We have talked about preaching as part of our Sunday meeting. Preaching is worship in that it is so centered around the Word of God. The Word must be central in our worship not only in preaching, but also in reading. “Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.” (1Timothy 4:13 ESV) The reading of Scripture is effective in worship due to the nature of the Scriptures. The Bible is the Word of God, it reflects His character. It is the revelation of Himself.
The Bible can be read, with no explanation, and be powerful and effective in our corporate meetings. We expect God to visit us through His Word. Some churches read the Word as a ritual, as if to say, it may not have any real effect, but we do it because we are supposed to. Worshipers believe that the Word, when it is read publicly, is a means by which we can hear God. When we read the Word, we are demonstrating that we feel the Word is useful for us to hear. If the Word is going to be central in our worship together, then we should not only preach it and teach it, but also read it.
So when we do read the Word corporately during our Sunday meeting, be engaged. Listen to what God would reveal to you through His Word.
