Worship – Part 5

Scripture Reference: 1 Timothy 2:1-10

A skit that demonstrates instructions on worship.

Cast:
Pam – Worship Leader
Jeff – Person who doesn’t know how to worship

Props:
none

(The first song is We Will Worship the Lamb of Glory. The chorus repeats the line “And with our hands lifted high”. During the chorus, Pam encourages the kids to raise their hands, but Jeff self-consciously only raises a finger.)

Pam: Are you okay, Jeff?

Jeff: Yeah. Why?

Pam: You were doing something weird with your finger, and I thought maybe you hurt it or something.

Jeff: Huh? No, I was lifting my hands in praise like you said.

Pam: The song said, “With our hands lifted high to the sky,” not “with your finger barely raised.”

Jeff: I know, but it’s kind of embarrassing to lift your hands in front of all these people.

Pam: Everyone here is your friend, you shouldn’t be embarrassed. Besides, you are suppose to be doing this for God, not anyone else.

Jeff: I know, but it seems like kind of a silly thing to do. Why DO we lift our hands?

Pam: I am glad you asked. I have a Top 10 list for reasons to raise your hands in church.

Jeff: Well, that’s handy. What are they?

Pam: Reason 10: Surrender.

Jeff: Like in the movies when people put their hands up, so the police don’t shoot?

Pam: Kind of. You are saying to God, “I give up, I can’t do it on my own. I surrender my life to you.”

Jeff: Okay. What’s next?

Pam: Reason 9: Volunteer. When I ask who wants to do something, people raise their hands to show their willingness to volunteer.

Jeff: So it shows willingness to commit to God’s will. It’s like we are saying, “I’m willing God.”

Pam: Reason 8: No Weapon. Raising our hands is a sign of peace. In 1 Timothy, Paul says, “I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.”

Jeff: It’s like the origin of the handshake, it shows we have an empty hand and don’t come in anger.

Pam: Reason 7: Requesting Something.

Jeff: Oh, I get that one. It’s like raising your hand in class if you want to answer a question or go to the bathroom.

Pam: Right. Reason 6: Wanting Comfort.

Jeff: I completely don’t get that one. I don’t find lifting my arms comfortable. My arms get tired.

Pam: Not comfortable; looking for comfort. You have a bunch of kids, what do they when they want you to pick them up?

Jeff: Oh, they lift up their arms. Since I’m their dad, they find comfort in me holding them. And since God’s our Father, we are raising our hands for Him to hold and comfort us. Cool. What else?

Pam: Reason 5: Welcome. It is kind of like waving at someone you know.

Jeff: And we certainly want to welcome God into our praise.

Pam: Reason 4: Direct attention towards God.

Jeff: Since we are pointing to Him. It draws attention FROM me TO Him.

Pam: Reason 3: Testimony.

Jeff: Like in court, a witness raises his hand to be sworn in.

Pam: Right. It is a sign of agreement. It says, “I testify that this is true in my life.”

Jeff: Like saying “Amen” with your hands. What’s number 2?

Pam: Reason 2: Loving. It is like the song we sang today. “With our hands lifted high to the sky/When the world wonders why/We'll just tell them we're loving our King.”

Jeff: It’s like hugging God.

Pam: Exactly.

Jeff: Okay, what’s number 1? What other thing can raising hands mean?

Pam: And the number one reason to raise our hands in church: the Bible says to do it.

Jeff: Oh. It does?

Pam: It sure does. Psalm 134:2 says, “Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord.” And Lamentations 3:41 says, “Let us lift up our hearts and our hands to God in heaven....”

Jeff: But I still feel uncomfortable raising my hands.

Pam: Well, it’s not a requirement. God doesn’t want you to raise your hands out of obligation. He wants you to do it for the right reasons.

Jeff: So it’s perfectly fine if I don’t raise my hands.

Pam: Maybe.

Jeff: Maybe?

Pam: If you feeling like you want to raise your hands but don’t because of pride, then that is wrong, too.

Jeff: So it’s not a matter of raising your hands or not raising your hands that’s right, it’s worshiping God in the way He’s leading you to do it.

Pam: You got it. It’s a heart issue, and God wants your heart, as well as your hands, to be turned to Him in worship.

Jeff: So is it okay if I just raise one hand and close my eyes while I do it?

Pam: Whatever God leads you to do, be obedient to that. The most important thing is to focus on God and not to worry about what anyone thinks about what you are doing.

Jeff: Okay, I’ll give it a try.