Towards a more Biblical understanding of worship

Alistair Chalmers  |  Features
Date posted:  15 Jun 2026
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Towards a more Biblical understanding of worship

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Ask a group of Christians what comes to mind when they hear the word worship, and many will immediately think of music. We speak of a “worship service”, a “worship leader”, or “a time of worship”, often referring specifically to congregational singing. Singing is undoubtedly a precious and Biblical part of Christian worship. Yet if worship is reduced to music, we risk shrinking a rich Biblical reality into a single activity.

The Bible presents worship as something far bigger, deeper, and more comprehensive than a style of music or a particular experience on a Sunday morning.

What is worship?

One of the clearest statements on worship is found in Romans 12v1: “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” Notice that Paul does not mention music. Instead, worship involves the offering of our entire lives to God.

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