Brookwood Church
GROUP GUIDE - The Heart of Worship
January 18, 2026
Locations & Times
Brookwood Church
580 Brookwood Point Pl, Simpsonville, SC 29681, USA
Sunday 9:00 AM
Sunday 11:00 AM
GROUP GUIDE
This guide is designed to help you experience deeper intimacy with Jesus and build meaningful, lasting relationships with others. Get together with friends or find a group by visiting brookwoodchurch.org/groups. Let’s grow stronger together!
https://www.brookwoodchurch.org/groupsCONNECT
Respond to any or all of these to get the conversation rolling:
1. To me, worship is…
2. What has God been revealing to you this past week?
Respond to any or all of these to get the conversation rolling:
1. To me, worship is…
2. What has God been revealing to you this past week?
PRAY
Spend a few minutes in prayer, drawing your attention toward God. Consider these prayer points as you invite God to lead and guide you.
◾Dear Lord, I pray You’d break through the noise and help me hear Your voice.
◾Help me sense Your presence at all times in many ways.
◾I’m here, ready to receive from You. I hold nothing back.
◾Lord, grow my trust and dependence on You. Reveal parts of my heart and life where I rely on my power instead of the power You’ve given me through the Holy Spirit.
◾I pray You’d help me experience You in this area (name an area) of my life this week.
◾I pray You’d deepen my love and concern for the people around me.
◾May the people of Brookwood (maybe name specific people) get lost in the wonder of who You are.
Spend a few minutes in prayer, drawing your attention toward God. Consider these prayer points as you invite God to lead and guide you.
◾Dear Lord, I pray You’d break through the noise and help me hear Your voice.
◾Help me sense Your presence at all times in many ways.
◾I’m here, ready to receive from You. I hold nothing back.
◾Lord, grow my trust and dependence on You. Reveal parts of my heart and life where I rely on my power instead of the power You’ve given me through the Holy Spirit.
◾I pray You’d help me experience You in this area (name an area) of my life this week.
◾I pray You’d deepen my love and concern for the people around me.
◾May the people of Brookwood (maybe name specific people) get lost in the wonder of who You are.
Worship does not just rehearse the past—it anticipates the future where praise never ends.
Robert Webber, Ancient-Future Worship: Proclaiming and Enacting God's Narrative
Robert Webber, Ancient-Future Worship: Proclaiming and Enacting God's Narrative
STUDY AND DISCUSSION
Don’t rush through this. It’s OK if you don’t get to all the questions. Sometimes it’ll make sense to go on to the next question. Other times, you might slow down and process a bit longer. Allow God to guide the pace of your discussion.
Don’t rush through this. It’s OK if you don’t get to all the questions. Sometimes it’ll make sense to go on to the next question. Other times, you might slow down and process a bit longer. Allow God to guide the pace of your discussion.
There are seven Hebrew words in the Old Testament for worship, each revealing a distinct aspect or expression of what it looks like to praise God. Let’s explore these, allowing God to cultivate in us a heart of worship.
◾As you pronounce the Hebrew word, put the accent on the final syllable.
◾Various translations are used in order to more fully express the definition of each word.
◾As you pronounce the Hebrew word, put the accent on the final syllable.
◾Various translations are used in order to more fully express the definition of each word.
1 – YADAH
To throw, shoot or cast, to hold out hands in confession and surrender.
(Occurs 114 times in the OT)
To throw, shoot or cast, to hold out hands in confession and surrender.
(Occurs 114 times in the OT)
1. The Psalmist asks himself Why? even though he is the one feeling the emotion. Why is it helpful—or difficult—to interrogate our own feelings like this?
2. How can reaching out to God be considered an act of worship?
3. What part(s) of your life do you need to surrender to God?
2. How can reaching out to God be considered an act of worship?
3. What part(s) of your life do you need to surrender to God?
2 – HALAL
To shine, boast, celebrate, to be clamorously foolish before the Lord. Also shining, radiating light.
(Occurs 165 times in the OT)
To shine, boast, celebrate, to be clamorously foolish before the Lord. Also shining, radiating light.
(Occurs 165 times in the OT)
4. When you think of dancing in the context of church or faith, what is your initial reaction (e.g., joy, discomfort, curiosity)? Explain.
5. Have you ever felt unrestrained joy after an encounter with God? Describe.
6. In what ways can our physical posture (standing, kneeling, raising hands or even dancing) change the way our hearts connect with God?
5. Have you ever felt unrestrained joy after an encounter with God? Describe.
6. In what ways can our physical posture (standing, kneeling, raising hands or even dancing) change the way our hearts connect with God?
3 – ZAMAR
To sing spontaneously, to celebrate with musical instruments. Removing what is unnecessary so what is fruitful can grow.
(Occurs 45 times in the OT)
To sing spontaneously, to celebrate with musical instruments. Removing what is unnecessary so what is fruitful can grow.
(Occurs 45 times in the OT)
7. What would a song of your life sound like right now? What emotions, colors or rhythms would it have? What instruments would you use? What does that tell you about this part of your journey?
8. If you could teach someone unfamiliar with faith what praise looks like, what would you show them from your own life?
8. If you could teach someone unfamiliar with faith what praise looks like, what would you show them from your own life?
4 – TEHILLAH
A hymn. A song of praise. A new song. A spontaneous song. Linked with the idea of God’s dwelling place.
(Occurs 58 times in the OT)
A hymn. A song of praise. A new song. A spontaneous song. Linked with the idea of God’s dwelling place.
(Occurs 58 times in the OT)
9. What does it mean that God is enthroned in the praises of Israel (or in our praises)?
10. When has an experience with God given you a sense of stillness or peace?
11. How would your life be different if you praised God continually?
10. When has an experience with God given you a sense of stillness or peace?
11. How would your life be different if you praised God continually?
5 – TODAH
An expression of faith, a declaration of trust, an offering of thanksgiving, especially before the answer comes. Being in agreement with who God is.
(Occurs 32 times in the OT)
An expression of faith, a declaration of trust, an offering of thanksgiving, especially before the answer comes. Being in agreement with who God is.
(Occurs 32 times in the OT)
12. How do we practically put our hope in God when our feelings haven't caught up to our faith?
13. What does it look like to worship God before the answer or victory comes?
14. In what area of your life are you discouraged and not sure God will come through for you?
13. What does it look like to worship God before the answer or victory comes?
14. In what area of your life are you discouraged and not sure God will come through for you?
6 – BARAK
Kneeling, showing reverence (as an act of adoration), a quiet bowing in awe before God. To salute.
(Occurs 330 times in the OT, words for worship)
Kneeling, showing reverence (as an act of adoration), a quiet bowing in awe before God. To salute.
(Occurs 330 times in the OT, words for worship)
15. What does this aspect of worship tell you about how God made you and how you most naturally meet with Him?
16. How might celebrating God move you into new areas of transformation?
17. What can you do so that worship feels like it’s constantly new?
16. How might celebrating God move you into new areas of transformation?
17. What can you do so that worship feels like it’s constantly new?
7 – Shabach
To shout loudly; to declare triumph and victory with power and boldness. Meant for others to be filled with courage and strength.
(Occurs 11 times in the OT)
To shout loudly; to declare triumph and victory with power and boldness. Meant for others to be filled with courage and strength.
(Occurs 11 times in the OT)
18. When has a shout of victory inspired you?
19. If God asked you to teach others about His faithfulness using a story from your life, which story would you tell and why?
20. Think of someone whose life is hard right now. How could your song of praise be a gift or encouragement to them?
19. If God asked you to teach others about His faithfulness using a story from your life, which story would you tell and why?
20. Think of someone whose life is hard right now. How could your song of praise be a gift or encouragement to them?
PERSONAL APPLICATION
1. Which Hebrew word for worship is most meaningful for you right now?
2. Which passage from the Psalms do you need to hold onto most this week?
3. Ask God what He wants you to know and remember from this week’s study and discussion. Share this with your group or with a friend, and pray for each other.
1. Which Hebrew word for worship is most meaningful for you right now?
2. Which passage from the Psalms do you need to hold onto most this week?
3. Ask God what He wants you to know and remember from this week’s study and discussion. Share this with your group or with a friend, and pray for each other.
THE PRACTICE OF REORIENTATION
Rather than focusing on our fears or troubles, or even the responsibilities of everyday life, it’s good for the soul to reorient our hearts toward God.
1. Choose a simple phrase of worship (like You are here, or I belong to You, or You are enough).
2. Set three to five natural cues during the day (entering a room, grabbing your phone, stopping in traffic).
3. At each cue:
a. Pause for 5-10 seconds.
b. Breathe slowly.
c. Say your phrase of worship quietly or out loud.
Try doing this every day this week and see what happens!
Rather than focusing on our fears or troubles, or even the responsibilities of everyday life, it’s good for the soul to reorient our hearts toward God.
1. Choose a simple phrase of worship (like You are here, or I belong to You, or You are enough).
2. Set three to five natural cues during the day (entering a room, grabbing your phone, stopping in traffic).
3. At each cue:
a. Pause for 5-10 seconds.
b. Breathe slowly.
c. Say your phrase of worship quietly or out loud.
Try doing this every day this week and see what happens!
SCRIPTURE MEMORY
One of the best ways to hear God in your daily life is to have His words rooted in your heart. Memorize this Scripture to direct your heart and mind in the ways of God.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name!
Psalm 103:1 (ESV)
One of the best ways to hear God in your daily life is to have His words rooted in your heart. Memorize this Scripture to direct your heart and mind in the ways of God.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name!
Psalm 103:1 (ESV)
App and the Daily Devotional
Spend time with God with the Daily Devotionals available on the App. You can also find Sunday Message resources and videos, leave prayer requests, give and more.
Spend time with God with the Daily Devotionals available on the App. You can also find Sunday Message resources and videos, leave prayer requests, give and more.
Why Jesus?
If you’ve never experienced God’s forgiveness and grace, we’d love the opportunity to talk with you about a life-changing relationship with Jesus. Email thepastors@brookwoodchurch.org or call 864.688.8200.
If you’ve never experienced God’s forgiveness and grace, we’d love the opportunity to talk with you about a life-changing relationship with Jesus. Email thepastors@brookwoodchurch.org or call 864.688.8200.
Additional Study Tools
For additional Bible Study tools, guides and devotionals, check out bible.com, youversion.com, biblegateway.com and blueletterbible.org.
For additional Bible Study tools, guides and devotionals, check out bible.com, youversion.com, biblegateway.com and blueletterbible.org.
Faith grows deeper as we pursue Jesus together!
To join a Community Group, visit our website or email adults@brookwoodchurch.org.
http://www.brookwoodchurch.org/groupsWe'd love to hear from you!
Please visit or contact us at 864.688.8200.
http://www.brookwoodchurch.org