Table Talk: More Than a Song : Week 4

More Than a Song: WORSHIP & SUFFERING

Here’s a short description of our current sermon series.

Worship is more than a song—it’s a response. It’s more than a Sunday—it’s a lifestyle. In a culture where worship is often equated with a moment—singing or attending a service—we risk missing the deeper invitation: to live our lives wholly centered on the worthiness of God. In this six-week series, we’ll explore what it truly means to worship in spirit and in truth (John 4:24)—not just with our lips, but with our lives. From understanding God’s unmatched worth to worshiping through suffering, and from individual devotion to corporate unity, we’ll be reminded that worship isn’t simply something we do; it’s who we are.

Spiritual Practice: Giving Ourselves in Worship

We believe that Jesus’ teaching is more than just knowledge for our minds (though it is certainly that). It should transform our actions. By living out - or practicing - the ways of Jesus, we are being shaped into a people who look more and more like Him.

“The heart of worship is to seek to know and love God in our own unique way. Each one of us fulfills some part of the divine image. Each one of us loves and glorifies God in a particular way that no one else can.” As we press into this series on worship, think about the times and places you feel most connected to God and are moved to worship Him. Is it in your car, listening to a favorite song? Is it outside, walking in His creation? Is it serving others at a local ministry? Is it drawing, painting, or taking photographs? Is it sitting in silence? Over the next month, intentionally place yourself into these spaces. Then, give Him everything you have! Pour yourself out as you praise Him in the unique way(s) He has gifted you. If your mind wanders to the reactions of others, direct your focus back to the greatness of God. Resist the urge to compare your worship to others’. God has created you to worship Him like no one else can, like a piece of glass that reflects His light in a unique way. Together, we create a beautiful mosaic of the vast and varied ways our God receives our praise!

Prayer

You can pray this prayer daily during the sermon series, or use it as a closing for table conversations each week.

Our Father in heaven, you are worthy of all our praise! You have created us for your glory, to enjoy a relationship with you. We confess that we often misplace our worship, choosing to love other things more than we love you. Our worship becomes a performance instead of heartfelt thanks and praise, offered from humble hearts. Thank you for your unending grace and mercy as you forgive us and guide us back to yourself, our true source of life and light. May we worship you together as a unified body in Christ, choosing to praise you in times of joy and suffering. We love you and offer ourselves to you today and every day.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

SERMON SUMMARY Most of us when we think of worship, it is joyous and exuberant. A response to gratitude and victory. However, Job, whose entire story is one of loss, says, “The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.” David writes Psalm 34, “I will bless the Lord at all times,” while in a cave fearing for his life. James wrote, “Consider its great joy when you experience various trial,” to exiles who left Jerusalem after Stephen’s martyrdom in Acts 7 and Saul’s subsequent persecution against the church in Jerusalem. Worship is not just boasting about God in the good times, it’s a balm in tough times.  This sermon will explore worship as an act of faith, trust, and surrender in the midst of suffering. Seeing the presence of God through the presence of pain.

Passages to Explore: Job 1:20-21, Psalm 34, 2 Cor. 12:7-10, James 1:2-4

Conversation Starters

KIDS Can you think of a time you were sad? Can you tell me/us about it? (Children may share a variety of answers along a spectrum of experiences. Whatever a child shares, we recommend that caring adults seek to validate their feelings and experiences. Ex: “Yes, I can see how that would make someone sad. Do you want to tell me more about that?”) Who has helped you when you were sad? What did they do? The Bible says that God is with us when we are feeling sad, scared, or angry. God is big enough to handle all of our feelings. We can be honest with Him. He loves us no matter what.

STUDENTS When you think about worship, what are the primary emotions or expressions that come to mind? The sermon highlights biblical figures like Job and David who worshipped in suffering. What specific struggles or types of suffering do you think are most challenging for people your age to worship through? How do we "see the presence of God in the midst of pain" when His presence might feel distant or His plan unclear? Are there specific spiritual disciplines (habits that draw us closer to God) or perspectives that can help with this?

ADULTS The sermon cites figures like Job and David. Are there people in the Bible, history, or your own life whose examples of worship through suffering resonate with you? How do we cultivate the spiritual sensitivity to "see the presence of God in the midst of pain" when our circumstances push us to do the opposite? What disciplines, habits, or perspectives help us perceive His active presence even when His purposes are obscure?