The Word in Worship

INITIAL THOUGHTS

Isaiah 55:10–11 ESV

“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

2 Timothy 3:16 ESV

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

2 Kings 22:11–13 ESV

When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes. And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Achbor the son of Micaiah, and Shaphan the secretary, and Asaiah the king’s servant, saying, “Go, inquire of the Lord for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that has been found. For great is the wrath of the Lord that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book, to do according to all that is written concerning us.”

“To neglect the word of God in Worship is not essentially different from neglecting Christ in worship.” (Wendell Willis)

Question #1

What consideration must be made about public reading of scripture in worship? (Discuss time allotted, who reads, how to introduce and conclude a reading.)

1 Timothy 4:13 ESV

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

Question #2: Should the reader be given any guidance about selection of what translation to read?

“We must face the fact that most of the scripture which many members are going to be exposed to in a given year is only what they hear read in worship.” (Wendell Willis)

Question #3: What is the role of the audience during the public reading? What are possible ways for the audience to be engaged

Question #4: If the Word of God is the “charter document” for Christianity, would it be helpful to have an annual “charter day’ service which focused upon the reading of key passages of our constitution?