Read: John 4:23-24
What was the best part of NYC 2019 for you? Was it the opportunity to serve the people of Arizona doing Ministry with Others? Was it one of the keynote speakers who shared the exact words you needed to hear? Was it being with your friends from youth group and making new ones? Was it how Royal Company led each session in worship?
For most of you, the worship was your favorite part of NYC. The lights, the stage, the music, and the act of joining with 7,000 of your closest friends made the worship powerful. Unfortunately, it is impossible to replicate you NYC experience at your home church. Returning home can often be a deflating experience, which is why we need to reframe our ideas about worship. Here are three tips for making a smooth transition back to your home church.
First, prepare yourself with the understanding that, in worship, God is the audience. The worship service does not and should not revolve around what we like or do not like. All of worship is a gift we give to God and God alone. This is the heart of a true worshiper, as described in John 4:23 . When we worship in spirit and truth, the Bible says that God the Father seeks us out. The reason our worship at NYC 2019 was so powerful was not because 7,000 people gathered, but because our almighty God showed up.
Second, understand that God created us to be worshipers. That means we have no choice in the matter. We either worship God or we worship something else. People can choose what they worship. Some worship their work, others their favorite sports team, and still others worship their favorite pop icon. you can tell what people worship by how excited they get when they talk about their idol. Do we get as excited about Jesus as we do the Kansas City Chiefs or Ariana Grande?
Finally, remember that worship is not just the twenty minutes so singing at the start of church: it is the all-encompassing life we live. The apostle Paul writes this in Romans 12:1: "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God - this is your true and proper worship." We are called every day to be a living sacrifice for God. That means we are set apart to worship God in all that we do. In your life, elevate the worship of God to a new place, higher than it has ever been before, and be amazed as God shows up.
Monday: Memorize John 4:23-24 and Romans 12:1
Tuesday: Contact the worship leader at your church and offer to pray for him or her. Begin a new rhythm of praying for your church on a weekly basis.
Wednesday: Listen to "Never Change" by Royal Company and worship our God who never changes.
Thursday: Go to www.nyc2019.com and watch the message from Session 1 on worship.
Friday: Resolve to seek God is spirit and truth and to worship God daily.