+How do you learn? Do you imbibe information and concepts graphically? Do you have to touch things in order to truly understand their nature? Do you have to interact with a thing before you can really know it? Or are you an abstract thinker, dealing with concepts as they appear in words?
I, for one, have always learnt through words. The odd graph helps to visualise the concept, but I have always been a natural reader of words. This lexical preference, however, extends beyond revising for exams. When I really want to interact with God, I delve into scripture.
To worship is to learn. This connection is bipartite.
First, to worship is to interact with God. Thanks to Christ, worship is bilateral rather than unilateral; that is, we respond to his action, and in turn, he responds to our worship. There is no need to construct memorials to an 'unknown God', no need to routinely offer anonymous sacrifices. Through Christ, we connect to God on a one-to-one basis.
Second, to interact with God is to learn about God. It will take eternity to understand him fully, which is why we will be worshipping for eternity. Whether you are reading his Words, worshipping him through songs, or whatever, you are firstly interacting with Him, and secondly learning about Him.
If this is the case, then it is crucial that we understand ourselves, in order to best position ourselves for worship. For some people, smells and bells works. For some people, routine prayers and familiar structures work. For others, spontaneity is required in order to truly engage themselves with what is occurring. Some like their worship loud and wild, stirring for the emotions, whilst others find this distracting, preferring a more tranquil form.
Allegorically, some people prefer to study in the silence of their room. Others favour some sort of soundtrack – whether it is their favourite classical music CD, or the hussle-bussle of a cafe environment. Some have to lock themselves in a library, whilst others will gladly stretch out on a blanket in the park.
This heterogeneity of preferences is not something to be shunned. There is no 'right' way of worship, because worship, although a collective endeavour, is fundamentally personal. Thus, personal preferences matter for the 'efficacy' of worship. But then, worship is obviously more than structured praise. As we know, it is about how we live our lives – every aspect.
My point is that each person is gifted differently, and as such, should focus their activities (both structured worship and all other aspects of life) so as to maximise their 'worship productivity'. In other words, each person, being a separate member of the Body of Christ, should specialise in the area in which they are advantaged. This ensures the smooth running of the whole; that is, the Church of Christ.
Obviously, there is a need for balance, and we should ensure that our worship is holistic. We should not neglect praise for Bible reading, or vice versa. Moreover, without 'core components' of worship, such as the Word and praise, one's ability to live a Christian life may be inhibited. However, the point remains.
So what works for you? If you learn through interacting with others, then make sure that you are discussing God with other people. If you learn through self-study, then leave yourself time to worship God through words. You get the idea.
As a concluding note, God knows us better than we know ourselves (he knit us together in our mothers' womb, he knows all the hairs on our head). He created us intentionally, just as we are. For that reason, he will expect our response to correspond to those features which he has invested in us. An interesting example is the appearance of God (yes, the one and only God) in the folklore of isolated tribes (see Eternity in Their Hearts). Generational, verbal stories were the method of learning for these (often illiterate) people. God knew this, and acted accordingly.
In sum, expect God to reach you through the way he has created you, and respond in kind. Keep in mind that you will have to be stretched, but remember that to seek knowledge is to seek God. Sure beats revising for an exam.
