Worship. Teacher Style.

Three "take-aways" from Nate on worship.

1. Worship is the whole experience.

·      Many times in ministry we classify “worship” as the music and singing time during any gathering. Worship is the whole gathering. Romans 12 speaks to worship being a lifestyle not just music or a gathering. Many collegiates have the same mind set of worship being only their time of singing, but we need to help change such a mentality.

2. Definition of what is worship?

·      “Worship is Spiritual disciplines: things that put us in the path of Christ to make us more like Him” – Nate.  I really like this definition of worship.  Nate truly spoke of how worship is not a building, but how we are to worship in spirit and truth.  John 4:23 -24: "But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”  

3. Not Be Busy

·      Nate spoke of how busyness in a worship service does not equal worship or a better worship experience. Too many elements cause people to lose sight of the focus, Christ. His advice is to use as many elements as one needs to “bring home the Truth.”

Nate’s last words of advice were, “Be creative but above all pray and rely on the Holy Spirit.”

Discipleship: Type of Teacher do you see yourself as?

I can see using all three types of guide, example, and facilitator in helping college students.  The type of teacher approach that would be best for a student depends on knowing who they are, their situation, and where they are currently in their spiritual maturity and life. Sometimes students need a guide to help them as they are journeying through, whereas other students need to see an example of someone truly living out how they are trying to live in a specific area.   Additionally, at times students will need a facilitator who can ignite the talks and walk side by side with them as they make decisions and strive to grow.  I would say most times my approach is to be a guide. I strive to help students as they are walking through new phases of their life and their relationship with Christ.  I love pointing them to new truths and challenging them to study and wrestle with how those truths play out in their own lives.