Anthem - Week FOUR Tuesday, November 24, 2020
When you hear the word "worship," you might think of a church building, a choir, your favorite worship song, or maybe a special tradition. Worship takes a lot of forms, but sometimes we make the mistake of thinking worship is something it's not — or, at least, something much smaller than what it really is. You can worship through song and meaningful traditions, but when's the last time you worshiped by going outside? Or cleaning up your neighborhood? Or making a friend? Or telling God you're angry? In this 4-week series, we'll explore the book of Psalms (worship songs to God) as we discover that worship might be bigger than we ever imagined. Maybe worship isn't just an anthem we sing, but an anthem we live, by worshiping with all of creation, worshiping to remember what God has done, worshiping even when it’s difficult, and worshiping together because we’re God’s family.
week fourThis week, we'll focus on psalms that were meant to be sung by a community and then challenge students to worship God with others.
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week four video
Week 4's video will premier on Tuesday, November 24, at 7:00 p.m.
Grow on Your Own
Psalms Around the World
Over the last few weeks, we've talked about several kinds of psalms and the different ways they are used for worshiping God.
Take a few minutes and consider these questions.
As we've talked about worshiping together, you've probably thought mostly about worshiping alongside people in your family, church, or immediate community. But can you think bigger than that? What do you think it would look like to worship with God's family on a national or global level? What about . . .
WORSHIPING WITH GOD'S FAMILY
As we've said many times throughout this series, "worship" doesn't mean "singing," although singing is one way we worship. We can worship God on or own or with others when we . . .
Over the last few weeks, we've talked about several kinds of psalms and the different ways they are used for worshiping God.
- There were psalms about creation, and how God is reflected through the incredible things God has made.
- There were psalms of remembrance, where God's incredible deeds were celebrated — especially after times of difficulty.
- There were psalms of lament, expressing grief or anger over the many things wrong in the world or in our lives.
- And there were psalms of celebration, designed to be sung by a community of believers giving praise for who God is.
Take a few minutes and consider these questions.
- What kind of psalm would you write if you were writing a psalm about . . .
- YOUR CITY? Why did you choose that type of psalm?
- OUR COMMUNITY? Why did you choose that type of psalm?
- YOUR SCHOOL? Why did you choose that type of psalm?
- YOUR FAMILY? Why did you choose that type of psalm?
As we've talked about worshiping together, you've probably thought mostly about worshiping alongside people in your family, church, or immediate community. But can you think bigger than that? What do you think it would look like to worship with God's family on a national or global level? What about . . .
- THE UNDERGROUND CHURCH IN CHINA? There, Christians are persecuted by the government if their faith in Jesus is discovered. What kind of psalm would you write for them?
- THE PEOPLE IN THE MIDDLE EAST? The conflicts there are too many to name and too political to explore today. What kind of psalm would you write for them?
- THE CHURCH OF WESTERN EUROPE? There, the Church is fairly obsolete, but there are attempts to revive and grow a more vibrant faith community. What kind of psalm would you write for them?
- OUR COUNTRY? Consider the recent experiences, needs, conflicts, and triumphs of our country. What kind of psalm would you write for us?
WORSHIPING WITH GOD'S FAMILY
As we've said many times throughout this series, "worship" doesn't mean "singing," although singing is one way we worship. We can worship God on or own or with others when we . . .
- Observe God's creation through nature — together.
- Enjoy the beauty of God reflected in art, music, dance, words, or anything else that's beautiful — together.
- Engage in spiritual practices like prayer, church services, or fasting — together.
- Sitting in silence through meditation, listening, simplicity, and silent prayer — together.
- Fighting for righteousness and justice by speaking out, demonstrating, educating, praying, and confronting injustice and evil in the world — together.
- Caring for others by giving, serving, mentoring, helping, or volunteering — together.
- Celebrating God through music, shared meals, laughter, and having fun in community — together.
- Learning to focus on God through prayer, retreats, and contemplation — together.
- Learning more about who God is through Bible study, memorizing Scripture, and challenging conversations — together.
- And by sharing our stories of faith, both with people who share our beliefs and people who don't yet know Jesus — together.
- There are so many ways to worship God together, and one of the best parts is trying them out so you can discover how you best connect with God and with others.
- From the book of Psalms, to the early Church, to the present day, God's people have always come together to worship in a community, and for good reason. So how will you help continue that tradition today? Remember, we worship together because we’re God’s family.
This Week's Discussion questions
Middle School Discussion Questions
- What's something fun you love to do with your friends but would hate to do all alone?
- When have you most felt like part of a group?
- What do you think are the benefits of worshiping God alone? What are the benefits of worshiping
- in community?
- Read Psalm 23, imagining the psalm is written about you alone. Now read it again, imagining
- yourself as one of many sheep in your Shepherd's flock. How does that shift in perspective change
- how you see this psalm?
- There are lots of ways to worship God, but which ones are your favorites?
- This week, what's one way you can be more intentional about worshiping God with others?
High School Discussion Questions
- What's something fun you love to do with your friends but would hate to do all alone?
- When have you most felt like part of a group?
- Do you think our church feels like a family? Why or why not?
- What kind of impact do you think worshiping as a community can have on someone's faith? z Has worshiping as a community impacted your faith? If so, how?
- What do you think are the benefits of worshiping God alone? What are the benefits of worshiping in community?
- Read Psalm 23, imagining the psalm is written about you alone. Now read it again, imagining yourself as one of many sheep in your Shepherd's flock. How does that shift in perspective change how you see this psalm?
- Of all the types of psalms we've talked about, which is your favorite and why — psalms of creation, remembrance, lament, or celebration?
- There are lots of ways to worship God, but which ones are your favorites?
- This week, what's one way you can be more intentional about worshiping God with others?
This Week's 1-Minute Recap
Week Three's I-Minute Message will premier on Thursday, November 19th, at 800 a.m.
OUR BIG IDEA