Praising in the Spirit
Month 8: Talking with God — The Praying Family · Walking in the Spirit
Today's Scripture
Read together: Ephesians 5:18-20 & Psalm 150
18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. 19 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your hearts to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. — Ephesians 5:18-20
1 Hallelujah! Praise God in His sanctuary. Praise Him in His mighty heavens. 2 Praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him for His excellent greatness. 3 Praise Him with the sound of the horn; praise Him with the harp and lyre. 4 Praise Him with tambourine and dancing; praise Him with strings and flute. 5 Praise Him with clashing cymbals; praise Him with resounding cymbals. 6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD! Hallelujah! — Psalm 150
Memory Verse
“O come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.”— Psalm 95:6 (BSB)
📖 Bible-in-a-Year (optional)
Today's reading: Jeremiah 38–40; Psalm 74; Psalm 79
Reading the whole Bible in a year — do this when you have extra time.The Heart of It
Paul gives us a wonderful command. He says, "Do not be drunk with wine… but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord" (). Look at the connection there. Being filled with the Spirit spills out as singing. Worship isn't something we whip up with our own energy. The Holy Spirit Himself stirs praise inside a believer's heart. Then He helps it overflow into song. That's why a Spirit-filled home tends to be a singing home. It's not because everyone is musical. It's because the Spirit keeps putting thankfulness in our mouths "always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (v. 20).
And shows us how big and free that praise can be. It calls for trumpet, harp, tambourine, strings, and "loud cymbals." Then it ends, "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!" God isn't honored only by quiet, careful worship. He delights in joyful, whole-hearted, even loud praise from His children. As Pentecostal believers, we treasure this Spirit-prompted joy. But remember, the goal is never noise for its own sake. It's never about show. Real Spirit-filled praise produces the fruit of the Spirit. It grows love, and gratitude, and a softened heart. It's not just about volume. Character always matters more than performance. So we let the Spirit fill us. Then we praise God freely, loudly, and from the heart, because He is worth every bit of it.
Around the Table
says to praise God with horns and drums and dancing! God loves happy, loud praise.
Let's do it: Grab pots, spoons, or just clap, and make a joyful "instrument" while you say, "Praise the Lord!"
When the Holy Spirit fills our hearts, He helps thankfulness bubble up into singing.
Let's talk: Why do you think people who love Jesus end up wanting to sing about Him?
Being "filled with the Spirit" overflows in song and thanks. But Spirit-filled worship is about a grateful heart. It's not just about being loud or showy.
Let's go deeper: How can you tell the difference between worship that's truly from the Spirit and worship that's just emotional hype?
💬 Conversation Starter
Psalm 150 mentions loud cymbals and dancing! What's the most joyful, free way YOU like to praise God? Is it singing, jumping, clapping, or shouting?
🛡️ Defending the Faith
Some say emotional worship just proves Christians are fooling themselves. But commanded joyful, expressive praise thousands of years ago. And the Spirit doesn't produce empty feelings. He produces lasting love, joy, and changed lives (). We can answer gently (). The fruit it leaves behind shows the worship is real.
For Dad · Go Deeper
Classic Pentecostal teaching holds that the same Spirit who empowers witness also stirs heartfelt worship. And makes singing one of the marks of a Spirit-filled life. But Paul's wider context guards us. The very next verses describe a Spirit-filled home of mutual love and submission, not chaos. So the test of Spirit-led praise in your house isn't decibels. It's whether your family grows more loving, thankful, and Christlike. Dad, give your kids permission to be expressive before God. Let them lift hands, dance, and sing loudly. At the same time, model that worship is fueled by gratitude, not performance. Character over gifting, always. A father who praises freely and humbly teaches his children that the Spirit makes us joyful and gentle at the same time.
Draws on: Robert Menzies, Pentecost: This Story Is Our Story.
Let's Pray Together
"Father, fill us with Your Holy Spirit. Put a song in our hearts. Help us praise You freely and joyfully. Keep our hearts humble and thankful too. Let everything in us praise You. In Jesus' name, amen."
The Spirit fills my heart and overflows in praise. It is joyful and free, yet always rooted in a grateful, loving heart.