"Music & Singing" - 8-1-21
Introduction
Do you enjoy music? Do you like to sing? Most people do. More than any other expression of our worship, music and singing seem to play the greatest part. Of course, there is an endless variety of musical styles in the world today. In Zion Assembly, we do not endorse any particular style of music, but we celebrate the many diverse ways of musically expressing our worship and praise to the Lord. In today’s lesson, we will explore the prominence the Bible gives to music and singing.
Key Verse
“O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation” (Ps. 95:1).
Lesson Summary
The abilities to play musical instruments and sing are blessings from God. Most believers have the ability to sing, but not all can skillfully “carry a tune.” Only a small number who enjoy singing actually feel called and qualified to lead others in congregational worship. Likewise, few are capable of providing musical accompaniment in church worship. Nevertheless, music and singing are essential in our worship experience when we gather together. Typically, they are the primary expression of congregational participation in worship. In Zion Assembly we need gifted individuals who will answer God’s call, prepare themselves for service, and make themselves available for this all-important ministry. Why? Music is a powerful and provocative medium for expressing our worship. Although some professing Christians may disallow its significance in the church, the psalmist implored us to praise God with musical instruments (Ps. 92:1-3; 150:3-5; see also 1 Ch. 15:16, 28). “Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright. Praise the Lord with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings. Sing unto him a new song; play skillfully with a loud noise” (Ps. 33:1-3). Music is influential in the church because it captivates the mind and imagination, alters the mood and emotion, and stirs the soul and spirit. The lyrics of a song and its performance often have a profound spiritual impact on the worshipers (the singers and the congregation). Because of its great influence, music should be respected as a powerful tool of worship, not to be abused or manipulated. By God’s design, singing in the church is both an enjoyable and entertaining experience. Most people like songs with a melodious tune and a good beat. Nevertheless, when we sing in corporate worship, we should remember that singing is not purely for self-enjoyment. Moreover, we do not worship in song in order to entertain one another. Rather, we “sing unto the Lord” (Ps. 30:4; 95:1; 96:1; 98:1; 147:7; 149:1; Is. 12:5; Ep. 5:19; Co. 3:16). First and foremost, God is our primary audience; we minister to him. Our praises should be lifted up to the Lord and directed from our hearts toward him. He has given us our voice as an instrument for expressing our praises to him. The psalmist declared, “While I live will I praise the Lord: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being” (Ps. 146:2). Since we sing to the Lord and play music for him, we should strive to do our very best. Indeed, he is worthy of the best we have to offer. Under the law, we are given this example, for the children of Israel were to offer up sacrifices to God without blemish (Le. 1:3, 10; 3:1, 6; 22:17-24). However, we should keep in mind that the Lord is pleased with a perfect heart in worship rather than a perfect performance.
Scripture Study
Praising God with musical instruments – Ps. 92:1-3; 150:3-5; 1 Ch. 15:16, 28; Ps. 33:1-3
Singing to the Lord – Ps. 30:4; 95:1; 96:1; 98:1; 146:2; 147:7; 149:1; Is. 12:5; Ep. 5:19; Co. 3:16; Le. 1:3, 10; 3:1, 6; 22:17-24
Conclusion
When we consider the many times that God has blessed and poured out his Spirit through music and singing, it is difficult to imagine worship without them. We should count it a great privilege to use these God-given gifts to glorify and magnify the Lord. “O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together” (Ps. 34:3). He is worthy!
Introduction
Do you enjoy music? Do you like to sing? Most people do. More than any other expression of our worship, music and singing seem to play the greatest part. Of course, there is an endless variety of musical styles in the world today. In Zion Assembly, we do not endorse any particular style of music, but we celebrate the many diverse ways of musically expressing our worship and praise to the Lord. In today’s lesson, we will explore the prominence the Bible gives to music and singing.
Key Verse
“O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation” (Ps. 95:1).
Lesson Summary
The abilities to play musical instruments and sing are blessings from God. Most believers have the ability to sing, but not all can skillfully “carry a tune.” Only a small number who enjoy singing actually feel called and qualified to lead others in congregational worship. Likewise, few are capable of providing musical accompaniment in church worship. Nevertheless, music and singing are essential in our worship experience when we gather together. Typically, they are the primary expression of congregational participation in worship. In Zion Assembly we need gifted individuals who will answer God’s call, prepare themselves for service, and make themselves available for this all-important ministry. Why? Music is a powerful and provocative medium for expressing our worship. Although some professing Christians may disallow its significance in the church, the psalmist implored us to praise God with musical instruments (Ps. 92:1-3; 150:3-5; see also 1 Ch. 15:16, 28). “Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright. Praise the Lord with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings. Sing unto him a new song; play skillfully with a loud noise” (Ps. 33:1-3). Music is influential in the church because it captivates the mind and imagination, alters the mood and emotion, and stirs the soul and spirit. The lyrics of a song and its performance often have a profound spiritual impact on the worshipers (the singers and the congregation). Because of its great influence, music should be respected as a powerful tool of worship, not to be abused or manipulated. By God’s design, singing in the church is both an enjoyable and entertaining experience. Most people like songs with a melodious tune and a good beat. Nevertheless, when we sing in corporate worship, we should remember that singing is not purely for self-enjoyment. Moreover, we do not worship in song in order to entertain one another. Rather, we “sing unto the Lord” (Ps. 30:4; 95:1; 96:1; 98:1; 147:7; 149:1; Is. 12:5; Ep. 5:19; Co. 3:16). First and foremost, God is our primary audience; we minister to him. Our praises should be lifted up to the Lord and directed from our hearts toward him. He has given us our voice as an instrument for expressing our praises to him. The psalmist declared, “While I live will I praise the Lord: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being” (Ps. 146:2). Since we sing to the Lord and play music for him, we should strive to do our very best. Indeed, he is worthy of the best we have to offer. Under the law, we are given this example, for the children of Israel were to offer up sacrifices to God without blemish (Le. 1:3, 10; 3:1, 6; 22:17-24). However, we should keep in mind that the Lord is pleased with a perfect heart in worship rather than a perfect performance.
Scripture Study
Praising God with musical instruments – Ps. 92:1-3; 150:3-5; 1 Ch. 15:16, 28; Ps. 33:1-3
Singing to the Lord – Ps. 30:4; 95:1; 96:1; 98:1; 146:2; 147:7; 149:1; Is. 12:5; Ep. 5:19; Co. 3:16; Le. 1:3, 10; 3:1, 6; 22:17-24
Conclusion
When we consider the many times that God has blessed and poured out his Spirit through music and singing, it is difficult to imagine worship without them. We should count it a great privilege to use these God-given gifts to glorify and magnify the Lord. “O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together” (Ps. 34:3). He is worthy!
Sunday School Lessons
August 2021
ADULT - English
ADULT - English
| adult_english_ss_-_august_2021.zip |
ADULT - Spanish
| adult_spanish_ss_-_august_2021.zip |
Children - English
| children_english_ss_-_august_2021.zip |
Teen - English
| teen_english_ss_-_august_2021.zip |