8
Lesson 8

Entering into Worship: Thanksgiving and Praise

Course Study
Worship 1
Courses Course Index
Lessons
1The Life of Worship 2Worship in Trials 3The Father is Seeking Worshippers 4The Inner Sanctuary 5Going Up to Worship 6Joy the Characteristic of Worship 7Joy is the Measure of Our Relationship
8Entering into Worship: Thanksgiving and Praise
9Giving Ourselves in Worship 10Turned Around to Seek After Christ

Theme: Entering into Worship: Thanksgiving and Praise

Text: Psalm 100:4 "Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name."

Core Concept

Thanksgiving serves as the gateway to worship, while praise ushers worshippers into deeper communion with God. Gratitude focuses on divine actions; praise celebrates God's character.

Key Teaching Points

1. Eliminate Life's Burdens

  • Daily pressures can obstruct authentic worship
  • Difficulties transform into worship opportunities when addressed through prayer and thanksgiving
  • Thanksgiving elevates focus above earthly troubles (Philippians 4:6-7)

2. Release Worldly Concerns

  • Even neutral matters—family, business, routine tasks—distract from worship
  • The ten lepers account (Luke 17) demonstrates only one recognized healing as worship-worthy

3. Reject Pride

  • Self-importance blocks the worshipper's path
  • Childlike humility (Matthew 21:15-17) enables genuine worship
  • Humility remains non-negotiable in worship (1 Peter 5:5-6)

Summary

Life's pressures become worship opportunities; earthly concerns fade in significance; childlike humility opens the door to encountering God.