HOW TO WORSHIP WHEN YOU ARE WOUNDED
Worship from A to Z - Part 2
July 3-7, 2006

In the first message in this series last week, we learned that the A through F in worship stands for: Asking, Believing, Confessing, Depending, Expressing and Finding. These are the antidotes to worry. This week we are going to study five more aspects of worshipping in the situation when we are wounded. Most of this study highlights the story of Job and how he reacted when seriously attacked. He lost everything in one day; his wealth, family and his health. However, Job's response was not to curse, but to worship God! Whenever we are wounded, God is waiting to help. When your heart is breaking, worship God. It is in our darkest hour that we need to focus on God the most. When crushed, confused, in a crisis and when life is out of control the best thing we can do is worship. How do we worship God when wounded? Study the points below and learn the five ways Job teaches us.

MONDAY

1. GRIEVE: TELL GOD HOW YOU FEEL.
[Your Objective: Understand that honestly telling God how you feel is an act of worship.]

How did Job respond to grief in Job 1:20?

  • How do people express grief today and why do many blame God instead of worshiping Him?

What do Job 7:11 and Lamentations 2:19 say about telling God how you feel?

  • Why don't people tell God how they feel?

Read Jeremiah 20:7, Ruth 1:20, and Psalm 88:15. How do Jeremiah, Naomi, and David deal with their grief?

  • How can these examples from Scripture help us when we face times of grief?

In Psalm 116:10, why was David able to tell God how he felt?

  • How can faith help us to be honest with God about our feelings?

Worship (Magnification) - God wants His children to share their feelings with Him. He is big enough to handle any and all of our doubts, questions, hurts, or anger. When you are hurt or grieving do you tell God how you feel or do you pretend you are not wounded or sad? Are you willing to trust God with your true emotions and let Him help you deal with your hurt? If you are hurting, tell God now how you feel. If you know others who are hurting, pray that they will share their hurt with God and seek His help and comfort.

TUESDAY

2. HONOR: PRAISE GOD IN SPITE OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
[Your Objective: Learn to praise God in good times and in bad times.]

What did Job not do despite his circumstances according to Job 1:21-22?

  • Why are people willing to praise God when things are going good but blame God when things go bad?

List things we can praise God for from the following verses in the book of Job: 10:12, 36:22, 37:5 and 23, 23:10, 31:4, 34:13, 23:14, and 5:11?

  • What do these verses say about how God helps us in all circumstances?

Why was Habakkuk still able to be joyful and glad in Habakkuk 3:17-18?

  • How can praising God for being our savior help us get through tough times?

Discipleship (Maturity) - In order to trust God and praise Him in times of trouble as well as in good times you must first know Him. What can you do to help you understand what God wants to do for you in all situations you may encounter in your life? Will you worship God if everything goes wrong just as enthusiastically as you worship Him in the good times? What will you do to deepen your relationship with Him so you know He will be with you in all things?

WEDNESDAY

3. INVOKE: ASK GOD FOR WISDOM AND STRENGTH.
[Your Objective: To learn that asking for God's wisdom and strength should be our first resort.]

In Job 5:8 what does it mean to appeal to God?

  • In dealing with a problem or personal crisis, what benefits would there be in appealing first to God?
  • What might we expect if we leave God out of our problems?

What attributes of God do Job 12:13 and 1 Chronicles 16:11 refer to? What does 1 Chronicles 16:11 say to do?

  • If your Bible version says "to seek His face", what does that mean?
  • To invoke means to appeal to a higher authority. Given the five Godly attributes above, why do you think people still tend to look to the world's authorities for answers?

What promises for believers do you find in Psalm 37:39 and in Psalm 3:5?

  • If God sustains us even while we sleep, if he is indeed our stronghold, what should our response be?

Worship (Magnification) - When we are wounded we must not turn away from God, but turn to Him. First, ask for God's wisdom and then His strength. Calling on God in this way is a form of worship. What problem in your life could be improved by these gifts of His? Ask God specifically for his help and share some results with your group.

THURSDAY

4. JOIN: GATHER WITH OTHERS FOR SUPPORT.
[Your Objective: Learn to depend on others for support.]

What does Elihu ask Job to remember in Job 36:18-24?

  • How can joining with others to worship God help during times of trouble?

In Psalm 63:2, what traits of God does David see while in the sanctuary?

  • Why do people build walls and keep to themselves when troubles hit but don't seek support from friends?

Fellowship (Membership) - Your group members can be the best source for support and encouragement when times are tough. Does your group take time each week to ask if anybody has any prayer requests and then take time to pray for each request during group time? How about others in your community that you know are going through difficult circumstances? Take some time during the week to pray for the needs of your group members and people you know need God's help and comfort.

FRIDAY

5. KEEP ON: PERSIST IN BELIEVING GOD'S PROMISES.
[Your Objective: To trust in the salvation of the Lord, no matter what the circumstances.]

What was Job's response to adversity in Job 2:9-10 and in Job 13:15a?

  • When we have troubles, what might be our first responses?

Who is referred to in Job 19:25 and in Isaiah 59:20?

  • Knowing the redeemer in these verses is Jesus Christ, how much more should we be able to worship faithfully when we are wounded?

According to Isaiah 53:6, what is common to all mankind? Who took our sins upon Himself?

  • Why do people want to live life without God? Why does God want us?

Worship (Magnification) - People will let us down, but God never does. No matter what life brings, God's promises are true. Persistence is a kind of prayer. Do a study of God's promises and claim some in your own prayers. Insert your name or the names of others in those verses. If you don't have a prayer partner, why not ask someone now? And share God's answers when they come.

Take a moment to review any assignments/challenges made during the personal application and commitment section of your previous meeting. Seeing God at work in the lives of those who commit to Him is essential for growth.

PERSONAL APPLICATION AND COMMITMENT:
[Your Objective: Express to God the wounds that you are suffering from and take the next steps in worship.]

Everyone has experienced wounds in life. Even Jesus Christ was severely wounded on the cross during His crucifixion. Being a Christian does not mean living a life without wounds, it means having the power through Christ to handle them. God knows everything that happens in our lives, even the deepest wounds. In silence, as a group, take a moment and share with God in prayer what is frustrating you right now. Tell Him what situation exists that seems unbearable and hopeless. After your prayer together take the next steps in worship. Tell God how you feel. Praise God in spite of the circumstances beyond your control. Next, make a commitment to the group for your support. Lastly, what ways will you commit to worshipping God throughout every day and week when you are in pain from a wound? Share the results of your choice to worship with the group when you gather for the next study together.