Reading: Genesis 4:1-5, Matthew 22:34-40

Devotional: Today we explore the concept of "Heart > Hype." God desires our sincere love and devotion more than outward displays of worship. In Genesis, we see Abel's offering accepted because it came from a place of genuine faith and reverence. Jesus reinforces this in Matthew, commanding us to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind.
Reflect on your own worship. Are you going through the motions, or is your heart truly engaged? Ask God to renew your passion for Him. Consider ways you can express your love for God beyond Sunday services - perhaps through acts of kindness, dedicated prayer time, or sacrificial giving.

Reading: Psalm 33:1-5, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Devotional: Gratitude is a powerful form of worship. The Psalmist reminds us that praise from the upright is beautiful to God. Paul exhorts us to give thanks in all circumstances. This attitude of thankfulness isn't just for the good times - it's a choice we make regardless of our situation.
Today, challenge yourself to find reasons for gratitude in both blessings and difficulties. Keep a gratitude journal, listing specific things you're thankful for. How might cultivating a grateful heart change your perspective on life's challenges? Remember, praise is not just an expression of thanks, but an act of faith in God's goodness.

Reading: Hebrews 11:1-6, Romans 4:18-21

Devotional: Hebrews 11 highlights Abel's faith-driven sacrifice. This reminds us that our worship and service to God should be rooted in faith. Abraham's example in Romans shows us that faith means trusting God even when circumstances seem impossible.
Consider areas in your life where you need to exercise greater faith. Are there promises of God you're struggling to believe? Reflect on past instances where God has proven faithful. How can you step out in faith today, offering your "best" to God even in uncertainty? Remember, faith is not just belief, but action based on that belief.

Reading: Psalm 51:10-17, James 4:6-10

Devotional: David's psalm reveals that God values a broken and contrite heart above ritualistic offerings. True worship flows from humility - recognizing our need for God's grace and mercy. James emphasizes that God gives grace to the humble.
Examine your heart today. Are there areas of pride that are hindering your relationship with God? Confess these to Him, asking for a spirit of humility. How can you cultivate a more humble attitude in your daily interactions? Remember, humility isn't thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less as you focus on God and others.

Reading: Exodus 33:12-23, Psalm 63:1-8

Devotional: Moses' bold request to see God's glory and David's thirst for God in the wilderness exemplify a passionate pursuit of God's presence. This goes beyond routine religious observance to a deep, personal longing for intimacy with our Creator.
How can you cultivate a greater hunger for God's presence in your life? Consider setting aside extended time for prayer and meditation on Scripture. What distractions might you need to eliminate to focus more fully on seeking God? Remember, God promises that when we seek Him with all our heart, we will find Him (Jeremiah 29:13).

As you conclude this devotional series, commit to making your relationship with God about heart over hype, cultivating genuine love, gratitude, faith, humility, and passionate pursuit of His presence.

This discussion guide is based on Pastor DJ's sermon "Don't Believe the Hype" from the series "Altars Everywhere." The focus is on understanding true worship, the nature of friendship with God, and how our relationship with Him impacts our service and purpose.  We encourage you to continue the discussion with a few friends within your HOW Church Community.

Opening Prayer: Begin your session with a prayer, asking God to open your hearts and minds to His message and to guide your discussion.

Key Takeaways:

1. True worship is more about the heart's motivation than the outward performance.
2. God is calling us to go beyond the motions and emotions of worship to align our motivations with His will.
3. The heart of worship means more than the hype of worship.
4. Four characteristics of true worship: Bold Love, Beautiful Gratitude, Big Faith, and Broad Humility.

Discussion Questions:

1. The sermon mentions that we often "get caught up in the model of worship, but miss out on the motivation of worship." Can you share an experience where you realized your worship was more about the motions than the heart?
2. Reflect on the story of Cain and Abel. Why do you think God accepted Abel's offering but not Cain's? How does this relate to our own worship practices?
3. The pastor emphasizes that "God is less concerned about our performance and more focused on the source of our passions!" How can we ensure that our passions are aligned with God's desires?
4. Discuss the four characteristics of true worship mentioned in the sermon. Which one resonates with you the most and why?
5. How can we cultivate "Bold Love" in our relationship with God? What might that look like in our daily lives?
6. The sermon mentions that "gratitude is a form of Kingdom currency." How can we develop a more grateful attitude in our worship and daily life?
7. Reflect on the concept of "Big Faith" in worship. How can we offer God our best even when we're still waiting for answers or going through difficult times?
8. What does "Broad Humility" mean to you in the context of worship? How can we cultivate a "broken and contrite heart" before God?

Practical Applications:

1. This week, set aside time each day to reflect on your motivations for worship. Journal about what you discover.
2. Practice intentional gratitude by writing down three things you're thankful for each day, focusing on aspects of God's character or actions.
3. Identify an area in your life where you're waiting on God. Commit to worshiping Him faithfully in that area, demonstrating "Big Faith."
4. Examine your heart for any pride or self-sufficiency that might be hindering your worship. Pray for God to cultivate humility in you.
5. Choose one of the four characteristics of true worship to focus on this week. Share with the group next time how you've grown in this area.

Closing Prayer: End your session by thanking God for His presence and asking for His help in cultivating true, heartfelt worship in your daily lives.