This is provided for the Message Based Discussion Questions from the message presented on April 7, 2013. Below is a copy of the message insert and listing of questions, with considerations for answers given after the entire insert. This is only a guide and not designed to be a complete set of answers. The questions are designed to assist in the thought process. The real work is allowing God the Holy Spirit work in the heart for transformation.
Choose Music Wisely for Holy Worship
John 4:19-24
What is worship and how does music affect worship?
1) Worship is declaring God’s worth John 4:19-24
a) We worship in Truth Rom. 15:13-14
· We worship God alone Is. 45:18, 22; Phil. 2:9-11
· God has given us elements for worship: Scripture reading (1 Tim. 4:13); preaching
(2 Tim. 4:2-4); singing (Eph. 5:19-20; Col.. 3:16); prayer 1 Tim. 2:1, the ordinances of
baptism and the Lord’s Supper (Acts 2:41-42) and giving (2 Cor. 16:2)
(2 Tim. 4:2-4); singing (Eph. 5:19-20; Col.. 3:16); prayer 1 Tim. 2:1, the ordinances of
baptism and the Lord’s Supper (Acts 2:41-42) and giving (2 Cor. 16:2)
b) We worship in Spirit
c) We worship the Lord
2) Music will rightly or wrongly move you – is it worship?
a) Scripture identifies many kinds of songs:
· Work Num. 21:17-18; War Ex. 15:20; Love Sol 2:12; Entertainment Job 21:12; Lament
Job 30:31; Praise Ps. 150
Job 30:31; Praise Ps. 150
b) Music often causes you to respond OR react in certain ways
c) Music helps us express right affections toward the Lord
· Music educates and guides our emotions Acts 16:23-25
· Music is a part of worship under pastoral leadership Heb. 13:17
· Singing is not optional Eph. 5:18-19
· Use music that expresses appropriate emotions 1 Cor. 14:40
· Musical choices matter, because music shapes our affections 1 Sam. 16:23
Worship is declaring God’s worth!
Wisely choose your music, because it affects how you worship!
Message Based Discussion Questions
(See below for suggested answers)
1) What were some of the first religious songs you ever sang?
Digging Deeper:
2) Read John 8:31-36. What did Jesus say the truth would do? _____________ Why did the Jews
not see their slavery? Can a person be enslaved to a certain kind of music? What biblical
principles can you think of to help determine what kind of music is edifying?
not see their slavery? Can a person be enslaved to a certain kind of music? What biblical
principles can you think of to help determine what kind of music is edifying?
3) Read Gal. 5:1; 3:1-3. According to Paul, what is the contrast between these two passages?
________________________________ What is the purpose of the Law in American? What is
the purpose of the Mosaic Law? How can someone get enslaved to the Mosaic Law? How can
someone get enslaved to laws in worship?
________________________________ What is the purpose of the Law in American? What is
the purpose of the Mosaic Law? How can someone get enslaved to the Mosaic Law? How can
someone get enslaved to laws in worship?
4) According to Gal. 5:13, what was Paul concerned about with liberty?
________________________________ How should a Christian use liberty? What does that
look like in worship?
________________________________ How should a Christian use liberty? What does that
look like in worship?
Making application of the message to life:
5) Based on the message, why is music good? How does it help you?
6) How can you ensure you are worshiping in Spirit and in Truth?
7) How can you help in corporate worship at Grace? What specific things can you do?
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Component
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Discipline
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Proper Use
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Sinful Use
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Chemical Elements
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Chemistry
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Vaccine
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Poison
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Colors/light
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Art
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Michelangelo
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Pornography
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Spoken letters
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Speech
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Bible teaching
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Lying, slander
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Written letters
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Composition
Music lyrics
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C.S. Lewis, “Messiah”
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Moral filth
Gangsta Rap
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Sound waves
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Music
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Refreshing the spirit and body
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Stimulating lust Instant gratification
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Message Based Discussion Questions
1) What were some of the first religious songs you ever sang?
a) One of the first songs was “This is my Father’s World.”
b) I also learned “Jesus loves me, this I know.”
Digging Deeper:
2) Read John 8:31-36. What did Jesus say the truth would do? __set me free_ Why did the Jews
not see their slavery? Can a person be enslaved to a certain kind of music? What biblical
principles can you think of to help determine what kind of music is edifying?
not see their slavery? Can a person be enslaved to a certain kind of music? What biblical
principles can you think of to help determine what kind of music is edifying?
a) They were focused on their rituals as a list of things to do and by doing them, they thought God
would be pleased. They were more interested in the act, rather than the relationship.
would be pleased. They were more interested in the act, rather than the relationship.
i) They saw physical slavery in the Roman Empire and didn’t see their spiritual slavery to
sin.
sin.
ii) As long as they could not do temporal or physical things, they focused on those rather
than on the spiritual bondage to the Mosaic Law or their traditions.
than on the spiritual bondage to the Mosaic Law or their traditions.
b) A person can be enslaved to a certain kind of music in several ways:
i) They may have their list of acceptable forms of music.
ii) They may restrict themselves from forms they consider unacceptable.
iii) They say music must be done in a certain way (often what they grew up with or were
used to hearing)
used to hearing)
c) Scripture is not clear on the kind of music God considers edifying, however, it does say that
communication must be edifying and not corruptible. Does the music corrupt or edify? Does it
enslave a person, or does it set them free? What are the results or what is produced from the
“form” of music?
communication must be edifying and not corruptible. Does the music corrupt or edify? Does it
enslave a person, or does it set them free? What are the results or what is produced from the
“form” of music?
3) Read Gal. 5:1; 3:1-3. According to Paul, what is the contrast between these two passages? __Be
set free ( do not be enslaved) vs. why do you think that you can do it on your own__ What is
the purpose of the Law in American? What is the purpose of the Mosaic Law? How can
someone get enslaved to the Mosaic Law? How can someone get enslaved to laws in worship?
set free ( do not be enslaved) vs. why do you think that you can do it on your own__ What is
the purpose of the Law in American? What is the purpose of the Mosaic Law? How can
someone get enslaved to the Mosaic Law? How can someone get enslaved to laws in worship?
a) The purpose of the law in America is to provide stability for the country, protect the
people from within and without and ensure people have equal opportunities to pursue life.
people from within and without and ensure people have equal opportunities to pursue life.
b) The Mosaic Law was to provide stability in Israel, protect the people from within and
provide a way for the people to worship God. The Law also demonstrated that people
could not keep the Law and would need a Savior to deliver them.
provide a way for the people to worship God. The Law also demonstrated that people
could not keep the Law and would need a Savior to deliver them.
c) People were enslaved to the Mosaic Law by thinking overt obedience to the Law put a
person in good standing with God. They thought by keeping the Law, God would give
them eternal life.
person in good standing with God. They thought by keeping the Law, God would give
them eternal life.
d) People can get enslaved to laws in worship by legalism or saying music must be done a
particular way. They do not leave room for flexibility or preference. They also become
enslaved by restricting themselves to one form of worship.
particular way. They do not leave room for flexibility or preference. They also become
enslaved by restricting themselves to one form of worship.
4) According to Gal. 5:13, what was Paul concerned about with liberty? _not using liberty in
Christ for personal use______ How should a Christian use liberty? What does that look like in
worship?
Christ for personal use______ How should a Christian use liberty? What does that look like in
worship?
a) A Christian should use liberty to worship God
i) Use liberty to serve others.
ii) Use liberty to reach others with the gospel.
iii) Use liberty to worship together in different cultures.
b) Liberty in worship looks like a variety of different worship forms, but all expressing
dependence and enjoyment in the presence of God.
dependence and enjoyment in the presence of God.
i) Liberty is freedom from legalism or oppression.
ii) Liberty is willingness to worship with people who are different than you or
worship in a different way.
worship in a different way.
Making application of the message to life:
5) Based on the message, why is music good? How does it help you?
a) Music is good because it is a mechanism to speak the truth. It allows the Spirit to work
through us.
through us.
b) It helps because it touches the emotions of life and assists in expressing passion toward
God in the same way that romance expresses passion in marriage.
God in the same way that romance expresses passion in marriage.
c) Music is something many people can enjoy doing together. It is something people can do
repetitively.
repetitively.
6) How can you ensure you are worshiping in Spirit and in Truth?
a) I must have confessed my sins to God and be dependent on the Holy Spirit.(1 John 1:9)
b) I must have a repentant heart. (2 Cor. 7:9-11)
c) I must not have any idols of the heart, but be filled with the Spirit. (Eph. 5:18)
d) I can support the lyrics and practices by the guidelines of the Scripture (1 Pet. 1:15-16).
e) I am humbly dependent on God loving Him with all my heart, soul and mind (John
5:19, 30).
5:19, 30).
7) How can you help in corporate worship at Grace? What specific things can you do?
a) Participate in instrumental or singing teams.
b) Offer to help in the upper room.
c) Offer to help with stage help or music assistants.
d) Make a joyful noise with the congregation.
e) Tell the music team they did a great job, if they did.
f) Encourage people to participate with their musical abilities.
g) Be early and prepare your heart to worship the Lord.
Shepherding Truth 