When Reading Scripture Publicly

A while back, I wrote an article for preachers, stressing the importance of reading the biblical text as they preached their sermons. In the article, I made a few points aimed directly at preachers, such as “how the preacher handles the Bible in the pulpit sends a message to the congregation–but it may not be the message he intends!”

Many of the points I made for preachers apply to anyone reading the Bible in a corporate worship service or small group study. Whether you are a preacher or a layperson reading Scripture aloud in the presence of others, consider these three simple but essential actions:

Read It Appropriately

Make sure your voice & tone are appropriate to the genre and feel of the text. Reading about heaven, for example, usually requires a more joyful tone and pace than reading about the consequences of sin or the horrors of hell.

Think about what the author of the text is conveying and ensure that your reading voice, tone, and pace are appropriate to the passage.

Read It Slowly

Don’t rush through the public reading of Scripture! Power and authority are located in the biblical text, so read the passage slowly- not too slow to become a distraction- but slow enough that everyone present can understand.

If those in attendance are expected to follow along in their copies of the Bible, many may still be trying to locate the passage when you begin reading. A slower pace gives them a little more time to find the text. Others will be reading in translations that differ a bit from the one you’re using, so remember that, too, and give them time to process the information.

Read It Thoughtfully

Many people will be hearing the biblical text for the very first time. Therefore, imagine listening to this passage as one who had not previously studied it. As you read, you can convey much of the passage’s meaning simply by reading thoughtfully, emphasizing different words or phrases, for example, as you read the Bible publicly.

And always remember that God Himself is speaking through your reading of the text!