We asked that question to our congregation recently. There were many different answers given.
If I had to sum it up, most answers had something to do with connecting with God. Some said that specifically. Others said things like hearing from God or hearing God's word. A few people emphasized the opportunity it gives us to connect with fellow believers.
When I saw the range of answers, all being good things we should experience in a community of Christians, it made me wonder what my expectations are. I wanted to list them specifically and also prioritize them. And I wanted to have some verses from the Bible to back them up.
It has been harder than I thought to find verses to back up what I expect. For example, it's very common to hear popular worship leaders say we are coming into the presence of God when we worship. A guy I knew used to lead worship and he said his job was bring people to the Throne.
But where do we see those ideas in the Bible? And how would we even know if those things happened in our services? Are we mostly going by feelings, and if we are, is that a bad thing?
I find these questions fascinating because expectations (whether right or wrong, met or unmet) will have a huge impact on everything else we do (or don't do) in a church.
So this morning as you prepare for worship, consider your expectations. What do you think will happen in our service? What do you hope will happen?
Here are some suggested verses about people worshiping God in the Old Testament, New Testament and eternity:
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