The Discipline of Worship

As we continue in our theme of “Growing in Christ,” one of the ways God grows us is by re-centering our hearts through worship. Worship is more than a weekly routine. It is a discipline that shapes our priorities, resets our focus, and reminds us who God is and who we are.

Hebrews 10:24–25 says, “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”

That last line is easy to read quickly, but it carries real weight: “exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” In other words, as we get closer to the return of Christ and the final Day of judgment, worship and fellowship should not become less important. They should become more important. The closer we get to eternity, the more we should be encouraging each other to stay faithful, stay engaged, and stay close to the Lord.

“Let us consider one another…” reminds us that worship is not only about “me and God.” It is about us. That means when we gather, we are not just showing up for ourselves. We are showing up for each other. Our presence strengthens the church. Our voices encourage the discouraged. Our consistency helps keep someone else from drifting.

And what does it look like to “stir up love and good works” through worship? It looks like coming ready, not just to sit, but to participate. It looks like singing with your heart. It looks like greeting visitors. It looks like checking on someone who has been missing. It looks like speaking encouragement instead of criticism. It looks like serving when help is needed. It looks like praying for each other. It looks like teaching our kids that worship is not something we endure. It is something we anticipate.

The writer of Hebrews paints a picture of a church family that looks forward to being together so much that they encourage one another to be there. That means we do not just assume people know they are wanted. We remind them. We do not just notice when someone is absent. We reach out. We do not just attend. We engage.

And this matters deeply for our kids and teens. They are learning what the church is by how we treat it. When they see adults excited about worship, not as a tradition, but as a priority, they learn to value it. When they see us encouraging one another, serving one another, and taking God seriously, they learn what it means to grow in Christ.

So here’s the challenge this week: do not just come to worship. Come to build up the body. Come to exhort. Come to encourage. Come to stir up love and good works. Come with your eyes on the Day that is approaching. Because we do not grow in Christ by drifting through worship. We grow by meeting God there, together.

Always remember, you are loved.

Eric