We believe worship is sacrificial so we desire to shift our focus from us to God.
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Do you know the first recorded act of worship in the Bible?
Supporting Scripture: Genesis 4:1-5 (ESV)
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The nature of worship is sacrifice.
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Supporting Scripture: Genesis 4:3 (ESV)
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In every true act of worship, there are three elements: (1) a human being = who is the bringer of worship, (2) the Lord God = who is the recipient of worship, and (3) a pleasing sacrifice.
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Worship is not about what I receive from God, but what I give to God.
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Our ultimate purpose in worship is to give God the glory of which He and He alone is worthy.
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How many times have I walked into worship thinking about what I can receive or what I need or even what I like and prefer rather than thinking about what I can give the God of the Universe who made me, Jesus His Son who saved me, and the Holy Spirit who sustains me?
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Worship is giving to God what pleases Him.
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Supporting Scripture: Genesis 8:20-22 (ESV)
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Supporting Scripture: Exodus 12: 1-7 (ESV)
Supporting Scripture: Exodus 12:13 (ESV)
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Supporting Scripture: 1 Chronicles 21:24 (ESV)
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In order to be an intergenerational church, we have to function intergenerationally in worship.
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Supporting Scripture: Philippians 2:1-4 (ESV)
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Here are some discussion questions based on Mark 14:3-9, which focuses on the anointing of Jesus by a woman at Bethany. These questions are designed to prompt thoughtful conversation about the themes of sacrificial worship:
- Understanding Sacrifice: What does the woman’s act of anointing Jesus with expensive perfume tell us about the nature of sacrificial worship? How can we relate this to our own expressions of worship?
- Cultural Context: How might the cultural and social dynamics of the time influence the woman’s decision to anoint Jesus? What can this teach us about the courage it takes to worship sacrificially in our own contexts?
- Value and Worth: Why do you think the disciples reacted negatively to the woman’s act? What does this reveal about their understanding of value and worth, both in terms of the perfume and the act of worship itself?
- Motivation for Worship: What do you think motivated the woman to perform this act of worship? How important is motivation in our own acts of worship today?
- Responses to Worship: How does Jesus’ response to the woman’s act contrast with that of the disciples? What does this teach us about how we should respond to others’ expressions of worship?
- Legacy of Worship: Jesus mentions that the woman’s act will be remembered wherever the gospel is preached. What does this imply about the lasting impact of sacrificial worship? How can our own acts of worship leave a legacy?
- Personal Reflection: In what ways can we incorporate sacrificial worship into our daily lives? What might that look like practically?
- Modern Applications: How can we apply the principles of sacrificial worship in our church community today especially as an intergenerational church? What are some tangible ways we can encourage one another to worship sacrificially?