Word of the Lord Read in Public
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The early church followed the Jewish synagogue's regular reading of Scriptures on their weekly assemblies. Their worship services were in two main parts: The Service of the Give-and-take and the Service of the Supper. The medieval church favored the pomp and pageantry of the popish Mass over the simplicity of these two parts. But the 16th century Protestant Reformation restored much of what was lost from the early church, especially the emphasis on the reading and preaching of the Word of God.
"Saint Paul" by Marco Zoppo, 1468 (click to enlarge)
The public reading and preaching of Scripture is a means of grace, because information technology is through the preaching of the gospel that the Spirit regenerates the hearts of people, enabling them to willingly repent and believe in Christ. As Paul says, "religion comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ" (Rom 10:17; meet Gal 3:2, five). And he exhorts Timothy, "devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to instruction" (1Tim 4:thirteen).
As such, we are to honour this ways of God's grace through diligent preparation and annunciation. So the Westminster divines couldn't emphasize enough that all of God'south people are to prepare for hearing the Give-and-take of God on the Lord's Twenty-four hour period, "we are to prepare our hearts, and with such foresight, diligence, and moderation, to dispose and seasonably acceleration our worldly business concern, that we may be the more gratis and fit for the duties of that solar day" (Larger Catechism 117).
Who are to read the Scriptures during the public worship of God on the Lord'southward Day? The design from the Quondam to the New Testament shows that only men appointed and ordained past God are to lead the people in worship: these are his anointed priests and prophets. Today, we accept pastors, elders and occasionally, even deacons.
The Scripture is not to be taken or read or preached lightly. Since it is holy, it must be read with reverence and solemnity so that the hearers will regard it with respect, honour and gravity as well.
Simply how are nosotros to publicly read the Scripture during a worship service, with the goal of eliciting non only reverence, but besides agreement and positive spiritual response from the congregation? Many pastors, even those who are seminary-trained, are sick-equipped for this task. Much less equipped are elders and deacons who may at times be called to this duty.
Since I myself sometimes don't read the Scripture as I should, I've gathered several tips on how to prepare, starting at home, so before the service, and finally, how to read during the service. These volition not brand you a Max McLean, only will help you be a better public reader of Scripture.
At Dwelling house
i. Read prayerfully the texts assigned to yous. Since the Holy Spirit is the author of Scripture, pray that he volition illumine your heart and mind.
2. Understand the genre, tone, purpose and audience of the text. Even its redemptive-historical context, if you lot know it, will exist very helpful. A proper reading of the text involves understanding what the passage is all almost. If you lot don't understand the text, inquire your pastor who assigned y'all the text.
3. Practice reading the text, preferably reading it aloud. Make sure that you know how to pronounce every word. If you have a difficult time pronouncing "Syntyche"Â(Php 4:2), go to ESVBible.org to listen to a Max McLean recording of the text. Practise reading plenty times until you are confident of your reading.
4. Fumbling and stumbling through the reading volition be an easy sign to the congregation that you did not prepare, and did not regard the text worthy of attention.
5. Practicing before a mirror will help you run into your posture, gestures, facial expression, and mannerisms.
Before the Service at Church
6. Dress appropriately, preferably your Sun best. This is as it should exist for all who attend the worship service. Dressing casually is a dishonor to the Most Holy and Almost Glorious God of the universe.Wearing a shirt or a tie with a slogan, symbol, or drawing, for example, will distract the congregation.
7. Brand sure the passage has been bookmarked in your Bible, so the audience is not left waiting awkwardly while you flip the pages of your Bible back and forth. Read information technology through again one more time before the service so the reading stays fresh on your mind.
eight. The pastor (or the church secretary) is not perfect. Make sure that the assigned text is correct a 24-hour interval before the service. He might have fabricated a typo or changed his mind.
9. At the appointed function of the service, walk to the front at a normal stride, face the church backside the pulpit, and open up your Bible to the passage. Introduce the reading with these words: "This is what Holy Scripture says …" or "The Word of the Lord from …"
ten. Read the Bible in your mitt instead of reading it resting on the pulpit. Concur it loftier enough that y'all can look over it to make eye contact often with the congregation.
eleven. Stand directly, and do not slouch. A dignified stance is required of those who read the Holy Scripture.
12. If the readings are shown on the bulletin, there should be no need to expect for anybody to get to the text in their own Bibles.
thirteen. Reading with or without emotion depends on the text. Hannah's pleading to God with tears is non to be read similar the genealogies in Genesis. Emphasis is done past regulating volume, pitch or tone. Modify of footstep and pauses are helpful in long readings. But overly-dramatic readings or gestures will also be inappropriate.
14. Refrain from editorializing or humor. We had a pastor who said after he read Nicodemus' chat with Jesus, "Nick at Night!" with the resulting laughter in the congregation. This is disrespecting God's holy Word. And recollect, you're the reader, not the preacher. The congregation will not capeesh two sermons in i worship service.
15. Exist conscious that your vocalism does not trail off during the reading, specially when sentences are long. Proceed the volume and clarity even throughout the reading, except when emphasizing (or de-emphasizing) portions of the reading.
16. Verbalize words clearlyâ€"and loudlyâ€"fifty-fifty with exaggeration.
17. At the end of the passage, interruption for a moment, and so conclude the reading with these words: "Thus far the reading of God'southward Holy Word," or "May God bless the reading of his Holy Give-and-take." Head back to your seat at your normal walking pace.
xviii. Remember, you are acting as the herald announcing the inflow of the preacher of God'south Word. Imagine yourself as John the Baptist crying, "I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make direct the way of the Lord'" (John 1:23).
Sources:
"The Public Reading of Scripture" by Tim Challies
"Helps for Reading Scripture in Worship" past Cardiphonia.org
Source: http://zioncornerstonepasig.org/2013/09/03/18-tips-for-public-reading-of-scripture/
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