During the meeting
When you walk into church, remember the eternal significance of what you're joining. You are gathering with the people of God. You've come to worship God, and He will be present by His Holy Spirit.
As the meeting starts, remember that you're not here to be entertained. You're not part of an audience but part of a congregation. What matters isn't whether you have a good voice or whether you like the style of music being played. What matters isn't even what you feel.
Worshiping with song is a chance to sing truth and express praise and gratefulness to God. So don't live by your feelings in this moment. Instead, focus your mind on the truth of what you sing and the Person to whom you're singing. God is observing and receiving your worship.
Be careful how you hear
The sermon is the most important part of the meeting. It has everything to do with the authority and power of the Word of God. When God's Word is preached to us, in a very real sense God is speaking. God Himself is addressing you through His Word. This is why the way we listen to preaching is so important. We shouldn't be passive observers as how we listen and apply what we hear either honours or dishonours God.
Listening to preaching is an act of worship when you listen with an eager mind and responsive heart. It's an act of worship because you listen to God speaks through His Word. Because God is speaking, we need to realize our responsibility as we listen. Hearing the truth obligates us to respond to it. Jesus told us, "Therefore consider carefully how you listen" (Luke 8:18 NIV)
Therefore, I encourage you to express your commitment to listen carefully by bringing your Bible and whatever will allow you to record key points from a sermon. Think of your notes as memory joggers to help you leave church with the big ideas firmly in mind.
(Source:Stop dating the church, fall in love with the family of God by Joshua Harris)
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