How can we create opportunities for communal Scripture reading in our churches? Setting the Platform for the Word • Nehemiah 8:4 tells us, “Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden platform constructed for this purpose.” – A simple, intentional structure was prepared so everyone could see and hear. – The platform signaled that the reading of Scripture is central, not incidental. • Action point: Provide a visible, designated place in the sanctuary—podium, stand, or reading table—used only for the public reading of Scripture. Gathering the People Deliberately • “All the people gathered as one man” (Nehemiah 8:1). – The community treated Scripture reading as a corporate priority. • Schedule whole-church gatherings, not just small groups, where the main agenda is reading extended passages aloud. • Encourage multigenerational attendance; children heard the Word in Nehemiah 8:2-3. Raising the Voice of Scripture • 1 Timothy 4:13: “Devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and to teaching.” • Rotate readers—elders, deacons, and trained lay members—to model congregational ownership. • Use clear, unhurried pacing so the congregation can follow and absorb. Training Faithful Readers • Nehemiah 8:7 lists Levites “who instructed the people in the Law.” • Offer brief workshops on pronunciation, tone, and reverence. • Provide the passage a week in advance so readers prepare prayerfully. Scheduling Rhythms of Hearing • Establish a predictable pattern: – Before every sermon, read 8–12 verses aloud. – Once a quarter, devote an entire service to reading an entire epistle or narrative section. – During Advent and Holy Week, read prophetic and gospel passages responsively. • Luke 4:16 shows Jesus reading Isaiah in the synagogue “as was His custom”—a model for regularity. Pairing Reading with Explanation • Nehemiah 8:8: “They read from the Book of the Law of God, explaining it and giving insight so the people could understand.” • After the reading, offer concise exposition—5–7 minutes—before transitioning to the main sermon. • Encourage listeners to keep Bibles open, fostering engagement. Cultivating Reverence and Joy • Nehemiah 8:6: The people “bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.” • Psalm 119:162: “I rejoice at Your word as one who finds great spoil.” • Incorporate moments of silent reflection after readings, followed by a hymn that echoes the passage’s theme. Practical Ideas to Get Started This Month • Launch a “First-Sunday Word Service” where the only elements are singing, Scripture reading, and short exposition. • Form neighborhood Scripture-reading circles that meet midweek, reading through the Bible aloud in one year. • Offer printed schedules in the bulletin so families can read the same passages at home, reinforcing Sunday’s public reading. • Live-stream the Scripture portion for shut-ins, keeping the whole body united around the Word. |
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