in a place where you can be alone with God to share your heart, offer your praise and hear His voice. Meet with Him there on a regular basis.

Worship God on the go.

Try praying to God during your daily jog. Listen to worship music as you’re driving to work or mowing the lawn. There is room for God in our busy lifestyles!

Worship God through creation.

Majestic mountains, a beautiful sunset, a baby’s tiny toes, a fearsome storm, a squirrel perched on a tree branch, a colorful rainbow… all of God’s creation can lead us in awe to His throne.

Worship God with your lifestyle.

Did you know that serving and obeying God is an act of worship? Paul referred to this as a “living sacrifice,” which he called our “true and proper worship” (Romans 12:1).

WORSHIP RESOURCES

Family Resources

Books

Parenting in the Pew: Guiding Your Children into the Joy of Worship by Robbie Fox Castleman. Helpful reading for parents who want to help children make joyful noises unto the Lord.

Teaching Kids Authentic Worship: How to Keep Them Close to God for Life by Kathleen Chapman. Includes fifty two worship moments that help children and adults focus exclusively on God and learn about him. These creative moments take the form of singing, hand movements, dance, crafts, games, writing, drama, and more.

Faith-Filled Moments: Helping Kids See God in Everyday Life by Kelli Trujillo. Unlike scheduled family devotion times, these ideas can be woven into any moment of the day. Includes a wide variety of approaches like games, crafts, cooking, object lessons, drawing, and encounters with nature, as well as everyday activities like riding in the car, walking, getting dressed, listening to music, or bathing.

Worship Music For Kids…

Hillsong Kids – Cutting edge live kids worship recordings from Australia with both upbeat and slower songs.
Yancy – Spunky rock-type worship for kids of all ages with Yancy Richmond.
Shout Praises Kids – High quality music sung by kids and adult leaders with a wide spread of familiar mainstream worship songs.

 Worship Music For teens…

Rend Collective – Camp Fire II
There is a Cloud by Elevation Worship
Housefires I, II, and III

Books on Worship

Worship: The Ultimate Priority by John F. MacArthur Jr. Worship is so much more than what is sung or played in church on Sunday morning. John MacArthur takes you step by step in a discovery of who and how to worship. This book makes it Biblically clear that worship is all about how we prioritize and live our daily lives to honor and glorify God. Make worship your ultimate priority!

True Worshipers: Seeking What Matters to God by Bob Kauflin. In True Worshipers, Bob Kauflin, a seasoned pastor and musician, opens our eyes to the massive significance of being the type of worshiper God is seeking. Rooted in the gospel of grace and filled with practical application, this book aims to connect Sunday morning to the rest of your life—helping you fulfill your calling to be a true worshiper each and every day.

Intercessory Worship by Dick Eastman. A glorious spiritual awakening is on the horizon, sparked by the combustible mix of worship and prayer. Dick Eastman calls this combination “intercessory worship,” and in this one-of-a-kind guidebook, he explains how
worship-saturated prayer rises like a fragrance before God’s throne to declare His glory and reign over all circumstances, relationships and governments—and he shows readers how to engage in life-transforming intercessory worship.

The Purpose of Man: Designed to Worship by A.W. Tozer. A preacher at heart, Tozer found his greatest joy in practicing the presence of God. Worship was his focus and his passion. His sermons were such a strong declaration of what he discovered during private prayer and worship of God that he was able to move his listeners to wrestle with what God was saying to the Church.

Worship Music
  • Elevation – Here as in Heaven

  • Matt Redman – Facedown

  • Bethel Worship – We Will Not Be Shaken

  • Hillsong United – Zion