Worship, Sabbath, and the Regulative Principle (Discipleship Training)

by Mar 10, 20210 comments

This post is part of my series on Discipleship Training. See all Discipleship Training Plans here.

Or, read my introductory post on discipleship training here.

Worship, the Sabbath Day, and the Regulative Principle: The light of nature can teach us that there is a God who has created all things, and that he deserves our worship. The light of nature, however, cannot teach us who this God is, or how we should worship him.

Instead, we must turn to the Scriptures to teach us how to worship God. In the Scriptures, we find that God desires to regulate his worship. He is not pleased with “strange” worship that we offer from our own imaginations (cf. Lev. 10:1–3). Instead, he is glorified when we worship him in accordance with his word. This idea that we should worship God only as he has commanded, and not in any way that he has not commanded, is called the regulative principle of worship.

In particular, the Lord created the Sabbath day as a day to rest from our common labors, in order to give the entire day to worship (aside from works of mercy and works of necessity). While the original Sabbath Day was the seventh day of the week, in honor of God’s work at the first creation, the new covenant Sabbath Day is the first day of the week, in honor of Christ’s resurrection at the beginning of the new creation.

Training Objective

To understand how the Lord has commanded that we should worship him.

Scripture

Read and discuss:

Doctrine

Read and discuss:

Discussion Questions

  • What is the regulative principle of worship? Why should we not worship in any way that we wish? 
  • What elements of worship does the Bible command us to use in our worship of God?
  • Why does the Bible command that we gather together? Is this optional?
  • Why is the Sabbath so important? Is Sabbath optional?
  • How does the Bible encourage us to “delight” in the Sabbath day?

Application

  • Consider whether you delight in worship. If not, why not?
  • Consider whether you delight in keeping the Sabbath day holy to the Lord by setting apart the whole day for the worship of the Lord. If not, why not?
  • Consider your corporate worship services. Can you find the biblical commands for everything you encounter in worship? Ask your pastors to help you understand the biblical rationale for why your church worships as you do.

FREE eBook: Fruitfulness and Faithfulness: God’s Mission and Mandate of Every Christian

Grow in God’s Plan for Your Fruitfulness and Faithfulness

Invest Your Life Well

Discover God’s breathtaking vision for the fruitfulness of his people.

Learn how to live fruitfully and faithfully in the kingdom of Jesus.

Download the free eBook now.

Get the eBook


BonusYou’ll also get a discipleship assessment tool to evaluate areas for you to grow in fruitfulness and faithfulness.