The Scriptures resound with singing. There are over fifty direct commands for us to sing, and singing is mentioned over 400 times in the Bible. Singing doesn’t merely play a one-dimensional function in the life of the church; it plays a multi-faceted, invaluable role as we worship God. It shapes our discipleship and our declaration to the world.

Ephesians 5:18-19 says that we are to be filled with the Spirit, “addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart.” Paul argues that one of the primary goals of what we call “corporate worship” is to edify the whole church. In the assembly, we should do all things in order to build one another up. We sing to address God, yes, but also to teach and admonish one another.

1. The Context of the Exhortation
2. The Reason for the Exhortation

Our text, “speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord,” gives us the first result of being filled with the Holy Spirit (5:18). Rather than being drunk with wine and singing bawdy, raucous songs, those that are filled with the Spirit should sing to the Lord from the heart, with great joy and thankfulness (5:20). In the parallel text (Col. 3:16), Paul commands, “Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” Paul’s point is that Spirit-filled people will manifest it by spiritual singing.

Getting Started                          

1. What is your favourite song to sing in the shower, and why?

•  Read Ephesians 5:17-21

2. What insight, principle, or observation from Sunday’s sermon did you find to be the most helpful, eye-opening, or troubling?

Digging Deeper

3. In verse 18 Paul taught believers to be controlled by the Spirit. How does this look?
4. In verse 19, Paul uses three words to describe singing, “psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs,”. Why do you think he does this?
5. “Joyful, exuberant, heart-felt singing is one evidence that a church is Spirit-filled.” Do you agree or disagree with this statement? 

 The Heart of the Matter

6. What are some practical ways we can prepare our hearts to worship the Lord before we arrive for church on Sundays?

7. Do you agree that true worship necessarily engages the emotions? Give biblical support for your answer.

8. At NLC the leaders, take effort in choosing the songs we sing together. Why are the words of the songs we sing, something to be concerned about? What if there was a song with a great tune and not so good words?