Beyond Sunday Worship

Worship Podcast & Blog

Wide Awake Study Guide: Introduction

For our Young Adult group this fall, I’ve written a simple study guide based on the ‘Wide Awake’ book. I will do a series of posts with questions for each chapter. If you are reading the book, I pray this will help you process the material and make it practical to your life*.

Intro: AWAKEN – The Artist

•    What are you excited about in beginning this study just by looking at the title?

Read the ‘AWAKEN’ introduction together and answer the following questions:

•    Are you dissatisfied with your life? Describe why you feel that way.

•    What did Erwin say is the difference between fame and greatness (pg. Xiv)?

•    What do you want to get out of this study? Write down your answer.

* All quotations (besides Scriptures) are by Erwin McManus, taken directly from the book.

Should I even pray if my prayers are weak?

“God accepts our prayers, though weak, because we are his own children, and they come from his own Spirit; because they are according to his own will; and because they are offered in Christ’s mediation, and he takes them, and mingles them with his own incense (Rev. 8:3). There is never a holy sigh, never a tear we shed, which is lost.”

– Richard Sibbes (1577-1635)

Current Listenings

Justin McRoberts: Decontsruction – I met this guy at the conference and have heard certain songs from him over the years. Beautiful, raw folk music with a strong ‘prophetic’ voice. Very challenging.

Hillsong: This Is Our God – Decent worship album. I really like 4-5 songs, in particular. I find myself singing “Stronger” all the time.

Sovereign Grace Music: Psalms – Sovereign Grace is a great community of churches. Strong, theological truth is packed into these great songs. It’s exciting to see a lot of ‘lesser known’ writers all working together.

Charlie Hall: The Bright Sadness – I’ve always liked Charlie Hall because he is a deep thinker and expounder of truth. This album is soaked in so much passion, it’s almost uncomfortable. A different sort of worship music – maybe not a set of congregational lullabies, but music that definitely stirs the heart.

Highlights from the Songwriter's Conference

This is what I enjoyed most about my time away:

  • Mount Hermon, California – absolutely beautiful. Massive redwood trees, great weather, beautiful retreat center.
  • Hanging out with Bob Kauflin – Bob was one of the keynote speakers who I was able to get some one on one time with. I’ve rarely been so affected by a person – visible love for God, love for people, and all around great guy.
  • Hearing Derek Webb speak and sing – marvelous.
  • Visiting random Mexican restaurants with my Dad.
  • Drinking an iced blended coffee at ‘Coffee Cat’ that was even better than a Starbuck’s Frappacino.
  • Realizing the highest calling as a worship leader/songwriter is ministering in a local church setting to a specific body of people. Super-stardom should not be the highest goal of a minister.
  • Getting to record my song ‘Rising Glory’ for a potential CCLI TV broadcast!
  • Having a roommate named Socrates – what a great guy!
  • Connecting with Ben Gowell.
  • Meeting some great songwriters and worship leaders from around the country.