Some Practical Suggestions Regarding Worship

Attending worship and listening to a sermon can be difficult at times. There are so many distractions that seem to get in the way of a serious and attentive focus on the preaching of God’s Word. No one is immune to this issue. It is certainly true that whenever the Word of God is preached, the enemy of our souls is never more alive and active, seeking to prevent God’s people from hearing the living voice of Christ speak through the Word proclaimed. What are we to do to avoid this constant plague upon our lives? Allow me to offer a few practical tips to help focus and benefit more from the worship and the Word proclaimed.

First, realize that preparation for worship begins on Saturday evening. There are many things you can do to prepare for the Lord’s Day. Ensure that everything is in order: gas in the car, necessary food in the house, clothes washed and ironed, etc. If you have small children, you can make this fun by helping them pick out their clothes and arrange them neatly the night before the Lord’s Day. You can also spend a brief period as a family reading the sermon text and praying for worship, the sermon, the pastor, etc.

Second, arrive early enough to sit quietly in the sanctuary, preparing your heart and mind for the worship of God and the preaching of His Word. For those with small children, this will be a challenge. Teach them to be still and then, by example, teach them how to be still. Encourage a prayerful and quiet spirit and lead by example. That time does not need to be lengthy. I suggest five minutes before the arrival of the hour of worship.

Third, as you listen to the Word, preached understand that you will not remember everything stated from the pulpit. That is okay. Instead, try to focus on one or two things that apply to your own life and determine to be a doer of what you hear. For those with children, encourage listening by asking age-appropriate questions on the drive home or during lunch or family worship.

Fourth, utilize this brief guide throughout your week. If followed, it should prove helpful to you.