Worshiping as a church: Preparing as if it is the priority it is (Third in a series)

One of the more difficult challenges regarding corporate worship seems to be actually getting ready for it. I’m not so much speaking of eating breakfast and getting dressed on Sunday morning, although when and how we do those activities can be a part of this topic.

I’m thinking more about how we prepare physically, mentally and spiritually for worship with our brothers and sisters in Christ – especially during the previous week.

One reality in our way of life that seems to mitigate against preparation for corporate worship is how we treat the days of the week. Functionally, Monday is the first day of the week for many people. Some calendars even begin with Monday. As faithful members of a church, even we can think this way. We treat Sunday as part of the weekend, in essence the last day of the weekend and week.

If we’re not careful, we pour our energies into activities on Friday night and Saturday, and we have little left for Sunday. The Lord’s Day gets the dregs. We are tempted to treat Sunday as a day to recover before the “real” week begins anew.

I know. I sometimes have to remind myself Sunday is the first day of the week. That’s why – when I lead in worship -- it’s good for me to thank the congregation for gathering on the morning of the first day of the week to worship God.

So, it may be you need to reorient yourself – and your family, if you are the head of a household – to this reality. Sunday is the first day of the week. Worship of and through the Resurrected Lord, who was raised on the first day of the week, calls for our best. It calls for us to be rested physically and focused mentally and spiritually.

This post, like the previous one, is written with the belief the Bible shows corporate worship to be a priority for New Testament believers, that indeed we are to be “not forsaking our own assembling together” (Heb. 10:25) and we are to “continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God” (Heb. 13:15).

Here are some practical suggestions intended to help you in preparing for corporate worship:

-- Think ahead during the week before. Take mental note of God’s work in your life and of what attributes of His were manifested in that work. If you are the head of a household, lead your family to do this at least once during the week. On Saturday night or another appropriate time, consider what attributes you have to praise God for the next day during corporate worship. Think about how He has demonstrated those attributes in His works regarding you during the week. Ponder also what thanksgivings you will have to offer God in corporate worship for those works of His. Discuss these with your spouse. Lead your children to reflect on and prepare for praise and thanksgiving.

-- Read the “Preparing for corporate worship” item I post on this blog normally on Friday of each week. It certainly is not indispensable to preparation, but I write it each week with Covenant Community Church, in particular, in mind as our worship time together nears.

-- Read and think about the passage to be preached on in corporate worship. Normally I preach through a book of the Bible, so our church knows where I am going next. I usually send out an email on Friday about the coming Sunday’s worship and mention the specific passage I plan to cover.

-- Spend time considering if there are sins against God and offenses against others – especially those you will be worshiping with the next day – you need to agree with Him about, repent of, trust in Christ’s atoning work as payment for, receive His restoration to fellowship, and make right with another against whom you have transgressed.

-- Plan to get to bed early enough Saturday evening to get the rest you need to be an active, intentional and focused participant in corporate worship the next morning. The amount of rest needed varies by individual, but you know what that is for you.

-- Think about what you will consume in terms of entertainment on Saturday evening. Will you be able to make the transition from dwelling on trivial, sensual or violent material the night before to consideration of the holy God and His perfect Word the following morning? (Thanks to John Piper for this important consideration.)

-- Remind yourself – and those in your charge – of the basis upon which you will gather with other Christians for worship: The perfect righteousness and fully sufficient sacrifice of Jesus. We will come together as one body created by His cross-work.