Am I right that Paul wrote this to Timothy, as a pastor, to read the word of God in public, and not just at "church" gatherings? With "exhortation and teaching", does it mean to read the word aloud, and not just to yourself? I have not seen a man read the word of God aloud on the sidewalk since 1977! A minimum of three men "worked" a shift in the same area of benches each day at their appointed times on the campus of Indiana University. It was awesome! They began in Genesis One, so it did not seem like they had an agenda to push on people. Leviticus grew quite a crowd, and many question groups off to the sides. People who just walked on by would be so animated when we got to class to ask questions of us Christians. It was incredible to see God work through His word, just as He promises to do! The verbal blasters of the readers were considered rude and hideous to the rest of the people. Would it be that way now or would rudeness be over-abundant? Is so, is that any reason to not obey this command? Some students would ask questions right then of one of the guys while one just kept on reading. Some teams had tracts. The Gideons handed-out scriptures once. The foreign students grabbed the Bibles up like crazy! Today-I don't know? I was always so blessed to go through that area, and went the long way around to go through as much as I could. MANY did that! It was the best place to meet and see people, and a great way to see their true colors. Small talk in the restrooms and all around campus ALWAYS revolved around something that pastor read as someone walked by. It was a huge blessing to us all!
As a child, I loved to hear the pastors read the scriptures aloud downtown and at the mall. (I really liked hearing the ones who had the word memorized, and could make loving eye contact to people. My grandfather absolutely hated it, I believe, out of shame he did not do it.) Sometimes they stood by themselves reading to the wind, and it seemed sad. Other times, one read aloud to another man with a booming voice that appeared too prideful to me. BUt when one read loud enough to be heard by those going past, yet not in a demanding-attention way, I always hoped for a red light to hold us on the corner so I could hear more of the love! The men would great those they knew by name. Friends would call out, "Preach it Brother Mike!", "Keep the word going out, Bob!". "Thanks for the word, Brother!" It was sooooo wonderful to kknow they were Christians by their love for one another and for the word. No one dared to distract the men from their task in order to talk business or chat small talk. Obviously, it left a huge impression on me.
Yeah, it is freaky to have one or more men reading aloud the word of God in a public place. Yeah, the perishing hate it. Yes, scoffers claim that freaky acts damage the message of God. Tell that to the *freak* John the Baptist, Jeremiah or Elijah! God says do it, and we don't. It is a sin. It is falling away. Lord, have our men repent of this neglect of Your word, and put Your word in their voices publically.
Now what if the Muslims start reading their book in public? And the New Agers start doing it? Then we'll be like, "Hey! We can do that too!" And once again, the lame Christian is seen climbing on a false idol. Men of God need to commit to do this! Yes, this takes huge trust for God to care for you in this boldness! I believe He will do it!!! With pastors reading and preaching whatever they choose instead of the word of truth, the true church of believers must obey all the word. Any takers?! Don't be a stumbling block and temptation to the women to do this!!
One guy reading aloud to another at the coffee shop? Or guys reading aloud and taking turns around the lunch table?
Bible reading at the county fair? The mall? The auto parts shop? The barbershop? In the cafeteria at work? In the courthouse? At the fireworks stand? At the neighborhood bus stop for the kids in your area? Please, men, put the word out there! This privilege may soon be taken from us!
Prayerfully,
Lisa
They got a lot of positive reactions (cars honking, thumbs up) and some people even brought drinks by for them since it was so hot. None stopped to ask questions though.
Thank you so much for sharing this, savedbygrace!