Since the days of Adam, worship has been an integral part of the lives of God's children (Gen. 5:1-4). In each period of time, God made His wishes for worship known and held worshippers accountable for their actions. We live in the final redemptive dispensation of time: the last times. In these times, we are privileged to offer worship to God as His Church.

Jesus prophesied of the quality of worship which would be offered today. At the well of Jacob, Jesus told a Samaritan woman of a time in which the physical place of worship would not be important. Jesus foreshadowed, "Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth" (John 4:21-24).

From this teaching of Jesus, we learn our worship is directed to God. Our worship is to be heartfelt and employ methods prescribed by God. When we do this, we offer worship which reflects the nature of God: spiritual worship. Additionally, God is praised and we are edified.

When considering the subject of the worship of the Church, teaching regarding the importance of Scriptural authority is commonly addressed. Jesus' teaching makes clear our need of having a scriptural basis for our worship. Rather than stating Biblical documentation for the worship of the church, consider Biblical documentation regarding the purpose for each action of our worship.

First of all, we must remember God is not in need of our worship. His power is not affected by our worship. He has not commanded worship as a means to inflate His ego. When Solomon offered a prayer of dedication for the Temple, Israel's center for worship, he acknowledged that God did not need a place of grand architecture in which to dwell (1 Kings 8:27-30). Similarly, Paul preached that God did not dwell in temples made with hands. God does not need anything from humanity (Acts 17:22:32). Worship was authored by God for our spiritual benefit. Worship is a means to better equip us spiritually. With this in mind, consider how our actions of worship help cultivate spiritual value in us.

Our singing is an important aspect of our worship. For example, Paul wrote, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord" (Col. 3:16). As Christians, the word of Christ is to dwell in us richly. If this is occurring, the word of Christ will flow from our hearts and off our lips in song (Heb. 13:15). The songs we sing are to teach, as the word of God teaches. The songs we sing are to admonish and urge spiritual growth, as the word of God admonishes and urges spiritual growth. Our singing, as part of our worship, is to edify us. God does not need to be edified, we do.

Next, our worship includes observing the Lord's Supper. Jesus commanded His disciples to eat unleavened bread and drink the fruit of the vine as a remembrance of His death (Matt. 26:26-30). Why did Jesus institute this observance? Was He concerned with His legacy? Of course, not. This Supper was given to aid our spiritual growth. In remembering Jesus' death each first day of the week, we remember what made His death necessary: our sin. With this in mind, the Supper gives an opportunity to examine our relationship to Christ (1 Cor. 11:28). The Lord's Supper also helps reinforce fellowship with the saints (1 Cor. 10:16-17). The Supper unites the Christians of a local church, who observe in worship, but also unites them to Christians throughout the world. There is an individual, collective, and universal aspect of the Lord's Supper.

Thirdly, we pray in our worship of God. We offer prayers of thanks, praise, and requests to God. Prayer does not need to be offered for God's benefit. As a matter of fact, we are incapable of fully comprehending our needs to voice them in prayer. The Holy Spirit assists us in our inadequacies (Rom. 8:26-27). Prayer aids us in our spiritual development. Prayer cultivates humility and dependence upon God (Matt. 6:9-15; Luke 18:9-14). We are to seek help from God through prayer (Heb. 4:16). Prayer is a reminder of our inabilities to merit God's graces.

We also give of our prosperity on the first day of the week. Paul instructed the church at Corinth, "Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come" (1 Cor. 16:1-2). While there is no Biblical evidence for the exact point when, during a gathering of the church, this occurred. Churches typically collect money from the members during worship.

When a collection takes place during worship, the collection serves similar purposes to the Lord's Supper. This action can reinforce our fellowship. Our individual contributions represent personal sacrifices for the work of the Church. Collectively, contributions become shared sacrifices. These sacrifices enable us collectively to share in edification, evangelism, and benevolence (Eph. 4:11-12; Phil. 4:15-17).

Finally, teaching and preaching is done when we gather for worship. This action is not necessarily an action of worship, as is singing, praying, and observing the Lord's Supper. Nevertheless, education has always been a part of the gathering of God's people. This can be clearly seen throughout the Bible. Obviously, God does not need us to teach Him anything. However, we need to be taught. Jesus explained citizenship in His kingdom would be the result of education (Matt. 6:44-45). The works of evangelism and edification are the results of teaching and preaching (Rom. 10:13-17). We must focus on the Scriptures and their meaning in our lives (2 Tim. 3:16-4:5). Our teaching and preaching are not to be filled with opinion, comedy, self-help, or storytelling. Bible study is not a session for us to vent our frustrations. Time for teaching and preaching is time when the truth is to be honestly considered for our spiritual benefit.

In conclusion, worship must be an uplifting experience. If worship is practiced in spirit and in truth, worship will always be an encouraging occasion. Sometimes worship becomes routine and mundane. Instead of inventing novel methods of worship, or dealing in the superficial, we would be the wiser to refocus on the Bible's teaching regarding worship. As we sanctify the Lord in our hearts, our worship will improve (Col. 3:16; 1 Pet. 3:15). The quality of our worship improves as our lives become more and more spiritually enriched.

David Flatt and his wife, Elizabeth, have been working with the Thayer Street church of Christ in Akron, Ohio since 2008.