Worship and Daily Life Summary of article by Wendell Willis

“The first and most important benefit to the worshipper is to remind him/her of God.” Amos 5:21-24 tells us that taking part in proper worship does not insure divine approval. Whether God approves of our worship has to do with the character of the worshipper as much as the “acts” of worship. Romans 12:1-2.

Worship shapes character 1.In worship we share with a community of like values. 2.Worship cultivates our habits. 3. Worship provides us with a shared vision of the world. To be a Christian means to see the world in a certain way, until I become as I see.

Three specific suggestions: 1. The singing – the music we find memorable reveals and shapes what values we hold to. Singing in worship shapes our vision of our world – and ourselves.

Three specific suggestions: 2.The Lord’s Supper – It is a “meal” that is a representative sample of all God’s provisions for life and communion with others. – It reminds us that we have Christ in common with each other

Three specific suggestions: 3. The Offering – it is much more than a convenient way of paying the bills. It reminds us that all our possessions are not really our own anyway. We have them “on loan” from God.

Worship is at the core of what the Church is all about. Life and worship are closely related not only on Sunday but every day of the week. If worship does not focus our hearts on God, it seems safe to assume that they won’t be focused there other times of the week.

The true test of whether worship is “good” or “useful” is not so much how it makes us feel as how well it helps us see deeper into the mystery of who God is and thus affects within us a desire to be more like our God.

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT 1 Page (typed) on worship. What is it? How would you define it to someone who has never experienced it? What makes for good/healthy worship? This is a reflection paper, not a research paper—but interact with the 3 articles on worship. Due Monday at the beginning of class.