The Elements of Regulated Worship
by Bob Burridge © 2011
Along with our continual worship of God personally, in our families, and in our communities, there is a special worship that is connected with the calling together of the body of believers under the oversight of Elders. The proper elements of this convocational worship are limited by God’s prescription.
Our own imaginations should never be our guide in approaching God. We must come into his special presence only as guided by his word. The Bible is not silent about what should be done when we gather as a church on the Lord’s Day. In parts one and two of lesson four our Syllabus reviews the principles and elements God tells us honor him.
Today the first part of lesson four has bee posted. Tomorrow we plan to post the second part. Together they cover the full scope of public worship following the summary in the Westminster Confession of Faith.
Lessons 4a and 4b can be found under Unit 5 of our Syllabus.
The first part of this lesson sets the groundwork for regulating our worship. It then covers the following elements God has prescribed for his worship:
- The Call to Worship
- Prayer (including a discussion of praying for “unpardonable sin”)
The second part of this lesson covers the remaining elements God has prescribed for his worship:
- The Reading and Preaching of God’s Word
- The Singing of Psalms
- Due Administration and Receiving of the Sacraments
- Other Elements of Proper Worship
- Religious Oaths and Vows
- Confessions of Faith
- Solemn Fastings and Thanksgivings
- The Gathering of God’s Tithe and Our Offerings
- Benedictions
- The Places of Worship
