Worship

 

EDGE Part

Worship can be a difficult aspect to bring to EDGE group. Our biggest hang-ups come from when we can’t get our minds past thinking of worship as just a sing-along with “Four-chord-Frank” and his wonder guitar named “Spirit”. Many of us really connect to God through singing our songs of worship to Him. However, we have to allow for the fact that community worship can take on a myriad of forms. Learning to bring the worship part of an EDGE group that will actually lead the group in worship is a process that involves trial and error. It can be risky because it requires something to flow from our heart. The deeper this expression of our heart, the more personal it will be.  While our most intimate expressions of worship are reserved for our most private times with God, people will draw closer together as they draw closer to the same God. (There’s some geometric principle to support this so it must be true!  In a nutshell, hearing the devotion of another can inspire others to greater devotion.


So, I’ve got WORSHIP for next week. Now what?


Basically bringing the worship element of EDGE is a two-step process. First you present a “picture of God” and second, you allow for a response of some kind to the picture you presented to the group.  Remember, in the end, it is a matter of trial and error. Have fun finding all the ways a group can worship God in community.


STEP #1 - Providing a “picture of God”

As the week’s “worship leader”, it’s your job to help the members of your group see the same particular “picture of God” so that they can all respond to it together as a group. You can imagine everyone in your group in a big circle around a giant crystal with thousands of different facets. If that crystal is God, your job is to call everyone over to all look at, observe, and respond to the same particular facet of God as you. So how do you figure out the exact “picture of God” you want to present and then how do you get on with the presenting of it? Here are just a few ideas.

  1. •Find some scripture or other written text. Consider using a recording or printing it out for everyone to read.

  2. •Use a 3-5 minute audio/video clip that will reveal something of the character and worth of God. Is there a story to why you selected the clip?  (Be sure to cue the clip prior to meeting’s start and provide lyrics if you bring a song.)

  3. •Tell a story about how you recently have seen God at work in your own life or the lives of others near you. Tell about how you responded or how it has changed you. Be specific in your storytelling details.


STEP #2 - Facilitating a response

The second aspect of bringing worship to EDGE group is facilitating and allowing for a response to the “picture of God” you present. Here are some ideas of what that might look like.

  1. •Journal about the experience or “picture of God” that is presented. Give everyone an opportunity to write down a response. Have paper and pens available for people that may not have any.

  2. •Give cheers to God. Everyone stand and toast God. One person says something God is or has done and everyone in the group responds to the statement by saying “Cheers!” and drinking up.  Make sure you have plenty of root beer.

  3. •Meditate on God’s perfection and finality in forgiveness by writing down failings on an index card and sending it through a portable paper shredder.

  4. •Make a model out of clay that represents an idol in your life. Share with the group why it competes with God for your worship and attention and then crush it in response to God’s call for your whole life.