Inspire Worship through Sunday School

No month better offers a time to focus on worship then November. Traditionally, Thanksgiving was a time for offering thanks to God for His provision at the close of harvest. Today, the principle of giving thanks is still the same as churches pause to give thanks through worship for God's blessings throughout the year.

Hymns of Worship - Listening CD

Worship is the act of knowing and loving God in spirit and in truth (John 4:23). The apostle Paul urged believers to "offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship" (Rom. 12:1). He understood the essence of worship: recognition of Christ as the almighty God of heaven and earth and a response of adoration of Him with all one's being.

All Great Commission work grows out of love and devotion - worship - to God. Without the honoring of Christ through a genuine understanding of who He is and what He has done for us, we labor in our own power.

Sunday School as strategy involves people in worship by leading them to acknowledge who Jesus is and to express love for Him personally and corporately.

Participation in classes and departments or other Bible study groups provides opportunities for people to worship through prayer and praise; stewardship of time, abilities, and resources; and other forms of expressing devotion to Christ.

How Do Preschoolers Worship God?
Preschoolers are active worshipers. They worship by signing, praying, and listening to Bible stories. They also worship as they discover, touch, and examime things in nature. They worship when they are involved in activities that have been carefully planned by a loving teacher who relates Bible verses and Bibe stories to what the child is doing.

Children and Worship
Whether your church includes children in corporate worship, or offers a separate children's worship service, lead them to worship God. They are able to do this in a variety of ways. Here are suggested ways you can help children learn to worship. Help children:

• Experience real worship on their level
• Learn about the elements of worship
• Learn about the church ordinances of baptism and the Lord's Supper
• Become familiar with Bible stories and Bible characters
• Hear the good news of Jesus Christ
• Apply what the Bible says to their lives
• Prepare themselves to become a part of the larger church corporate worship service

Youth and Worship
Part of helping young people appreciate worship begins in Sunday School. This means teaching about worship in the classes. Here are some teaching ideas:

• Start early. Before they become too loose with the word "boring," try to instill in them an appreciation for worship. 
• Plan experiences such as visiting the sanctuary. Invite the pastor or worship leader to visit the class. Having other adults (besides their parents) tell why worship is important to them has impact.
• Teach them that worship doesn't just happen on Sunday morning. Make worship part of youth events, trips and retreats. Get in the habit of beginning or closing youth programs and events with worship.

Adults and Worship
To help adults worship, model personal worship skills. Sunday School leaders should become a role model for others in Sunday School and the entire church family. One of the foundations of biblical leadership is that the leader is the lesson.James 3:1 tells clearly that teachers will be held more accountable than others. This admonition applies to all leaders because of the influence they have on others in the church.

Leaders must set aside time daily in their own lives to remember who God is and to seek Him through personal prayer and Bible study. Sunday School leaders also encourage participants in Bible study classes, departments, and other Bible study groups to do the same. They strive to establish an environment in study sessions that leads people to encounter and respond to the life-changing God through the study of His Word in the fellowship of His people. Such an environment encourages people to open their lives to God. When people do, amazing things happen: evangelism becomes a priority; fellowship grows; discipleship deepens; and ministry expands freely.