Praise Ministry by Example - Is it Scriptural?
Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.” (1 Timothy 4:12, ESV) If a youth can be an example, how much more someone who is much older !!!
The ministry of leading praise by example flows directly from Scripture. It is first and foremost an act of worship offered *unto the Lord*, and secondarily a powerful encouragement to the body of Christ, spurring believers toward greater freedom and creativity in worship.
1. Primary Motivation: Done Unto the Lord
All Christian service and worship must begin with God as the central audience. Colossians 3:23 declares: “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” This principle applies powerfully to public praise. Whether singing, shouting, dancing, or lifting hands, the highest aim is to glorify God.
This aligns with the heart of worship expressed in Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16. Believers are instructed to address “one another” with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs — yet the same passages emphasize singing and making melody “to the Lord” with all our hearts, and singing “to God with gratitude in your hearts.” The horizontal ministry (encouraging others) flows out of the vertical reality (worship unto God).
2. Secondary Purpose: An Example to the Believers
Paul explicitly called young Timothy to live as a visible pattern for others: “Set the believers an example...” (1 Timothy 4:12). This was not mere moral behavior but included speech, conduct, faith, and purity — all of which encompass how we express our relationship with God publicly.
Leaders in the early church modeled worship and conduct so that others could imitate them as they imitated Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1; Philippians 3:17). When a leader praises the Lord with freedom and joy in the congregation, it serves as a living sermon that preaches: “This is what wholehearted devotion looks like. You are free to worship Him too!”
If the heavens can declare the Glory of God, then those inspired by Heaven can be examples of praise to the congregation and declare God's Glory through their beautiful bodily praise movements. It is speech without language. Read this scripture verse for confirmation: “The heavens declare the glory of God” is the opening line of Psalm 19: 1 - 3, a verse in the Bible traditionally attributed to King David. Read the rest of this verse online or in you own Bible to get the complete message.
3. Edification of the Church Flows from Worship of God
In 1 Corinthians 14:26, Paul writes: “When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.” The goal of the gathering includes mutual encouragement and edification. However, this does not replace the primary direction of our worship. Even the hymns sung to build up the community are offered first to God for His glory.
A genuine “Praise to the Lord Ministry by Example” holds these two in proper order:
- First unto the Lord — sincere, Spirit-led adoration that seeks His face.
- Secondarily to men — demonstrating freedom so others are released from fear, tradition, or inhibition to worship more fully and creatively. The fear of man should find no place in the heart of HIS PRAISERS.
This pattern reflects the example of Jesus Himself, who left us a model to follow (1 Peter 2:21), and the Apostles who lived transparently so the Church could grow in maturity and boldness.
A Call to This Ministry
A commitment to praise the Lord openly — first as an offering to Him, and then as an encouragement to His people — has clear scriptural warrant. I will continue to lead with humility and authenticity. As I do so “heartily, as for the Lord,” God will use my example to stir up fresh worship, freedom, and joy across the congregation.
Not too long ago at a church with a Friday night service, I went through the prayer line after the service was over. On one occasion, someone in the prayer line told me that my bodily praise example was an inspiration to the men in the congregation. The next time I was at that Friday night service, someone who was praying for me in the prayer lind told me that I should get a mentoring group going for men and teach men how to have freedom in worship.
1 Thessalonians 1:7 states: "And so you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia." This verse highlights the significant influence and example set by the Thessalonian believers in their region, particularly in Macedonia and Achaia. They were recognized for their faith and commitment, which positively impacted others in their community.
I am sure that King David was an example to the congregation who came to be a part of the worship going on in the Tabernacle of David. Because of David's example of uninhibited bodily praise, I am sure that other people in the congregation were inspired to express bodily praise to the Most High also. We are given an insight into King David's bodily praise in the Bible where David danced when the Ark of the Covenant was being transported to Jerusalem.
May the Lord bless and multiply this ministry for His glory and the strengthening of His church. Click here to see of you qualify to join this ministry and be an example and encouragement in your area of location.
The ministry of leading praise by example flows directly from Scripture. It is first and foremost an act of worship offered *unto the Lord*, and secondarily a powerful encouragement to the body of Christ, spurring believers toward greater freedom and creativity in worship.
1. Primary Motivation: Done Unto the Lord
All Christian service and worship must begin with God as the central audience. Colossians 3:23 declares: “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” This principle applies powerfully to public praise. Whether singing, shouting, dancing, or lifting hands, the highest aim is to glorify God.
This aligns with the heart of worship expressed in Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16. Believers are instructed to address “one another” with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs — yet the same passages emphasize singing and making melody “to the Lord” with all our hearts, and singing “to God with gratitude in your hearts.” The horizontal ministry (encouraging others) flows out of the vertical reality (worship unto God).
2. Secondary Purpose: An Example to the Believers
Paul explicitly called young Timothy to live as a visible pattern for others: “Set the believers an example...” (1 Timothy 4:12). This was not mere moral behavior but included speech, conduct, faith, and purity — all of which encompass how we express our relationship with God publicly.
Leaders in the early church modeled worship and conduct so that others could imitate them as they imitated Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1; Philippians 3:17). When a leader praises the Lord with freedom and joy in the congregation, it serves as a living sermon that preaches: “This is what wholehearted devotion looks like. You are free to worship Him too!”
If the heavens can declare the Glory of God, then those inspired by Heaven can be examples of praise to the congregation and declare God's Glory through their beautiful bodily praise movements. It is speech without language. Read this scripture verse for confirmation: “The heavens declare the glory of God” is the opening line of Psalm 19: 1 - 3, a verse in the Bible traditionally attributed to King David. Read the rest of this verse online or in you own Bible to get the complete message.
3. Edification of the Church Flows from Worship of God
In 1 Corinthians 14:26, Paul writes: “When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.” The goal of the gathering includes mutual encouragement and edification. However, this does not replace the primary direction of our worship. Even the hymns sung to build up the community are offered first to God for His glory.
A genuine “Praise to the Lord Ministry by Example” holds these two in proper order:
- First unto the Lord — sincere, Spirit-led adoration that seeks His face.
- Secondarily to men — demonstrating freedom so others are released from fear, tradition, or inhibition to worship more fully and creatively. The fear of man should find no place in the heart of HIS PRAISERS.
This pattern reflects the example of Jesus Himself, who left us a model to follow (1 Peter 2:21), and the Apostles who lived transparently so the Church could grow in maturity and boldness.
A Call to This Ministry
A commitment to praise the Lord openly — first as an offering to Him, and then as an encouragement to His people — has clear scriptural warrant. I will continue to lead with humility and authenticity. As I do so “heartily, as for the Lord,” God will use my example to stir up fresh worship, freedom, and joy across the congregation.
Not too long ago at a church with a Friday night service, I went through the prayer line after the service was over. On one occasion, someone in the prayer line told me that my bodily praise example was an inspiration to the men in the congregation. The next time I was at that Friday night service, someone who was praying for me in the prayer lind told me that I should get a mentoring group going for men and teach men how to have freedom in worship.
1 Thessalonians 1:7 states: "And so you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia." This verse highlights the significant influence and example set by the Thessalonian believers in their region, particularly in Macedonia and Achaia. They were recognized for their faith and commitment, which positively impacted others in their community.
I am sure that King David was an example to the congregation who came to be a part of the worship going on in the Tabernacle of David. Because of David's example of uninhibited bodily praise, I am sure that other people in the congregation were inspired to express bodily praise to the Most High also. We are given an insight into King David's bodily praise in the Bible where David danced when the Ark of the Covenant was being transported to Jerusalem.
May the Lord bless and multiply this ministry for His glory and the strengthening of His church. Click here to see of you qualify to join this ministry and be an example and encouragement in your area of location.