EXTRA! Ideas for Adults – The Heart of Worship – Session 3

1 week ago 11

Date: February 2, 2025

The Attitude in Worship

The Point: We are to come to God with a heart fully focused on Him alone.

Get Into the Study

Share the following after discussing the opening question.

What causes an earworm—a song you cannot get out of your head? Researchers say a variety of factors can contribute. Among them are how recently we heard a song and whether an experience reminds us of the song. Words, sounds, and even tastes can conjure up certain songs. Tasting the same food you ate before a Lee Greenwood concert can have “God Bless the USA” running through your head in no time. Songs with faster tempos as well as songs with more sustained notes (think of Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You”) are more likely to become earworms.

It’s not just the song that causes earworms though. We usually get songs stuck in our heads when doing activities that cause the mind to wander. Walking, showering, doing dishes, completing school assignments, or working on a puzzle create fertile mental ground for earworms, according to researchers. Sometimes friends take advantage of circumstances to get songs stuck in our heads. Ira Hyman, a psychologist who studies earworms at Western Washington University, said his colleagues drew on his research by approaching him before his bike ride home and singing “Who Let the Dogs Out” just to get it stuck in his head. It worked.

In today’s study we will examine how to get praise of God stuck in our minds and hearts. Unlike the latest earworm, getting our minds focused unalterably on worship has eternal value.

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/10/well/mind/songs-earworm-causes.html

Get Into the Study [Option from the Advanced Bible Study Teacher Guide, p. 52

As you discuss viewing the night sky, share this image of a telescope.

Get Into the Study (Option from Adult Leader Guide)

In advance, play a video clip of a catchy tune being sung. Then ask Question #1.

Study the Bible

As you discuss question 3 (point 2 on p. 107 of the Daily Discipleship Guide), share the following.

Pastors in America are working hard to help their congregations listen to God by reading His Word. Almost all US Protestant pastors (99%) say they encourage people in their churches to read the Bible on their own, according to a survey by Lifeway Research. There are several go-to methods most popular among pastors for encouraging Bible engagement. First is providing free Bibles to those who need them (93%), then reminding people about Bible reading during sermons (92%), and including Bible readings during worship services in addition to passages used in the sermon (73%).

“As we’re preaching and teaching, it would be so much better if we knew our church members were reading and studying the Word of God on their own,” said Dwayne Milioni, pastor of Open Door Church in Raleigh, North Carolina. “How much more glorious would the assembling of God’s people be if every day of the week our people were engaging God’s Word?”

Most pastors provide a printed Bible reading plan to churchgoers (59%) and send reminders about Bible reading on social media (56%). Almost half of pastors (49%) use email to remind their congregations to engage with Scripture. With so many faithful pastors calling us to listen to God’s voice in Scripture, we would do well to heed that call.

The week’s writer for Extra is David Roach. David is pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church in Saraland, Alabama. He and his wife Erin have three children.

Study the Bible (Option from Adult Leader Guide)

In advance, play the song “In Christ Alone” or similar tune. Invite people to share why their worship is focused on Christ alone. Discuss how they can avoid giving people or things other than the Lord the attention only He deserves.

Additional Questions

Icebreaker

What project or need (like a leaky faucet) has recently consumed your attention?
How have our phones changed our ability to pay attention?
What songs are at the top of your playlist these days?
Among popular artists, whose singing do you think is distracting?
What’s a tune you find yourself humming or singing throughout the day?

Psalm 40:1-5 – Worship with a humble and trusting heart.

What helps you prepare your heart for worship?
How can we cultivate a heart that worships?
How can we avoid taking credit for what God has done in our lives?
What does it look like to wait patiently for the Lord?
How can our testimony of God’s faithfulness cause others to trust in Him?
How important is patience in our walk with God?

Psalm 40:6-8 – Worship with willing obedience.

How do these verses add to your understanding of worship?
What obstacles often hinder our listening to God?
Why are open ears more pleasing to God than sacrifices?
How would you describe someone who delights in doing God’s will?
What are some of the benefits of willingly obeying God’s will?
How can we discern if we are obeying God’s will?

Psalm 40:9-11 – Worship unashamed.

How would you describe our society’s view of worshiping God?
What does it look like for you to worship unashamed?
Why is our public devotion just as important as our private?
When have you heard a testimony for Jesus that really blessed you?
How can we best display God’s love and truth?

For Those in Your Group

Send the following link to your group members as either a teaser before the group meets or as a follow-up thought. NOTE: After March 1, this supplemental devotional will only be available at lynnhpryor.com.

Something Better Than Binge Watching