WEEK 2: WORSHIP IN PERSONAL LIFE Personal worship is about our individual daily walk with God.

Colossians 3:1-2 1Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

• God wants us to worship because                                           . He is our creator, and we are His creation.
• We need to foster personal worship of God.
• Jesus instructs us on abiding in intimate relationship with Him.

John 15:4–5 4Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

1.                   WE WORSHIP: MANY WAYS TO EXPRESS OUR WORSHIP
   • Through getting into His Word
   • Through thankfulness and gratitude
   • Through loving others
   • Through serving
   • Through song and praise
   • Through sacrifice and generosity
   • Enjoying Him and His blessings

PRACTICAL STEPS

• Place to be quiet before Him
• A set time
• Prayer to start: “Lord, I come before you, opening my heart to you.”

2. WE WORSHIP WHEN IT’S                     .

• Relational: Tell God your thoughts and emotions
• Journaling: for clarity with thoughts and emotions. Reminds from where we came.

Psalm 73:1-11 A psalm of Asaph 1Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. 2But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. 3For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked 4They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. 5They are free from common human burdens; they are not plagued by human ills. 6Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence. 7From their callous hearts comes iniquity; their evil imaginations have no limits. ⁸They scoff, and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression. 9Their mouths lay claim to heaven, and their tongues take possession of the earth. 10Therefore their people turn to them and drink up waters in abundance. 11They say, “How would God know? Does the Most High know anything?”

Psalm 34:12-15 12Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure and have washed my hands in innocence. 14All day long I have been afflicted, and every morning brings new punishments. 15If I had spoken out like that, I would have betrayed your children.

• Consider what you say, what you post on Facebook/social media, and the impact on those who look up to you, including your family.

Psalm 73:16-17 16When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply 17till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.

• Worshipping God                                                                              —even eternal perspective. We see the big picture.

Psalm 73:23-26 23Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. 24You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. 25Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. 26My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

• Worship is                                                            . Sometimes getting there is a journey.

Psalm 63:3-6 3Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. 4I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. 5I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you. 6On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night.

“WE ONLY LEARN TO BEHAVE OURSELVES IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD.”

– C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

1. WE WORSHIP WHEN IT’S                     .

Psalm 145:1-7 1I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. 2Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever. 3Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. 4One generation commends your works…; they tell of your mighty acts. 5They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty… I will meditate on your wonderful works. 6They tell of the power of your awesome works—and I will proclaim your great deeds.

1. • In Worship, God connects with us so that we experience His strength.

1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 16Rejoice always, 17pray continually, 18give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

• Pray and worship as you go about your daily life. Sometimes worship isn’t easy, and it’s not always perfect:

“WE ARE NOT RIDERS BUT PUPILS IN RIDING SCHOOL; FOR MOST OF US THE FALLS AND BRUISES, THE ACHING MUSCLES AND THE SEVERITY OF THE EXERCISE, FAR OUTWEIGH THOSE MOMENTS IN WHICH WE WERE, TO OUR OWN ASTONISHMENT, ACTUALLY GALLOPING WITHOUT TERROR AND WITHOUT DISASTER.”

– C.S. Lewis, Reflections from the Psalms

QUESTIONS TO DISCUSS IN LIFE GROUP OR WITH YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS:

Passages to consider: 1 Peter 2:9-10; Romans 12:1; Hebrews 4:14-16

1. Share something from the sermon that impacted you. What Bible passage or point stood out to you?
2. Read 1 Peter 2:9-10. When you think about declaring God’s praises, what comes to mind? How have you experienced that?
3. Read Hebrews 4:14-16. What role do forgiveness, grace, and gratitude regularly have in your relationship with God?
4. Read Romans 12:1. What types of habits and practices help you draw into God’s presence, present yourself to Him, or worship God? Talk about what this looks like in your life.
5. How does worship impact your actions toward others?
6. What is God showing you about personal worship at this time in your life? A) How would you encourage someone to engage in personal worship?

Next week: Called Out to Worship in Real Life (Week 3): Corporate Worship

Passages to prepare: Hebrews 10:19-25; Colossians 3:16-17; Psalm 150

All Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights

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