1. Worship in Dance “What Exactly Are We Here For?” Presented by Libra Nicole Boyd Manna Ministries www.libranicole.com Presented for New Hope Person Dance Ministry

2. “What Exactly Are We Here For?”  This Worship session is designed to answer three main questions: What is worship? Why do we worship? What, exactly, are we here for? Ultimately, we will make the connection between dance ministry and the worship experience.

3. What is Worship?  The English word worship comes from an Anglo-Saxon word, “Weorthscipe,” which literally means, “worth ship.” Therefore, worship is a recognition of, and a response to the worth of God.  Worship is both an experience and a lifestyle.

4. Why Do We Worship?  We worship because… We have been created to do it (Isaiah 43:7) We have been chosen to do it (1 Peter 2:9) We have been called to do it (Psalm 95:6) We have been commanded to do it (Rev. 14:6,7)

5. Why We Worship cont’d  The most important reason we worship God is JUST BECAUSE OF WHO HE IS! This is the main difference between praise and worship Praise offers appreciation for what God has done (e.g. provided you with a job) Worship expresses gratitude for Who He is (i.e. Jehovah Jireh, Your Provider)

6. Why We Worship cont’d  Our expressions of praise and our expressions of worship may be similar. For example, we may lift our hands when we praise the Lord and when we worship Him, but God identifies the difference based on our hearts. Do we have the grateful attitude of a worshipper? Do we live the life of a worshipper? Do we understand that worship is not service, but a lifestyle? Do we understand that God is the center of our worship, and if we make anything else (such as the dancing, the singing, or the instruments) the center, then we have become idolaters?

7. So, What Exactly Are We Here For?  We have assembled under this teaching to understand that: This dance ministry is not about you, choreography and tight moves, but it must ALL honor God completely (Colossians 3:17) Any and every thing that you do that does not bring glory to God takes it from Him!

8. So, What Exactly Are We Here For? For several of you, this particular ministry is a mandate In other words, some of you are a part of this ministry because you like dancing; others of you are part of this ministry because this art form is what God has called you to do. God uses our worship to accomplish His purposes Worship pleases Him and proclaims Him to others (Psalm 145:4)

9. Something to Think About  As you pray about your life as a worshipper, ask yourself: “What benefit does God receive when I worship Him?” “What benefits do I receive when I worship God?” “What do the people around me get out of my worship?” “How can my outlook on the difficulties of my life change as I worship the Lord?”