Learning to Lead In Worship

07/29/08

Lesson Four

Introduction:

A. Theme scripture, bookmark: Matthew 21:22

1. Distribute.

2. Discuss.

I.  Announcements

A. Think about who does a noticeable job of Making Announcements.

1. Watch for a skill that you would like to develop.

2. Be a "good finder."

3. Be ready to vote for a winner.

B. Begin the Announcements

C. Evaluate, reinforce, compliment after each speaker.

D. Vote for winner to be presented at conclusion of class.

1. Hand out voting cards.

2. Vote for one person.

3. Former winner not eligible.

4. Hand in voting cards (please fold the card if you vote for yourself.)

II. Leading Public Prayer

A. Conditions of Acceptable Prayer.

1. It must be according to God's will.

1 John 5:14,15  This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us--whatever we ask--we know that we have what we asked of him.

2. Obedience must precede and follow acceptable prayer.

1 Peter 3:12 The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil.

1 John 3:22 And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.

3. Our prayers should always be offered in the name of Christ.

John 14:13,14 I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.

1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus

4. We must have faith that God will answer prayer.

Matthew 21:22 "And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive."

B. CONTENT OF PRAYER.

1.  Adoration, praise to God. Matthew 6:9; Psalm 8:1,9

2. Confession of sin. Psalm 51:1-7

3. Thanksgiving for blessings. John 6: 11; 1 Corinthians 11 :23-25

4. Supplication for our needs. Matthew 7:7 ,8

5. Intercession for others. James 5:16

6. Complaint -- Praise. Psalm 77; Lamentations 3:1-33

C. COMMENTS ON PUBLIC PRAYER.

1. Adapt it to the audience and occasion, both in the length and the content.

a. Sunday worship.

b. Thanks for meals.

c. Camp with eight and nine year olds.

d. Vacation Bible School.

e. Lord's table.

2. Remember that you are talking to God with the audience, not to the audience.

3. Evaluate timeworn expressions and eliminate them if they have lost their meaning.

                a. Guide Guard and Direct Us

                b. Give the preacher a ready recollection of what he has studied

                c. Be with us until we meet again

4. Speak so that all will understand you.

a. Use words and expressions that children can understand.

b. You are not leading anyone in prayer who cannot hear what you are saying; use the microphone when needed.

5. Remember that Jesus will intercede and that the Holy Spirit will help. Hebrews 4:15,16; Hebrews 7:25; Romans 8:26,27

III. Presiding over The Lord’s Table

A.  It is the job of the man who presides to offer suggestions to get the congregation to focus on the Lord’s Supper. 

                1. Read Scripture:

                                Matthew 26:26-30

                                Mark 14: 22-25

                                Luke 22:14-22

                                John 19: 16-30

                                1 Corinthians 11:23-29

                2. Read a small story that makes the point of Christ giving His all for us.

                3. Tell what you meditate on while you are taking Communion.

                4. Whatever you do make sure the focus is on Jesus.

B. Separate and Apart!?!

                1. The offering is usually done at the same time.

                2. What I say:

a. I remind those giving that this is something we decided to do following Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so do you also. On the first day of every week let each one of you put aside and save, as he may prosper, that no collections be made when I come.

b. Then I want to remind them that it is not about the amount but the condition of their heart. 2 Corinthians 9:7 Let each one do just as he has purposed in his heart; not grudgingly or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver.

Conclusion:

A. We will go straight through for the rest of this class with the exception of Wednesday April 19th and 26th because of Gospel Meetings.

B. Our Next Class be prepared to Preside over the table or lead us in a prayer.

C. Next Class we will discuss reading the Bible in Public.

            D. Award prize.