Sermon Based Small Group Lessons

The Christian’s DNA: Authentic Worship

Dr. Les Hughes

2008 August 31

Beginning Wednesday, October 8, 6:30 PM

House of Prayer

Westwood Baptist Church

Opening Question

(New groups: Share your name and the answer to the following question.)

How would you define worship?

Focus Passage

1 Chronicles 16

8 Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name;
make known among the nations what he has done.

9 Sing to him, sing praise to him;
tell of all his wonderful acts.

10 Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.

11 Look to the LORD and his strength;
seek his face always.

12 Remember the wonders he has done,
his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced,

23 Sing to the LORD, all the earth;
proclaim his salvation day after day.

24 Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous deeds among all peoples.

25 For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise;
he is to be feared above all gods.

29 ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name.
Bring an offering and come before him;
worship the LORD in the splendor of his ^[d] holiness.

34 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his love endures forever.

Digging for Truth

1. Lesson #1 says, “Authentic worship is God-centered.” Can you think of any ways we make worship something other than God-centered?

How can we make worship more God-centered?

2. How often in worship at Westwood do you have a sense of awe of God? Describe a time you have sensed that.

3. Do you sense God’s presence in worship services at Westwood? What helps us experience the presence of God in worship?

4. Lesson #2 states, “Authentic worship is experienced, not observed.” Les shared that the seating arrangement of our, and most, worship centers conditions us to watch, not participate. How can we overcome just “watching” a show on stage?

5. How often do you have a quality worship time in your daily devotions? Should we seek that? (By quality worship, we mean the experience of God’s presence being felt.)

6. Lesson #3 states, “Authentic worship is about substance, not style.” What are some things that we let affect our worship experience that are more about style than substance? (possible answers: style of music, choir robes or regular clothes, chairs or pews, hymn books or powerpoint, organ or guitar, etc.)

7. Lesson #4 states, “Authentic worship includes not only words, but actions as well.” If we have truly worshiped God, we have heart change, which leads to life change. The body of Christ is harmed when we talk the talk and don’t walk the walk. Can you think of some times that your life has been changed in worship?

Do we enter worship on a weekly basis looking for God to change our life?

8. Can people tell that we’ve been with Jesus based on how we live our lives?

Closing Thought

What needs to change in your life as a result of this study?