Destiny Grow · Relationship

Lesson 02 of 10

Ministering to God

Worship, attention, and service directed first toward Him

A subject-specific welcome from

Pastor Travis

Before we ask what ministry we can do for people, Scripture teaches us to attend to God. He is not a tool for successful ministry; He is our portion. This lesson will help you recover worship, prayer, and obedience as ministry offered directly to the Lord. — Pastor Travis Morgan

Video teaching

Pastor Travis’s teaching is coming soon.

The complete written lesson is ready now. This space will be replaced with the recorded teaching.

The big idea

God’s people are called first to attend to Him in worship, prayer, listening, and consecrated service; healthy ministry to others flows from ministry to the Lord.

Read the Word

Key Scriptures

Acts 13:1–3

shows leaders ministering to the Lord in worship and fasting.

Deuteronomy 10:8–12

describes priestly standing, service, and blessing before God.

Psalm 27:4–8

expresses the desire to behold and seek God.

Luke 10:38–42

prioritizes attentive presence with Jesus.

Revelation 4:8–11

portrays worship centered upon God’s worth.

God is the center

Much Christian activity begins with human need, but biblical worship begins with God’s worth. In Acts 13, leaders minister to the Lord before receiving missionary direction. Their attention is upward before it becomes outward.

Ministering to God includes praise, thanksgiving, adoration, prayer, fasting, listening, and obedient availability. We do not supply a lack in God; we offer the honor, attention, and love that rightly belong to Him.

Presence before productivity

Mary sits at Jesus’ feet while Martha becomes distracted by much serving. Jesus does not condemn service; He corrects service that has lost attentive relationship. Work for God can become a hiding place from God.

Healthy ministry flows from beholding. In His presence motives are purified, assignments clarified, wounds exposed, and strength renewed.

From the sanctuary to daily life

New-covenant believers are a priestly people. Our bodies, work, choices, generosity, speech, and service can become spiritual worship. Sunday expression and Monday obedience belong together.

Make room to minister to God without using the moment to prepare a sermon, solve a problem, or request an outcome. Tell Him who He is, offer gratitude, and wait before Him.

Grace Revealed

Grace brings us near.

Grace gives us access. We do not enter God’s presence by our excellence but through the saving work of Jesus. The Spirit enables worship and makes our lives an acceptable offering in Christ.

Knowing Him

Truth becomes shared life with God.

Ministering to the Lord trains the heart to value Him above His gifts. It is time spent with God because He is worthy and because fellowship with Him is our greatest privilege.

Why this matters for salvation

Saved people are brought into fellowship.

Salvation creates worshipers. God delivers a people from bondage so they may serve Him, dwell near Him, and declare His praise. Ministry to God is the restored purpose of redeemed humanity.

Lesson notes

Remember these truths.

God’s worth—not human need—is the center of worship.
Acts 13 joins ministry to the Lord with fasting and guidance.
Presence must precede and sustain productivity.
All of life can become worship.
Access to God is given through Christ.

Respond to the Word

Reflect and apply.

When do you approach God only for outcomes?
What activity competes with attentive presence?
How can your work become an offering?
What would it mean to behold before doing?
Schedule one period this week simply to minister to God.

Pray the truth

Worthy Lord, I turn my attention toward You. Receive my worship, gratitude, body, time, and obedience. Purify my service and let everything I do for others flow from fellowship with You. Amen.

Download fillable workbook ↓

Attempts: 0Best score: —Status: In progress

Your next step

Finish this lesson.

Pass the quiz with 80% or higher, then mark the lesson complete.