CHAPTER II

God is a Spirit; and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth." (John 4:24)
Worship, then, is not confined to place and external exercises but involves a reality in the heart, soul and mind and may be public, family or private. Worship may be planned or spontaneous, but should be such as to invoke in the worshiper praise, honor, homage, obedience, dedication and gratitude to God, with adoration and exaltation of Him with reverence and humble acknowledgment of one's unworthiness of God's presence. It should be accompanied by confession of and plea for forgiveness of sin by virtue of the atonement of Jesus Christ with open heart and attentive mind to the voice of the Holy Spirit and by the assurance of God's pardoning grace.
Public worship is a unique event in the experience of man where together response is made to God's mighty acts of redemption in Jesus Christ. In public worship, the subject matter is the complete revelation of God set forth in Holy Scripture and centering in the Person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ.
Public worship is corporate in all its parts with active participation or silent attention, or both. It should be orderly, interesting, and inspiring toward spiritual ideals and Christian service. It should be directed to the total person involving intellect, emotion, and will. It should include any or all of the following acts of worship: Prayer and thanksgiving; singing of praise; the reading, hearing and preaching of the Word; the administering and receiving of the sacraments; the giving of tithes and sacrificial offerings; an appropriate response to the Gospel; an affirmation of faith; and the dismissing of the people with a Biblical benediction.
Family worship should be biblical and instructive: made interesting and inspiring to high ideals of Christian living and service. Participation by all should be encouraged. Subjects to discuss, materials to use, and activities of this worship period may be suggested by any member of the group. Ordinarily, the head of the home should assume the leadership responsibility.