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Elements of Christian Worship

Elements of Christian Worship

Goal - That we may understand the basics of our worship to God on Sunday morning and daily worship.

Desired Outcomes

1. Rejoice that Christ has freed us from the Law by His death and resurrection.

Desired Outcomes


2. Search the Scriptures to see the basic components of worship in the early Christian church.

Desired Outcomes


2. Search the Scriptures to see the basic components of worship in the early Christian church.

3. see the application of biblical texts and teachings in worship.

Prayer

God of grace, you have given us minds to know you, hearts to love you, and voices to sing your praise. Fill us with your Spirit, that we may celebrate your glory and worship you in spirit and truth, through Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord. Amen.

Catechism – Third Commandment

Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not despise preaching and His Word, but hold it sacred and gladly hear and learn it.

The standard of prayer is the standard of faith.

Attributed to Prosper of Aquitaine

Introduction

Janet has been your friend since you were in high school. She has little background in Christianity, but always was curious about your faith. Recently, she has become a Christian and is looking for a church to join. “I’m confused,” she says. “All of these churches say they are Christian, but they seem so different.” “They all have a worship service, but they all do different things.” “How can one religion have so many different expressions?”

Introduction

Janet is correct in noticing differences in the way that different Christians worship. What differences have you noticed?

Introduction

Where do you think these differences in worship come from?

Introduction

In our last session we examined elements that are commonly used in Lutheran worship in order to ask the question, “Who is serving whom?” In this session we return to the content of worship to ask different questions.

Introduction

1. What elements are necessary in the Divine Service?

Introduction


2. What elements are helpful?

Introduction


2. What elements are helpful?

3. How are these things manifest in the church’s worship?

The Bible and Worship

When we look in the Bible, we might be surprised by what we find about worship. The Old Testament gives very specific directions on how to worship. Quickly browse through

Exodus 25–31. What are some of the features of worship found here?


Are these still expected of Christians?


In contrast, the New Testament provides no detailed list of instructions on how Christians must worship. Yet it does provide descriptions of some early Christian worship, and some guiding principles for our worship. One of the first descriptions of worship after Pentecost is found in Acts 2:42.


Acts 2: 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.


This verse contains four elements of Christian worship.


1. “Devoting themselves to the Apostles’ teaching” (1 Thessalonians

2:13 And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.)


1. “Devoting themselves to the Apostles’ teaching”

How does this find expression in our worship today?


1. “Devoting themselves to the Apostles’ teaching”

Why is this a vital element of Christian worship?


What is the second element of worship in the early church that is found in Acts 2:42?


What is the third element of Christian worship found in Acts 2:42?


3. Breaking of Bread

Luke 22:19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me."


3. Breaking of Bread

1 Corinthians 10:16 Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?


Why is this an important element of Christian worship?


The Lutheran Confessions assume that the Lord’s Supper will be celebrated regularly in Lutheran congregations. In fact, the confessions repeatedly claim that Lutheran congregations celebrate the Eucharist every Sunday.


Why do you think Lutherans celebrate Holy Communion more often than some other churches?


What is the final element of worship found in Acts 2:42?


4. Prayer

How does this find expression in the worship and devotional life of Christians?


4. PrayerWhat should be included when we do

this? (See also 1 Timothy 2:1–2. I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.)


Read James 5:16. What does this verse suggest we ought to do in worship and in our daily lives?

“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”


What common feature of worship do you see reflected in Hebrews 13:15 and Philippians 2:9–11?


Hebrews 13:15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name.


Philippians 2:9–11 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.


How is this present in our worship together?


Every element of worship we have examined can be enacted with spoken words alone. This is appropriate, but Scripture also indicates that another dimension may be used to amplify the Word. Read Ephesians 5:19–20.


Ephesians 5:19–20 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.


What do you see in this passage? How is this manifest in our worship?

Christian Freedom

Scripture doesn’t give us these elements as a law. It never says “do these things or you are not a Christian.” Why might Christians want to include these elements in their worship?

Christian Freedom

People often characterize worship by the label of the denomination. Are the elements of worship that we examined today “Lutheran”?

Christian Freedom

In this session we have looked at general elements of worship. If these are present, do we still need to evaluate how they are used in a particular worship service?

Explore the Scripture

The historic liturgy of the Christian church has all of the elements that we studied this week. Look closely at a setting of the Divine Service. Many parts of the liturgy come directly from Scripture.

Explore the Scripture

What are some of your favorite hymns and songs? Why are they your favorite? Spend some time thinking about the words of these hymns and songs and how they reflect the truth of Scripture.

To Thy Temple I Repair

To Thy temple I repair;

Lord, I love to worship there

When within the veil I meet

Christ before the mercy-seat.


I through Him am reconciled,

I through Him become Thy child.

Abba, Father, give me grace

In Thy courts to seek Thy face.


While Thy glorious praise is sung,

Touch my lips, unloose my tongue,

That my joyful soul may bless

Christ the Lord, my Righteousness.

elements of christian worship - ebenezer lutheran church · pdf fileelements of christian...

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