The Essence of Worship Beyond the Norm

by Mark Bazal

When we talk about worship, it’s easy to think it’s just singing and clapping. But is that all there is to it? Let’s dive into the heart of worship; how can we help our congregations truly understand what worship is?

Dispelling Myths:
Worship is more than music; it’s a way of life. We need to break the idea that it only happens during songs. Instead, let’s explore how it’s something that we carry with us every day.

The Heart of Worship:
At its core, worship is about loving God. Remember what Deuteronomy 6:5 says: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and strength.” This means our worship is an expression of deep love for our Creator.

Beyond Sunday Actions:
Worship isn’t just for Sundays; it’s an ongoing conversation with God. We express our love through thoughts, words, and actions, inside and outside the church.

Pure Hearts in Worship:
Helping our congregations understand worship involves looking at our hearts. True worship comes from a pure heart that loves God, showing that love through what we do and say.

Breathing in Worship:
Even something as simple as breathing can be an act of worship. Encourage everyone to find joy and thankfulness in every breath as a gift from God.

Practical Steps:
To guide our congregations in understanding worship, let’s keep it practical. Emphasize personal devotion, share stories that show what real worship looks like, and shift the mindset from seeing it as an event to making it part of everyday life.

Mark Bazal is the Pakistan Team Leader for Next Level Worship International (NLWI).

As the Pakistan Team Leader for NLWI, Mark is passionate about continuing to educate and equip pastors and leaders about true worship. He is married to Karen, and they have three daughters named Winnifred, Genesis, and Dorothy.

Mark understands the importance of family, and believes that worship plays a vital role in strengthening those bonds. He is committed to continuing his work with NLWI to elevate the worship culture in Pakistan and beyond.

The WorshipLife Personal Journal can be used as a stand-alone journal for one’s personal growth or as part of a small group study. It is also part of the WorshipLife Churchwide Campaign, in which case a church would order copies for the adults and teenagers in their congregation. The WorshipLife Personal Journal was written by Dwayne Moore, best-selling author and founder of Next Level Worship International.

The WorshipLife Personal Journal contains:

1. 30 daily devotionals (6 per week over 5 weeks)
2. 5 family devotionals
3. 5 note-taking pages for the pastor’s sermons

This resource is just one of many at our Books & Materials page. Be sure to visit this page to explore more about Worship Life and other resources.