Lead members in a time of testimony. Have them share one of the following:
Their answered prayers during the week
One or two special things God did for them this week
The thing about Christ that make them follow him
One attribute of God that was demonstrated to them this week
Then have a time of praise with song and prayer reflecting the testimonies shared.
Read some Psalms. Then have individuals write their own Psalms or letters to God.
Have a time of positive biblical confession: Confess your faith in God. Confess Jesus Christ as your Lord. Confess your willingness to serve Him. Confess your love for God.
Use a hymn or worship song. Read it and discuss how it relates to each member’s life. Pray it to God. Then sing it together.
Have small group members take turns reading several Psalms out loud. Then pray in response. Or instruct them to speak their praise from the Psalms. Some good Psalms for this are 23, 27, 40, 103 and many more.
Have a time of silence before the Lord to hear His voice and worship.
Use Psalm 136 as a responsive reading. Have one person speak the descriptive verse and the group responds with the repeating verse. Read from the heart.
Choose an appropriate Psalm and have each person read a verse, or alternate verses where one person reads a verse and the group responds by reading the next verse in unison. Remember to stress listening to the words and worshipping God through them. Read with expression and from the heart.
When you read the Scriptures about various physical expressions of worship, practice one or two during each small group meeting. Position is more important than we think; the outward is a reflection of the inward. Consider a person slouching in his seat who doesn’t budge when someone important walks in. It says something. Often when we use our body in worship our heart responds and we are able to enter into God’s presence more easily and quickly.
Discuss these questions:
Describe a time in which you really sensed God’s presence in a close way.
What are things you do to draw close to God?
Choose a few ideas and practice them together as a group.
Read Romans 1:20 or Psalm 104. Then, spend time reflecting how nature reveals God’s character, for example the mountains speak of His majesty. Either go outside for a walk or look out a window. Ask each person to reflect on one part of nature (a tree, the clouds, a blade of grass). Then come back and share.
Read Romans 12:1,2 and talk about how we worship by dedicating every action we do to the Lord: our work, studies, conversations, as well as our songs when we gather. Remind your small group often that worship’s number one goal is to bless God, not bless us. Our blessing is a by-product of worship.
Have times in worship where your small group members, one by one, speak out:
The names of God
Attributes of God
Or finish the sentence: “Lord I thank you for…”
Here is a list of names, titles, and descriptions of God to help with the previous exercise. They could be copied off and the members could circle the ones that are most meaningful to them right now:
My advocate (Job 16:19) Bread of life (John 6:35) Comforter in sorrow (Jeremiah 8:18) My confidence (Psalm 71:5) Wonderful Counselor (Isaiah 9:6) Defender of widows (Psalm 68:5) My strong deliverer (Psalm 140:7) Faithful and True (Revelation 19:11) A consuming fire (Deuteronomy 4:24) A sure foundation (Isaiah 28:16) My friend (Job 16:20) God Almighty (Genesis 17:1) God of all comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3) God who avenges me (Psalm 18:47) God who saves me (Psalm 51:14) Our guide (Psalm 48:14) Head of the church (Ephesians 5:23) Our help (Psalm 33:20) My hiding place (Psalm 32:7) A great high priest (Hebrews 4:14) Holy One among you (Hosea 11:9) My hope (Psalm 71:5) Jealous (Exodus 34:14) Righteous judge (2 Timothy 4:8) King of kings (1 Timothy 6:15) Our leader (2 Chronicles 13:12) Your life (Colossians 3:4) Light of life (John 8:12) Lord of lords (1 Timothy 6:15) Lord of the harvest (Matthew 9:38) Mediator (1 Timothy 2:5) The most holy (Daniel 9:24) Our peace (Ephesians 2:14) Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6) My Redeemer (Psalm 19:14) Refuge and strength (Psalm 46:1) My salvation (Exodus 15:2) My Savior (Psalm 42:5) The good shepherd (John 10:11) Sovereign Lord (Luke 2:29) My stronghold (Psalm 18:2) My support (2 Samuel 22:19) Good teacher (Mark 10:17)
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