The role of Bible reading in worship.
Reading the Bible aloud has been a Bible engagement practice since the Old Testament (e.g. 2 Kings 23:2) and New Testament times (e.g. 1 Timothy 4:13) and continues today as a spiritual practice in every faith community. But sadly, while reading the Bible aloud happens in most churches almost every week, we don’t always do it well. So here’s a shout-out for reading the Bible aloud with the esteem and reverence it deserves.
How to prepare for reading the Bible aloud.
There are several things we should take into consideration when reading the Bible aloud:
Christ should be the focus of all church worship, and His Word should be a centrepiece in the order of service. Scripture readings should be prayerfully and thoughtfully selected and interwoven throughout the service in a way that indicates that God’s Word is more important than what we say or sing about it.
A spiritual gravitas should accompany the public reading of Scripture. Every reader should take heed how they read. In every instance when Bible reading is part of the order of service, the person(s) selected to do the reading(s) must prepare and practice adequately. Readers should be mindful of correct pronunciation and enunciation.
Readers should let their understanding of the Scripture’s genre inform how they read it. For example, they should not read poetry like prophecy or apocalyptic literature, or a didactic passage like a genealogy, or a narrative like a legal list of priestly duties.
Reading the Bible aloud requires a measure of performance. The emotional nature of the Scriptures should be communicated verbally. A lament should always be read with a sense of pathos, the miracles should always be read with wonder and awe, passages about God’s grace and mercy should be read with heartfelt appreciation, and accounts of sin should always be read with feelings that express grief or sorrow.
Integrating Bible readings in a church service.
The aim of all public reading of the Word should be to draw the listener to Christ. We read the Scriptures to invite the faith community to know and be known by the Word. And we should read in a way that expects and encourages God’s people to obey the Word.
Readings should be long enough to provide adequate context and understanding. When there are multiple readings in a church service, they should be integrated and connected with the other elements of the service. This requires planning, prayer and sensitivity to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Reading the Bible to honour God.
Finally, while we read the Bible to one another, we’re ultimately reading the Word to an audience of One. When we read the Bible aloud, we’re reading it to the King of kings. Let’s remember that the One who is the Word is the One who listens to us reading His Word. So when reading the Bible aloud, picture yourself before the holy One seated on the throne, then read to bring honour and glory to Him.
How do you approach reading the Bible aloud in your church? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to share this article with others!
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Summary
Reading the Bible aloud has been a longstanding practice in both the Old and New Testaments and remains a vital part of worship today. However, it is often done without the proper reverence and preparation it deserves. The public reading of Scripture should focus on Christ, be thoughtfully selected, and performed with spiritual gravitas, considering the genre and emotional tone of the passage. Ultimately, reading the Bible aloud should draw listeners closer to Christ, remembering that we read to the congregation and the King of kings.
© Scripture Union Canada
2 Corinthians 4:5
