Worship Then & Now
Preached to: Middle School Students
Speaker: Pastor Amanda Hahn
When you hear the word worship, what comes to mind? A Sunday morning service? Singing your favorite worship song? While music is a powerful part of worship, it’s so much more than that! Worship isn’t just something we do in a church building—it’s a lifestyle, a daily choice to honor God in the way we live, speak, and serve.
The Old Testament: Worship by Sacrifice
In the Old Testament, worship was centered around the Temple. If people wanted to truly encounter God, they had to travel to the temple and bring sacrifices. The most sacred place in the temple was called the Holy of Holies, where God’s presence dwelled. It was separated from the rest of the temple by a thick veil, symbolizing the separation between a holy God and sinful humanity. Only the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies—and only once a year—on the Day of Atonement, to offer sacrifices for the people's sins.
Worship was distant. It was structured. It required mediators.
But then, Jesus changed everything.
Jesus Tore the Veil: Worship Transformed
When Jesus died on the cross, something miraculous happened:
"Then Jesus shouted out again, and he released his spirit. At that moment, the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart." – Matthew 27:50-51 (NLT)
The veil was torn—not from the bottom up, as if by human hands, but from the top down, by the very hand of God. This moment symbolized a dramatic shift in the way people could worship. Jesus' sacrifice on the cross removed the need for temple sacrifices, priests as mediators, and the physical separation between us and God.
Now, worship isn't about a place—it’s about a person.
The New Testament: Worship Anywhere, Anytime
Through Jesus, we no longer need a temple or a priest to access God’s presence. We are now the temple! The Holy Spirit, whom Jesus promised, lives inside every believer.
"Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself." – 1 Corinthians 6:19 (NLT)
This means that worship isn’t confined to a church building. We can worship in our homes, in the car, at school, at work—anywhere! Worship isn’t just singing songs; it’s a way of life.
When we pray, we worship.
When we serve others, we worship.
When we give thanks, we worship.
When we live for Christ, we worship.
Living a Life of Worship
Because Jesus tore the veil, we now have unlimited, direct access to God—no appointments, no barriers, no waiting. He hears us when we pray. He walks with us daily. He invites us to worship Him in spirit and truth.
"For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth." – John 4:24 (NLT)
So the question is: Are we worshiping daily? Are we making time to connect with God outside of Sunday mornings? Worship is no longer about a location; it’s about our hearts. Let’s embrace the gift Jesus gave us and live lives of worship—anywhere and everywhere!
Keep up with all that’s going on at Amplify Youth, including dates, times, sign-ups, and forms, on our main page.
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STARTER:
The sermon began by discussing how many things, including technology and cultural norms, have changed over time. The speaker used responses from different generations to highlight shifts in daily life, leading into the idea that worship has also evolved.MESSAGE:
The focus was on how worship in the Old Testament required temple sacrifices, but when Jesus died, the temple veil was torn, symbolizing direct access to God. Worship is no longer tied to a physical place but is a personal connection with God anywhere, at any time.DIG DEEPER:
Discussion explored why people primarily worship in church, whether some places feel holier than others, and how the Holy Spirit influences worship. The group examined biblical references, such as Matthew 27 and John 14-16, to understand how Jesus transformed worship.APPLY:
Students were encouraged to practice worship daily, not just in church, through prayer, singing, and serving. A "Worship Bingo" challenge was introduced to help them recognize and engage in worship in different places over the next two weeks. -
1. Matthew 27:50-51 (NLT)
"Then Jesus shouted out again, and he released his spirit. At that moment, the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart,"
2. John 14:16-17 (NLT) (Referenced regarding the Holy Spirit as the Advocate)
"And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you."
3. John 15:26 (NLT) (Jesus promising the Holy Spirit)
"But I will send you the Advocate—the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will testify all about me."
4. John 16:13 (NLT) (The Holy Spirit guiding believers)
"When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future."
5. Genesis 28:16-17 (NLT) (Jacob’s encounter with God and naming Bethel)
"Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, ‘Surely the Lord is in this place, and I wasn’t even aware of it!’ But he was also afraid and said, ‘What an awesome place this is! It is none other than the house of God, the very gateway to heaven!’"
6. Exodus 3:5 (NLT) (God speaking to Moses at the burning bush)
"‘Do not come any closer,’ the Lord warned. ‘Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground.’"
These verses were used to highlight how worship has evolved—from the Old Testament temple system to Jesus tearing the veil and giving us direct access to God—emphasizing that worship is now a lifestyle, not just an event.
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Night 1: Worship Beyond the Church
📌 Discussion Starter: What are some places outside of church where you’ve felt close to God?
💬 Follow-Up Questions:Do you think certain places feel more spiritual than others? Why or why not?
What are some ways we can turn everyday moments into worship?
If Jesus made worship accessible anywhere, how does that change how we view it?
🔹 Family Challenge: Each person picks one unexpected place to worship this week (car ride, during chores, at school/work) and shares their experience at the next meal.
Night 2: Learning from the Past
📌 Discussion Starter: If you could have grown up in a different time period, when would it be and why?
💬 Follow-Up Questions:How do you think life was different for teenagers 40 years ago?
What modern advancements do you think make worship easier? Harder?
How has technology helped or hurt our ability to focus on God?
🔹 Family Challenge: Have each person go without a phone for an hour tonight and use that time to reflect, pray, or talk about faith together.
Night 3: Worship as a Lifestyle
📌 Discussion Starter: What’s something you did today that could be considered an act of worship?
💬 Follow-Up Questions:Besides singing, what are other ways we can worship God in our daily lives?
How can serving others be a form of worship?
Do you feel like worship is more about a feeling or a choice?
🔹 Family Challenge: As a family, pick one act of service you can do together this week to worship God through action. (Example: write encouraging notes, help a neighbor, or serve in your church/community.)
