INTRO:

What we believe determines what we do and how we live. This is true for Christians and it is also a reality for everyone. A person’s life provides a living testimony of what he or she believes as well as what each person prioritizes. How have you seen this proven true in the lives of others? What about in your own life?

A church’s orthodoxy typically determines a church’s orthopraxy. What they believe will determine and shape what ministries take place at their church. How do you see this is reflected in the life of our church?

Sunday’s message introduced the following four ministry pillars:
Praising God with Passion (Psalms 96, 98, 148) Preaching & Teaching with Precision (2 Timothy 4:2-3; Acts 17:11) Praying with Fervency (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18; James 5:16c) Progressing with Evangelism & Discipleship (Matthew 28:18-20)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS

Our first ministry pillar centered on four considerations:

I. OUR DEFINITION FOR PRAISING: “Praising is the activity of glorifying God in His presence with our voices and hearts.” Read Romans 12:1. In what ways is praising God corporately a unique experience in our lives of worship? Our definition defines praising God with our voices and hearts. What is significant about our heads and hearts both being active in our worship?

II. OUR BASIS FOR PRAISING: As the object of our faith (God Himself) increases in diameter and depth then our praise of God can grow in diameter and depth. Or it could be said that a great view of God strengthens a great praise of God. How does focusing on the “Person(s) of God” fuel your passion to praise Him? Which attribute of God do you cherish the most? God’s works also provide a basis for believers to praise Him with passion. How has God’s work encouraged you to praise Him with passion in your life? How about in the lives of others?

III. OUR EXPRESSIONS FOR PRAISING: Scripture shares two categories of expressions that can be used to praise God: 1) Musical expressions 2) Physical expressions. Musical expressions are in the form of many different instruments (i.e. cymbals, harps, tambourines, flutes). Physical expressions consist of bowing, kneeling, clapping, singing, lifting hands, shouting and standing in awe. What physical expressions do you feel most comfortable utilizing? What physical expression of praise would you like to share more often?
IV. OUR PASSION FOR PRAISING: Our passion to praise God is truly preparation for eternity. Read Revelation 19:5-6. How can focusing on our future worship of Christ fuel our desire to praise Him with passion now?

TRANSPARENCY QUESTION:
How does God want me to grow in my passion to praise Him?

CARE GROUP MEMORY VERSE:
Romans 15:11 And again, “Praise the Lord all you Gentiles, And let all the peoples praise Him.”