How can churches prevent a "famine of hearing" in their congregations? Setting the Stage Amos 8:11: “Behold, the days are coming,” declares the Lord GOD, “when I will send a famine on the land— not a famine of bread nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD.” The verse warns of a tragic future condition: people will want God’s word yet find it absent. Churches today can—and must—act to prevent that from happening in their congregations. Recognize the Warning • A famine of hearing is spiritual, not material. • It is sent by God in judgment when His word has been persistently ignored (see 2 Chronicles 36:15-16). • Preventing it means treating Scripture as daily bread (Matthew 4:4). Cultivate a Steady Diet of Scripture • Systematic, expository preaching through books of the Bible (Acts 20:27). • Mid-week Bible studies that move verse-by-verse, not topic-to-topic. • Encourage every family to read aloud together (Deuteronomy 6:6-9). Guard the Pulpit • Require teachers who “handle the word of truth accurately” (2 Timothy 2:15). • Refuse messages shaped by trends or politics rather than text. • Insist the sermon’s main point is the text’s main point (Nehemiah 8:8). Equip Every Believer • Offer training on how to observe, interpret, and apply Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16-17). • Provide reading plans and study guides. • Cultivate Scripture-memory groups (Psalm 119:11). Integrate the Word into Worship • Read substantial passages publicly (1 Timothy 4:13). • Sing lyrics saturated with Scripture (Colossians 3:16). • Celebrate ordinances with clear biblical explanation (1 Corinthians 11:23-26). Tend the Environment • Create a culture of Berean eagerness—“examining the Scriptures daily” (Acts 17:11). • Model humility and obedience when Scripture confronts personal sin (James 1:22-25). • Elevate testimonies of life-change produced by the word (Hebrews 4:12). Measure the Health Look for: • Increasing biblical literacy and discernment (Hebrews 5:14). • People quoting Scripture naturally in conversation (Luke 6:45). • Decisions and ministries aligned with God’s revealed will, not preferences (Psalm 119:105). • A growing appetite—“Whoever has ears, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (Revelation 2:29). When a congregation treasures, teaches, and obeys the whole counsel of God, the famine never reaches its doors; instead, “the word of the Lord spreads and prevails” (Acts 19:20). |
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