The church of Christ is seen in the New Testament worshiping God in the following ways:

• Singing: Paul exhorted the Christians to worship by "teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord" (Colossians 3:16). James taught, "Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praises" (James 5:13). Since Paul said in Colossians 3:17, "whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of (or by the authority of) the Lord Jesus," the churches of Christ do not worship with mechanical instruments of music because they are not authorized for New Testament worship. The only authorized melody-making instrument is the human voice driven by a thankful heart (Ephesians 5:19).
• Praying: The New Testament urges us to "pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks" (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18). In our worship we are commanded to offer "supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks" (1 Timothy 2:1). Prayer is an acceptable avenue of worship to God.
• Studying: The worship assemblies witnessed in the New Testament contained periods of doctrinal and practical instruction. When the church of Christ in Troas gathered for worship, they heard preaching (Acts 20:7). Timothy was told to "instruct the brethren" in "sound doctrine" (1 Timothy 4:6; 2 Timothy 1:13), as was Titus (Titus 2:1).
• Giving: To the church of Christ, Paul commanded "upon the first day of every week, let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper" (1 Corinthians 16:2). Each member of the church contributed to a common collection to be used for church work (2 Corinthians 8-9). Sacrificial giving from a thankful heart is a core feature of New Testament Christianity.
• The Lord’s Supper: "The Lord Jesus, on the same night in which he was betrayed took bread; and when he had given thanks he broke it and said, ‘take, eat; this is my body which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same manner he took the cup... Saying, ‘this cup is the new covenant in my blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ for as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till he comes" (1 Corinthians 11:23-26). The church of Christ assembled together to partake of the Lord’s Supper as a memorial to the Lord (1 Corinthians 11:18, 20). This they did on the "first day of the week" (Acts 20:7), and, as we have seen they assembled "every first day of the week" (1 Corinthians 16:2). Therefore, the church of Christ assembles every first day of the week to partake of the Lord’s Supper.
• Conclusion: The church of Christ today has the obligation (and privilege) of structuring its work and worship after the pattern revealed in the New Testament. Following this pattern not only assures God’s acceptance, but allows positive identification to those seeking to find the church about which they read in the Bible. When one finds a church patterned after the New Testament in matters of work and worship, he has found a group of people who are spiritually akin to the Christians in the first century church – washed in the blood of Christ by the grace of God, striving to serve God according to the truth, and awaiting the return of Jesus to receive them to himself.

We pray that you will study the information provided in this material and that you will desire to conform to the true pattern of Christianity revealed in the Bible. It is to this end we endeavor to instruct every soul in the un-searchable riches of Christ. May God bless your study of His Word!