Theology of the Church, Mentor's Guide, MG03

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T H E O L O G Y O F T H E C H U R C H

the objectives throughout the class period, the better the chances are that they will understand and grasp the essential truths that underlie this lesson.

This devotion focuses on the motive of all God-honoring praise and worship: the incomparable glory of the person of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Often we may think that worship involves a certain kind of ritual action, ceremonial process, or liturgical order. The worship of God is not rooted in geography or religious orthodoxy, but, as Jesus says, in “spirit and in truth” (John 4.24). The Father cannot be approached except in the person of Jesus Christ (John 14.6), whose atoning sacrifice has brought us near to God in faith (Heb. 10.22-24). Because God has granted us entrance into his presence, even the Holy of holies through the blood of Jesus, and because God’s glory is unmatched and unchanging, there remains a ready reason to give glory and honor to God. We need never wait for circumstances to be warm and wonderful in order to praise God; even in the midst of the most horrible tragedy, the severest loss, the most disarming trouble, and the greatest need, we are to give praise and glory to God. In spite of all we face and know, he is the Lord of all, perfect, glorious, majestic, full of splendor and wonder, who will never forsake us or abandon us. Regardless of how things look, God is and remains forever by our side and for our benefit. Learning to give the “sacrifice” of praise, to change the meaning of the term for a moment, is a central skill of the developing disciple of Jesus. Countless times we will face situations where there does not appear, at least on the surface of the situation, a single reason to praise. All is wrong and bleak; God appears to have vanished, either not knowing, not caring, or being unable to help. In the midst of this kind of trouble, we grab our harps and give glory to the One who gives us life and sustains our days. He is worthy because he is, for his name is “I Am that I Am.” Challenge the students to their truest vocation, the unbroken and unyielding praise of Almighty God because of who he is and what he has done in Jesus Christ.

2 Page 43 Devotion