Face to Face: Worship Sermon Guide

Face to Face: Worship Sermon Guide

Download the sermon guide to print here.

Carl Gulley explores the profound significance of genuine worship and devotional life. Through biblical narratives and personal insights, he illustrates how worship isn’t merely about songs or routines — it’s about giving our undivided attention to God who first desired us. This discussion guide will help us reflect on how we can move from distracted devotion to intimate, face-to-face encounters with our Creator.

This sermon emphasizes:

• Worship began before creation with angels declaring God’s holiness and worth in His presence
• Satan’s rebellion stemmed from questioning God’s worthiness of worship
• True worship is less about songs and more about giving God our attention and affection
• Our devotional life isn’t about becoming “professional quiet-timers” but experiencing deep union with God
• We can approach God either by “waking up” (energetic engagement) or “quieting down” (contemplative presence)
• God doesn’t need our worship but desires our attention because it leads to affection
• Our desire for God originates from His prior desire for us
• The goal of personal devotional time is face-to-face encounter with God

Key Scriptures:

“And he said, ‘I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.’ And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.” — Exodus 3:6

“With him I speak mouth to mouth, Even plainly and not in riddles, And he beholds the form of the LORD.” — Numbers 12:8

“O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly; My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You, In a dry and weary land where there is no water.” — Psalm 63:1

“Thus I have seen You in the sanctuary, To see Your power and Your glory.” — Psalm 63:2

“Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips will praise You.” — Psalm 63:3

Lifegroup Questions:

• What is a something God is doing in your devotional life this week?
• Break up into 2’s and 3’s and ask each other:
  • How is your devotional life going?
  • Is it both the time and quality you want?
  • How can we help each other?

Table Questions:

1. How do you typically approach your devotional time with God — are you more of a “wake up” or “quiet down” person? What might trying the opposite approach reveal about your relationship with God?
2. Carl mentioned that our phones can be both a gift and a distraction. What specific steps could you take to minimize distractions during your time with God?
3. How does understanding that “God doesn’t need our worship but desires our attention” change your perspective on spending time with Him?
4. Think about a challenging season in your life — how did it affect your worship? What would it look like to worship God faithfully during difficult times?
5. The sermon emphasized that our desire for God originates from His desire for us. How does this truth impact your approach to pursuing God?
6. What practical rhythms or practices could help you move from distracted devotion to face-to-face encounters with God?
7. Carl shared about his wife’s special “blue room” time with God. What environmental changes might help you create a more focused space for meeting with God?
8. How has your understanding of worship evolved beyond just singing songs? What other expressions of worship have become meaningful to you?
9. What current circumstances in your life make it challenging to give God your undivided attention? How might you turn those challenges into opportunities for worship?
10. The sermon mentioned that we are “the burning bush” with God’s Spirit inside us. How does this identity change how you view your daily interactions with God?