Have you ever wondered what church gatherings looked like in the days of the apostles? Not the polished, stage-lit services we often see today, but the raw, Spirit-charged meetings of the first believers. I recently dug into 1 Corinthians 14, and let me tell you—it’s a game-changer. Paul paints a picture of worship that’s less like a concert and more like a family jam session, where everyone’s got a part to play. Let’s unpack this “participatory model” and see what it could mean for us today.

Worship Where Everyone’s Invited to the Mic

Picture this: you walk into a gathering, and instead of a single pastor or worship leader running the show, everyone has something to bring. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 14:26, “When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation.” A hymn from Kristyn over there, a teaching from Mike in the back, a prophetic word from Lisa—it’s a holy potluck of spiritual gifts! The early church didn’t sit back and watch; they leaned in and contributed.

This wasn’t chaos, though. Paul wasn’t throwing out the rulebook—he wanted order, just not the stiff, pre-programmed kind we might assume. It’s worship with a pulse, alive and unpredictable, driven by the Holy Spirit.

It’s All About Building Up

Here’s the heartbeat of it: everything in these gatherings had to edify the church. Prophecy got the gold star over tongues (unless someone interpreted) because it spoke clearly to everyone (v. 3-5). The goal wasn’t to show off—it was to lift each other up. Imagine a meeting where every word, song, or prayer leaves you stronger, closer to God, and more connected as a family. That’s the target Paul sets: “Let all things be done for building up” (v. 26).

Freedom with Guardrails

Now, don’t picture a free-for-all. Paul lays down some ground rules in verses 27-33: only 2-3 people speak in tongues (with interpretation), 2-3 prophesy, and the rest weigh in. If someone gets a fresh revelation, the current speaker steps aside. It’s fluid but not frantic. “God is not a God of disorder but of peace,” he reminds us (v. 33). Think of it like a jazz band—everyone gets a solo, but the rhythm holds it together.

And here’s the kicker: “You can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged” (v. 31). All. Not just the pros up front—every believer had a voice. No one was a spectator; they were all players in the Spirit’s symphony.

The Spirit Takes the Lead

Paul wraps it up with a challenge: “Be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues, but let all things be done decently and in order” (v. 39-40). This wasn’t about a rigid script—it was about trusting the Spirit to move while keeping things respectful. Compare that to Acts 2:42-43, where the early church prayed, broke bread, and saw wonders, or Acts 4:31, where the Spirit shook the room. Worship wasn’t a performance; it was an encounter.

What’s This Mean for Us?

Most modern churches lean hard into structure—a sermon, a few songs, maybe a prayer, all led from the front. It’s not wrong, but it’s miles from 1 Corinthians 14. The early church model flips the script: less stage, more circle; less audience, more contributors. Imagine a Sunday where your friend shares a song God gave her, your uncle drops a revelation from his morning devo, and you pray a blessing that sparks tears. That’s the vibe Paul’s chasing.

Bringing It Home

So how do we get there? Start small. Maybe your small group tries a night where everyone brings something—a verse, a prayer, a testimony. Train folks to listen to the Spirit and share what they hear. Keep it orderly but don’t choke the life out of it. The five-fold ministry (Ephesians 4:11)—apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers—can guide this, equipping everyone to join in.

I’m still wrapping my head around this, but it’s got me hungry for worship that feels less like a show and more like a family reunion with the Spirit as the host. What do you think—could your church handle a little 1 Corinthians 14 flavor? Let’s chat about it—I’d love to hear your take!

Scripture to Chew On: 1 Corinthians 14:26-33, 39-40; Acts 2:42-43
Challenge: Next time you gather, ask: “What’s God put on my heart to share?”