“Bring My sons from afar and My daughters from the ends of the earth, Everyone who is called by My name, And whom I have created for My glory, Whom I have formed, even whom I have made” (Is. 43:6-7).

“Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created” (Rev. 4:11).

• According to these Scriptures, why were you created?
• In contrast - what does the world say that you were created for?
• What does your culture or family say you are created for?

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” (Mark 12:30).

• How can you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength? 
• What’s an example of you using your heart for God?
• Your mind for God? 
• Your soul for God? Your strength for God?

“Come, let us worship and bow down, Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. For He is our God, And we are the people of His pasture and the sheep of His hand. Today, if you would hear His voice…” (Ps. 95:6-7).

• According to these Scriptures, what are you called to do?
• What do you think an attitude of bowing down and kneeling looks like? 
• Why do you think we should have an attitude of bowing down and kneeling? 
• What does this look like for you each day?

A. We worship in Spirit and in truth.

“But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers.  God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:23-24).

• How are true worshipers supposed to worship the Father according to this verse?
• Who does the Father seek to be His worshipers?
• What does it mean to worship God in Spirit? and in truth? 
• When have you worshiped God in Spirit and truth? 

B. We worship with different expressions

The book of Psalms provides a worship manual for us as followers of Jesus.  There are many expressions of worship to the Lord in Psalms.  This includes singing, clapping, lifting our hands, standing, shouting, testifying, confessing, meditating, dancing, using instruments, being silent and still (See Ps. 147:1, Ps 47: 1,2, Ps. 63:14, Ps. 33:8, Ps. 66:1-2, Ps. 95:6-7, Ps. 145:4-6, Ps. 32:5, Ps. 145:5, Ps. 149: 2-5, Ps. 150:3-6, Ps. 46:10, Ps. 62:5).  

• Which expressions of worship are you comfortable with?
• Which expressions of worship would you like to try?

“So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need” (Acts 2:41-44).

• According to this passage, what did the early disciples devote themselves to?
• How important was fellowship, community and sharing their lives together?  
• How was this demonstrated?

As they were deeply united, God was at work.

• Describe the atmosphere and the activities of the church at this time. 
• How does your church imitate the example of these first disciples? How are we similar and how are we different?

The early church devoted themselves to ‘breaking ‘bread’ together that is sharing the Lords’ Supper.  The Lord’s Supper (Communion) is both an expression of worship and fellowship. It demonstrates our devotion to Christ and Christ’s body, the church.

“For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread;  and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes” (I Cor. 11:23-26).

Five Things We Do When We Share The Lord’s Supper

1. We give thanks for Christ’s blood and body given to redeem us.
2. We celebrate our unity with other believers as one body.
3. We examine ourselves and turn away from any sin in our lives.
4. We remember (meditate on) what our Lord Jesus did at the cross for us.
5. We proclaim the Lord’s death and look forward to His return.

 

• Are any of these 5 new ideas for you? 
• Which one sticks out to you? 
• How can you meditate on that one the next time you take communion?  

There is “big church” and midweek “little church” or community groups/small groups.

“Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved” Acts 2:46-47.

• What was the result of the early church meeting in the temple and “house to house”?
• Where are you connected to a mid-week community group/small group?
• How are you fellowshipping with other believers outside of Sunday mornings?