Study Guide and Daily Devotion
This weeks study guide focuses on the need for people to worship God as the first act of fulfilling God's purpose for us.
Monday, September 12
Read Psalm 24. Humans are worshipping creatures, reaching beyond themselves,
knowing that something else exists that our physical senses cannot comprehend.
We desire to know this awesome and mysterious power that has given us life
and a place in the universe. More than this, there is an intimate need to
affirm what is and say “Yes!” to the one who brings it all. Your
primary purpose is to give adoration to God. In worship you reorient yourself
to the presence of God and to his ways. Do you think that worship helps you
put God first in your life? How are you different when you give adoration
to God?
Tuesday, September 13
Read Psalm 63. The psalmist can’t get enough of God. God rescued him
and he feels praise. When you feel like giving praise for something how do
you usually do it? Your purpose is to express your heartfelt joy in the presence
of God’s saving love. Worship is meant as a place to express joy with
others. Which parts of worship allow you to be most involved in sharing your
praise? Do you feel inhibited or free in expressing your praise in church?
Is there a value in giving praise to God, even when you don’t feel like
it? How do you best express your praise to God? Why does your praise make
God smile?
Wednesday, September 14
Worship is a drama where the saving acts of God are rehearsed. Read Leviticus
16:15-22. The Israelites’ worship was a drama rehearsing the way that
God turns aside from our transgressions and restores us to a right relationship
with God. The early Christians worshipped Jesus who is the “lamb of
God who takes away the sins of the world.” When you join in worship,
you are brought into the sacred drama of God’s redeeming love. Because
people are prone to forget, you will need a regular reminder. You cannot be
fulfilled if you lose sight of God’s acceptance and love for you. What
is the sacred story of confession and forgiveness that is dramatized in worship?
How do you best make your confession in worship? How does Christ’s sacrifice
for you inform your purpose?
Thursday, September 15
Worship builds up a sense of connectedness with others in shared dedication
to God. Read Ephesians 5:18-20. Worship also is a time to surrender yourself
before God so that God’s Spirit can fill you. In your worship, find
ways of being conscious of your own purpose, sacrifice and offering that you
make in your daily living. Worship involves the whole person. All your senses
come into play. Hearing is a part of the music, song and spoken word. Vision
takes in the architecture of the space. Smell is a part of the candles, incense,
and scented oils. Touch is experienced in the baptismal waters and anointing
oil. Taste is a part of Holy Communion. There is no one Christian way to worship.
There are many different styles and people have many different preferences.
Which style of worship do you find most meaningful? Are you willing to bend
your own preferences if it would bring someone new into the worshipping community?
Friday, September 16
In worship we pray together. Read Luke 11:1-4. Prayer is the act of turning
your will over to God’s. Soon our church will begin a new Sunday morning
worship service called “The Gathering.” This service is intended
to reach new people by making our church more accessible during the 9:00 –
11:00 peak worshipping hours on Sunday morning. Please offer up your prayers
that we will invite people to find their path to God through “The Gathering.”
First
United Methodist Church 