Last night we had a Night of Worship, where the whole night is set aside to taking part in different ways to worship God. It always amazes me how God will take our small efforts and produce so much beauty and good from them. Students regularly tell me these are their favorite nights of the year, or that God moved in them in brand new ways. It’s amazing to see and be a part of. Here’s the schedule from the evening:
Open with prayer
Music
Psalms 16:1-2 (MSG)
1 A David song Keep me safe, O God, I’ve run for dear life to you.
2 I say to God, “Be my Lord!” Without you, nothing makes sense.
SONG – Counting on God
1 A David song Keep me safe, O God, I’ve run for dear life to you.
2 I say to God, “Be my Lord!” Without you, nothing makes sense.
SONG – Counting on God
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)
16 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
SONG – Take It All
16 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
SONG – Take It All
Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV)
14 “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
Philippians 2:14-16 (NIV)
14 Do everything without complaining or arguing,
15 so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe
16 as you hold out the word of life–in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.
SONG – We Shine
14 Do everything without complaining or arguing,
15 so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe
16 as you hold out the word of life–in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.
SONG – We Shine
1 Timothy 1:15-17 (NIV)
15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners–of whom I am the worst.
16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.
17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
SONG – King
15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners–of whom I am the worst.
16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.
17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
SONG – King
Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NIV)
11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
SONG – Beautiful Things
11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
SONG – Beautiful Things
Skit – Julia and Jacob – Julia Tindall and Jacob Blackburn did a terrific skit about taking Jesus with us wherever we go. It was very moving, and made all of us think.
Read Romans 9:19-21 (MSG)
19 Are you going to object, “So how can God blame us for anything since he’s in charge of everything? If the big decisions are already made, what say do we have in it?”
20 Who in the world do you think you are to second-guess God? Do you for one moment suppose any of us knows enough to call God into question? Clay doesn’t talk back to the fingers that mold it, saying, “Why did you shape me like this?”
21 Isn’t it obvious that a potter has a perfect right to shape one lump of clay into a vase for holding flowers and another into a pot for cooking beans?
19 Are you going to object, “So how can God blame us for anything since he’s in charge of everything? If the big decisions are already made, what say do we have in it?”
20 Who in the world do you think you are to second-guess God? Do you for one moment suppose any of us knows enough to call God into question? Clay doesn’t talk back to the fingers that mold it, saying, “Why did you shape me like this?”
21 Isn’t it obvious that a potter has a perfect right to shape one lump of clay into a vase for holding flowers and another into a pot for cooking beans?
Worship Stations – We had students design and set up different worship stations around the church. The group was given 45 minutes to move from station to station to experience different ways to worship. The catch is they have to do it totally in silence the entire time; no talking, whispering, or goofing off. They did great, just like they always do. Here are the stations they had:
Prayer Wall – We put butcher paper on the wall and had students write out their prayers to God. It was very moving to see how honest and heartfelt the prayers were.
Communion – Our students designed a communion table with cards that students wrote their names on and pinned them to a tree, symbolizing their sins being paid for on the cross. Then the students each took communion on their own.
Play Doh Art – Students were encouraged to create models out of play doh, symbolizing how God controls our life and creates beautiful things from it.
Sand Prayers – Everyone had a chance to write their mistakes and sins on a huge table covered with sand. Then they wiped them away to symbolize how they had been forgiven.
Reflections – This room full of mirrors was one of the toughest. Students were to sit in front of a mirror and look into it, and talk to God about how they are “fearfully and wonderfully made”. It was a very moving experience for many people.
Journaling – We had students write letters to God, thanking Him for what He has done in our lives.
We ended the evening singing the song Beautiful Things with just a guitar unplugged, and prayed. Then students went to small groups.
Some questions you can use to talk to your student about the night:
1. What was one of your favorite parts of the night? Why?
2. Which was the most difficult for you? Why?
3. What do you think had the most impact on you? Why?
4. What is one thing you’re doing differently this week as a result of what God showed you Sunday night?
JasonChenoweth.com 