Creating an Atmosphere of Worship in the Home
Creating a Template for Worship – Part 2

This session is designed as a continuation of answering the question, “So what should be included in the worship that takes place in MY home?” By presenting additional potential components that can be included in your home’s worship model.

Other elements of Home Worship

• Gratefulness – The giving of thanks is a common practice among Christians.  As an example of this is to give thanks, “saying grace”, before a meal (Luke 24:30).  In the worship space it is appropriate to intentionally saturate the atmosphere with gratefulness.  This can be accomplished by reflecting on what God has done (Psalm 68:19; 116:12).  This is the transparent reality of who we are with God (Luke 18:9-14).
• Community Service – In part God’s purpose through Jesus Christ is wholeness and healing in the body, soul, and spirit through the coming kingdom of God (Luke 4:18-19)…The worldwide impact of Jesus’s coming was not only the promise of a future spiritual kingdom but an effect on the present realities of the broken human condition.  Jesus said that his followers would believe in him and do even greater things (John 14:12.)
  
  As believers, we are invited to do what Jesus has done, and do even more.  He took the truth of the gospel to those that were likely not to experience the warmth, hospitality, and welcoming fellowship of “believers” – for example prostitutes and tax collectors (Matthew 21:28-32).  Serving others is an act of worship (Matthew 25:34-40).  Seek out opportunities, or if you see a community need fill that need.  Make it a regular part of the worship experience for your home.
• Silence – Silence is used in various ways throughout the Bible.  As an act of worship, the absence of sound is reverence to God (Habakkuk 2:20; Zephaniah 1:7a).  It is in the stillness of the moment, in the space devoid of clutter – no TV, cellphone, cellphone, cellphone, radio, thoughts, agenda – where you honor God.  Full surrender of your being to the One greater than you happens when we are able to be still (Psalm 46:10).
• Worship Walk – In the beginning God create the heaven and the earth (Genesis 1:1).  The pace of life can cause us to become blind to the creation of the Creator.  We are called to honor the Creator of all things (Revelations 4:11).  Take a walk in your yard, neighborhood, park, or greenway observe how the Creator has provided for creation (Psalm 104).  Then worship Him because he will also provide for you (Matthew 6:26, 28).
• Recreation - Re-created – to be made anew.  God established a pattern for us to rest and be made anew and then commanded us to follow it (Genesis 2:1-3; Exodus 20: 8-11).  Jesus himself reminds us that the Sabbath was made for us (Mark 2:27-28).  As an act of worship consider setting aside a day of rest for your home.  This may be an excellent opportunity to refocus and reconnect to those in the home
• Communion (2) – One of the ordinances of the church is the Lord’s Supper, or Communion. 

The term communion can be defined as an act of sharing or intimate fellowship.  [Therefore, this is fitting to also take place in the home.]  Jesus is clear that he desires to share a meal with his disciples and is sitting among then when he raises the elements (bread and wine).  God dwelt with his creation in order to save his creation, and soon after the meal, God would depart; at least in flesh.  The moment of togetherness and communion is something Jesus wanted to be acknowledged, both as a reminder of his sacrifice, and a as reminder of the believer’s commitment and connection with God through Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:26 indicates that participating in [Communion] is a proclamation of the Lord’s death.  It is the traditional Baptist belief that baptism should precede participation in [Communion].

Lord’s Supper Script
               (Distribute the Bread and Wine / Juice Packets)
               We have gathered today to commemorate the Lord’s Supper.  In this meal we remember the sacrifice of our Lord as the payment for forgiveness of sin and the establishment of our eternal covenant with God.  As                we eat and drink, we profess our commitment and alignment with the heart of the Lord to live as ambassadors of the Lord Jesus Christ and extensions of His love in the earth.
               On the night when Jesus sat at the Seder Meal with the disciples, “as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed it and broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, ‘Take and eat it; this is My body,” – Matthew 26:26
               As we eat the bread, let us remember the broken body of our Lord Jesus Christ.
               (eat the bread)
               â€œThen He took a cup, and after giving thanks, He gave it to them and said, ‘Drink from it, all of you.  For this is my blood that establishes the covenant; it is shed for many for the forgiveness of sins.” – Matthew 26:27-               28
               As we drink of the cup, let us remember the shed blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.
               (drink the wine/juice)
               â€œAs often as we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.” – 1 Corinthians 11:26
               Give the closing prayer.

_{1 CSB Worldview Study Bible – “The Gospel and Social Ministry” – Mary Anne Poe, pp: 1547-1548.
2 We Have This Ministry, A New Guide to Ordaining Ministers – McCarroll, Stockdale, Franklin, 2018 pp. 31-32, 77}