27 September 2007

Worship, part 2

Worship is directed toward what we perceive as superior to us--whether person or thing, creation or Creator.

In the OT: the primary word used has to do being prostrate, falling down before the superior person or thing. In the NT, the Greek word for worship combines the prefix "pros," indicating "before," "in front of," " toward." The main word is the word for dog! So the picture is that of a dog coming before its master in submission and subservience, in loyalty and ____. (What else?)

Whast is the attitude of a dog approaching his/her master?
What parallel word picture carries meaning in India?
How do Indians show respect for a superior?
How can this Indian expression of respect (viz., worship) translate into a Christian gathering?

In both testaments, worship involves humility before one (One) who is superior. With that thought, worship most effectively focuses on the attributes of God that mark Him as superior. Viz., the Omnis, His holiness, His mercy, etc. In other words, worship focuses on WHO God is, not on what he does.

What qualities of God set Him apart from us? Make Him superior to us?
How do we best honor those qualities that set God apart?
Do we worship God for his holiness differently than how we worship Him for his omniscience?
If so, in what different ways do we worship Him for these different attributes?

What examples can you think of when people worshiped God well?

Please give me some feedback!
Thank you.

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