In the first blog in this series, I began to address what I consider to be a vital question, specifically, how can we continue to make disciples for the glory of Christ during the COVID-19 crisis? This question is vital because Jesus commanded us to make disciples in every season of life, so whatever you think about the crisis, we’re in it, there’s nothing we can do about it, and so the question becomes, what will we do with it? We will press on in obedience and make disciples, or will we allow ourselves to be on missional lockdown and thus fall into disobedience?
The main point of that first blog was this—we will make disciples during this crisis first by determining to make disciples. We will make disciples as we submit ourselves to Jesus and commit ourselves to sharing the gospel and showing those who believe how to walk with Jesus day by day. Where there's a will, there's a way, and since Jesus has clarified his will, he will make a way!
With this in mind, I want to press on in this blog to talk about how we can make disciples in the area of worship, and as I thought about what I wanted to say here, I decided to add a third word to the “share and show” model so that I now want to say that making disciples can be captures in three words—share, grow, and show. That is, share the gospel, grow as a disciple, and then show someone else how to grow along with you.
So, first, I'll say a few things about how we can grow in our own lives of worship and then I'll say a few things about how we can show others how to do the same in this particular season of life. We’ll talk about the “share” aspect of discipleship in a later video, for now it’s just “grow and show” with regard to worship.
What is Worship?
The words for “worship” in both Hebrew and Greek literally mean “to bow down,” and we do that with our bodies and with our behavior, with our lips and with our lives. To put it in more relational terms, worship is experiencing communion with God by faith in Jesus Christ and the power of the Spirit.
With this relational vision in mind, to develop a life of worship, we must give attention to four vital things: the Word of God, prayer, praise, and obedience. Through the Word of God, we hear the voice of our Father, we see his glory, and we come to understand his will and ways. By praying, we express our hearts to him in light of his Word and in fellowship with the Spirit, that is, we communicate with the one who's saved us and made us one with himself. By praising, we exalt him, we thank him, we express our hearts to him, and we feed on him as well. Finally, through obedience, we submit ourselves to him, we come into a truer knowledge of his will and ways, and we bear eternal fruit by his Spirit and for his glory. This is a snapshot of what it looks like to bow before the Lord with our bodies and with our behavior, with our lips and with our lives.
The main point of that first blog was this—we will make disciples during this crisis first by determining to make disciples. We will make disciples as we submit ourselves to Jesus and commit ourselves to sharing the gospel and showing those who believe how to walk with Jesus day by day. Where there's a will, there's a way, and since Jesus has clarified his will, he will make a way!
With this in mind, I want to press on in this blog to talk about how we can make disciples in the area of worship, and as I thought about what I wanted to say here, I decided to add a third word to the “share and show” model so that I now want to say that making disciples can be captures in three words—share, grow, and show. That is, share the gospel, grow as a disciple, and then show someone else how to grow along with you.
So, first, I'll say a few things about how we can grow in our own lives of worship and then I'll say a few things about how we can show others how to do the same in this particular season of life. We’ll talk about the “share” aspect of discipleship in a later video, for now it’s just “grow and show” with regard to worship.
What is Worship?
The words for “worship” in both Hebrew and Greek literally mean “to bow down,” and we do that with our bodies and with our behavior, with our lips and with our lives. To put it in more relational terms, worship is experiencing communion with God by faith in Jesus Christ and the power of the Spirit.
With this relational vision in mind, to develop a life of worship, we must give attention to four vital things: the Word of God, prayer, praise, and obedience. Through the Word of God, we hear the voice of our Father, we see his glory, and we come to understand his will and ways. By praying, we express our hearts to him in light of his Word and in fellowship with the Spirit, that is, we communicate with the one who's saved us and made us one with himself. By praising, we exalt him, we thank him, we express our hearts to him, and we feed on him as well. Finally, through obedience, we submit ourselves to him, we come into a truer knowledge of his will and ways, and we bear eternal fruit by his Spirit and for his glory. This is a snapshot of what it looks like to bow before the Lord with our bodies and with our behavior, with our lips and with our lives.
Growing as Worshipers in the Midst of the Crisis
How, then, can we grow as worshipers in this particular season of life. Well, again, it begins with determination. We must simply decide that in this, and every, season of life, we're going to submit ourselves to the will and ways of Christ, by his grace and by his power. Having determined to let Christ has his way in us, we begin with the Word. We put God first and love him most, but giving his Word the priority each and every day. We read it and listen to it read via apps like YouVersion. We memorize it utilizing programs like the Fighter Verses. We meditate on what we're reading, hearing, and memorizing and we apply the Word to life with the empowering help of the Holy Spirit.
How, then, can we grow as worshipers in this particular season of life. Well, again, it begins with determination. We must simply decide that in this, and every, season of life, we're going to submit ourselves to the will and ways of Christ, by his grace and by his power. Having determined to let Christ has his way in us, we begin with the Word. We put God first and love him most, but giving his Word the priority each and every day. We read it and listen to it read via apps like YouVersion. We memorize it utilizing programs like the Fighter Verses. We meditate on what we're reading, hearing, and memorizing and we apply the Word to life with the empowering help of the Holy Spirit.
As we become rich in the Word, we then commit ourselves to pray. That is, we talk to our Father as we read his Word, after we read his Word, and all throughout the day. We cast our cares upon him. We pray for one another. We spend time with him without words--just enjoying his presence.
As we delight in the Word and prayer, we also praise the Lord. We sing Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. And while worship media abound in our day, it seems to me that the Lord takes special delight in hearing our own voices, so I encourage you to choose a hymn or worship song each day and sing it to the Lord throughout the day. Whatever the details, the point is that the worshiping heart sings to the Lord on the basis of who he is, what he's said, what he's done, and what he's doing.
As we delight in the Word and prayer, we also praise the Lord. We sing Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. And while worship media abound in our day, it seems to me that the Lord takes special delight in hearing our own voices, so I encourage you to choose a hymn or worship song each day and sing it to the Lord throughout the day. Whatever the details, the point is that the worshiping heart sings to the Lord on the basis of who he is, what he's said, what he's done, and what he's doing.
Finally, the ultimate expression of our worship to God is obedience, for it is proof positive that we value him and submit ourselves to him. Of course, we can only tame our flesh and submit our lives to God by his power, but as Peter taught us, he's already given us all we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). On the basis of his gracious provision, he then calls on us to exercise our will and walk in his ways (2 Peter 1:5-7).
So, as you listen to or read the Word of God each day, I encourage you to pay careful attention to the direct commands of Scripture and then also the desires of God for your particular life that emerge from the Scripture. As God makes his will clear to you, pray for his power and presence, assume that he's heard and answered your prayer, and then walk in his ways. He will help you, and you will grow in truth and bear much fruit.
Showing Others to Worship in the Midst of the Crisis
Much can be said about how to show others to worship along with us, but let me first say that it's really as simple as teaching them to do what we ourselves are doing. Life with Christ is very simple—it’s not simplistic and it’s not easy, but it is simple. Discipleship, then, is simply about showing others how to live this simple life along with us.
So, as we determine to make disciples in this season of life, we show others how to worship in a number of ways. For example:
1. For newer believers, show them how the Bible is organized and then read through a book of the Bible with them like John or Ephesians or 1 Peter, and just talk about the Word each time you meet.
2. Show someone the Fighter Verse system and commit to memorizing the verses with them each week.
3. As you read and memorize together, teach them how to pray according to the Word.
4. Take them to Philippians 4:4-7 and teach them to take their daily concerns to God.
5. Take them to Hebrews 7:25 and teach them to join Jesus in praying for others, including unbelievers and the nations of the world.
6. Teach them some hymns and contemporary worship songs, and show them how they can daily sing to the Lord.
7. Teach them how to identify the commands of God in the Word, and then talk with them about how to obey the Lord by faith in Jesus and the power of the Spirit rather than by their own resolve.
Of course, I could list many more things, but I trust that these seven ideas have been enough to get your imagination stirring. The vision here is very simple—as you grow in worship, show someone else how to grow in worship with you. This is discipleship, and I pray with all of my heart that we will determine to make disciples for the glory of Christ even in the midst of this crisis. As we do, the Lord will surely cause us to bear much fruit for his glory and our joy!
So, as you listen to or read the Word of God each day, I encourage you to pay careful attention to the direct commands of Scripture and then also the desires of God for your particular life that emerge from the Scripture. As God makes his will clear to you, pray for his power and presence, assume that he's heard and answered your prayer, and then walk in his ways. He will help you, and you will grow in truth and bear much fruit.
Showing Others to Worship in the Midst of the Crisis
Much can be said about how to show others to worship along with us, but let me first say that it's really as simple as teaching them to do what we ourselves are doing. Life with Christ is very simple—it’s not simplistic and it’s not easy, but it is simple. Discipleship, then, is simply about showing others how to live this simple life along with us.
So, as we determine to make disciples in this season of life, we show others how to worship in a number of ways. For example:
1. For newer believers, show them how the Bible is organized and then read through a book of the Bible with them like John or Ephesians or 1 Peter, and just talk about the Word each time you meet.
2. Show someone the Fighter Verse system and commit to memorizing the verses with them each week.
3. As you read and memorize together, teach them how to pray according to the Word.
4. Take them to Philippians 4:4-7 and teach them to take their daily concerns to God.
5. Take them to Hebrews 7:25 and teach them to join Jesus in praying for others, including unbelievers and the nations of the world.
6. Teach them some hymns and contemporary worship songs, and show them how they can daily sing to the Lord.
7. Teach them how to identify the commands of God in the Word, and then talk with them about how to obey the Lord by faith in Jesus and the power of the Spirit rather than by their own resolve.
Of course, I could list many more things, but I trust that these seven ideas have been enough to get your imagination stirring. The vision here is very simple—as you grow in worship, show someone else how to grow in worship with you. This is discipleship, and I pray with all of my heart that we will determine to make disciples for the glory of Christ even in the midst of this crisis. As we do, the Lord will surely cause us to bear much fruit for his glory and our joy!
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