Ideas to discuss:
- "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first commandment” (Mark 12:30).
- Worship from the heart is true worship and involves obeying the Lord’s Commandments. It is living a life of charity, not a life of piety apart from a useful life.
- Worship of the lips achieves nothing whatever without worship in the life one leads, since this is worship of the heart (Arcana Coelestia 7884).
- As we read the Word, talk to the Lord in prayer, and worship Him, we are developing a personal relationship with Him. We learn to focus on the Lord’s goals and can get a better perspective on our lives.
- It can be helpful to picture the Lord in our minds when we talk to the Lord in prayer or read His Word. Children may think of the Lord as He lived on earth, learning what He did and said. They can also be told that the Lord loves us, He made the world for us to live in, and He gives us wonderful things each day to make us happy.
Ideas from “Worshiping the One True God” by Brian W. Keith:
- How can we worship the Lord and try to bring Him more into the center of our lives? It might be helpful to consider whether we value the same things that Lord does. Do we care about those around us, wishing them well? Is our marriage or family worth energy? Do we feel close to the Lord? Do we really want the Lord’s will to be done?
- Reflecting on how we spend our time can be a helpful way to check whether we are making time for what we value. Do we think of the Lord, pray to Him, and read something from the Word? Do we talk to our spouse and children? Do we help our friends and coworkers?
- What are some small changes that you could make in your life? Perhaps say a prayer of thanks each morning or ask our friends how they are doing. “Small changes can, like water dripping on rocks, wear away some of our selfishness, and bring us into greater harmony with the Lord—into worshiping Him alone” (Brian W. Keith).
Read more about worship from the heart:
- “Visiting the Lord’s House: A Story about Going to Church” by Cathy Schnarr
A story about a family going to church. - “Worshiping the Lord Alone” by George de Charms (ages 7-14)
Think of the Lord as the One who loves us, who made the world for us to live in, and who gives us wonderful things every day to make us happy. Keep that living picture of Him in your mind as you pray, to thank Him for all that He has done. - “No Other Gods” by Kurt Horigan Asplundh (teens and up)
The first commandment tells us that we should worship the one true God and have no other Gods before Him. This sounds easier than it is. - Approaching the Lord in Worship by David R. Simons (teens and up)
We worship the Lord when we approach Him with our minds and hearts, ready to listen to what He teaches in His Word. - Why Do We Have Worship Services?” by Ormond Odhner
If true worship is internal, why do we need worship services? Does external worship matter?
Projects and activities for various ages:
- Looking to the Lord
Cut out and assemble this project to show everyone in a family looking to the Lord. - Family Praying Coloring Page
Shows parents and two children kneeling in prayer. - Lord's Prayer Calligraphy with a Border of Violets
The Lord's Prayer with a lovely border of violets around it. - Why Do We Kneel When We Pray?
Explores the reasons that kneeling, closing our eyes, and folding our hands can help open our minds and hearts to the Lord when we pray. - His Everlasting Arms (ages 4-10)
Show how the Lord is holding you, your family, or planet earth in His arms. - Where Do I Need the Lord to Touch My Life? (teens and up)
Reflect on one area of your life with which you would like the Lord's help. - Conjunction with a Visible God Illustration by Marguerite L. Acton
Lovely illustration of how we might picture the Lord reaching out to us.
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