`What is Christian Worship?’ Series: Why do we read scripture in a service of worship? What makes a good sermon?

Luke 4:14-21, 1 Timothy 4:13

Icebreaker

Ask your group to think of a sermon, either from church or at a larger worship event, which they find memorable and made a big impact on them.

What was the message which impacted them?

Why was the sermon/speech memorable? Think of use of scripture, content, delivery, imagery used etc.       

A Reflection

A survey by the Bible Society, published in January 2019 found that 51% of UK Christians aged 27-42 engage with the Bible a few times a year, or less. Only 9% read the Bible every day and a mere 13% look at the scriptures “a few times a week”.

Against this backdrop, it appears to be important that church models the reading of the Bible in its worship services and demonstrates that it bases its teaching on the word of God.

Read Luke 4 v 1-21

This passage has two accounts which show how scripture can be used powerfully in difficult situations of temptation (v 1-13) and in a worship or church situation (v 16-21). In the first, Jesus is at a critical time in his ministry and is tempted by Satan in many wily ways. In the second, having overcome the temptation he faced in the desert, he announces his true mission and identity using a prophesy from Isaiah 61 v 1-2.

Q1.Thinking of verses 1-13, have you ever faced a situation where you needed to quote scripture as a protection against evil or temptation?

Q2. How can we prepare ourselves to be able to use scripture as Jesus did?

In the second passage (verses 14-21), Jesus is in the synagogue in his hometown of Nazareth. It was the Sabbath and Jesus went to worship as he had done all the years of his life. But there was a difference – he publicly announces his purpose using the words of Isaiah. In the passage, Isaiah pictures the deliverance of Israel from exile in Babylon but the release from Babylonian exile had not brought the fulfilment which the people had desired or expected; they were still an oppressed people now under the control of the Romans. In reading this scripture, Jesus announces that “Today, this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” and proclaims himself as the one who will bring the good news to pass.

Q3. Why do you think Jesus chose to communicate his message through the reading of scripture rather than using his own words?

Q4. Can you imagine proclaiming this message to people with whom you had lived and attended synagogue since childhood? What might be the challenges (see v 23-30)?

Q5. Thinking about services which you have attended, in what other ways can scripture be used positively in a worship service?

Q6. What are the dangers when scripture is misused?

Read 1 Timothy 4 v 13

In this short and sweet passage, there is no doubt about what we should do. One of the key reasons we should use scripture in our worship services because the Bible tells us so!

Of course, Paul would have been referring to the Old Testament. It is of great importance that we read and study both the old and new testaments. The old provides context for the new.

Q7. Why do you think that the passage says we should commit to PUBLIC reading of the scripture? Note that it is intrinsically linked to teaching and preaching.

What makes a good sermon?

Use the responses to discuss in your group what makes a good sermon. You may want to consider the following points:

·       The use of scripture. Is the sermon based on the passage read or is it quickly abandoned?

·       Does it encourage? Instruct? Correct?

·       Is the message consistent with general biblical principles?

·       How does it help us to develop or faith? And to share it?

·       Does it encourage us to serve? To live good lives, consistent with Jesus teaching?

Preaching can be difficult and takes a lot of preparation. It is always good to encourage a preacher, especially if they are really “stepping out” to do it.

Q8. When I hear a sermon, do I judge it by entertainment value or content? Have I listened hard for the voice of God speaking into my life? Are there areas where I could encourage the speaker?

Leader’s Notes

Q1. Think maybe when people have attacked your faith, you have been tempted or faced evil people or situations or you needed to encourage and guide others.

Q2.  Reading the Bible alone, maybe with the help of daily notes or a podcast. For example, Lectio 365 (www.24-7prayer.com/resource/lectio-365) or Scripture Union notes. Hearing the Bible read in worship services and expounded through a sermon, in group study such as housegroups.

Q3.  The words of Isaiah bear authority and a sense of fulfilment of prophesy. It was maybe a good way for Jesus to introduce his mission through a familiar passage, especially to those who were very familiar with him. Jesus left them to draw their own conclusions from a passage which would have probably been very familiar to them.

Q5. Encouraging (especially the Psalms), informing, guiding, prophesying, admonishing, challenging. Others?

Q6. We need to be on our game and listen carefully to scripture and consider for ourselves what it means. Test the message and test the meaning being put on it. Misuse is not always obvious. It can sometimes be a subtle twisting of God’s word – maybe a good example is that of the prosperity gospel.

Q7. When the scripture was read publicly in meetings the meetings of the believers and the synagogue, there was a rich tradition of debating the meaning and discussing its application. Having a public debate on scripture helps us get a broad consensus.

Prayer

·       Give thanks for the Bible and the guidance it gives and the truth it speaks into our lives

·       Pray for ourselves for strength to develop good, regular, Bible reading habits

·     Give thanks for the many who preach regularly or occasionally and bring God’s word to us at

      SGSG. Pray that they may be inspired by God in their preparation and encouraged in what they do