Stories behind the hymns
Teachers
Lesson Summary
The class began by introducing the hymn “Worthy Art Thou,” written by Tillet S. Tedley during a period of serious illness. The teacher highlighted Tedley’s remarkable life—spanning 102 years, authoring roughly 130 hymns, and receiving honors from President Ronald Reagan—yet emphasized that the true focus was on the hymn’s theological depth rather than biographical details. By turning to Revelation 4:11 and Revelation 5:12, the teacher showed that the hymn’s refrain directly echoes the heavenly worship scene where the Lord and the Lamb are declared worthy of glory, honor, power, and all adoration. The discussion then shifted to the modern tendency to gauge worth by visibility, influence, or success, contrasting this with the biblical standard that Christ’s worth is grounded in His sacrificial redemption. The teacher urged students to abandon compartmentalized faith and to let worship be a wholehearted, humble response—kneeling before the throne in awe, not a casual preference. The lesson concluded by emphasizing that true worship demands a transformation of heart, urging believers to let the truth of Christ’s worthiness shape every aspect of their lives.
Key Scriptures
Our Lord, the Lord, you are worthy to receive glory and honor and power because you have created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.
They said with a loud voice: 'Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing.'