In 2008, Bob Kauflin wrote Worship Matters: Leading Others to Encounter the Greatness of God, in which he sought to connect a biblical theology of worship with what worship leaders actually do on Sundays. Through the book, Bob builds congregational worship on biblical principles that transcend cultures, generations, and ethnic groups.
Given the encouragement that’s come in response to the book, Bob has recorded a 12-session training course as a supplement to Worship Matters. In this video series he teaches through a broad range of topics, from practical guidance on putting songs together, growing in spontaneity, and planning a service to spiritual topics like humility, comparison, and idolatry. You’ll be hard pressed to find a more practical, engaging, and pastoral tool for worship leaders, pastors, and anyone involved in music ministry in their local church.
The sessions can be viewed consecutively or separately, depending on what serves you. Watching these videos in a small group context or with the musicians at your church would be ideal, as you get to work through the content together. Outlines, transcripts, and subtitled versions in English (and Spanish, in the future) are available for download underneath each video.
We hope and pray this video series proves to be a helpful tool for you, your team, and your church in developing your gifts and increasing your love for our glorious Savior, Jesus Christ!
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If you’re the primary worship pastor or leader of music in your church, consider applying for one of our Worship Matters Intensives – a full immersion experience where attendees are filled, sharpened, and encouraged alongside other like-minded leaders in a small group setting. If you’re looking for an event with theological and practical training on a wide variety of topics in music ministry, check out our bi-annual WorshipGod Conference, or listen to messages from past conferences.
Session 00:
Introduction
Download the video for Session 00 here.
In this session Bob explains his intention behind the Worship Matters Video Intensive and suggestions on how to use it.
Recursos en español:
S00 Bosquejo y preguntas de discusión – PDF (Español)
S00 Bosquejo y preguntas de discusión – docx (Español)
Session 1:
The Important Things: Heart & Mind
Based on Chapters 1-3 from Worship Matters
Download the video for Session 01 here.
Our greatest challenge in leading others to encounter the greatness of God is the idols we worship in our hearts. In this session, we’ll look at some practices that help us fight the idols in our own hearts as we seek to lead others to encounter the greatness of God.
S1 Outline & Discussion Questions – PDF
S1 Outline & Discussion Questions – DOCX
Recursos en español:
S1 Bosquejo y preguntas de discusión – PDF (Español)
S1 Bosquejo y preguntas de discusión – docx (Español)
Session 2:
The Important Things: Skill & Life
Based on Chapters 4-5 from Worship Matters
Download the video for Session 02 here.
This session focuses on the often overlooked priority of skill–how to better serve your congregation through growth in leadership, musicianship, communication, and administration. We also look at the most important thing: living a life to the glory of God.
S2 Outline & Discussion Questions – PDF
S2 Outline & Discussion Questions – DOCX
Recursos en español:
S2 Bosquejo y preguntas de discusión – PDF (Español)
S2 Bosquejo y preguntas de discusión – docx (Español)
Session 3:
Our Task (Part 1)
Based on Chapters 6-8 from Worship Matters
Download the video for Session 03 here.
This session focuses on defining the often unhelpful term, “worship leader,” and learning how one can magnify the greatness of God in people’s hearts by addressing their perceptions of and passions for God.
S3 Outline & Discussion Questions – PDF
S3 Outline & Discussion Questions – DOCX
Recursos en español:
S03 Bosquejo y preguntas de discusión – PDF (Español)
S03 Bosquejo y preguntas de discusión – docx (Español)
Session 4:
Our Task (Part 2)
Based on Chapters 9-10 from Worship Matters
Download the video for Session 04 here.
While Session 3 focuses on seeking to magnify God’s greatness as leaders, this session focuses on how that’s done. It’s not something we can do on our own, but only because of the cross of Christ and by the power of the Holy Spirit.
S4 Outline & Discussion Questions – PDF
S4 Outline & Discussion Questions – DOCX
Recursos en español:
S04 Bosquejo y preguntas de discusión – PDF (Español)
S04 Bosquejo y preguntas de discusión – docx (Español)
Session 5:
Why Do We Sing?
Based on Chapters 11-12 from Worship Matters
Download the video for Session 05 here.
Singing helps us remember God’s Word. This session focuses on how skillfully combining God’s Word with music magnifies the greatness of God by helping the Word of Christ dwell in us richly. (Col 3:16)
S5 Outline & Discussion Questions – PDF
S5 Outline & Discussion Questions – DOCX
Recursos en español:
S05 Bosquejo y preguntas de discusión – PDF (Español)
S05 Bosquejo y preguntas de discusión – docx (Español)
Session 6:
Planning Meetings
Based on Chapter 13 from Worship Matters
Download the video for Session 06 here.
There are no normal Sundays. This session explores the importance of planning your meetings, using themes, progression, context, and creativity to create a liturgical flow to your Sunday service.
S6 Outline & Discussion Questions – PDF
S6 Outline & Discussion Questions – DOCX
Recursos en español:
S06 Bosquejo y preguntas de discusión – PDF (Español)
S06 Bosquejo y preguntas de discusión – docx (Español)
Session 7:
Effects of Leading: Gospel Community
Based on Chapters 14-15 from Worship Matters
Download the video for Session 07 here.
In an effort to lead God’s people effectively, there are many wrong and right ways to motivate people. This session focuses on how we can build a worshiping community through the proclamation of and living out of the gospel.
S7 Outline & Discussion Questions – PDF
S7 Outline & Discussion Questions – DOCX
Recursos en español:
S07 Bosquejo y preguntas de discusión – PDF (Español)
S07 Bosquejo y preguntas de discusión – docx (Español)
Session 8:
Effects of Leading: Spirit-Empowered Living & Hope
Based on Chapters 16-17 from Worship Matters
Download the video for Session 08 here.
The effect of God’s gracious manifest and promised presence extends far beyond Sunday. This session shows how effective leading should lead to cherishing God’s presence and living God-glorifying lives.
S8 Outline & Discussion Questions – PDF
S8 Outline & Discussion Questions – DOCX
Session 9:
Healthy Tensions (Part 1)
Based on Chapters 18-22 from Worship Matters
Download the video for Session 09 here.
In this session we explore the healthy tensions of transcendence and immanence, heads and hearts, internal and external, and vertical and horizontal, through the lens of edifying of our local churches.
S9 Outline & Discussion Questions – PDF
S9 Outline & Discussion Questions – DOCX
Session 10:
Healthy Tensions (Part 2)
Based on Chapters 23-27 from Worship Matters
Download the video for Session 10 here.
This session explores more healthy tensions, like planned & spontaneous, rootedness & relevance, skill & authenticity, for the church & for unbelievers, and event & everyday.
S10 Outline & Discussion Questions – PDF
S10 Outline & Discussion Questions – DOCX
Session 11:
Loving Your Family & Church
Based on Chapters 28-29 from Worship Matters
Download the video for Session 11 here.
God-honoring worship consists of loving God and loving those around us. This session explores ways we can love our family and church.
S11 Outline & Discussion Questions – PDF
S11 Outline & Discussion Questions – DOCX
Session 12:
Loving Your Musicians & Pastor
Based on Chapters 30-31 from Worship Matters
Download the video for Session 12 here.
How do you love those your serve with, namely the musicians on your team and your pastor? In this last session, Bob presents guidelines for caring for your team through building a culture and handling transitions, as well as how to serve your pastor effectively.
S12 Outline & Discussion Questions – PDF
