Enhancing Our Time Together in Worship & Bible Study

By Lance Cordle

• When we come together, let’s greet one another enthusiastically, knowing that our greeting to our brothers or sisters may be the brightest spot of their day.
• When we come together, let’s practice developing relationships with different people, realizing that some people like to talk (a lot) and others do not (a lot).
• When we come together, let’s be prompt, knowing that habitual tardiness is a habit that can be discouraging and disruptive to others.
• When we come together, let’s be aware that we don’t have to sit in the same place every time for every service, especially if a visitor is sitting in “our” seat.
• When we come together, let’s focus on the true audience—God.
• When we come together, let’s think of actions that might help someone later—like leaving our contribution check unfolded so that it won’t have to be unfolded by those counting the contribution later. (You can maintain your privacy by placing it face-down in the tray.)
• When we come together, let’s look at new songs as new avenues to praise God and teach and admonish one another.
• When we come together, let’s think of old songs as old pathways to God and think of fresh ways to appreciate and concentrate on them.
• When we come together, let’s actively, yet privately pursue thought in public prayers—thinking of specific blessings God has given us, of specific people we are concerned about, etc.
• When we come together, let’s find at least one person per week that we can commend (diligent parents, enthusiastic singers, etc.).
• When we come together, let’s bring a copy of God’s Word to study (whether it is paperback, leather-bound, or electronically-bound).
• When we come together, let’s be looking for different doors through which to exit, and different people to acknowledge as we exit.

Let us not forsake the gathering of ourselves together, as is customary for some. Instead, let us exhort one another, and so the more as you see the day approaching. (Hebrews 10:25, McCord’s New Testament Translation of the Everlasting Gospel)

- Lance Cordle preaches the Calvert City Church of Christ in Calvert City, KY.  He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.calvertchurchofchrist.com