Worship: God’s Always Available
Preached to: Middle School Students
Speaker: Pastor Amanda Hahn
Worship in Every Moment
Worship isn’t confined to a church building or a specific time of the week. It’s something we can do at any moment—when we’re happy, when we’re struggling, when we’re grateful, or even when we’re frustrated. Worship is simply acknowledging God’s presence and responding to Him with our hearts, minds, and actions.
At Amplify Youth, we recently explored how worship is always available to us. Through fun activities, deep discussions, and looking at the Book of Psalms, students discovered that worship happens in every season of life. Whether David was rejoicing, afraid, angry, or seeking forgiveness, he always turned to God. And we can do the same.
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Starter:
Students participated in a team-based acrostic game using the word "TIME," highlighting how everyone’s schedules and daily lives look different, yet God is present in all moments.
Message:
Worship is more than just songs or outward expressions—it is a lifestyle and a heart posture. No matter what we are doing or feeling, God is always with us, and worship is always accessible. Worship isn’t confined to certain times or places but is a continuous act of acknowledging and honoring God.
Dig Deeper:
Through a movement-based activity, students discussed when it is appropriate to worship (grateful, happy, afraid, angry, etc.), realizing that worship is always appropriate. They explored Psalms to see how biblical figures, especially David, worshipped God in various emotions—thankfulness, fear, frustration, and repentance—showing that worship is about bringing our whole selves to God.
Application:
Students were encouraged to write their own personal psalms, reflecting on their emotions and relationship with God. This exercise helped them internalize the lesson that worship is about genuine connection with God in all circumstances. They were also given devotionals to continue growing in their personal worship journey.
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Psalm 75:1 (Thankfulness) "We give thanks to you, O God; we give thanks, for your name is near. We recount your wondrous deeds."
2. Psalm 55:1-2 (Complaining) "Give ear to my prayer, O God, and hide not yourself from my plea for mercy! Attend to me, and answer me; I am restless in my complaint and I moan."
3. Psalm 71:1-2, 10 (Fear) "In you, O Lord, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame! In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me; incline your ear to me, and save me! For my enemies speak concerning me; those who watch for my life consult together."
4. Psalm 42:5, 11 (Doubt) "Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God."
5. Psalm 58:6-11 (Anger) "O God, break the teeth in their mouths; tear out the fangs of the young lions, O Lord! Let them vanish like water that runs away; when he aims his arrows, let them be blunted. Let them be like the snail that dissolves into slime, like the stillborn child who never sees the sun. So that people will say, 'Surely there is a reward for the righteous; surely there is a God who judges on earth.'"
6. Psalm 66:1-7 (Gladness) "Shout for joy to God, all the earth; sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise! Say to God, 'How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies come cringing to you. All the earth worships you and sings praises to you; they sing praises to your name.' Come and see what God has done: he is awesome in his deeds toward the children of man. He turned the sea into dry land; they passed through the river on foot. There did we rejoice in him, who rules by his might forever, whose eyes keep watch on the nations—let not the rebellious exalt themselves."
7. Psalm 22:1-2 (Frustration) "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest."
8. Psalm 51:1-2 (Repentance) "Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!"
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🍽 Discussion #1: Worship Beyond Sunday
📌 Question: What are some ways we can worship God that don’t involve singing?
💬 Follow-up: Have you ever felt close to God while doing something like serving, praying, or just being grateful?
🙏 Challenge: Let’s each name one thing we’re grateful for today and turn it into a quick “thank you” prayer.🍽 Discussion #2: Worship in Every Emotion
📌 Question: In youth group, we talked about worshiping God in different emotions—happy, sad, frustrated, afraid. Which emotion do you think is hardest to worship in? Why?
💬 Follow-up: King David worshiped even when he was scared or angry (Psalm 42, Psalm 55). How do you think worship can change our perspective in tough times?
🙏 Challenge: Let’s each pick an emotion and find a Psalm that reflects it this week. We’ll share what we find at the next meal!🍽 Discussion #3: Writing Our Own Psalm
📌 Question: If you were to write your own Psalm to God, what would it say? Would it be a praise, a question, or a cry for help?
💬 Follow-up: David was really honest with God in the Psalms. Do you feel like you can be that honest with God? Why or why not?
🙏 Challenge: As a family, let’s each write a short sentence or phrase that expresses how we feel toward God today. We’ll put them together as our own family Psalm!
