Excerpt:

But David was also a musician. His “fingers tuned a psaltery.” Like a man tuning his violin, David prepared his instrument for playing. The writing of poetry, the making of a beautiful instrument, the tuning of it so that its music can be filled with beauty–David did all these things as a spiritual exercise to the praise of God.

There is something exciting here. How can art be sufficiently meaningful? If it offered up merely before men, then it does not have a sufficient integration point. But it can be offered up before God. David says, “And who shall tell my Lord?” That is, “Who shall tell my Lord that I made a beautiful instrument, who will tell Him that I tuned the psaltery, who will tell Him that I have written this poetry? Who will tell Him about my song?” Then David responds, “The Lord Himself, He Himself hears.” Nobody had to go and tell God. God knew. So the man who really loves God, who is working under the lordship of Christ, could write his poetry, compose his music, construct his musical instruments, fashion his statues, paint his pictures, even if no man ever saw them. He knows God looks upon them.

So you might say to David, “David, why do you sing? Just to amuse yourself? Only the little white-faced sheep will hear.” And David will reply, “Not at all. I’m singing and the God of heaven and earth–He hears my song and that’s what makes it so worthwhile.”

Art can of course be put into the temple. But it doesn’t have to be put into the temple in order to be to the praise of God.

–Francis A. Schaeffer, Art and the Bible: Two Essays
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New American Commentary writes:

The commendation Paul directed for the dutiful elder was “double honor.” The term “honor” does not refer merely to an honorarium, but the failure to give proper pay would imply a lack of honor. The idea of “double” may refer to the double portion the oldest in the family received (Deut 21:17). It probably consisted of the twin benefits of honor or respect and financial remuneration. The fact that pay was at least included shows that those who gave leadership to spiritual affairs could expect financial support from the church (cf. 2 Cor 11:8–9; Gal 6:6).

Read 1 Timothy 5:17-18

• What is our current attitude toward those who direct the affairs of the church?
• What are some ways that we can pray for our leaders?
• In what ways can we show honor to those over us?

Bibliotheca sacra 140 no 558 Ap-Je 1983, p 117-133.  writes:

The phrase “take up his cross” is a figure of speech derived from the Roman custom requiring a man convicted of rebellion against Rome’s sovereign rule to carry the cross-beam (patibulum) to his place of execution. Thus the proper starting point is the historical basis for the phrase. This starting point, …, leads to an interpretation that cross-bearing means to submit to the authority or rule one formerly rebelled against, or to obey God’s will.

Read Mark 8:31-38

• What is this passage calling us to give up?
• What are the consequences of not giving it up?
• What are the rewards that are promised here?

It hurts to make something special for someone you love – and then to give it and have it go unnoticed and unappreciated. God knows that feeling. There’s not a day that goes by that He doesn’t give us special gifts from His hand. As James 1:17 says, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father.”

Read 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13

• What are the characteristics of those we should be respecting?
• What does it practically look like to hold someone “in the highest regard in love”?
• As we lead others to worship the Lord, how can we cultivate this attitude of high regard?

NIDOTTE writes:

Mention is often made of singing “a new song.” Primarily this phrase presupposes a new experience of God in action, which is reflected in thanksgiving.

Read Psalm 144:1-6

In what ways did God fight for Israel?
In what ways does God fight for us?

Read Psalm 144:7-11

Deliver me and rescue me. Is this the cry of our heart?
How shall we respond to our God who delivers and rescues?
In what new way have we seen God in action?

Read Psalm 144:12-15

In what ways did God provide security and blessing to Israel?
In what ways does God provide security and blessing to us?

Throughout scripture, we see that Jesus Christ is the master of creation.  We see that He can make the moveable waters firm as a firmament that one could walk on it.  Jesus teaches about the faith to take an unmoveable mountain and throw it into the sea.  This passage today reflects on how even the wind and waves obey Him.

Read: Mark 4:35-41

• What should have been the correct response of the disciples?
• What areas in our lives can produce the same panic that the disciples experienced?
• What steps can we take to rightly recognize Jesus Christ as Lord in these situations?

Read: Colossians 3:15-17

• What is the relationship between music and theology in this passage?

• How is teaching and singing an expression of God’s Word dwelling within us?

• What does this have to do with our function as a member of the body?

The essence of art involves the communication of emotion.  Nearly every Biblical exhortation, praise, and supplication is filled with a sense of emotion.  As we lead others to worship the True and Living God, our goal is to communicate emotion to the same intensity as intended by the Biblical Author to our audience.  Just as God spoke to the original hearers of Scripture, so also does God speak to us today.  God’s message is not bound or hindered by geography or culture or time.  Rather, it’s intensity remains the same and its relevance to us remains the same.

Read 2 Peter 1:16-21

• What is the tone in this passage?
• What attitudes and emotions are evoked as you read this passage?
• How does this passage cry out to us to respond?

The imagery associated with “Reaping” and “Sowing” has a wide range of context.  It can be associated with witchcraft, it can be associated with self-centered greed, and it can be associated with a harvest of righteousness.  As we lead others to worship the Lord Jesus Christ, we need to be careful which image we are communicating.

One way to distinguish would be to look at what scripture has to say about it.

Read:  Galatians 6:7

Read: Matthew 6:26

Read: John 4:36

• How do these passages on “reaping” and “sowing” differ?
• Are there aspects in your life where you can see these truths?
• How can this understanding of “reaping” and “sowing” lead us to worship the Lord Jesus Christ?

These three passages all discuss the topic of children of God.  Our identity as children of God provides a strong colorful backdrop for our role in worship.  To those who are God’s children, we are not His equals.  Rather we are His children; the children whom He loves deeply.

The first passage is Paul speaking in Athens to a crowd of philosophers.

The second passage is Jesus speaking to the Pharisees, a people proud of their Abrahamic lineage.

The third passage is John’s introduction to the Gospel.

• What do these passages teach us about who the children of God are?
• How does the discussion of the children of God in Acts 17:28-29 fit with the discussion in John 8:42-47?
• Knowing the the teaching in John 8:42-47, what should our response to John 1:11-12 be?