An important part of worship is for the worshippers to be edified in the Word of God. We want to serve God, understand His word, and learn more about it every time we get a chance. To do this we listen to a lesson presented by a preacher when we are together for worship. This is in line with scripture as you will see from the reasons given below. As always, we would love to study this topic further with you if you desire.
The Command
2 Timothy 3:16-17 tell us several important things:
- All scripture is inspired by God (breathed out by God)
- It is useful for several things
- Teaching
- Reproof
- Correction
- Training in righteousness
- It provides these things so we can be fully equipped for the good works we are to do
The Action
When you visit with us, there will be a lesson from the scripture. Our preacher (or another speaker if the preacher is unavailable) will present a lesson from the Word of God.
The Reasons
Romans 10:14 says ‘How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? ‘
As Christians we need to know what to do. We need to know how to please God. There is no such thing as studying the Word of God too much. We should study His Word individually by reading and studying our bible in private. But, when we are gathered together we study as a group so we can listen to others and come to an understanding.
We do this so that our faith is strengthened, so we can learn what we are to do, and so we can compare the things being taught to the scripture to make sure that the things being taught are correct.
Acts 17:10-12 ~ 10 The brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so. 12 Therefore many of them believed, along with a number of prominent Greek women and men.
The Method
There are examples in scripture of a preacher teaching a lesson during worship.
Acts 20:7 ~ On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul began talking to them, intending to leave the next day, and he prolonged his message until midnight.
This shows how the saints (christians) were gathered together on the first day of the week (Sunday) to break bread (participate in the Lord’s Supper) and while they were together Paul delivered a message to those who were congregated.
We call this an “approved example.” An approved example is an example of christians in the first century doing something that was thought of as favorable. We use these examples to inform us about things that we can do that would be thought of as favorable as well. We want to worship the same way that the first century christians worshipped. This example demonstrates that a preacher (Paul) delivered a lesson during worship, so we do the same.
During this message we keep the Godhead (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) front and center of the message. We may talk about things that They did, things that They said, lessons we can learn from Their Words, and commands that we should follow.
While the message is being delivered, we are silent, listen and follow along in our bibles. Time will be given at a later time in the service to ask questions or make comments about this lesson that is presented.
Colossians 1:18 ~ He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.