Psalm 100:2 - 5
Worship the LORD with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs. Know that the LORD is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the LORD is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.
This is not a test. These are simple personal questions to help you understand what you believe-- about Who and why you are worshipping.
1. Do you realize you are worshipping the Creator who created the heavens and earth?
2. As you begin to praise God, is He close to you or far away in the heavens?
3. Is He sitting on a throne or standing with arms stretched out?
4. Is there a difference between praising God and worshipping Him? In what ways?
5. Who is it that you are worshipping? The Father, or The Son, or the Holy Spirit or do you worship them all at different times?
6. What is your stance (internal and external posture)? Is your external congruent with your internal?
7. Standing, laying, kneeling, sitting, dancing are all different postures we may have before our Savior and King. When you are worshipping do you ever wish you could have more freedom to have the external free enough to match the (secret heart) internal?
8. How close are you standing to the throne? Or are you seated at His feet?
9. Or is He reaching down to pick you up? Are you trying to climb up into his lap?
10. Can you imagine this King of Kings knitted you together in your mother’s womb?
11. Can you believe this King of Kings came as a baby?
12. Can this be the God who created the universe inside of you? (Luke 17:21 Nor will people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,' because the kingdom of God is within you.")
13. Is there any sin too big for the cross?
14. Can you believe this God of Creation knows all your secret sins and still loves you unconditionally?
15. Can you believe this God of Creation took on your most secret sins and died for them?
16. Are there any sins you try to hide from Jesus? Can you give these secrets to him?
17. Do these shameful things keep you from worshipping? Did you know that Jesus died on the "tree of shame"? He died to take your shame away.
18. What does this King want from you?
19. Does this King invite you into His Kingdom?
20.Can you invite this King into your heart?
21. Can you be face to face with Jesus? How do you say thank you?
22.What would you say to Him? What would He say to you?
23.As you come into the Throne room are you bold as you begin to worship?
Heb. 4: 16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
24.What does the throne of "grace mean" to you?
25.If you go before the throne right at this moment how would you imagine yourself to be, kneeling, bowing, laying face down, dancing, hands up, or would you be afraid to enter the room?
26.Does fear of judgment prevent with you fully praising God? Why?
27.As I worship, acknowledging God being God and that I’m not, this truth brings me to a new place of humility and grace. Can I extend grace to others who are at a different place than I am and allow them to be wherever they are at in their own personal worship experience?
28.If you were in the room with God alone to worship, how would it change from how you usually worship?
29.What does freedom to worship mean to you privately or corporately?
30.Can you be standing in a congregation and in your secret heart and have completely different attitude?
31. What prevents you from worshipping from within yourself?
32.What can stop you from worshipping or make you self-conscious?
33.Can anyone or anything make you withhold praise to God?
34.What annoys or distracts you from personally worshipping? Is it an excuse not to worship?
35.Does your God know when it’s difficult for you? At times worship between God and myself is very intimate, other times it seems hard to "show up" to praise God, what makes the difference?
36.Who encourages you to worship? Why?
37.What motivates you (from within) to enter into in worship?
38.At times I forget that Jesus said "His yoke is easy and His burden is light", without knowing it problems become bigger than God. Can worship be a time when "God gets bigger?
39.Qualities of both the Lion of Judah and Lamb of God are always present. So God's power, ability, and might, are always present too. Can I realize God is able to be powerful and intimate at the same time?
Heb. 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
40.What does the term sacrifice of praise mean to you?
41. Can you remember a time you praised God for how good He is in spite of a terrible situation? What makes that moment memorable to you & how were you changed because of it?
Rom. 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship.
42.Why do you think God wants us to be aware of His mercy before we're asked to offer our bodies as living sacrifices?
43.What is important about being a "living sacrifice"? Why does God want a fully live sacrifice instead of a dead one?
44.How do "you" offer yourself to God as a living sacrifice? How do you prepare yourself to do this?
45.When we present ourselves "fully", being honest and vulnerable, not withholding any parts of ourselves, God’s Word says this is "holy and pleasing" to Him. Is there any reason to hide our imperfections, weaknesses, strengths, failings, hopes, doubts, fears, desires, and secrets?
46.Does our loving God expect we will be anything more than human?
47.How willing are you to be "fully present" during a worship service?
48.God gave up all of Himself for us, am I willing to worship with 100% of myself?
49.When I loose awareness of myself, and begin to look toward my God, Savior, Jesus, and Creator what happens to those around me?
50.Do I realize when I am worshipping God the Father that He sees me as "holy and pleasing", do I believe He see others the same way?
51. For you today what are some of the most important reasons you praise and worship God?
52.How does worship help you grow spiritually?
53.What are some of the hardest parts of worshipping God? Can you ask Him to help you grow in that area?
My prayer--
Lord,
Make me Your servant, humble and true.
Help me fear not man, to instead fear you.
Lead me and teach me with each step I take.
Receiving your love, seeking your grace.
Desiring approval directly from You.
Teach me to worship in spirit and truth.