The B I B L E…Transforming Worship and Discipleship BtP 8.25.2024

Bible Teaching was Central To Church Life At the Beginning

Acts 2:42 (ESV)

42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

Acts 20:20 (ESV)

20 how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house,

1 Tim 4.13

1 Timothy 4:13 (ESV)

13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.

1 Timothy 4:16 (ESV)

16 Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.

Over the Centuries Worship changed

More Formalized

Communion transitioned to the Mass which became central.

Form took precedence over content

Preacher/Pastors became Clergy, Clergy became performers, the congregation became observers

Doing supplanted knowing (Roots of legalism??)

The Reformation moves the Bible to the Center.

How fast? How far?

Geographical and Political (Literacy) differences

The New World Brings Opportunities and Obstacles

Opportunity to be free from Old World Religious conflicts

These could be, were, and are still obstacles

One man’s obstacle is an others identity marker

Opportunity to reconsider key concepts

Distance=freedom Distance=exile