Public Reading of Scripture
The public reading of Scripture is a vital part of worship and should be done with care and attention to convey the importance of the Word.
A.W. Tozer emphasizes the significance of the public reading of Scripture, urging that it should be done with care and reverence. He critiques the poor quality of Scripture reading in contemporary churches, suggesting that a lack of attention to this practice diminishes the perceived importance of God's Word. Tozer argues that even though many own personal copies of the Bible, the public reading remains essential and should be a memorable experience for the congregation. He calls for a commitment to articulate and intelligent readings that honor the sacredness of the Scriptures. Tozer concludes with a prayer for humility and diligence in the act of reading God's Word aloud.
Text
Til I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. --1 Timothy 4:13
Of course we of this generation cannot know by firsthand experience how the Word of God was read in other times. But it would be hard to conceive of our fathers having done a poorer job than we do when it comes to the public reading of the Scriptures. Most of us read the Scriptures so badly that a good performance draws attention by its rarity.
It could be argued that since everyone these days owns his own copy of the Scriptures, the need for the public reading of the Word is not as great as formerly. If that is true, then let us not bother to read the Scriptures at all in our churches. But if we are going to read the Word publicly, then it is incumbent upon us to read it well. A mumbled, badly articulated and unintelligent reading of the Sacred Scriptures will do more than we think to give the listeners the idea that the Word is not important....
We should by all means read it, and we should make the reading a memorable experience for those who hear. The Next Chapter After the Last, 27.
"Lord, as I read the Scriptures publicly, I am both declaring the very Word of God Himself and drawing people into an experience of worship. Help me never to take that lightly or address it carelessly. Amen."
Sermon Outline
- Importance of Public Reading of Scripture
- The Challenge of Our Generation
- The Call to Read Well
- The Responsibility of Public Reading
- Declaring the Word of God
- Drawing people into worship
Key Quotes
“A mumbled, badly articulated and unintelligent reading of the Sacred Scriptures will do more than we think to give the listeners the idea that the Word is not important.” — A.W. Tozer
“Lord, as I read the Scriptures publicly, I am both declaring the very Word of God Himself and drawing people into an experience of worship. Help me never to take that lightly or address it carelessly. Amen.” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- We should strive to make the public reading of Scripture a memorable experience for those who hear.
- We should read the Scriptures with care and attention to convey the importance of the Word.
- The public reading of Scripture is a responsibility that should not be taken lightly.