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Singing Redemption - Week One

November 02, 2025 0 0

 

Live and unplugged — Songwriting as a way of sharing authentic experience

 

Authentic songwriting from our heart to God’s heart creates a space — a nook — where people can find a resting place, a hiding place, or even a springboard, for the soul. Lyrics and melody create perches where people can not only see but also hear and feel the story of redemption… a story that is both deeply personal and deeply universal. Songs can be lifelines, invaluable points of connection that help to remember ourselves back to ourselves.  This week we think about the power of songwriting to create nooks for the soul, where we can draw breath, and catch the breath of heaven.

 

SEEDS TO SOW: What are some of your favourite memories of hearing live music?

 

Read Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4

Songwriters stationed all along the watchtower!

In some ways songwriters are like those stationed along the watchtower, eyes to the skies, ready to witness and sing God’s works and make the vision plain!

Q: What words and phrases stand out to you in these readings? Would any of them lend themselves to a good song lyric?

 

Read Isaiah 1: 10-18

Making offerings that mean something!

This is a challenge for all those participating and leading worship!

Q: Is our praise empty, just window dressing for a window shopping worship? Or are we creating real places for people to meet and draw closer to God’s heart; a heart that breaks for poor and dispossessed people?

Q: How can our worship foster an environment for real connection with God and one another?

 

Read Luke 19: 1-10

Making trees for Zacchaeus.

This encounter gives us a little parable of how songs can help us connect with Jesus. Without the tree Zacchaeus had no vantage point, no ability to hear or see what Jesus was saying. With the right tree in the right place he was able to see for himself.

Through their songs hymn writers over the years have planted many trees that grow into perches for new Zacchaeuses to climb on up and see for themselves. The right song at the right time can be just the leg-up we need.

Q: Do you think our worship styles make it easy for modern-day Zacchaeuses to feel welcomed into our churches?

Q: How could we vary our worship to grow more ‘trees’ for more Zacchaeuses to be able to climb and see Christ for themselves?