DAY TWENTY-NINE

WORSHIPING TOGETHER --

THE CORPORATE WORSHIP SERVICE

Today's Main Idea:

Four key parts of the worship service

and one special element of worship

can help us to express our worship.

Harland tells us today that "music fulfills a specific, God-ordained purpose in worship: it proclaims God's power, presence, and Word--preparing the hearts of His people to receive Him." (p. 125, workbook)

As you study worship and then take a look at the main points in worship (used by many denominations), you can see similarities. Dr. Robert Webber, author and teacher of worship, summed these down to four major or distinctive parts:

1. The Coming In

We sing at the beginning of our worship services because music and musicians were created to precede the power, presence, and Word of God. Not only is singing done in this part of the worship service, but also praying and reading of Scripture.

2. The Table of the Lord

The table of the Lord is given as a visible reminder of God's eternal sacrifice in Christ Jesus. The Lord's table must never become a ritual or just a tradition. Harland tells us that it is a vital and crucial worship expression. The shed blood and broken body of our Lord will never lose its power.

3. The Proclamation of the Word

Music should never replace the Word of God. The Word should always be an important part of our worship--both privately and corporately.

4. The Going Out

Harland tells us that this is crucial because this is the part of our worship in which we have listened to the Word and are now to go out into the world

and live and share it with others.

Tell me your thoughts on today's bible study.

Ken