The Heart of Worship

Welcome back to Ryan and Brian's Bible Bistro! In this episode, hosts Ryan and Brian explore what worship really means. Inspired by the late '90s Christian song "The Heart of Worship" by Matt Redman, they discuss how worship is less about getting the form right—hymns, modern songs, or rituals—and more about the heart behind it.

They start with a throwback to the "Worship Wars" of the '90s and a funny story from Ryan’s early days as a worship leader (spoiler: someone wasn’t thrilled about a missing hymn!). Then they dive into Scripture, beginning with Zechariah 7, where God questions the motives behind fasting, and moving through 1 Samuel, Isaiah, Micah, the Psalms, and Jesus’ run-ins with the Pharisees in the Gospels.

The main point? God values a heart focused on justice, mercy, and humility over perfect religious routines. From Saul’s half-hearted obedience to the Pharisees’ rule obsession to modern debates over worship styles, it’s clear: worship should change us, not just be a task to complete.

Ryan and Brian share personal takes too—covering Lent, the Lord’s Supper, and even Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups (no judgment on your snacks). They wrestle with balancing form and heart, asking: How do we keep worship meaningful without fixating on the "how-to"?

Highlights:

• Why God asked, “Why are you fasting—or feasting?” in Zechariah
• Samuel’s blunt words to Saul: “Obedience beats sacrifice”
• Isaiah’s call-out: “Your sacrifices? Meaningless without justice.”
• Jesus shutting down the Pharisees with “I desire mercy, not sacrifice”
• Practical ideas on shaking up routines to refocus on God

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Resources:

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See you at the Bistro!