Focus is Worship

Introduction

Illustration: Open up with asking 3 group leaders to create a entrance dance, song, or handshake with a groups of 3 students. They will each get up and demonstrate. The key takeaway is that each leader required a different display. God’s required display is worship.

Focus: These verse show us that God leads His people into unfamiliar territory through their displayed obedience to Him.

Function: We should always be listening to what God is asking with the intention of displayed obedience and honor.

Big Idea: To go the distance, God requires a demonstration.

What is worship?

Okay, imagine you're really into something – maybe it's a band, a sports team, a video game, or even a particular influencer. When you're truly passionate about it, you probably spend a lot of time thinking about it, talking about it, doing things related to it, and maybe even spending money on it. You might wear their merch, know all their stats or lyrics, defend them if someone talks smack, and celebrate their wins like they're your own. That's kind of what worship is, but on a much deeper and more significant level, directed towards God.

Worship isn't just singing in church (though that can be part of it).

It's about giving ultimate value and honor to God. Think about what you value most. For a lot of us, it might be our phone, our friends, our reputation, or our comfort. Worship is saying, "God, you are more important than all of that. You're the most valuable, the most amazing, the most deserving of my attention and devotion."

It's a response to who God is and what He's done.

Imagine someone did something incredibly selfless for you. Like, saved your life, or gave you something you desperately needed when you couldn't get it yourself. Your natural response would be gratitude, respect, and a desire to honor them, right? Worship is like that, but multiplied by infinity. We worship God because He created us, he loves us even when we mess up, and in Christianity, because He sent Jesus to die for our sins and make a way for us to have a relationship with Him. It's a recognition of His greatness, power, love, and wisdom.

How do we worship?

It's expressed in many ways – it's not just one thing.

Singing and Music: Yes, this is a common way we express praise and awe. It helps us focus our hearts and minds on God.

Prayer: Talking to God, thanking Him, asking for His help, confessing our mistakes. It's direct communication.

Reading the Bible: When you read about God's character and His actions, you learn more about Him, which naturally leads to a deeper appreciation and worship.

Obeying God's commands: This is a huge one. If you truly value and respect someone, you'll listen to what they say. Living your life in a way that honors God's teachings is a powerful form of worship. It's saying, "I trust you, God, and I want to live the way you designed me to."

Serving others: When you use your gifts and time to help others, especially those in need, you're reflecting God's love and serving Him. That's an act of worship.

Using your talents for God's glory: Whether you're good at art, sports, academics, coding, or anything else, using those abilities in a way that points back to God is worship.

Generosity: Giving your time, money, or resources to support God's work or help others is a way of saying, "Everything I have comes from God, and I want to honor Him with it."

Even just living your everyday life with an awareness of God: Recognizing His presence in nature, in good moments, in challenges, and intentionally acknowledging Him throughout your day.