PATHWAYS (Writing a Worship Service)

(#4)Following a Theme Through Scripture

The Order of Scripture

The structure of the story of Scripture can very broadly be described as:
1. Creation -God, the great King, creates all to display and declare his glory; his plan for his creatures, particularly man.

2. Fall - the 'reversal' of creation in many forms: human sin, rebellion, idolatry, and its consequences, of judgment, brokenness, pain.

3. Redemption -the restoration or "re-creation" (completed in the "New Creation")

It is helpful to keep this Big Picture, and all three of its parts in mind when tracing out one piece or theme from the great story.

Note that this "Narrative" order roughly follows the "Order of Worship" discussed in Tips #2

Knowing the Storyline

First, become familiar with the major turning points of the story. In the case of the O.T. the Exodus from Egypt and march to Sinai is the central story of redemption. Know this story well. Later deliverances are often described in terms of this great event. The rescue of individuals and the return from the Babylonian captivity (see especially Isaiah 40ff) are portrayed as 'new Exoduses'--God's people are rescued from the depths of the sea, guided through the desert to God's mountain, the

Second, it is helpful to make use of Scripture's own summaries of its history. Here are a few key O.T. passages which lay out that story, often in poetic form:

• Exodus 15 (cf. Psalm 68) "song at the Sea"
• Psalm 77 the psalmist remembers the Exodus
• Psalms 78, 105-106 -the events of the Exodus and Israel's rebellions recounted
• Psalm 103: the psalmist describes his own salvation on the basis of the Exodus.
• Psalm 107: the stories of redemption reflect the various ways God delivers his people
• Nehemiah 9 (cf. Daniel 9) recounts God's past mercies to his rebellious people

Third, read the Gospels in light of these stories. The Gospel tells of a "New Exodus,"

SAMPLE Theme: God's "Thundering Voice"

This theme was used as part of Service #4 "God Speaks!" Here are a few of the ways the theme entered into the service, or could be used.

Creation: the God of glory thunders over the waters (Psalm 29); with his mighty word he commands the Sea (Cf. also the power of his word to create, to bring life.) When God appears at his mountain-throne, his glory is seen in the storm (Exodus 19:16-19).

Fall: God's appearance "in the storm" is fearful, in part because he speaks judgment on sinners (Nahum 1:2-6), rebukes and destroys his enemies.

Redemption: God appears in the storm to rescue his own (Psalm 18:7-15), rebuking the Sea, as at creation (in the Flood, Red Sea). Death itself is described as "the depths of the Sea" (e.g. Psalm 130:1; Jonah 2:2-3).

** Christ: the Creating Word, the one who is able to rebuke the winds and waves to rescue and restore order (Mark 4:39). The elements of the storm--dark sky, earthquake--surround his death. Christ himself cries out "It is finished!" as with his death he defeats death and hell.

(Future Hope: Christ's return with the loud 'voice of the archangel,' pronouncing of final judgment and the New Creation. Note how often there is "thunder" from the throne in Revelation.)

Check out Service #4 "God Speaks!" (See also the Compass article, "God's Word".)