SESSION ONE
FALSE WORSHIP
What is worship? Your answer to this question has been influenced by your life
experiences.
FALSE WORSHIP
What is worship? Your answer to this question has been influenced by your life
experiences.
You may remember worship at the temple and shrine during New Year’s.
Your image of worship may include dancing in front of the mikoshi (portable shrine)
during a festival in your community. Or worship may cause you to think about burning
Your image of worship may include dancing in front of the mikoshi (portable shrine)
during a festival in your community. Or worship may cause you to think about burning
incense and praying before your family altar. Is bowing before a statue of Buddha true
worship? Is praying before your ancestors at the family altar true worship?
Your understanding of worship also has been shaped by your experiences as a Christian.
These include worship with large groups, worship with small groups and individual
worship when you spend time alone with God. When you gather with other Christians to
sing, pray and listen to God’s Word, but think about something other than God, is that
true worship? How about when you pray, but you feel like God is not hearing you? Is that
true worship?
Small Group Discussion
1. Based on your religious experience, how would you define true worship?
2. Read John 4:21-24
In John 4, Jesus was talking with a Samaritan woman about spiritual life. Jesus told her
that if she asked him, he would give her the gift of eternal life. Then Jesus talked with the
woman about worship. Jesus wants the listener to know about true worship. Jesus
explains what true worship is not, and then he talks about what true worship is. During
this session we will learn about what is not true worship. Then during session two we will
learn about what true worship is.
Jesus says that true worship is not dependent on location. The Samaritan woman
brought up a heated argument taking place between the Jews and the Samaritans at that
time. The Jews said that the proper place to worship God was in the temple in Jerusalem.
But the Samaritans had been their own temple on Mount Gerazim in Samaria and said
that God should be worshiped there. Jesus said, “A time is coming when you will
worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem” (John 4:21). In other
words, the issue of where God is worshiped really does not matter. What is important
is the spiritual condition of those who worship God.
Religion emphasizes the importance of place for worship. Muslims, for example, are
required to make a pilgrimage to Mecca once during their lifetime. Muslims gather for
prayer each Friday in Mosques. And they pray five times each day facing Mecca, the
geographical center of their faith. Hindus, Buddhists and Shintoists go to temples and
shrines to worship. This is because the place of worship is considered to be the dwelling
place of the god. In order to meet the god, they believe that they must go where he lives.
Even some Christians think of church buildings as God’s house. So they believe that
they must go to the church building to meet God and worship Him.
The Bible teaches, “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of
heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands.” (Acts 17:24)
God does not live in temples, shrines and church buildings. Rather, God lives in the
hearts of His people. God is with you everywhere you go. The Bible says, “Don’t you
know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?” (1
Corinthians 3:16) Since God is always with you, it is possible for you to worship God
anywhere, anytime. Christians can gather in large groups to worship God at church
buildings, rented halls, parks and even athletic stadiums. They can meet in small groups
in houses, apartments, restaurants and karaoke boxes. You can have your private worship
with God at home, at your office, or even on the train. Wherever you go, God is already
there waiting for you, ready to enjoy time with you.
Small Group Application
1. Read Psalm 139:7-10:
“Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea,
Even there your hand will guide me, you right hand will hold me fast.”
Tell how you would apply the meaning of this Scripture to your everyday life.
2. What are some places that your small group could meet? Make a plan to meet the
next time at a new location that you have never used before.
Jesus said that true worship is not dependent on a person’s circumstances. Both the
Jews and the Samaritans thought they were the only people who could worship God.
Other people have emphasized that true worship is dependent on a particular language orculture. “If people are going to really worship God,” they say, “Then people must dress a
certain way and act a certain way and use a certain style of music.” But Jesus taught that
all of these issues are secondary. What is really important is that the heart of the
worshiper is turned towards God. This is what Jesus meant when He said,
“A time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father
in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is Spirit,
and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:23-24)
Personal Application
Do a Bible study on John 4:21-24. Before you begin the study, ask God to teach you
the truth about Himself and you. Ask Him to show you the truth about worship. Ask
the following five questions when you study the passage. You may want to write
your answers down so that you can remember them.
1. What does this passage teach me about God?
2. What does this passage teach me about human beings?
3. What does this passage teach me about the relationship between God and human
beings?
4. What does this passage teach me about worship?
5. How can apply what I have learned to worship in my own life?
SESSION TWO
TRUE WORSHIP
Small Group Discussion
1. What did God teach you through the personal application last week?
2. Read John 4:23-24
In these verses Jesus is talking about what true worship is. Jesus makes four main
points.
First, true worship is based on God’s desire for you to worship Him. Jesus said that
God the Father seeks true worshipers. According to Ephesians 1:5-6,
“God predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance
with his will and pleasure—to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely
given in the One he loves.”
This verse teaches that God chose to make you His child through Jesus Christ. The reason
that God did this is because He wanted you to “praise His glorious grace!” God wants to
bless you so that you will thank Him and praise Him. God wants you to see His glory so
that you will worship Him. Jesus said that the purpose of life is to give praise to God:
“Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your
Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)
Second, true worship is based on the condition of your heart. You must be prepared
to worship God. Jesus said that God desires a person who will worship God “in spirit
and in truth.” (John 4: 23, 24) This means that God seeks the person whose heart is right
with God. This is why Jesus said,
“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your
brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go
and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.” (Matthew 5:23-24)
When you have a relationship problem with another person, it will affect your
worship. So if you are trying to worship God and realize that someone has
something against you, you need to try to reconcile your relationship with that
person. Jesus did not say that you should only try to reconcile a relationship if you are
the one at fault. Sometimes the relationship problem is the other person’s fault. But even
in that case as a Christian it is your responsibility to try to restore the relationship.
This may not be easy. The other person may be very angry and not want to talk with you.
In many cases, the person will not understand forgiveness because he or she has never
experienced forgiveness. You cannot control the reaction of the other person. You can
only control what you will say and do. You may feel weak and afraid. Pray to God for strength and courage. Since it is God’s will for you to do this, He will give you thecourage that you need if you will trust in Him.If the other person refuses to restore the relationship, do not let this discourage you.
You have honored God by trying to do His will. You can worship God with a clearconscience.
Small Group Application
Are there any relationship problems in your small group that are having a negative
effect on your group’s worship? Now is the time to begin to reconcile those
relationships. This includes confessing sin to one another, asking one another’s
forgiveness, and praying together for God’s forgiveness. “First go and be reconciled
to your brother; then come and offer your gift.”
Third, true worship happens when you connect with God through His Spirit. This is
what Jesus means when He says that you must worship God “in Spirit.” (John 4:23, 24)
When you became a Christian, the Holy Spirit came to live in you. Since the Holy Spirit
is God’s own Spirit, He forms a connecting link between you and God. The Holy Spirit
enables you to relate with God personally in a parent-child relationship.
“Those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a
spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And
by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are
God’s children.” (Romans 8:14-16)
Although you are a Christian, your relationship with God may have a problem. If you
have committed a sin, it can form a barrier between you and God. In this case, in order to
worship God “in Spirit,” you need to confess your sin to God and ask for His forgiveness.
The Bible promises,
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us
from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
Fourth, true worship must be based on the truth of God’s Word. Jesus said that you
must not only worship God “in Spirit,” you must also worship God “in Truth.” (John
4:23, 24) You must read the Bible in order to understand what it teaches about God and
how to worship Him. Every page of the Bible teaches something about the character of
God. The more you study the Bible, the more you will know about Him. And the more
you know God, the more you will be inspired to worship Him. If you like to learn more
about how to study the Bible and apply it to your everyday life, see the Toolbox units,
Basic Bible Study and Character Bible Studies.
TRUE WORSHIP
Small Group Discussion
1. What did God teach you through the personal application last week?
2. Read John 4:23-24
In these verses Jesus is talking about what true worship is. Jesus makes four main
points.
First, true worship is based on God’s desire for you to worship Him. Jesus said that
God the Father seeks true worshipers. According to Ephesians 1:5-6,
“God predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance
with his will and pleasure—to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely
given in the One he loves.”
This verse teaches that God chose to make you His child through Jesus Christ. The reason
that God did this is because He wanted you to “praise His glorious grace!” God wants to
bless you so that you will thank Him and praise Him. God wants you to see His glory so
that you will worship Him. Jesus said that the purpose of life is to give praise to God:
“Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your
Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)
Second, true worship is based on the condition of your heart. You must be prepared
to worship God. Jesus said that God desires a person who will worship God “in spirit
and in truth.” (John 4: 23, 24) This means that God seeks the person whose heart is right
with God. This is why Jesus said,
“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your
brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go
and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.” (Matthew 5:23-24)
When you have a relationship problem with another person, it will affect your
worship. So if you are trying to worship God and realize that someone has
something against you, you need to try to reconcile your relationship with that
person. Jesus did not say that you should only try to reconcile a relationship if you are
the one at fault. Sometimes the relationship problem is the other person’s fault. But even
in that case as a Christian it is your responsibility to try to restore the relationship.
This may not be easy. The other person may be very angry and not want to talk with you.
In many cases, the person will not understand forgiveness because he or she has never
experienced forgiveness. You cannot control the reaction of the other person. You can
only control what you will say and do. You may feel weak and afraid. Pray to God for strength and courage. Since it is God’s will for you to do this, He will give you thecourage that you need if you will trust in Him.If the other person refuses to restore the relationship, do not let this discourage you.
You have honored God by trying to do His will. You can worship God with a clearconscience.
Small Group Application
Are there any relationship problems in your small group that are having a negative
effect on your group’s worship? Now is the time to begin to reconcile those
relationships. This includes confessing sin to one another, asking one another’s
forgiveness, and praying together for God’s forgiveness. “First go and be reconciled
to your brother; then come and offer your gift.”
Third, true worship happens when you connect with God through His Spirit. This is
what Jesus means when He says that you must worship God “in Spirit.” (John 4:23, 24)
When you became a Christian, the Holy Spirit came to live in you. Since the Holy Spirit
is God’s own Spirit, He forms a connecting link between you and God. The Holy Spirit
enables you to relate with God personally in a parent-child relationship.
“Those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a
spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And
by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are
God’s children.” (Romans 8:14-16)
Although you are a Christian, your relationship with God may have a problem. If you
have committed a sin, it can form a barrier between you and God. In this case, in order to
worship God “in Spirit,” you need to confess your sin to God and ask for His forgiveness.
The Bible promises,
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us
from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
Fourth, true worship must be based on the truth of God’s Word. Jesus said that you
must not only worship God “in Spirit,” you must also worship God “in Truth.” (John
4:23, 24) You must read the Bible in order to understand what it teaches about God and
how to worship Him. Every page of the Bible teaches something about the character of
God. The more you study the Bible, the more you will know about Him. And the more
you know God, the more you will be inspired to worship Him. If you like to learn more
about how to study the Bible and apply it to your everyday life, see the Toolbox units,
Basic Bible Study and Character Bible Studies.
Personal Application
Ask God to guide you as you answer the following questions about yourself.
1. Is there a sin in my life that is preventing me from truly worshiping God? If so,
confess the sin to God and ask for his forgiveness.
2. Is there a broken relationship that is preventing me from truly worshiping God?
If so, make a plan to talk with the other person this week. Ask God for his wisdom
and courage as you carry out this plan.
3. Do I feel God calling me to make worship a higher priority in my life? If so, what
do I need to eliminate in order to make more time to worship God?
Ask God to guide you as you answer the following questions about yourself.
1. Is there a sin in my life that is preventing me from truly worshiping God? If so,
confess the sin to God and ask for his forgiveness.
2. Is there a broken relationship that is preventing me from truly worshiping God?
If so, make a plan to talk with the other person this week. Ask God for his wisdom
and courage as you carry out this plan.
3. Do I feel God calling me to make worship a higher priority in my life? If so, what
do I need to eliminate in order to make more time to worship God?
Comments
Post a Comment