Bible study Quote by Eugene H. Peterson
““(from chapter 20, "Bezalel") "We were getting it: worship was not so much what we did, but what we let God do in and for us. These months of worship in our catacombs sanctuary had made their mark on us. We were a people of God gathered to worship God. The single word, "worship," defined what we were about. The congregational consensus emerged not so much by talking about it, but by simply doing it: worship was our signature activity, the distinctive act that set us apart from all other social structures - schools, businesses, athletic teams, political parties, government agencies. It was not achieved through a Bible study or a discussion that pooled our various expectations and came up with something we could all live with. We simply met every Sunday and worshipped God. We sang together, prayed together, listened to scripture together, received the Sacrament together, baptized our children and converts, and went back to our homes ready to enter a week of work with the blessing of God on us. ...The ordinariness of our lives and the circumstances of the catacombs cleared our minds of romantic and utopian illusions regarding church.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Bezalel (Chapter 20) by Eugene H. Peterson
Worship is defined by collective practice, not just belief, shaping identity and purpose through shared rituals.
In simple terms: Worship is what we do together.
Key Takeaway
Engage in communal worship to build shared identity.
Themes
community
faith
ritual
Mood
reverent
thoughtful
Type
spiritual
inspirational
When to use this quote
- church services
- small group gatherings
- faith‑based volunteering
Key Concepts
theology
social cohesion
Questions to Reflect On
- How does shared worship affect individual belief?
- Can worship exist without a community?
A Different Perspective
Worship alone may not change personal convictions.
![“I do not make decisions [as governor] based on what have I learned through my Bible studies, what have I learned in my religious classes in school. I'm a big believer in separation of church and state, and I think that's what . . . the law is.” quote by Arnold Schwarzenegger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a18/arnold-schwarzenegger-657_believer_i-do-not-make-decisions-as-governor-base_18031.jpg)
