BOOK SUMMARY: SING! HOW WORSHIP TRANFORMS YOUR LIFE, FAMILY, AND CHURCH - CHAPTER 1 - CREATED TO...SING!

We are a singing people because it is how God created us.

DESIGNED TO SING

We are all created to be singers even if we don't think we're good at it.  Throughout Scripture we see God's people using the gift of song to praise Him, the Giver of it.  At week twelve, the vocal cords of a baby in the womb are in place and have been shown to work long before the baby is born. We were designed to sing.

God designed our psyche for singing. Our created minds judge the pitch and lyrics of a song. We use our memories to remember a tune and lyrics. We likely have more songs memorized than Scriptures.

WHAT IF I CAN'T SING?

If you can speak, you can sing. He's far less concerned with your tunefulness than your integrity. Christian singing begins with the heart, not on the lips (Ephesians 5:19). The congregation of a church is the ultimate choir, and it is without auditions--everyone can be in it and should be in it.  Our hearts are knit together in praise. We sing truth together and that should be exhilarating. 

The more we practice singing, the better we will be at it. There are some who have vocal restrictions due to health issues or issues from birth. You can still bless the church through sign language. 

SINGING IN HIS IMAGE

God enjoys beauty in His creation (Genesis 2:9). We are created in His image and must enjoy beauty as well (Genesis 1:26-28).  We enjoy a beautiful present meal at a well-designed restaurant. We enjoy a well composed hymn or praise song while we may draw back at ones that aren't well-crafted. 

We are designed to benefit from the creativity of music. It aids our memory in recollection. It takes us back to experiences we once had.  We are designed as beauty appreciators. Music matters to us.

We show our God-inspired creative spirit when we make music. This creativity is shown from an African Children's Choir to a chorale echoing in a European cathedral. 

Melodies matter. Words matter.  We've been given language to reflect and meditate on God's Word so that we hear His voice again and again. Singing together organizes those words in beautiful ways to help us recall our God. 

We create songs about God and songs to God.  God is listening to us. Singing is prayer.  Singing expresses that which unites us. Singing reminds us of our interdependence. 

SINGNING WITH CREATION

See Psalm 98:4-9.  

"What is the chief end of man?" To glorify God and enjoy Him forever. -- The Westminster Shorter Catechism

"God is the ultimate musician. His music transforms your life. The notes of redemption rearrange your heart and restore your life." -- Paul Tripp

We do not worship the created art of singing; we worship Him. Don't sing primarily because you love to sing, or keep quiet because you do not. Sing because you love who made you, formed you and enables you to sing.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

(1).    Can you recall your earliest memory of singing? How did it make you feel?

(2).    What do you experience during congregational singing? Joy? Fear? Self-consciousness? Freedom?

(2).    What do you experience during congregational singing? Joy? Fear? Self-consciousness? Freedom?

(3).    What kind of "practice" might your church do to help members feel more confident, less self-aware, and more engaged in hymn singing?