renewing worship

renewing worship coming back to the heart of worship Kevin Bowman: kbowman@cordovachurch.com Dave Davis: ddavis@cordovachurch.com www.cordovachurch.com/renew

Introduction • Who are we? • Kevin Bowman • Dave Davis • Why are we teaching this class? • To broaden our understanding of worship • To become more intentional & inspirational in our worship • To understand the role worship plays in our relationships & evangelism • To have a conversation about corporate worship in a multi-generational congregation • The NCD profile Cordova did last summer identified “Inspiring Worship Service” as one area where we can improve

Introduction • What can you expect from this class? • Prepared, invested instructors who are open to discussion & feedback (and who are also learning along with you!) • Content drawn from multiple resources (we’ll cite as much as possible) • An interactive study of worship in its multiple forms: personal, family, everyday, and corporate (format) • A focus on making all types of worship inspiring & relevant

Personal Worship • Personal worship is that private time between you and God; time to “listen” to the Spirit • Prayer, praise, sacrifice, scripture, and reflection are all elements of personal worship • It’s often unseen, private, deep, personal, and can be emotional • Because it’s private, there’s less public accountability and it can easily be neglected • However, personal worship is foundational for other types of worship

Inspiring Personal Worship • Like all types of worship, personal worship is meant to connect us to God • When connected to God, personal worship will be inspirational • Personal worship must also be “relevant” to you; should not be forced or contrived or patterned after something you won’t connect with • Although we have freedom to worship in different ways, all worship should strive to align to Scriptural examples & be pleasing to God • Each of us have a responsibility to establish & practice meaningful-to-you, God-connected personal worship

What does your personal worship to God look like? What are some difficulties you face regarding personal worship?

Through our prayers But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matthew 6:6

Through praise Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name. Hebrews 13:15

Through studying God’s word Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Deuteronomy 11:18

Through our sacrifice Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. Philippians 2:3-4

Through reflection Search me, O God, and know my heart;test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. Psalms 139:23-24

In tune with God

Next week • Continue discussing personal worship, with a focus on applying & inspiring • Thanks for coming & we hope to see you next week! • Resources are online! • Feedback and discussion welcomed! • kevinb@cordovachurch.com • daved@cordovachurch.com

renewing worship