Big Idea: A healthy church pursues God’s heart in worship through prayerful dependence,pure devotion, and God-honoring order. 1. Worship Begins with Prayerful Hearts I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time. And I have been chosen as a preacher and apostle to teach the Gentiles this message about faith and truth. I’m not exaggerating—just telling the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-7 (NLT2) Prayer aligns our hearts with God’s saving mission. 2. Worship Flows from Pure Lives In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy. And I want women to be modest in their appearance. They should wear decent and appropriate clothing and not draw attention to themselves by the way they fix their hair or by wearing gold or pearls or expensive clothes. For women who claim to be devoted to God should make themselves attractive by the good things they do. 1 Timothy 2:8-10 (NLT2) Men: Lifting holy hands without anger or division Women: Cultivating godliness over outward display God desires surrendered hearts with humility & devotion. 3. Worship Honors God’s Design for Spiritual Leadership Women should learn quietly (peaceable) and submissively. I do not let women teach men or have authority over them. Let them listen quietly. For God made Adam first,and afterward he made Eve. And it was not Adam who was deceived by Satan. The woman was deceived, and sin was the result. 1 Timothy 2:11-14 (NLT2) God ordains male leadership in the church But a woman dishonors her head if she prays or prophesies without a covering on her head, for this is the same as shaving her head. 1 Corinthians 11:5 (NLT2) So you see, just as death came into the world through a man, now the resurrection from the dead has begun through another man. Just as everyone dies because we all belong to Adam, everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life. 1 Corinthians 15:21-22 (NLT2) Men and women are equal in value There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28 (NLT2) God assigns different roles for the health of the church I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a deacon in the church in Cenchrea. Welcome her in the Lord as one who is worthy of honor among God’s people. Help her in whatever she needs, for she has been helpful to many, and especially to me. Give my greetings to Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in the ministry of Christ Jesus. In fact, they once risked their lives for me. I am thankful to them, and so are all the Gentile churches. Also give my greetings to the church that meets in their home. Romans 16:1-5a (NLT2) But women will be saved through childbearing, assuming they continue to live in faith,love, holiness, and modesty. 1 Timothy 2:15 (NLT2) I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you. 2 Timothy 1:5 (NLT2) Do I trust God’s design even when it challenges my preferences? Next Steps Accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior Register for Anchored – Church Center – Events – Anchored Sign Up for A Small Group on Church Center TALK IT OVER Leader Focus: Review questions beforehand so you are prepared Honor your time commitment as a group. Keep discussion relational, not reactive Emphasize God’s heart, not controversy Reinforce grace, humility, and unity Icebreaker: When you hear the word worship, what usually comes to mind? 1. Worship Begins with Prayerful Hearts Read 1 Timothy 2:1-7 How can my prayers reflect God’s heart for people? Paul calls us to pray for all people, including leaders and authorities. Who is hardest for you to pray for, and why? How does praying for those we disagree with shape our hearts to be more like Jesus? Prayer aligns our hearts with God’s saving mission. 2. Worship Flows from Pure Lives (2:8-10) Read 1 Timothy 2:8-10 How do our lives either support or hinder our worship? What stands out to you about God’s desire for order in the church? How does trusting God’s design require humility? Paul challenges men to pray “without anger or disputing.” What does this reveal about the spiritual atmosphere God desires in worship? For women, Paul emphasizes modesty and good works. What heart attitude is Paul ultimately addressing in these verses? How can we cultivate purity, humility, and unity in our worship gatherings today? God desires surrendered hearts with humility & devotion. 3. Worship Honors God’s Design Read 1 Timothy 2:11-15 Why is it important to approach verses about roles in the church with both humility and grace? Paul calls for a posture of learning, order, and unity. What helps you maintain a teachable spirit in church community? How does embracing God’s design (rather than resisting it) lead to flourishing in worship and family life? What is one step you can take this week to deepen your worship life—prayer, purity, unity, humility? Who is someone far from God that you can intentionally pray for this week? How can you prepare your heart before coming to church next Sunday? Prayer Focus Pray for unity in our worship gatherings. Pray for humility, purity, and a desire to reflect God’s heart as we pray, serve, and worship.