Jesus-Shaped Life… Together
Generous Worship (Part 2)
Getting Started
Contrary to popular belief, worship does not begin and end with the singing portion of our church services. Aside from music,
how would you define worship? Share an experience when you encountered generous worship in a manner other than music?
Sermon Discussion
This week, as Pastor Mel taught from Genesis 22, we were led to consider what generous worship could look like. In this
account, Abraham’s act of worship (v.5) was displayed in his resolute faith in the Lord, and his willingness to withhold nothing from
God, not even his beloved son Isaac.
1.
What stands out for you as the most compelling or transformational insight from this sermon?
2.
Mel defined generosity as “sacrifice with joy.” Does that resonate with you? Can you think of someone who typifies this
kind of worshipful living?
3.
What big questions pertaining to this topic do you still have that require follow up?
Digging Deeper
In Genesis 17, God promised to bless Abraham with many descendants if he would, “walk before me faithfully and be blameless”
(Gen 17:1). Abraham prostrates himself before God (a position of worship) as the covenant is explained in (4-14), and then God
promises to begin this long line of descendants with the birth of Isaac (15-22). All children are an incredible blessing from God,
but Isaac was a miracle birth and the first step in God fulfilling his covenant with Abraham. It is surprising then in Genesis 22,
when God asks Abraham to, “take your only son, whom you love – Isaac – and… sacrifice him as a burnt offering” (22:2). How
could this possibly be an act of generous worship? Read through Genesis 17 & 22:1-18 making note of key events before
answering the following questions.
1. “Walk before me faithfully & be blameless. Then I will make my covenant between me & you.” (Gen 17:1-2)
2.
3.
a.
What examples of Abraham’s “faithfulness” are seen in these chapters?
b.
How did God promise to bless Abraham through this covenant (17:6-8, 15-16, 19; 22:15-18)?
“Some time later God tested Abraham.” (Gen 22:1)
a.
What do you think was the purpose of this test?
b.
What was Abraham’s attitude and perspective towards this test?
“We will worship and then we will come back.” (Gen 22:5)
a.
How do you explain Abraham’s words to his servants in 22:5? Was he lying? In denial? Or something else?
b.
How does viewing this experience as an act of worship help you to define “generous worship”?
c.
This account foreshadows God sending and sacrificing his own son.
i.
What are some of the similarities (there are many)
ii.
What does this tell you abut the meaning & significance of this act of worship?
Living it Out
Reflecting upon this week’s Scripture and sermon that leads us to build a Jesus-Shaped Life… Together:
1. What would it look like for you to view all areas of life as worship? Relationships, time, money, the Gospel?
2.
What is one thing we might do as a church to make our worship of God more “generous”? (Don’t think music!)
3.
Is there anything that you want to be held accountable for?
Prayer
Close your time praying for one another, and asking God to help you identify what the next step in generous worship could look
like in your life and in the ministries and culture of our church.