23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth. (John 4:23-24)
We had great comments again yesterday. If you missed them I encourage you to check them out.
Today Libby has a letter about worship from Bronwyn. As a reminder, you will play the part of Libby and share your thoughts on the challenges people are facing. Libby is not expected to be an expert. Rather, Libby simply shares from personal and practical experiences. So, please feel free to chime in even if you have questions yourself. Also, even if you don’t have the time to share, think about how you have addressed the challenge in your life or how you would address it in the life of a loved one.
Please review the Bible passage above and Bronwyn’s challenge below.
Dear Libby,
I know that worship is about more than what occurs in church. However, group worship is important to me and I get confused by the debates about forms of group worship. There are so many variations: traditional, modern, liturgical, etc.
I am naturally a very reserved person. I know I shouldn’t do this but sometimes I compare myself to how other people worship and I feel spiritually “inferior”.
My question is very straightforward. Where corporate worship is concerned, how much does form matter?
Seeking clarification,
Bronwyn
Today’s Question:
What thoughts would you like to share with Bronwyn?
March 28, 2017 at 6:38 am
Dear Bronwyn,
When I was first out of college I went to a church that had a different worship style than I was used to. I remember feeling displayed and becoming easily distracted by all that was going on around me. So much so that I became a spectator and at time questioned my acts of worship.
One Sunday one of my older brothers was in town for a visit and joined us for church. He’s naturally reserved so when I noticed he was quietly praying and worshipping I later asked how he was able to do that. He responded with something I’ve remembered for over 20 years.
The principle I learned that day and continue to learn: Worship is personal. Authentic worship is individual. Regardless of what is going on around you God is your audience and knows your heart.
March 28, 2017 at 11:32 am
Great Answer.
March 28, 2017 at 10:01 am
For me I feel worshiping the Lord really involves a sincere heart. First, to worship my God I need to humble myself, really committing the moment to glorify, praise and thank him. When I worship the Lord at church like singing praises and thanking him for everything and especially for all his provisions , I close my eyes while singing and/or praying/ giving thanks and praises to God, and at that precious moment I feel like I’m in front of my God blessing me and is pleased with the way I acknowlege and honor him as my creator, savior of my life. When I worship, my heart, soul and mind are just focused on Christ, giving all my attention to
Him that I don’t even have time to notice how others are worshiping. What I mean is that every believer has his own way of worshiping and because you have your full attention and goal to glorify God, there’s no time to compare or see how others in the church worship God. Worshiping God is such an important time for me to give back and do what pleases my God.
March 28, 2017 at 11:37 am
I notice the same thing that Libby feels but you explained that worship is done best with eyes closed so you don’t get distracted. Such good advice.
Maybe they could turn off lights sometimes ): People are easily distracted by over zealous worshipers and closing your eyes certainly helps.
March 29, 2017 at 8:05 am
Amen!
March 28, 2017 at 10:57 am
Dear Bronwyn,
Through my family and from the various places I’ve lived, I’ve been exposed to a variety of forms of worship. I came to realize a trend -I would connect more deeply to contemporary worship songs than to traditional hymns. I wondered why this was the case -was is that contemporary worship “worked” better for me? I don’t believe this was the case. The truth is that I hadn’t been focusing on the only requirements needed for true, heartfelt worship, which are stated in this passage: worship must be done “in the Spirit” and “in truth.” Thinking that one form is better over another is placing way too much importance on the music or those who are leading worship. As Matt Redman says in Heart of Worship, “when the music fades, and all is stripped away,” all that remains in worship is “the Spirit” and “truth.” As long as you engage with these two requirements, I believe the form of corporate worship can be anything from singing ten verse long hymnals to repeating the same line over and over again from a Hillsong song.
Sincerely,
Natalie
March 29, 2017 at 8:10 am
Very insightful, thank you 🙂