Not a worship leader? That’s ok. Not even on the worship team? No problem. (Though this is for you worship team folks, too!) As someone in the “pew,” you have more influence in the worship life of your church than you might realize!
How does that look?
1. Realize that your worship actually encourages others to worship.
*When we worship together, our words, proclaiming and adoring who God is, encourage and stimulate others in their faith and walk with Him.
“I will praise the name of God with song and magnify Him with thanksgiving . . . The humble have seen it and are glad; You who seek God, let your heart revive” (Psalm 69:30, 32).
True worship encourages others in their relationships with God and reproduces more worship! It’s vitally important to a healthy, impactful church to get worship right!*
2. Make it a personal goal to study biblical worship yourself.
The Bible has so much to teach us about God’s plan for us as His worshipers. It’s not just about singing songs about Him on Sunday morning. It’s His very reason for sending us Jesus (Philippians 2:9-11)! So it’s a vital part of our relationship with Him. And as God does His life-changing work in you, it strengthens the body of Christ!
“. . .we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love” (Ephesians 4:15-16).
It will also will help you . . .
3. Encourage a conversation about worship.
Talk about what you’re learning. Spark in others the curiosity to want to learn and grow in the biblical understanding of worship themselves. Help worship to stop being an ignored topic beyond what songs people like. When they see your enthusiasm and growth, and they’ll be encouraged to grow in this area of their faith, too. It’ll be contagious!
“Therefore, encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing” (1 Thessalonians 5:11).
4. Help your small group or Bible study to pursue worshiping together.
And no, it doesn’t have to involve music! Begin your prayer time lifting worship to God. (Doing that will have a huge affect on your time of supplication!) There are psalms that are great to read together. Use the names of God to stimulate your worship together, or look through my 5-Day Worship Challenge posts for creative ideas. If you want to use music and don’t have a musician to lead, using recorded music is fine. Just do it! Worshiping together blesses the very heart of God. It’s His idea!
“My soul will make its boast in the LORD; The humble will hear it and rejoice. O magnify the LORD with me, And let us exalt His name together” (Psalm 34:2-3).
5. Lead a Bible study on worship yourself. (Or encourage a study you attend to spend time focusing on the study of biblical worship.)
You don’t have to study it alone – take others with you! It’s not that hard! If you use a study like Worship and the Word, it can be as simple as having people read and then discuss the lessons and questions together. (There are even leader tips and tools on my blog site, too. Just add coffee!) You might enjoy it so much you’ll want to do it over and over again leading different groups – or inspire others to do the same! What the Bible has to teach us about worship is just that powerful and transformative!
“The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2).
Is all of this a little overwhelming, because you’re still trying to figure out Sunday morning worship? You’re not alone – I get that! That’s why I offer the free eBook, 4 Keys to Intimate Sunday Morning Worship, to subscribers of this blog. (If you’re a subscriber and don’t have it yet, contact me and I’ll send you the link again.) It’s a short look at what the Bible teaches about being prepared to bow before God’s throne on Sunday morning – in pure and intimate worship. It’s a struggle you can overcome!
Above all, ask God what He might want you to do to grow in your own understanding biblical worship and help others around you to do the same. Invite His Spirit to open your eyes and guide your worship journey. It’s life-changing! It’s church-changing!
What steps are you ready to take to have an influence in the worship life of your church?
*Section between * * is taken from my book, Worship and the Word.
If you enjoyed this post, please SHARE it with others. (Share buttons are below.) I’d love to hear what you think, too!
SUBSCRIBE to my Worship and the Word blog so you don’t miss out on any new posts!
AND receive “4 Keys to Intimate Sunday Morning Worship” for FREE!
Worship Leader Magazine awarded Worship and the Word as one of the “Best of 2014” books!