It is kind of interesting to hear people talk about how we need to be set free in our worship. Now, usually they are talking about being set free in our expressions of worship. However, to be truly set free in worship, Jesus has to be central to our worship because He is the truth, . . . and the truth will set you free.
Inadequate and inaccurate information about God will hinder authentic worship. God not only calls us to love Him, but to "love the truth about Him" (2 Thessalonians 2:10). It is the desire of our Lord that all "come to the knowledge of the truth" (I Timothy 2:4). He also reveals His anger against those who "suppress the truth" (Romans 1:18). In John 16:13 and 17:17 Jesus says He would send "the Spirit of Truth" for the sole purpose of God sanctifying His disciples "in truth" which He declares is God's Word.
The more on target our knowledge of God through His Word, the more genuine our worship. The truth is, the moment we veer from what is true about God we begin engaging in idolatry. No matter what we think or feel, there can be no true worship of God without a correct understanding of God.
Worship leaders, worship choirs, worship and praise teams who don't "dwell in the Word" cannot be effective in leading worship.
Not only do we need to study the Word but we also need to study Theology and Doctrine. Unfortunately we have allowed those words to become unpopular among believers. Very simply, Theology is the "study of God" and Doctrine means "what is taught". Being a good theologian is making sure all we say and think about God is true to Scripture. Doctrine is everything that Scripture teaches on a particular subject. Paul instructed Titus that a church leader "must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and be able to rebuke those who contradict it" (Titus1:9).
There are no shortcuts. We as worship leaders must read and study faithfully as long as we live. Mind and heart in worship go together. Passionate desire for God flows from and brings on the faithful, thoughtful study of God - His nature, His character, and His works. And that will always lead to worship. mjm