THERE IS NO PATTERN THERE

Some Christians spend years trying to find a hidden formula in the New Testament—a pattern that, if followed precisely, guarantees perfect worship or perfect spirituality. They believe the Scriptures reveal a cleverly coded puzzle: the right day, the right posture, the right number of rituals, the right tone of singing, the right timing, the right gestures. And when someone stumbles, they fear they have “broken the pattern.” But here is the gentle truth: there is no pattern there.

The New Testament is not a set of cryptic instructions for perfection; it is a call into a living relationship with Jesus. Worship, fellowship, prayer, baptism, the Lord’s Supper—all of these were never meant to be rigid checklists. They were signs pointing to realities deeper than themselves. They are shadows pointing to substance, symbols pointing to truth, expressions of grace rather than rules to earn it. Paul reminds us in Colossians 2:16-17 that the Sabbath, festivals, and food laws were a shadow of things to come. Christ is the reality, not a formula.

Patternism may feel comforting because it offers order. It promises that if you follow a set of steps, everything will be correct, and your heart will be safe. But the gospel calls us into freedom, not fear; into relationship, not rigidity; into Spirit-led obedience, not human-devised formulas. When the Spirit leads in a worshipful existence, it will not always fit a schedule or checklist. Songs may change, words may differ, and gatherings may look imperfect—but the reality of God’s presence surpasses every pattern we try to impose.

Jesus never taught His followers to focus on a pattern; He taught them to abide in Him (John 15:4). He never gave a diagram of how to sing or measure out rituals; He invited His people into a living, breathing faith that would overflow naturally in worship, obedience, and love. The rhythm of the Christian life is not measured in patterns or perfection—it is measured in faith, grace, and devotion to Him.

So if you are weary from trying to follow the “right” steps or anxious about getting everything exactly as someone else taught, take heart. God is not counting the moves; He is shaping the heart. The New Testament does not present a hidden puzzle to be cracked—it presents a Person to be known, a reality to be embraced, and a Spirit to be followed.

There is no pattern there—only Christ, and the joy of walking with Him.

BDD