Lesson 1: Introduction – IMPORTANCE OF WORSHIP
Bible Story : THE GREATEST COMMANDMENT
Lesson Scripture : Mat. 22:33-38
Main Emphasis : Loving God truly is the basis of a God-centered worship.
Objectives : By the end of this session, the students should be able to:
- define the term worship;
- state the greatest commandment told by Jesus;
- understand what worshipping God really is;
- understand why we worship God and its importance;
- assess the kind of worship they are doing at present;
- acknowledge God’s command to love Him is the basis for them to truly worship Him;
- list the things or blessings or answered prayers that God did for them; and
- recite the memory verse.
Words to Remember:
- Worship – the act of honoring and loving a deity, idol or person in a selfless manner; “to fall or bow down before; to acknowledge something or someone has spiritual authority.
- Pharisees – a religious group who gave oral tradition equal authority to the written Word of God; experts of the law or Scriptures; practiced righteousness externally – they were more concerned with the outward appearance than the inward feeling.
Pre-Session Activity: On a sheet of paper, list down the things or blessings God did that they are thankful for.
Lesson Proper : THE GREATEST COMMANDMENT (Mat. 22:33-38)
Jesus gives us two commandments that summarize all the laws and commands in Scripture (Mat. 22:34-40). The Ten Commandments (Exo. 20) deal with our relationship with God and then our relationship with other people.
Jesus was asked this very question by a Pharisee who was considered to be “an expert in the law”. Jesus answered by saying, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important commandment.
IN THIS REPLY, JESUS TAUGHT THAT THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS THAT MEN ARE COMMANDED TO LOVE GOD. SUCH A LOVE IS THE BASIS OF WORSHIP. THOSE WHO TRULY LOVE GOD WILL CERTAINLY WORSHIP HIM.
When we consider the reasons why we should praise God, we find a list of His attributes. He is full of glory (Psalm 138:5), great (Psalm 145:3), wise and powerful (Daniel 2:20), good (Psalm 107:8), merciful and faithful (Psalm 89:1), and much more. This list of attributes is complemented by a list of His wonderful works. He is the One who saves us (Psalm 18:46), keeps His promises (1 Kings 8:56), pardons sin (Psalm 103:1-3), and gives us our daily food (Psalm 136:25).
Knowing that the greatest commandment is to love and honor God, the best thing to show our love and honor is by worshipping Him. Worship is not a religious practice or a feeling, but an act of honor to God. Praise is a vital part of a life surrendered to God, and it gives credit where credit is due.
THOSE WHO DO NOT WORSHIP GOD WILL USE THEIR REASON IN WAYS THAT WILL NOT LEAD THEM TO GOD’S TRUTH, AND WILL BEGIN TO LOSE ALL GODLY AND NOBLE FEELINGS. (ROM. 1:21)
Life Application :
How do you worship God?
Do you think that your current act of worshipping Him is enough?
Is worshipping Him important to you?
We can worship God anywhere, could be at home, at school and obviously at church. We should not be ashamed to praise and worship God for He is pleased when we lift up His name. We are created to honor and obey Him. He also saved our souls, blessed us, protected us, and we lived by His grace. Worship does not need to be loud or noticeable, as long as it is from the heart.
To try to list all the things God has done is impossible, but it is a wonderful exercise because it turns our hearts back to Him and keeps us mindful of how much we owe to Him. Loving God truly is the basis of a God-centered worship.
Worksheets
