Worship

What would happen if we put God first in our worship?

Our Primary Worship Focus
In her book, Teaching Kids Authentic Worship, Kathleen Chapman wrote,

“It is a chilling reality that most of our time spent before God is focused on us.”

We may not like to think that we ignore God in church, but let’s take a moment to examine the difference between worship with a self-focus and worship with a God-focus. Which sounds most familiar to you?

Self-focus:   We are here today to worship our God.
God-focus:  God, You are worthy of all praise!

Self-focus:   As Christians, we should be generous.
God-focus:  God is an extravagant giver.

This idea was, to us, a startling revelation. To think that we spend more time in worship focusing on ourselves than on God seemed nearly impossible. After all, God is the reason we go to church! We go to worship Him, not ourselves. And that’s why we should endeavor to put our focus on Him, where it belongs.

The Benefits of God-focused Worship
If we make anything other than God the subject of our primary focus in worship, we are ignoring the most important thing in church . . . the most important thing in life! God is the only person worthy of our worship attention. And choosing to focus solely on Him during worship comes with a whole host of benefits.

  • God-focused worship enables us to witness.
  • God-focused worship keeps us from degrading ourselves.
  • God-focused worship refreshes us, as we hear once again the good news about Him.
  • God-focused worship accomplishes discipleship and evangelism.
  • God-focused worship provides a basis for all our beliefs.
  • God-focused worship enables God to speak a personal message to each person.
  • God-focused worship changes and transforms us.

Join The Worship Experiment
The principles we’ve briefly outlined here only scratch the surface. This is just the first step into an incredible and exciting worship journey with God. If you’d like more information, we invite you to purchase a copy of The Worship Experiment: Setting Your Sights On God, by Kelley Lorencin.

There, you will find much more detailed information on everything we’ve outlined here, including helpful and practical examples to start making the switch from self-focused worship to God-focused worship in your own congregation. You can begin whenever you choose! It doesn’t require a lot of time and money . . . only a determined effort to shift your focus.

Everyone needs to hear good news about God, and that’s why God designed worship. As we behold Him, as we lift Him up and admire and adore Him, His Spirit empowers us and changes our lives. It is good to be in His presence!