Week 2 - WORSHIP
Review
Last week we discovered that there are the four key relationships and four crucial priorities of the church.
WORSHIP - Our Relationship to Jesus
DISCOVERY - Our Relationship to the Bible
COMMUNITY - Our Relationship to Each Other
MISSION - Our Relationship to Others
Wherever you have these four priorities and relationships, you have a church, regardless of size. That’s because that church 1) seeks Jesus passionately, 2) lives life biblically, 3) loves each other sacrificially and 4) shares the Good News of Jesus boldly.
Today, we’ll focus on WORSHIP - Our Relationship to Jesus.
DISCOVERY
Ask God to speak to you as you read His Word.
Luke 5:1-11 (NLT)
1 One day as Jesus was preaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, great crowds pressed in on him to listen to the word of God. 2 He noticed two empty boats at the water’s edge, for the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. 3 Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon, its owner, to push it out into the water. So he sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there.
4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.”
5 “Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.” 6 And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! 7 A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking.
8 When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m such a sinful man.” 9 For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him. 10 His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed.
Jesus replied to Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!” 11 And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus.
Have someone retell the passage in their own words.
What stands out to you in this passage?
Digging Deeper
At first glance, this story doesn’t seem to be about worship. But take another look at it.
If You Say So
Luke 5:4-5 (NLT)
4 When [Jesus] had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.”
5 “Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.”
Why is obedience worship?
He Fell To His Knees
Luke 5:8 (NLT)
When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m such a sinful man.”
Why is reverence and repentance worship?
They Were Amazed
Luke 5:9-10 (NLT)
9 For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him. 10 His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed.
Why is amazement and praise worship?
They Left Everything
Luke 5:11 (NLT)
And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus.
Why is leaving all for Jesus worship?
Why is prioritizing someone or something over Jesus called idolatry?
Worship Is Worth-Ship
Originally in Old English, the word “worship” came from the two words “worth” and “ship.” Therefore, to "worth-ship" means to give Jesus what He truly deserves.
Why is Jesus worthy of our 1) obedience, 2) repentance, 3) praise and 4) prioritizing?
Which of these four has your worship focused on?
Which one would be good for you to focus more on?
WORSHIP
Let’s spend some time in worship.
How has Jesus amazed you lately? Let’s not say it—let’s pray it. Spend some time praising Jesus for how He has amazed you. Have each person pray, “Lord, I praise you for …” and finish the sentence. Pray these prayers out loud. Keep the prayers short and sweet because we want everyone to participate.
Spend some time in repentance before Jesus. For example, there may be some sin you need to confess. Or maybe you need to leave something or someone to really follow Jesus. If possible, have each person get on their knees and bow down in prayer. You may want to spread out a bit. This is intended to be a time of personal and silent confession to the Lord. Spend at least 5 minutes in silent prayer. Feel free to go longer. If someone feels led to publicly confess out loud, certainly allow that.
After your time of confession, gather back together and remind each other of God’s gracious promise in 1 John 1:9 - If we confess our sins, [God] is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Let’s celebrate the Lord’s Supper.
Here’s a prophecy from the Old Testament written some 500 years before Jesus’ death on the cross.
Isaiah 53:4-10 (NIV)
4 Surely he took up our pain
and bore our suffering,
yet we considered him punished by God,
stricken by him, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to our own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.7 He was oppressed and afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
and as a sheep before its shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away.
Yet who of his generation protested?
For he was cut off from the land of the living;
for the transgression of my people he was punished.
9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked,
and with the rich in his death,
though he had done no violence,
nor was any deceit in his mouth.10 Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer,
and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin.
Keep in mind, that the Lord’s Supper is for believers only. However, anyone can become a believer right now. Anyone can turn from their sin and trust in Jesus and celebrate the Lord’s Supper as a declaration of their faith in Jesus.
As you pass out the bread and cups, say, “The body of Christ, given for you” and “The blood of Christ, shed for you.”
Ask someone to thank the Lord for His sacrifice on the cross and the forgiveness of our sins.
Then eat the bread and drink the cup.
For Later
Here are some ideas for worship that your MicroChurch could try at a later time:
Dedicate a whole gathering to extended worship and prayer. Use the instrumentalists in your MicroChurch. Use YouTube worship videos.
Set aside a season for prayer and fasting.
Join other MicroChurches for a combined worship gathering or go to a worship event together.
Remember to worship not just with your lips but with your lives!
In Summary
The church’s first key relationship and crucial priority is:
WORSHIP - Our Relationship to Jesus
Devote yourselves to pursuing and prioritizing Jesus in everything
Closing
How did God speak to you or how did you encounter God in our gathering?
When will we meet again?
Who will facilitate that gathering? (See FOR THE FACILITATOR for help in leading a gathering.)
Each week you are encouraged to share a meal together.
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