What does worship to God look like?

How worship to God happens and what it actually looks like varies around the world. In fact, others’ offering of worship to God in your own community may look completely different from how you worship.

Of course, there are differences in how people dress and things they might recite, but this question is focused on the activities in which we engage in our worship to God. In fact, just a search on “worship activities” brings all kinds of results. For example, engageworship.org offers suggestions during Covid that “include a simple prayer or worship activity which families can engage with together, using movement, interaction, craft, play and more. We will be varying the themes and types of engagement with God, and we are sure that you’ll be able to adapt the ideas to suit your family.”

But what if there were certain activities that God expected in worship to Him? Is it really up to us to determine, taking the liberty to define what our worship to God looks like? Consider below what Scripture shows us about what first-century worship to God looked like and let us know your thoughts or suggestions in the comments.

How Scripture answers "What does worship to God look like?"

Fundamentally, worship to God should be in spirit and in truth¹ – assembling in the name of Jesus Christ⁸ (e.g. in Christian fellowship) and presence of the Holy Spirit. Further, according to Scripture, our worship to God on the first day of the week should include:

partaking of the Lord’s Supper^2,7
giving for specific need(s)³
singing songs of praise to/for God⁵
reading of Scripture⁶
teaching/preaching^6,7 (by the men¹¹)
prayers¹⁰

Finally, when we come together in worship to God, it should be with the forethought and planning that accounts for the needs and encouragement of others^4,6. Women are to remain silent¹¹ in keeping with order⁹ and subjection^5,11. Worship isn’t about our own spiritual fulfillment or enjoyment (although it should achieve both). It is first in honor and glory to God and Jesus as Lord⁸, and second to encourage fellow saints in Christ to press on⁴.

Answer built on scripture-blocks below

1

John 4:23-24

But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.

What does it say?

A time will come when true worshipers will worship in “spirit and truth.” God seeks these worshipers and it is how they “must” worship Him since He is spirit.

What is the context?

Jesus is speaking to the woman at the well in Samaria at the very beginning of His public ministry. It’s a time when Jews considered Jerusalem the center of worship (still under the Mosaic covenant). Conversely, the Samaritans had developed their own center of worship – an offshoot of the traditions passed down from their Jewish heritage. Worship location is very much the context in which Jesus is speaking. Immediately preceding he says, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father.” (vs 21)

How does it apply here?

Worship that is “true” would be done in spirit and in truth.

2

1 Corinthians 11:20-21

Now when you come together at the same place, you are not really eating the Lord’s Supper. For when it is time to eat, everyone proceeds with his own supper. One is hungry and another becomes drunk.

What does it say?

They were coming together to eat the Lord’s Supper, but not doing so properly – they were not waiting on each other, doing it in excess and for carnal reasons (getting drunk).

What is the context?

Paul in his letter to the church in Corinth gives many admonitions and instruction about their worship practice. In this case, he’s admonishing about the divisions created in their inappropriate Lord’s Supper practices.

How does it apply here?

While an admonition, it demonstrates one thing the church did during “coming together” (worship) – partaking of the Lord’s Supper. Paul’s admonition is also a practical example and manifestation of Jesus’ declaration that true worship would be in spirit (not for carnal reasons) and truth.

4

Hebrews 10:24-25

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

What does it say?

Lets all think about how to provoke each other to love and good works by not skipping worship as some are doing, but coming together to encourage each other more and more as the final day of judgement draws near.

What is the context?

This letter to Jewish Christians that were now scattered throughout the region contrasts their Old Covenant worship practices (e.g. sacrifices, High Priest, etc.) with the New Covenant under Jesus Christ. Specifically here, the writer is relating the practice of the High Priest entering the Holy Place to the Christian’s responsiblity to do the same (in worship).

How does it apply here?

A harder-to-spot activity of worship, but encouraging others and “spurring one another on” is definitely an activity. It requires forethought (planning) and obviously being present. The encouragement of others is something that should be present and visible.

5

Ephesians 5:18-21

And do not get drunk with wine, which is debauchery, but be filled by the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music in your hearts to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and submitting to one out of reverence for Christ.

What does it say?

Don’t get drunk with wine, which is depravity, but be overcome by the Spirit by speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make melody in your hearts to the Lord and at all times give thanks to God the Father for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one in duty to Christ.

What is the context?

Paul’s letter to the church in Ephesus giving encouragement and instruction.

How does it apply here?

When coming together, they sang songs of praise to God and were submitting to each other, under Christ. Similar to the contrast from Paul in 1 Corinthians 11 regarding the Lord’s Supper², here he advocates for the spiritual over the carnal by signing. Specifically, singing songs of praise to God in a way that speaks to each other — using their hearts as the instrument and with an attitude of thanksgiving to God and submission to each other (given the common bond in Christ).

6

1 Timothy 4:13

Until I come, give attention to the public reading of scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.

What does it say?

Timothy is given instruction to read Scripture publicly, exhort and teach.

What is the context?

Paul’s letter to a young preacher, Timothy. Throughout the letter, Paul’s instructions have to do with Timothy’s activities and relationship with the brethren there with Timothy (the church).

How does it apply here?

We couldn’t say this instruction definitely applied to reading during worship specifically, but it would seem likely given the context.

!! scripture-block context extra important here !!

Broadly, throughout the letter, Paul references the other brethren there, and specifically, Paul qualifies these activities to be in public. Therefore, it most likely would be when they are gathered together for worship. Additionally, in other places, Paul has instructed his letters (e.g. Scripture) to be read to the church so it was common. (1 Thess 5:27, Col 4:16)

7

Acts 20:6-7

We sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and within five days we came to the others in Troas, where we stayed for seven days. On the first day of the week, when we met to break bread, Paul began to speak to the people, and because he intended to leave the next day, he extended his message until midnight.

What does it say?

Paul and his group left Philippi after the feast of Unleavened Bread and sailed five days to Troas. They stayed there seven days and on the first day of the week (Sunday) met to break bread. Paul also spoke to the group for an extended period since he was leaving the next day.

What is the context?

Paul is traveling to Jerusalem and stopping in various cities on the journey – and staying, sometimes for months (Corinth). As he goes, he is collecting money to give the needy saints in Jerusalem.

How does it apply here?

The Christians in Troas met on Sunday to “break bread” or partake of the Lord’s Supper and hear a message from Paul.

9

1 Corinthians 14:34-35

(As in all the churches of the saints,) the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says. If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church.

What does it say?

In every local assembly, the women should remain silent. They are not permitted to speak but should remain in submission, as it was in the Law. If there is anything they desire to learn, they should ask their husband at home. It is shameful for a woman to speak in church.

What is the context?

Paul is writing to the church in Corinth about orderly worship. In this immediate context, he’s applying this truth to discourage everyone from speaking at once in worship. In particular, they were using miraculous gifts of tongues improperly (with no interpreter – vs 27).

The second part of verse 33 is included here in parentheses. While part of verse 33, the punctuation is such that a new paragraph begins. Other translations such as the KJV and NASB punctuate and include it with verse 33 to read, “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.”

How does it apply here?

Women should remain silent in church in order to not subvert the authority of the men and create disorder.

!! scripture-block context extra important here !!

10

1 Timothy 2:8

I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling;

What does it say?

In each church assembly, I [Paul] want the men to pray in holiness without anger or disputing;

What is the context?

Paul, appointed as preacher and apostle in “faith and truth” (vs 7), is instructing the young preacher Timothy in various matters of faith and church leadership. Specifically in this chapter, he is addressing specific roles in the local church assembly regarding duties and conduct. After addressing “the men” (vs 8), he goes on to address the women (vss 9-15).

How does it apply here?

The men are to offer prayers.

!! scripture-block context extra important here !!

In this context, it’s clear that “every place” is each local assembly or every local church.

11

1 Timothy 2:11-12

Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet.

What does it say?

Let a woman learn quietly while being submissive. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man, rather she is to remain quiet.

What is the context?

Paul, appointed as preacher and apostle in “faith and truth” (vs 7), is instructing the young preacher Timothy in various matters of his personal faith, and in this chapter turns specifically to instructions for members of the church. He starts with more universal instruction (vss 1-6) before turning to specific roles within local assemblies. First for men (vs 8), women (vss 9-15), elders (3:1-7), and deacons (3:8-13).

How does it apply here?

Continuing in the same context¹⁰, women are not to exercise authority over the men and remain quiet.

end of scripture-blocks; go back to the answer

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