In Sunday School and in the sermon this week, we continued our series on worship, focusing specifically on worshiping through acts of service. As a family, review the Sunday School Scripture (Hebrews 13:15-16) and sermon notes and Scripture (1 Timothy 4 and Philippians 3).  

Review the MEMORY VERSE: “Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.” Hebrews 13:15 ESV

DISCUSS: What did you learn this week about worship?

In this week’s sermon, Pastor Jamey reminded us that part of our worship is living a life worth of the gospel. We are to set an example for others and live like Jesus. 

Read 1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1
In this passage, Paul is encouraging believers to do everything for God’s glory. Even simple, everyday things such as eating and drinking should be acts of worship. As we’ve learned throughout this series on worship, every moment of each day, we are choosing to worship Him or something else. And everything we think, say, and do can reflects God to others.

DISCUSS: If a stranger spent one day with you, who or what would he say is your greatest priority? Are you living a lifestyle of worship?

Consider this story by Max Lucado, paraphrased from his book It’s Not About Me (Integrity Publishers, Brentwood, TN, 2005):

A tall Manhattan skyscraper housed a company owned by the CEO. Everyone in the building worked for the CEO, whose office was on the top floor. Most had not seen him, but they had seen his daughter. She worked in the building for her father. She exploited her family position for her benefit. She selfishly demanded employees to do special jobs for her; she issued harsh orders and gave curt commands; she cared little about anyone except herself. All the employees knew about the snide, selfish reputation of the CEO’s daughter, and many wondered, “If the daughter is like this, what does that say about her Dad?” And because of the daughter’s actions and attitude, many were glad they had never met her father. 

Now imagine this story played out differently. Imagine the CEO’s daughter was instead known for her kind, selfless, and loving character. She helped others, welcomed new employees, encouraged fellow workers, and applauded a job well done. She never mentioned her father’s name, but she doesn’t have to. “Is she not his child? Doe she not speak on his behalf? When she speaks, everyone in the company assumes she speaks for him. And because they think highly of her, they think highly of her father. They’ve never seen or met him. But they know his child, so they know his heart.”  

We, too, are ambassadors of the King. May our lifestyles help others think more highly of our Father, and may we live as examples, giving others a desire to know and worship Him. 

Read 1 Peter 2:12
According to this verse, how can your lifestyle affect those around you?

THIS WEEK: 
Think about how your lifestyle (the things you think, say, and do) reflects on your Father in Heaven. 

In Sunday School and in the sermon this week, we continued our series on worship, focusing specifically on worshiping through acts of service. As a family, review the Sunday School and sermon notes and Scripture (Romans 12:1-8). 

Review the MEMORY VERSE: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:39, NIV

DISCUSS: What did you learn this week about worship?

In this week’s sermon, Pastor Jamey reminded us that we worship with our lives when we:

1. Present our bodies to God, and
2. Are Present in the body of Christ.

In Romans 12, Paul reminds us that our reasonable and pleasing act of worship is to offer our bodies as living sacrifices as we work to serve others through the Church. Pastor Jamey reminded us that God has gifted each of us with unique gifts and talents in order to perform a specific function. However, sitting in the pews is NOT one of those functions. We are all gifted and called to serve with the Body of Christ! When we simply sit in the pews each Sunday without being involved in ministry and service, we rob ourselves and the Body of blessings.

Read Matthew 5:13

Read this quote by author John Stott from his book The Sermon on the Mount.

“Our Christian habit is to bewail the world’s deteriorating standards with an air of rather self-righteous dismay. We criticize its violence, dishonesty, immorality, disregard for human life, and materialistic greed. ‘The world is going down the drain,’ we say with a shrug. But whose fault is it? Who is to blame?”

“Let me put it like this. If the house is dark when night fall comes, there is no sense in blaming the house, for that is what happens when the sun goes down. The question to ask is ‘Where is the light?’ If the meat goes bad and becomes inedible, there is no sense blaming the meat, for that is what happens when bacteria are left alone to breed. The question to ask is ‘Where is the salt?’”

“Just so, if society deteriorates and its standards decline, till it becomes like a dark night or stinking fish, there is no sense in blaming society, for that is what happens when fallen men and women are left to themselves, and human selfishness is unchecked. The question to ask is ‘Where is the church? Why are the salt and light of Jesus Christ not permeating and changing our society?’”

“It is sheer hypocrisy on our part to raise our eyebrows, shrug our shoulders or wring our hands. The Lord Jesus told us to be the world’s salt and light”

We are created to serve, and our acts of service, individually and corporately as a church, are to be salt and light to our world. We worship God when we take our salt shaker and light out into the world instead of sitting on the pews with it.

THIS WEEK:

1. Consider the ways God has uniquely created you. What are your natural talents and spiritual gifts? Identify these gifts and brainstorm ways you could plug in to minister and serve at Riverview. Pray about this and be prepared to plug-in!
2. This week, think of a few simple yet significant acts of service you and your family could perform for someone else. Choose 2 of these and take time to put these ideas into action. Then discuss how serving others, being salt and light, is related to worshiping God.