LEAD THE WAY
The Core
3. WORSHIP

CONNECT

• Connect through care, prayer and loving accountability for previous “I will …” statements

DISCOVER

WORSHIP - Our Relationship with Jesus

Devote yourselves to connecting with and following after Jesus

• Work through BE THE WAY - Worship (now or previously).

• Ask God to speak to you as you read His Word.

Luke 5:1-11 (NLT)

1 One day as Jesus was preaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, great crowds pressed in on him to listen to the word of God. 2 He noticed two empty boats at the water’s edge, for the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. 3 Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon, its owner, to push it out into the water. So he sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there.

4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.”

5 “Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.” 6 And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! 7 A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking.

8 When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m such a sinful man.” 9 For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him. 10 His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed.

Jesus replied to Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!” 11 And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus.

• In BE THE WAY - Worship the following was discussed:

  • Why is listening to and obeying Jesus part of our worship?

  • Why are reverence and repentance part of our worship?

  • Why are amazement and praise part of our worship?

  • Why is leaving everything to follow Jesus part of our worship?

  • Why are we to worship not just with our lips but also our lives?

• Where do you see these dimensions of worship in Luke 5, and why is each important to a full understanding of worship?

• Why is devotion to connecting with AND following after Jesus a good summary of worship?

New Testament Leadership

Luke 5 also raises an important question: What kind of people does Jesus call to follow Him and lead in His church?

• What do the following passages tell us about the kind of people God chooses and uses?

Acts 4:13 (NIV)

When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.

1 Corinthians 1:26-31 (NIV)

26 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31 Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”

• What do these passages tell us about the kind of people God chooses and uses?

• How do these passages connect with Jesus’ calling of the disciples in Luke 5?

The Way is not against training, of course. That’s why we offer LEAD THE WAY. We encourage you to get as much biblical and leadership training as possible.

But training is not a substitute for being with Jesus. A strong relationship with Jesus, combined with practical training in discipleship and MicroChurch leadership, is foundational to raising up F.A.S.T. leaders.

• Faithful

• Available

• Servant-Hearted

• Teachable

Where and How We Worship

Some may feel, or even insist, that worship must happen in a dedicated space—a church sanctuary, for example.

• What do Jesus’ words in John 4 say about that?

John 4:19-24 (NLT)

19 “Sir,” the woman said, “you must be a prophet. 20 So tell me, why is it that you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place of worship, while we Samaritans claim it is here at Mount Gerizim, where our ancestors worshiped?”

21 Jesus replied, “Believe me, dear woman, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans know very little about the one you worship, while we Jews know all about him, for salvation comes through the Jews. 23 But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. 24 For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.”

• What does this say about WHERE Christians can worship?

• What does this say about HOW Christians should worship?

• Is Christian worship limited to certain places, times, or activities?

• What does the New Testament Church’s practice of meeting primarily in homes suggest about worship?

MicroChurch Worship

• Worship is one area where it may seem that a larger church has an advantage over MicroChurch. How can a MicroChurch still cultivate deep, meaningful moments of praise and worship?

• You can praise through spoken prayers, instrumental worship, or worship videos. Usually, you can find a worship video with the lyrics. You could also spend time waiting on the Lord and inviting the Holy Spirit to minister among you through what is sometimes called “soaking worship.”

• Keep in mind that some in your MicroChurch may prefer hymns, while others may prefer contemporary songs. As you take turns facilitating your gatherings, people will naturally bring different preferences. Encourage your family to be flexible and sensitive to one another. There’s no need for a “worship war.”

• Repentance can be done personally and privately or out loud as a group.

• If someone confesses publicly with deep vulnerability, respond with grace and care. Remind them of God’s love and forgiveness. Assure the group that what has been shared should be treated with appropriate confidentiality. Pray for them as a family. Then personally follow up and provide any additional ministry or support that is needed. In other words, pastor this important moment—for the person and for your MicroChurch.

Worship and Kids

• Kids love to worship, so include them! Worship is one part of your gathering where children can participate fully.

• And don’t forget to sing some “kid songs.” Adults love these songs too.

Gathering Guide

• Note the Gathering Guide on Worship.

LIVE / LEAD

• What did you discover in this training session?

• What is your “I will …” statement flowing from this training?

• If you’re working through BE THE WAY as a group, who will facilitate the next session on Discovery?

Extra Sessions on Worship

• Our Meal and His Supper (Worship)

• Baptism (Worship)

PRINTABLE PDF

• LEAD THE WAY - Worship