Worship
Open talk in Gospel LibraryIdeas for Opening the Lesson
- Begin with a brief discussion on what worship means to each individual. Ask class members to share their personal experiences of worship and how it has impacted their lives.
- Play a hymn that is often associated with worship and invite class members to reflect on the feelings and thoughts it evokes. Discuss how music plays a role in worship.
- Share the story of the Magi from the talk and discuss what their journey and actions teach us about the nature of worship.
- Start with a quote from the talk about the exclusivity of worship and discuss its implications in today’s world.
- Invite a class member to share a personal experience where they felt transformed by worship.
Topics
Engage in Collective Worship
Elder Christofferson emphasized the importance of gathering in consecrated spaces to perform acts of devotion, such as prayer, singing hymns, and partaking in the sacrament. He explained that worship on the Lord's day is marked by a focus on Jesus Christ's atoning sacrifice, which should transform us.
We come together to worship. There is a significant difference between the two. To attend means to be present at. But to worship is to intentionally praise and adore our God in a way that transforms us!
- How can gathering for worship transform us individually and as a community?
- In what ways do you feel the power of collective worship?
- How can we ensure our worship is intentional and not just attendance?
- What role does the sacrament play in your personal worship experience?
- How can we make our Sabbath worship more meaningful?
Cultivate Attitudes of Gratitude in Worship
True worship involves loving God and yielding our will to Him. Gratitude infuses worship with joy and renewal, marking it as more than a duty. Elder Christofferson highlighted the importance of offering a broken heart and contrite spirit.
Feeling and expressing gratitude to God are, in fact, what infuses worship with a sense of joyful renewal as opposed to seeing it as just one more duty.
- Why is gratitude an essential component of worship?
- How can we cultivate a heart full of gratitude?
- What are some ways to express gratitude in our daily worship?
- How does yielding our will to God enhance our worship?
- What can we learn from Jesus’s example of worship?
Prioritize Exclusive Worship of God
Elder Christofferson discussed the importance of worshipping only God and Jesus Christ, warning against idolatry in any form. He shared the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego as examples of unwavering faith and exclusive worship.
Whatever takes precedence over worship of the Father and the Son becomes an idol.
- What are modern-day idols that can distract us from worshipping God?
- How can we ensure our worship remains exclusive to God?
- What lessons can we learn from Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego?
- How does prioritizing God in our lives affect our other commitments?
- What are the dangers of substituting anything for God in our worship?
Emulate the Father and the Son in Worship
Living a Christlike life is a genuine form of worship. Elder Christofferson explained that emulating the Father and the Son involves cultivating their attributes and character, which is transformative and part of the covenant path.
Ultimately, how we live may be the best, most genuine form of worship.
- How does living a Christlike life serve as a form of worship?
- What attributes of the Father and the Son can we strive to emulate?
- How does the covenant path relate to our worship?
- In what ways has worship transformed you personally?
- How can we actively seek holiness in our daily lives?
Incorporate Daily Acts of Worship
Elder Christofferson highlighted the importance of daily worship, including prayer, scripture study, and living with gratitude. He emphasized that worship is not limited to Sundays but should be a continuous part of our lives.
Ye must pour out your souls in your closets, and your secret places, and in your wilderness.
- What are some daily practices that help you worship God?
- How can we make worship a continuous part of our lives?
- Why is personal worship important in addition to collective worship?
- How does daily worship strengthen our relationship with God?
- What challenges do you face in maintaining daily worship, and how do you overcome them?
Additional Discussion Questions
- How does the concept of worship differ from simple attendance at church?
- What does it mean to you to worship God with all your heart, soul, and mind?
- How can we better support each other in our worship as a community?
- In what ways can we show our devotion to God outside of formal worship settings?
- How does worship help us in our personal spiritual growth?
- What are some ways to teach children about the importance of worship?
- How can we keep our worship sincere and free from distractions?
- What role does the Holy Ghost play in our worship?
- How can we prepare ourselves spiritually for worship each Sunday?
- What does it mean to you to emulate Christ in your daily life?
