“Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching” (1 Timothy 4:13).
I had never really thought about what Paul meant as he wrote to young Timothy (based on what we know in Scripture, Timothy would be between 34-39 years old at this point. See William Hendriksen, New Testament Commentary, 157). He encouraged Timothy to do three things: exhort, teach, and read Scripture publicly.
During one of my sermons Sunday, I noticed the congregation following the public reading of Scripture with an unusual devotion and attention. They were into what God was saying through Holy Scripture. I made a quick mental note of this (one of my humorous sayings is that you can’t preach and think at the same time!) to consider what had happened.
I believe we have made much too little of the “public reading of Scripture.”
This says something to the preacher. It’s easy to dismiss the public reading of Scripture as something prefatory to the sermon, but Paul makes exhorting, teaching, and the public reading of Scripture equally important. All three are essential to worship and to the life of the believer.
What should we make of this? The preacher should give attention to his public reading. It should be practiced aloud a number of times before entering to preach. Reading aloud helps us get the sense of the Scripture as well as preparing us for the reading. Reading and practicing allows us to catch the nuance of Scripture and understand where particular emphasis should be placed.
What I noticed Sunday was that the power is in Scripture. The people listened and they took it to heart.
I want to encourage pastors to not take Scripture reading nonchalantly. This is what Paul meant for Timothy. Exhort, teach, and read. These are important and must not be neglected. What Paul encouraged mirrored Synagogue worship where a reading from the Law and the Prophets occurred each Sabbath. For Timothy, this would now possibly include passages from our New Testament.
This also says something to the hearer. When we are in worship, we must listen carefully and attentively to the reading of the Word. Worship should be an intense time–a time when we hear the words and hear the Spirit. We must listen for the words of Scripture and for the voice of God as He speaks through Holy Scripture.
As you lead worship, read Scripture well and with the authority of God’s Word. As you listen to Scripture read, hear the public reading as God’s explicit Word read for you.
I write each day about Christian Living and Pastoral Leadership. If you would like to receive my free daily look at life and Scripture, you can subscribe at www.waylonbailey.com.
One Response
I enjoyed service this morning! I need to be put on a list as you mentioned! I know the feelings of hopelessness! I have been there for so long. No one knows what is going on with another person,even at my church.
I walked in,a man at the door said thanks for coming, never looked in my eyes. Sat in the congregation and no one said a thing, listened to the sermon and heard about how people of the church needs to look after each other. Make a list of 5 that need our prayers. I need to be on someone’s list but no one talked to me. it’s like I wasn’t visible. As always. How could I be on someone’s list? Friends talk to friends but I wasn’t even talked to . Been going for some time now and no one invites me into conversation.ihave obstacles in my life but have paid my des and feel God has forgiven me but my brothers and sisters in the church don’t know I exist. On the way out I went to a table for singles, asked how to be a part. Got info, will try this , maybe this will work.
On the way out, not a soul said anything, people and children talking but not one stopped or seemed to care about this person going thru a bad time in her life. I looked in many a face and no one looked back. On the way out another man without looking said thanks for coming. Did he really know I was there? What about how are you? Can I be of any help? Or even reach out with a hand shake and look into my eyes that are hurting? Maybe I expect to much of the church? How can I get on a list when no ones wants to know me?