The Bible in Worship

You expect any Christian worship service to include reading from the Bible (and it should), but the Bible manifests itself in many other ways in our worship. Test your knowledge of just how our worship words and practices are rooted in the Bible.

1. The word "Hallelujah" (or "Alleluia") occurs frequently in worship. What is the only book of the Bible that actually contains the word?
2. Foot washing is still practiced in some churches. Which is the only Gospel to tell the story of Jesus washing the disciples' feet?
3. Many pastors start their worship service with the words "This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it." Where would you find that in the Bible?
4. "Glory to God in the highest" is a common worship phrase. In the Gospels, who used these words?
5. Charismatic believers often "lift up hands to the Lord." What worshipful book of the Old Testament mentions this practice?
6. "Father, Son, and, Holy Spirit" are mentioned often in worship, but they are mentioned together in only one of the Gospels. Which one?
7. What musical instruments are mentioned in connection with Christian worship?
8. The passage beginning "I know that my Redeemer lives" is often read at Christian funerals. What Old Testament book is it from?
9. The famous "love passage" of the Bible, so often read at church weddings, is from what New Testament book? (Hint: Paul wrote it.)
10. "Holy, holy, holy" is a familiar phrase said (or sung) in many churches. Where does that phrase occur in the Old Testament?

Word Counts

Which of these statements comes closest to describing your feelings about the Bible?

• 42% The Bible is the actual Word of God
• 37% It's the Word of God, but not all to be taken literally
• 14% It was written by men and isn't the Word of God
• 6% Don't know

Source: Virginia Commonwealth University Life Sciences 2003 Survey of adults, as published in The Chicago Tribune, Dec. 28, 2003.

Who Said That About the Bible?

"This is the great fountain of music, and every musician should play to the glory of its Author." (Hint: One of the greatest German composers.)

Click here to see the answers.

J. Stephen Lang is the author of 15 books about the Bible, including the recently published What the Good Book Didn't Say (Citadel Press) and Talking Donkeys & Wheels of Fire: Bible Stories That Are Truly Bizarre! (Warner).

Copyright © 2004 by the author or Christianity Today/Today's Christian magazine.
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