What is Real Worship? · Group Guide

Discussion Questions

1. 1

   Jesus has just named her five husbands, and the woman immediately says, let's talk about which mountain to worship on. It reads like a change of subject. Why do you think Jesus takes the question seriously and answers it instead of steering her back?

2. 2

   Kent said the word comes from the old English worth-ship — to worship is to declare something's worth. Look honestly at where your time, money, and mental energy actually go this month. What have you been declaring worthy?

3. 3

   Kent ran a list of what people come wanting: educate me, affirm me, convict me, excite me, entertain me, heal me, persuade me. He said the common denominator is me. Which one of those do you tend to walk in with?

4. 4

   Kent pointed out there is no definite article in the Greek — "in spirit" means the human spirit: intellect, emotion, will, and body. He contrasted Israel standing, weeping, shouting, face down in the dust with how buttoned-down we can be. Which part of yourself do you tend to leave outside the room?

5. 5

   Kent asked whether the hymn people and the new-music people could love each other enough to sing each other's songs — and reminded everyone that every old hymn was contemporary once and the old guard hated it. Where is your version of "I would rather it be done my way" in this church?

6. 6

   Kent said Jesus never screamed at this woman, never scolded her, never shamed her — he loved her into the kingdom. Who in your life have you been more inclined to correct than to love? What is one specific thing you could do for that person this week?