The Synagogue Worship Trivia Quiz

The correct answer is "Stand facing Jerusalem with arms raised and eyes open." This is the posture of prayer in the synagogue as it is customary to face Jerusalem, the holy city, while praying. The act of raising the arms and keeping the eyes open signifies attentiveness and focus during prayer. This posture allows individuals to connect with their faith and show reverence towards Jerusalem, an important symbol in Jewish tradition.

The correct answer is that there is no mention of synagogues in the Old Testament, so we don't have any information about when or how they began. This means that the Bible does not provide any specific details about the origins of synagogues.

The general outline of a synagogue service includes an opening blessing, recited prayers, set reading, flexible reading, message, and closing blessing. This structure is commonly followed in synagogue services to guide the worship and provide a framework for the various elements of the service. The opening blessing sets the tone for the service, followed by recited prayers and readings from sacred texts. The message, often delivered by a rabbi or religious leader, provides teachings and insights. Finally, the service concludes with a closing blessing, bringing the worship to a close.

The posture of sitting on a chair is often associated with authority because it signifies a position of power and control. When someone is seated on a chair, they are typically in a position of leadership and are able to command attention and respect. This posture allows the person to maintain a sense of control and authority over the situation or audience they are addressing.

During the time of Jesus, synagogues had communal seating arrangements, often in a circular or semi-circular formation. This allowed for a sense of unity and equality among the worshipers. Women and children were segregated from men to prevent distractions during prayers. Synagogues were oriented towards Jerusalem, the holiest city in Judaism, whenever possible, as it symbolized the connection with God. A significant feature of synagogues was the ark, a cabinet or closet that stored the Torah scrolls, which are the sacred scriptures of Judaism. Additionally, synagogues had a raised platform called a bimah, where readings from the Torah and other leadership activities took place.

The significance of Jesus regularly participating in a synagogue despite it not being commanded by God is that if something is expedient, part of the culture, and not wrong, there is no reason to refuse participation. This principle can be applied to other aspects of worship, such as the use of instruments, Sunday School classes, or small groups. Additionally, Jesus' participation in the synagogue shows that even God Himself submitted to the daily routine of Scripture reading and memorized prayers, indicating that spiritual disciplines should not be considered beneath us. Furthermore, church attendance may not only be for our own spiritual nourishment but also for the sake of others.

In Jesus' day, synagogue meetings were less formal than the Temple, with comparative equality among all members. They were also more formal than most evangelical churches, with cyclical readings and memorized prayers. These meetings were relatively large small groups, formed by neighborhood or affinity, typically consisting of 40-100 members. The sermon or message was delivered sitting down and tended to be less formal and prepared than modern sermons. Additionally, all members stood most of the time for singing, reading, and praying. However, it is not mentioned that special music was always present, sung by a teenage girl accompanied by a woman named Betty on the piano.