When we gather on Sundays, we are convinced that Jesus is present with us, speaks his life-giving word to us and as a result, our hearts respond to him.
We could say that one of God’s purposes for our Sunday gathering is ‘transformative learning.’ We meet in the presence of God, to be taught and edified by the Word of God, so that what we learn transforms us; making us more and more like Jesus our King. The following elements of our Sunday Service exist to promote transformative learning:
1. WE HEAR FROM GOD (SERMON)
We approach the sermon as a high point of our meeting. The aim of our preaching is to declare what God has said. This is why we are committed to preaching verse by verse through books of the Bible. And the outcome we desire from our sermon is to cause all hearers to learn truth that will change lives.
2. WE LISTEN ACTIVELY
Active listening is listening that transforms. And listening that transforms is repentant, open-hearted, thoughtful, discerning, prayerful and humble. So, we encourage you to practice active listening by grabbing your pen and notepad/journal to make notes as you listen to the sermon.
3. WE PRAY
Prayer is basic to the Christian life and to church life, because it is the language of faith. We could say that “prayer is verbalized dependence on God” (Tony Payne). We believe that ‘transformative learning’ happens when God’s Spirit sovereignly applies God’s word to human hearts. Therefore, we depend constantly on God in prayer. That is why we give adequate time to prayer throughout our service.
4. WE SING SONGS THAT TEACH
Singing consists of words that – in a way we don’t understand – can be more impactful than words that are just spoken. Singing is a powerful way for the whole congregation to teach and encourage one another because when we sing, we stand and declare to one another God’s wonderful works and character. In light of this, the songs sung during our Sunday service are carefully chosen songs that are inspired by bible-based teaching about who God is and what He has done.
5. WE MUTUALLY TEACH AND ENCOURAGE
We want to foster mutual teaching and encouragement on Sundays for the purpose transformative learning. And to do that, everyone is encouraged to come with a prayerful expectation that God will use them to have encouraging, word-based conversations—whether with visitors and newcomers, or with regular members.
