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:: 25::  Whenever anyone asks you to speak of your hope, be ready to defend it. (1 Peter 3:15b)

Witnessing to Jesus is a two-fold task and includes inviting others to the life of discipleship and answering the doubts, questions, and difficulties that those inside and outside the church have concerning our Christian faith. As Alister McGrath writes, “Evangelism could be said to be like offering someone bread. Apologetics would then be about persuading people there is bread to be had and it is good to eat.”

When we are asked concerning our hope, First Peter instructs us to “be ready to defend

:: 22 ::  So, brothers and sisters, because of God’s mercies, I encourage you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice that is holy and pleasing to God. This is your appropriate priestly service. (Romans 12:1)

The word worship brings to the imagination an event, most notably a standard church service. But the biblical notion of worship moves us beyond an event and thrusts us forward to a constant way of life. The worship of God is not only marked by the words we say and hear, but is defined by action.

One of the sayings of the Desert Fathers, a group of fourth and fifth century Egyptian

:: 19::  Let’s also think about how to motivate each other to show love and to do good works. Don’t stop meeting together with other believers, which some people have gotten into the habit of doing. Instead, encourage each other, especially as you see the day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:24-25)

You may be tempted to live your life as a solitary Christian. You may believe church gatherings are empty forms of religion and are of little spiritual benefit. But that simply is not true.

Christians gather each week to do more than sing songs, offer prayers, and hear a sermon.

:: 17:: Greatness and grandeur are in front of him; strength and joy are in his place. Give to the Lord, all families of the nations—give to the Lord glory and power! Give to the Lord the glory due his name! Bring gifts! Enter his presence! Bow down to the Lord in holy splendor! (1 Chronicles 16:27-29)

Worship is not so much a matter of willpower as it is the realization of wonder. If you struggle in your desire to worship, it may be because you have yet to grasp what worship is all about.

According to the passage of Scripture above, the glory we ascribe to God is not something that we

:: 14 :: Preach the word. Be ready to do it whether it is convenient or inconvenient. Correct, confront, and encourage with patience and instruction. (2 Timothy 4:2)

There are both explicit and subtle pressures in our world encouraging us to privatize our faith. But we are to share the word nonetheless, whether it is “convenient or inconvenient,” teaching, confronting, and sharing the good news message as you know it. “If you have thoughts on religion, keep them to yourself,” says popular sentiment.