What Makes For Good Worship?

What Makes for Good Worship?

The time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way.

John 4:23

These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.

Matthew 15:8

When you lift up your hands in prayer, I will not look. Though you offer many prayers, I will not listen, for your hands are covered with the blood of innocent victims.

Isaiah 1:15

For many families, the Sunday dinner table sometimes becomes an evaluation session of the morning’s worship service. We give excuses for why we just couldn’t worship that day. “The music was too loud.” “The music was too boring.” “I can’t relate to that preacher.” “All those kids were running in and out.” “There wasn’t enough liturgy.” “It was too informal.” “Did you see that lady dancing in the aisle?”

In reality, there is only one evaluation of worship that matters. And it is not ours. The real question is not, “Did that church experience help me to worship?” The real question is, “Did I worship God today in a way that is worthy of him?” Rather than, “Was I pleased with the worship experience today?” we should ask, “Was God pleased with my worship today?”

Worship is an authentic experience from the heart with God, or it is nothing. And true worshipers do not view songs and prayers and sermons as mere traditions or duties. They see them as ways to enjoy God and celebrate his greatness. The purpose of life is to show how valuable Christ is every day of our lives. Worship means using our minds and hearts and bodies to express the worth of God and all he is for us in Jesus. So how are you doing? Is God pleased with your worship?

DISCUSSION STARTERS

What makes the weekly event at your church a true worship service?

According to the verses above, when is worship displeasing to God?

How do you think God evaluated the worship you offered at church last Sunday? How about on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday?