Scripture Reading

“Our Scripture reading today is from Galatians 1:6–10,” the deacon behind the pulpit mumbled. Even as the pages rustled, the minds of the congregation wandered. The public reading of Scripture is just a preliminary before the real event happens–the preaching of God’s Word.

But wait. Why is the reading of God’s Word not given the same attention as the preaching of God’s Word? The preacher plans and maybe even practices the delivery of his sermon, but he often stumbles over the words of Scripture as he reads them. Reading the text can become an afterthought, getting little attention in the preparation of the sermon.

Written for The Body Builder, a publication of Highland Park Church.

Today’s article seeks to help us better implement 1 Timothy 4:13, “Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching” (ESV).

One goal of a pastor-teacher is to train believers to better serve our Lord (Ephesians 4:12-16). In my view, one characteristic of a good church is one in which most people are active in some form of ministry. Whether engaging in acts of hospitality and love (like taking meals to a new mom or contributing to funeral dinners) or ushering or youth work or special music or running the video projector or teaching—or salting the ice—we all need to serve. One way many of us can contribute to the Body is by reading the Word aloud.