Learning about God through our different approaches.

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Overview

People have differing aesthetic values. This has always been true, but it has become especially evident with the advent of contemporary forms of worship. In music—and other areas of church life—some people cringe at the influence of popular culture; others say there is no alternative if the church is going to be relevant. What can we learn about ourselves and about serving God by acknowledging differences in style? How can we be concerned about integrity and high quality without being snobs?

Table of Contents

Scripture: Genesis 1:11–12, 27–30, 2:18, 21–24, 3:2–6; 2 Kings 5:1–14; Proverbs 5:18–20, 23:20–21; Isaiah 24:4–7, 58:6–12; Ezekiel 36:24–30; Joel 2:25; 1 Corinthians 1:26–29; 2 Corinthians 5:18; James 1:17–18

LEADER'S GUIDE

    • The Issue

Sample questions:

Why do we react negatively to things that contrast with our personal tastes?

How do we encourage high quality of any type without devaluing something lesser—Bach over “Kum Bah Yah” or Milton over gospel tracts, for example?

Sample Scriptures:

Read Genesis 1:27-30 and Proverbs 23:20-21: how has a high value been displaced by a lower one?

Read James 1:17–18. How would you define every good and perfect gift?

Sample application questions:

Do you have a favorite hymn? Name it and tell why you have chosen it.

The poor and lowly “have an actual advantage in the City of God.” Why is that?

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