The Forge

What is worship?

Worship is the submission of all our nature to God. It is the quickening of conscience by his holiness; the nourishment of mind with his truth; the purifying of imagination by his beauty; the opening of the heart to his love; the surrender of will to his purpose – and all of this gathered up in adoration. – William Temple, Archbishop of Canterbury

You have made us for yourself, and our heart is restless until it rests in you. – St. Augustine

Worship does not satisfy our hunger for God; it whets our appetite. – Eugene H. Peterson

Luke 4:14-16
Then Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread throughout the entire vicinity. He was teaching in their synagogues, being praised by everyone.
He came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. As usual, he entered the synagogue on the Sabbath day

Jesus modeled a life of worship

Jesus’ practice of worship was REGULAR, INTENTIONAL, PRIVATE, and PUBLIC

Worship is a sacrifice of praise with our lips and our lives

Hebrews 13:15,16
Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

Worship is an offering of our entire being, ignited by the Holy Spirit, as a living sacrifice to God.

Romans 12:1
Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship.

Worship is an experience of Spirit and Truth.

John 4:23-24
Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”


Discussion Questions:

What is worship and why is it important for you personally and corporately?
Would you say that worship is something that characterizes your life?
What are some ways that you have made worship a “regular practice” in your life?
If worship is about holistically engaging with God (Heart, Soul, Mind, Strength) What area is the easiest for you?
What is the hardest area for you?

We don’t only get a helpful perspective from the margins; God often speaks to us there. How can we listen to what He wants to tell us from the margins?
How can we take effective action, even if we can’t see how the concerns of the margins affect us personally?
Share an experience where you felt God using you to help another.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Briefly allow each person at your table to share their experience in solitude. What was it like? Easy/Hard? Did God reveal anything or speak in any way?
How can the group be supporting you as you embark on practicing solitude?

Which part of the armor of God do you find most difficult to put on? Which is the easiest for you to put on? Discuss why each of these is true for you.
In the context of Ephesians 6:17, how are your sword fighting skills?
Ephesians 6:17 in The Message says that God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. What, in your life, is it an indispensable weapon against?
Are you training and practicing with the Word?
Are you conditioned to use the Word? What does being in condition to use the Word mean?
Are you constantly on defense regarding the Word and your faith? What would allow you to be more on offense?

“The Bible contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable.” -from the introduction to the Gideon Bible

Read the Bible to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you.


Christ is the Bible’s grand subject, our good its design, and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, and prayerfully.  It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. It is given you in life, will be opened at the judgment, and be remembered forever. It involves the highest responsibility, rewards the greatest labor, and will condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents.

How does the idea of learning to act Christianly change if pursued collectively rather than individually?
When it comes to interacting with others, do you tend to be the master or disciple, or a good table guest at Jesus' table?

What benefits can righteousness produce in and around me?
Are there any filthy rags of self-righteousness that I am counting on to protect me?

Have you ever had a crisis of faith?
What does active faith mean to you?
Why is it hard to have faith in God?
What are the things of this world that you go to for comfort?
Are you currently having to wait patiently and trust God?
Do you actually believe the words of James 1:2-4? Do they make you mad?

Are there relationships, if any, that I might simply be trying to keep up the idea of peace rather than actually making peace?
In what areas of my life do I still need God's peace to be revealed to me?
In what environment or relationship could the Lord be inviting me into being a peacemaker?