Part 1 - Worship
Discussion Guide
We tend to think of worship as a song set in the weekly service, or something we can watch but not take part in doing. Real worship—worship in spirit and in truth—comes from a heart that is earnestly seeking God throughout the days and weeks. It’s not limited to an hour at the church building. This week, we are challenged to build an altar and worship continually with our lives.
What you will need: A Bible or your Bible app, a notebook, pen, and highlighter. The verses highlighted below are linked so that you can easily access them during your study time.
Jump Start
1. Where are you bold to do something that is hard for others? Where are you shy or afraid about something that is not considered difficult by others?
2. Read Hebrews 9:24-26, 10:19-23. Jesus Christ entered into God’s presence with what? What has that accomplished for us? How does that affect your life and what benefits has that gained you, as a believer in Jesus?
3. Read Hebrews 13:15, Psalm 69:30, and Psalm 105:1-2. What things are we told/commanded to do in these verses? What does this mean to you? Which comes easily and which is more difficult for you? Have you ever spontaneously started singing to God because you felt so loved and blessed? Have you ever made up a little song or ditty to express your love and gratitude to God? What are other ways you can offer up praise to God?
4. Read 2 Samuel 24:24 and Psalm 119:46. Do you agree with David’s sentiment about sacrifice? What do you consider one of the costliest things, the thing that prevents you from talking about Jesus or continuously praising God before everyone in your life? How do you feel about the concept of building an altar of your own to God?
5. Action Step: “Building an altar” for worshipping God will cost you: effort, time, focus. It will take consistency. It will mean you have to become a leader, maybe in your family or your group of friends. It will mean you will be in a fight: it won’t all be unicorns and rainbows just because you have made a commitment to Jesus. Sacrificing will lead to embarrassment in some situations. It will always cost you. Where are you unwilling to bring a sacrifice to the altar of God? Share if you will. Ask for suggestions about how to make this a priority in your life this week.
Deeper
Throughout the Old Testament, when the Spirit of God was not present in the hearts of most of the followers of God (but only on a few anointed people), the altar was the place of communion with God. Long before the Tabernacle, the patriarchs and prophets built altars to honor and worship the Lord.
We should all have altar-building moments in our faith journey. Take a look at these passages. Why was the altar built? What did it cost its builder? How did God respond? How does this apply to my life?
Genesis 12:4-9:
Joshua 4:
Genesis 8:20-22:
1 Kings 18:30 (Or feel free to read 1 Kings 18:20-40):
Exodus 17:9-16: