Inspiring Worship
Session 1:
Defining Worship
Welcome!
Gathering Worship
• What, if anything has surprised you or
struck you anew in this passage today?
• Jesus offers ‘living water’ to the
Samaritan woman. What is life-giving to
you?
• What does worshipping in ‘spirit and in
truth’ mean to you?
What is Worship?
How would you
define worship?
Oxford Compact Dictionary
Noun:
1. Homage or reverence paid to a deity.
2. The acts, rites or ceremonies of worship.
3. Adoration or devotion shown towards a
person or principle.
Verb:
1. Adore as divine: honour with religious rites.
2. Regard with adoration.
3. Attend public worship.
4. Be full of adoration.
Biblical use
Hebrew:
1. Shachah - To bow self down (vast majority of
uses).
2. Abad - To serve (just 5 occurrences).
Greek:
1. Proskuneo - To kiss (the hand), also – to
prostate oneself.
2. Latreo - To worship publically (just 4 occurrences
- Acts and Epistles).
Worship in Old Testament:
Old Testament:
• Ritual of the temple – though not restricted
to the temple
• Liturgy has an important place – Psalms
(liturgy means – ‘the work of the people’)
Worship in New Testament:
New Testament:
• Emphasis on worship being a lifestyle not
just something you ‘do’ (John 4:23-24)
• Worship is a part of being community and an
integral part of that community’s life (Acts 2)
• Through our worship, we can join in with the
worship in heaven (Revelation 4)
Worship in tradition:
See sheet of quotes
Worship in reason:
Private & public worship?
Worship in reason:
Elements of worship:
• Praise
• Adoration
• Thanksgiving
• Confession
• Petition
• Intercession
• Teaching/learning
• Exploration
• Response
CPD: Tasks of Worship Leaders
681 Responsibilities of Worship Leaders.
(1)Worship leaders are called of God, to be worthy in character
and to assist in leading God’s people in worship. This
places responsibilities on worship leaders.
(2) As to worship, it is the responsibility of worship leaders:
(i) to help lead worship with knowledge, conviction and
competence;
(ii) to help lead worship in accordance with our doctrines (the
term ‘our doctrines’ refers to those truths of salvation which
are set forth in the Methodist doctrinal standards);
(iii) to be available to help lead worship at times and places
agreed with the Superintendent in accordance with Standing
Order 683(4).
CPD:
(3) As to fellowship and training, it is the responsibility of
worship leaders:
(i) to continue to develop in knowledge, conviction and
competence;
(ii) to attend a class, housegroup or similar fellowship group if
possible.
(4) As to membership of the Local Church, it is the
responsibility of worship leaders regularly to attend public
worship in their Local Church, normally a Methodist church or
an approved local ecumenical partnership, and to receive the
Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper.
QUICK BREAK !
Worship in experience:
• What kinds of worship might you be asked to
lead/plan or participate in?
Worship praticalities:
• Exploring praise and adoration
• Exploring intercession
• Exploring response
Homework!
• Create your own definition of worship
• Observe two acts of worship
• Breakdown and identify the different
aspects of worship and how they were
delivered
Questions &
Closing Prayer