Order in Worship: Structure

Warm Up:

What is one of the most memorable church (or religious) services you have ever experienced? What was so special about it?

What part(s) of worship services do you look forward to most? Are there any that you dread?

Exploring 1 Corinthians 14:26-40

Paul continues to write to the church in Corinth about orderly worship practices. Worship gatherings were undoubtedly very different in Paul’s day from what we experience today. How might we be relevant or sensitive to the culture without compromising scripture?

Paul gives direction for specific practices of the day in verses 26-33, but his summary in verse 33 seems to address a central issue the church was experiencing—disorder. Their behavior in the worship gathering was to be regulated by the church’s leadership to maintain order. What would it be like to attend a church with no order, structure, or leadership? What if a service included several people talking over one another (likely a problem in the Corinthian church)?

In verses 34-35, Paul makes a statement often taken to extremes by those on both ends of the spectrum. Context is key to understanding this passage. Paul is focusing on the duty of men, serving as church leaders, to evaluate the validity of prophecies shared during worship gatherings. But remember that in 1 Corinthians 11:5, Paul indicates that women can prophesy in church gatherings. The idea of him saying that all women are silenced in every way would be inconsistent with other passages where women are not prohibited from speaking. It is also possible that Paul is referring to women whose husbands were present in those services. In previous verses, Paul has sequentially addressed speaking in tongues and their interpretation, followed by prophecy and its evaluation. He is not saying that women are to never have a voice in worship gatherings. However, they are not to take on the authority and responsibility of assessing the legitimacy of prophecies, which have been assigned to the male leaders of the Corinthian church. As in Chapter 11, Paul’s aim is not to undermine equality of personhood but to define the distinct roles of leadership within the church. How do we best maintain order in church gatherings? How important is it to have confidence in church leadership?

Paul asks two pointed questions in verse 36. What do you think he meant by this? In verses 36-38, was he telling them to submit to God’s truth in this matter? Do you think he expected opposition to his instructions?

How does Paul summarize these thoughts in verse 40 regarding his hope for the Corinthian church?

Application:

Consider your calling and giftedness. How can you better contribute to the order and structure of your church so that newcomers feel welcome and not confused?

Think:

Healthy church members lead to healthy churches. What characteristics make for healthy church members? List at least 3 or 4.

Prayer:

Ask your group for prayer over any area you believe is keeping you from serving Christ with your whole heart.