Devote Yourself to the Public Reading of Scripture: The Transforming Power of the Well-Spoken Word

While it was fairly brief and narrowly focused, it was a thorough enough treatment of its subject matter with plenty of creative applications. I found it both convicting (I certainly don’t give enough attention to Bible reading to constitute properly devoting myself), and encouraging (I now know several specific ways to improve my worship and my church’s worship through Scripture reading).The last two chapters of the book are the best part of the book, but the author takes time to "set the table" for these chapters, so don't merely skip to them and ignore the rest. The whole book is worth the reading. Enjoy!

We need more churches that devote themseles to the publc reading of Scripture. As a pastor, I was convicted by this book and have changed many aspects of our service already so we can devote ourselves to the public reading of Scripture. Our church would boldly stand and agree with anyone who said we preached the Word and stood firm on the Word of God, but look at our service and you would not see us DEVOTED to reading the Word of God. Compelling, challenging and concise, I highly recommend this book to anyone!

Good book

thanks

It is a very good, easy to read book. The author make so e good points why the public reading of scripture is necessary.

Several scholars enthusiastically support the modern preacher learning and then applying the skills of ancient rhetoric when they seek to bring forth a sermon. We often forget the way we speak the words are often as important as the words we speak. But, to move this further along, there are times that words well spoken, pulled directly from Scripture, will promote the power of Scripture more assuredly than the finest rhetorical skill of a well-crafted sermon. After all, the sermon is but an imitation of the ideal, Scripture.There is a story that has stuck with me -- that I try every now and then to emulate. There was once this preacher who, going blind, realized he must memorize his sermons. So faithfully, throughout the week, he would memorize his sermons so that no one would notice. One Sunday morning, he suddenly got disjointed and instead of his memorized sermon, the old preacher began to rehearse the book of the Prophet Amos, much to the chagrin of his congregation -- who did not notice the rehearsal, but thought it another sermon. However, this sermon was much more powerful than the others and it caused a change in the congregation. Why? Because there are times Scripture itself is powerful enough without explanation, if delivered well enough, to entice the soul to God. This is the reason beyond the Lectionary and something we have forgotten as we await the sermon. Sometimes, just hearing Scripture is itself a revelation.To live up to the biblical command of reading Scripture in public (1 Tim 4.13; the earliest accounts of worship services, preserved by Justin Martyr include obedience to this command), professor Jeffrey D. Arthurs has written a work well in line with the communication instructor's desire to better afford the reader with some real skill. Pulling from the great preachers of today, such as Fred Craddock and Eugene Peterson, Arthurs begins by arguing for the public reading of Scripture, something beyond the often perfunctory Lectionary readings fitted between the announcements and the sermon on a Sunday morning. His central premise is that "(w)hen the bible is read well, it can minister as deeply as a Spirit-empowered sermon." (14) This is not new, as the author reminds us as he takes us through early history, even until J. Edwards, of the devotion to hearing Scripture.This is where his particular skill at communicating comes in handy. See, the author is not merely a devout lover of Scripture, but so too trained in speech and in the art of communicating. He can draw from Plato, from oral interpretation theories, and from the very tangible notion that regardless of any attempts to the contrary, it is impossible for the person in a dialogic stance to not communicate. He states this rather simply, saying, "You cannot not communicate." (42) If we understand that concept, then we are ready to prepare ourselves. He lists several steps in this process as well, including using pictorial books to bring Scripture to life, for us, before we attempt to do the same for others. Of a special interest to this reader is Arthur's use of science, such as mirror neurons (49), in describing how a properly prepared reader speaking well can cause contagion.The book itself is divided into seven courses, using the almost overused metaphor of a meal to structure his book. Beginning with the argument (and history of the argument) for public reading. He moves to preparation, which includes the audience. From thence, Arthurs begins to describe the meat of the matter, focusing on appearance and voice. These things are important. As he demonstrates in the companion DVD, the body language of the speaker is an active part of the projection and reception the spoken word. He then adds two sections, one on creative methods and the other on group reading, to allow for some flexibility in reading Scripture, so that the reader and the audience can discover their gifts. The appendix includes sample scripts for group readings.For those interested in simply hearing Scripture, this book is an important one because it combines both a love of Scripture and modern communication techniques with the belief that well speaking Scripture can be as, if not more, transformative than the sermon, an (in my opinion) unfortunate staple of Protestant worship services.

"Until I get there, make sure to devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, and to teaching." - I Timothy 4:13If you come from a fairly evangelical background like me, you may not have much experience with the public reading of Scripture. I grew up first in an Assembly of God church, then a Baptist church. In college, I joined an Evangelical Free church for a couple of years before making my way back to the Baptist fold. In my overall experience, Scripture was read aloud when part of something else, like the sermon, but rarely just for its own sake (Christmas being the main exception to this rule). Reading Scripture was a personal thing, and something really meant for you to tackle on your own time individually. According got Jeffrey Arthurs, professor of Preaching at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, that is just not enough.Arthurs' work, Devote Yourself to the Public Reading of Scripture, is centered on five arguments:1) The Bible says to read it publicly2) God changes us through His Word3) God's people have always read Scripture aloud4) The Bible is actually intended to be read aloud5) Hearing God's word is different from silent reading (in a good way).He cites loads of Scripture, Church history and theological studies to support each of his main tenets, and he makes a convincing argument. Having become friends with those from the Orthodox and Anglican communions over the last few years, I have seen first-hand the impact of reading Scripture together, out loud, on a regular basis. While many things have changed regarding technology and the availability of books, I think the overwhelming love of radio and television have proven that we are still a very auditory people. Arthurs' book is a timely piece, and offers a positive method of overcoming Biblical illiteracy for many congregations today.The bulk of Devote Yourself is practical. Arthurs offers examples of traditional and non-traditional approaches to reading Scripture aloud. His doesn't just describe them in great detail; he goes so far as to include sample scripts of just how to implement certain methods that peak one's interest. As if that was not enough, the book is accompanied by a DVD tutorial, which walks you through many of the practical matters discussed at length in the book. This is of course evidence that Arthurs takes his own advice. Rather than simply give you something to read, he equips your to engage audibly with the Scriptures through a lesson you listen to. Brilliant.Overall, this book a wonderful guide to reading Scripture in a group. While many of the suggestions Arthurs makes will seem old hat to someone from a liturgical setting (or perhaps someone like me with significant teaching experience), everyone can learn something from Devote Yourself to the Public Reading of Scripture.The good folks at Kregel Academic were kind of enough to give me a review copy of this book.