Inspiring WorshipInspiring Worship

Session 1:Session 1:

Defining WorshipDefining Worship

Welcome!Welcome!

• What, if anything has surprised you or What, if anything has surprised you or struck you anew in this passage struck you anew in this passage today?today?

• Jesus offers ‘living water’ to the Jesus offers ‘living water’ to the Samaritan woman. What is life-giving Samaritan woman. What is life-giving to you?to you?

• What does worshipping in ‘spirit and in What does worshipping in ‘spirit and in truth’ mean to you?truth’ mean to you?

Gathering Gathering Worship Worship

What is What is Worship?Worship?How would How would you you

define define worship?worship?

Oxford Compact DictionaryNoun:Noun:1.1.Homage or reverence paid to a deity.Homage or reverence paid to a deity.2.2.The acts, rites or ceremonies of worship.The acts, rites or ceremonies of worship.3.3.Adoration or devotion shown towards a Adoration or devotion shown towards a person or principle.person or principle.Verb:Verb:1.1.Adore as divine: honour with religious Adore as divine: honour with religious rites.rites.2.2.Regard with adoration.Regard with adoration.3.3.Attend public worship.Attend public worship.4.4.Be full of adoration.Be full of adoration.

Biblical useHebrew:Hebrew:1.1.Shachah - To bow self down (vast Shachah - To bow self down (vast majority of uses).majority of uses).2.2.Abad - To serve (just 5 occurrences).Abad - To serve (just 5 occurrences).

Greek:Greek:1.1.Proskuneo - To kiss (the hand), also – to Proskuneo - To kiss (the hand), also – to prostate oneself.prostate oneself.2.2.Latreo - To worship publically (just 4 Latreo - To worship publically (just 4 occurrences - Acts and Epistles).occurrences - Acts and Epistles).

Worship in Old Testament:

Old Testament:Old Testament:•Ritual of the temple – though not Ritual of the temple – though not restricted to the templerestricted to the temple•Liturgy has an important place – Liturgy has an important place – Psalms (liturgy means – ‘the work of Psalms (liturgy means – ‘the work of the people’)the people’)

Worship in New Testament:

New Testament:New Testament:•Emphasis on worship being a lifestyle Emphasis on worship being a lifestyle not just something you ‘do’ (John 4:23-not just something you ‘do’ (John 4:23-24)24)•Worship is a part of being community Worship is a part of being community and an integral part of that and an integral part of that community’s life (Acts 2)community’s life (Acts 2)•Through our worship, we can join in Through our worship, we can join in with the worship in heaven (Revelation with the worship in heaven (Revelation 4)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 Leaders681 Responsibilities of Worship Leaders.681 Responsibilities of Worship Leaders.

(1)(1)Worship leaders are called of God, to be worthy in Worship leaders are called of God, to be worthy in character and to assist in leading God’s people in worship. character and to assist in leading God’s people in worship. This places responsibilities on worship leaders. This places responsibilities on worship leaders.

(2) As to worship, it is the responsibility of worship leaders: (2) As to worship, it is the responsibility of worship leaders:

(i) to help lead worship with knowledge, conviction and (i) to help lead worship with knowledge, conviction and competence; competence;

(ii) to help lead worship in accordance with our doctrines (ii) to help lead worship in accordance with our doctrines (the term ‘our doctrines’ refers to those truths of salvation (the term ‘our doctrines’ refers to those truths of salvation which are set forth in the Methodist doctrinal standards); which are set forth in the Methodist doctrinal standards);

(iii) to be available to help lead worship at times and (iii) to be available to help lead worship at times and places agreed with the Superintendent in accordance with places agreed with the Superintendent in accordance with Standing Order 683(4). Standing Order 683(4).

CPD:(3) As to fellowship and training, it is the (3) As to fellowship and training, it is the responsibility of worship leaders: responsibility of worship leaders:

(i) to continue to develop in knowledge, conviction (i) to continue to develop in knowledge, conviction and competence; and competence;

(ii) to attend a class, housegroup or similar (ii) to attend a class, housegroup or similar fellowship group if possible. fellowship group if possible.

(4) As to membership of the Local Church, it is the (4) As to membership of the Local Church, it is the responsibility of worship leaders regularly to attend responsibility of worship leaders regularly to attend public worship in their Local Church, normally a public worship in their Local Church, normally a Methodist church or an approved local ecumenical Methodist church or an approved local ecumenical partnership, and to receive the Sacrament of the partnership, and to receive the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. Lord’s Supper.

QUICK BREAK !

Worship in experience:

• What kinds of worship might you be What kinds of worship might you be asked to lead/plan or participate in? asked to lead/plan or participate in?

Worship praticalities:

• Exploring praise and Exploring praise and adorationadoration• Exploring intercessionExploring intercession• Exploring responseExploring response

• Create your own definition of Create your own definition of worshipworship

• Observe two acts of worshipObserve two acts of worship• Breakdown and identify the Breakdown and identify the

different aspects of worship and different aspects of worship and how they were deliveredhow they were delivered

Homework!

Questions &Questions &Closing Prayer Closing Prayer