CGMI ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL – Topic: THE USE OF HYMNS IN PUBLIC WORSHIP – Church of God Mission International – 8 October 2023
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CGMI ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL DATE: SUNDAY 8th OCTOBER, 2023.
HYMN: S.S & S 1 “Praise My Soul, The King of Heaven” CENTRAL THOUGHT: Let us sing psalms, hymns and Spiritual songs TOPIC: THE USE OF HYMNS IN PUBLIC WORSHIP TEXT: Neh 12:27-30; Isa 12:4-6; Eph 5:18-21; Col 3:16; Matt 26:30; Mk 14:26; Jas 5:13 INTRODUCTION: Hymns are Spiritual songs to worship and praise God, they have long been a part of public worship. The wordings of hymns must convey due reverence to God. Though their use has changed over the centuries, they remain a central part of many Christian practices. They are a great way to express faith and bring believers together to worship God. In the Bible, hymns were often used to celebrate God’s goodness, to thank Him for His blessings, and to renew and strengthens the believers’ faith. The Psalm are full of hymns that express the joy and sorrow of daily life and hope in God. In the New Testament, hymns were used to praise God and to give thanks for His goodness. In today’s worship services, hymns are used to express many of the same things. They are a powerful tool to unite the body of believers and to exalt the Lord. They can help bring people closer to God, as well as to teach one other. In addition, hymns can help us to focus on the main purpose of worship which is to glorify and honour God.
LESSON OBJECTIVES;
The objectives of this study are: 1. Understand the Biblical basis for the use of hymns in public worship 2. Consider the role of hymns in bringing the body of believers together 3. Discuss the importance of hymns in exalting the Lord and 4. Explore the use of hymns to focus on the main purpose of worship
BIBLE TRUTH:
QUESTION 1.
WHAT IS THE BIBLICAL BASIS FOR THE USE OF HYMNS IN PUBLIC WORSHIP ?
The Bible contains many references to singing of hymns, which demonstrate it’s value as a part of public worship. The Bible often speaks of the importance of singing hymns together as a community of faith and of praising God. In the old testament, David who is known as a “man after God’s own heart”(1Sam 13:14), often sang praises to God (2Sam 22:50). The Psalms written by David are filled with songs of praise and adoration to God. The book of Psalms is the longest book of the Bible, and it is the one most frequently cited in public worship. The new testament also speaks of singing in public worship and in private devotion. The scriptures tells us to “sing and make melody in your heart to the Lord” (Eph 5:19). Paul encouraged the church to “sing Psalms, hymns and Spiritual songs” (Colossians 3:16) “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” The Bible also containsany references to music and singing as a means of praise and worship. The book of Revelation tells us that God’s people will sing ” a new song” before His throne (Rev 5:9). The book of Isaiah speaks of singing and praising God with “loud voices” (Isa 12:4-6). In the book of Nehemiah, the Israelites were instructed to sing “songs of praise and thanksgiving” at the dedication of the rebuilt wall (Neh 12:27-30). Singing hymns in public worship is an expression of our faith, a way to focus on God and connect with Him. It is a powerful tool for the congregation to join in worship and to unite their voices in praise. In a culture where it can be difficult to find common ground and agreement, singing hymns can be a powerful way to unite a congregation in worship. The Bible also speaks of singing to edify and encourage one another (Col 3:16). Singing can be a way to remind us of God’s goodness and to strengthen our faith.
Also Read:Open Heaven 8 October 2023 – Topic: THE WAY OUT
QUESTION 2.
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF HYMNS IN THE BODY OF BELIEVERS TOGETHER ?
Hymns are an essential part of Christian worship services, bringing the body of believers together in songs and prayers. Hymns are not only a form of worship, but also a means of expressing the beliefs, values and emotions of the church body. They help to create a sense of unity and purpose among the congregation and can be used to share the gospel message with those who may not be familiar with it. Hymns provide a way for the congregation to express their devotion to God and to one another. They can be used to express joy, sorrow, hope, or any other emotion. They are a powerful form of prayer that invites the Holy Spirit to come and join with the body of believers in worship. Many hymns contain a message of praise, devotion and thanksgiving that is shared among the congregation. These messages can help to keep the congregation focused on the Lord and on zhis will for their lives. Hymns also provide a way for the body of believers to express their faith in a unified way. With the same words and melodies, the congregation can come together to offer their collective praises to God. This collective worship allows the church body to come together as one, bonded by their common faith in Jesus Christ. Hymns can also help to create a sense of fellowship among the church congregation. Singing together provides an opportunity for the church body to come together to share in a common experience. It can be a time of joy, peace and comfort, allowing the congregation to build strong relationships with one another. Some useful scriptural verses include (Exo 15:1-2, 21; 1Chron 16:23; Psa 13:6; 30:4; 96:1-3; 98:5)
QUESTION 3.
WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF HYMNS IN EXALTING THE LORD ?
Hymns are a powerful way to express our praise and worship to God. They bring us closer to Him in a special and meaningful way. They help us to focus on the greatness of God and to remember His loving kindness. Hymns allow us to express our love and adoration for God. Through singing, we can express our joy and gratitude for all that God has done in our lives. It is a way to thank Him for His blessings and to show Him that we can recognize His greatness. Hymns can also be used to express our sorrow and pain. We can sing of our brokenness and our need for His healing and grace. Hymns also serve to reminds us of God’s promises. As we sing them, we are reminded of the promises He hasade to us and of the faithfulness we can rely on. They help to instill a sense of security and assurance in His love for us. As we sing the words of the hymns, we are reminded of our commitment to Him. We remember our promises to Him, and we are encouraged to remain faithful even in times of difficulty. Hymns can also be used to unite us with other believers. When we sing together, we are reminded of our God’s truths and of His goodness. As we focus on His word, we are encouraged to grow in our faith and to live a life of obedience. In conclusion, hymns play an important role in exalting the Lord. They allow us to express our love and adoration for Him, to remember His promises, to be faithful to Him, to unite with other believers and to grow in our faith.
QUESTION 4.
HOW CAN HYMNS HELP US TO FOCUS ON THE MAIN PURPOSE OF WORSHIP ?
We sing of His mighty works and the love He has for us. They remind us of the hope we have in Christ and the assurance of everlasting life. When we sing these words, we are reminded of the central purpose of worship: to honour God and to offer our lives to Him. As we sing, we can let go of our worries, anxieties, troubles and focus on the beauty of the moment and the presence of God. We can open ourselves up to the joy of worship and the peace of being in the presence of the Almighty. Hymns also helps us to focus on the common purpose of worship. We are all coming together from different backgrounds, experiences, and ages, to offer our lives to God. We are united in our purpose, and singing hymns reminds us of this unity. As we sing, we are united in our collective journey of faith. We are reminded that, despite our differences, we are all brought together to serve the same God. Finally, hymns help us to focus on the grace and mercy of God. When we sing of His grace and mercy, we are reminded of the hope we have in Him, the assurance of everlasting life, the power of His love and the strength of our faith.
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION:
We can use hymns to honour God in our daily lives. We can set aside each day to sing a hymn of praise, to thank Him for His blessings, or to celebrate His goodness. We can also use hymns to share our faith with others and to encourage them in their own faith journey. When we come together to worship, singing hymns can help to unite us in a shared Faith and bring us closer to God. When we sing together, we can express our joy and sorrows and find strength in each other and in God. No matter how we use hymns in our daily lives, they can be a powerful way to express our faith and draw us closer to God. We can use hymns to honour Him, to thank Him and to celebrate His goodness.
MEMORY VERSE: Ephesians 5:19 “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord”
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