The Priority of Worship

Introduction - What and How We Will Learn

So, here’s how this will work. I hope.

To get things started, chapter 1 will lay some foundational groundwork about worship. What does this word really mean? What is Worship? What isn’t worship, and why must it be a priority?

Next, we will uncover the rich background on Why We Worship God (chapter 2). We’ll talk about God’s Plan for Worship (chapter 3), and how and why He designed it as He did. We’ll better understand concepts we find in our worship language today. Things like sacrifice and blood, fire and altars. If the history and detail are too much for you, skip to the next section. Some people just want to know what to do, and not why. (But don’t miss the stories about my dad.)

In the middle (chapters 4–7), we’ll develop building blocks for our everyday practice of worship. These worship components fall into three categories:

(a) proper attitudes we must have for worship; (b) acts of worship or things we can do as we worship; and (c) acknowledgements of God’s character from a study of His names. In these chapters, we’ll talk about building an “altar” in our daily worship using building blocks that become the “stones” of our personal altar. Because this is a how-to book, these tools will help us visualize worship, then actually worship God. Again, once you see all the acts of worship and names of God, you can skip ahead, if you’d like, and come back to them individually when you need them. (There is a separate table of contents for each of these in the Appendix.) I recommend reading everything, but I don’t want you to get bogged down and throw away the book.

Romans Chapter 12 Verse 1 will need some special attention. It’s one of the great verses of the Bible. (My chapter 8.)

Music and Songs (chapter 9) will play a big role in our worship experience. I try to explain them in a way that will help us appreciate these wonderful gifts in new ways. (This stuff is pretty good, if I do say so myself.)

The Psalms (chapter 10) are poetic and lyrical words of worship given to us by some real worship experts. These songs and scriptures lead and inspire us, and we will learn some new and very practical ways to use them in our own worship.

Worship as Warfare (chapter 11) will teach us how to use worship as a weapon in times of temptation, trials, and suffering.

In chapters 12, 13 and 14, I’ll explain Whom We Worship, which is not as obvious as it may seem. Next is When to Worship. We will talk about the rhythms of our worship, in church, in quiet times, and in our everyday lives. Then we will amplify How to Worship. Things get practical here as we learn specifically to use the tools and STONES we have developed.

Next, we will address the differences between Religion and Relationship (chapter 15). Worship is doing our part to fulfill, and maintain a vital, living, daily relationship with Yahweh, the one true God. This chapter may sting a little.

Lastly, in chapter 16, I have a challenge for you just to help you get started. I call it The Fortnight Challenge. (A fortnight is 14 days.)

In the Appendix, you will find graphics, articles, and lists that may help explain or enhance some content (or maybe just didn’t fit in the main part of the book). Also, you will find Citations, Sources and Songs. Here I’ll cite my sources and credit those responsible for the song lyrics I include.

I have endeavored to create some consistency in how I present and emphasize certain texts in my book. The Chicago Manuel of Style Online has been my guide.

Scripture passages are indented and always show a complete reference and Bible version. See the copyright page for details on Bible versions.

If I have translated a word from English to Hebrew or Greek, the translated word will be presented as: ADONAI When I use this word as a proper name or title, I simply capitalize it: Adonai. The only exception is YHWH.

When I insert a translated word (ADONAI) into scripture, or make any other change, the reference will include: Author’s translation added. I will occasionally underline words or phrases in scripture to indicate my intended emphasis.

Words in the text that deserve emphasis are in italics: you must want to do it.

Attitudes, acts, and acknowledgements for worship are referred to as “stones” and will be presented as: STONE

References to chapter titles are underlined: The Psalms in Worship

I like to repeat myself; I need to hear something several times before it sinks in. So, I may say things a few times, in different ways, in several chapters, in hopes you can learn them as well. Be patient with me. My main intent in writing this book, in the way I do, is to help some of you learn to worship our God regularly and comfortably. More mature worshipers might even find a few tips or tools to enhance your daily worship experience. And some of you might be encouraged to be more consistent and make worship a priority in life.

This is a book primarily for Christians, people who follow the teachings of Jesus Christ in their everyday lives. I am one of those. I want to enable Christians to worship God, worship Him more, and worship Him better. This is my purpose in writing this book.

But, if you are not a Christian, or not sure, then try to keep reading anyway. Maybe you will learn something new, or laugh at something funny, or be reminded of a story of your own. If you find that you want to learn more about following Christ, then talk with someone you know who is a follower of Jesus. He or she will help you. If you don’t know someone like that, then send me an email. We’ll talk.

greg@priorityofworship.com

http://www.priorityofworship.com