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Reclaiming Biblical Literacy in the Local Church
By Joshua Mills
As we scan through Church history, we are quick to find that the darkest days are the days when biblical literacy is at an all-time low. The Prophet Amos spoke about such days as coming from the hand of God as a judgement on the land: “Behold, the days are coming,” declares the Lord GOD, “when I will send a famine on the land— not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD” (Amos 8:11). In the West, we see a growing famine on the land for the hearing and reading of God’s Word. What can we do to reclaim biblical literacy in the local church?
Biblical literacy will only increase in the Church when people are immersed in the Word of God. As a Christian, you can encourage fellow believers to read the Bible in three ways: personal, familial, and corporate. When the Bible informs and saturates every area of your life, over time your biblical literacy rate will increase. As it was said of John Bunyan, so it will be said of you, namely, that you bleed the Bible!
The Necessity of Personal Bible Reading
Have you lost the wonder that God has created His written Word for you? In God’s kindness, He created you in a land that has access to His Word. It is an immense privilege to have God’s Word on our laps and in our homes. How do you use His Word? Has your Bible begun to collect dust on the shelf? Or has it been worn into your heart? The chief way to increase your biblical literacy is to read the Bible! In the Old Testament, again and again, the Lord comes to His people and calls them to be personally immersed in His Word:
Joshua 1:8 — “This book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it.”
Psalm 1:2 — “… his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.”
When you read those passages, do you have a longing to be like that blessed man? Does your heart yearn to know His Word more deeply and taste His sweetness more readily?
First, be regularly engaged in systematic, consecutive Bible reading. By that, I mean, work through the Bible from cover to cover at an appropriate pace.
Second, be regularly engaged in memorizing Scripture. We must store up God’s Word in our hearts that we would not sin against Him.
Third, be regularly engaged in meditating on the Scriptures. Biblical meditation does not mean emptying your mind, but rather filling your mind with Scripture.
The Necessity of Family Bible Reading
Have you lost the wonder of family worship? In Deuteronomy 6:6-9 the Lord said the following:
“And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children…”
Family worship is not simply for the sake of the kids. It is for the sake of the welfare of the whole family.
The Necessity of Corporate Bible Reading
Have you lost the wonder of corporate worship? The Lord has not left you to yourself in the Body of Christ.
1 Timothy 4:13 — “Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture.”
As you actively listen to faithful preaching, you will simultaneously grow in your knowledge of the Bible.
Conclusion
As we conclude, biblical literacy will only increase in your church when your people are immersed in the Word of God. Whether you’re a pastor or not, you can encourage Bible reading in three ways: personal, familial, and corporate.
Beloved, do not neglect the reading of God’s Word but read, study, and apply the Word of God personally and in the context of your local church life.
Clarity in Scripture: The Authority, Clarity, and Sufficiency of God’s Word
Joshua J. Mills is married to his beloved Kyla and they have two children: Isaac and Lydia. Outside of the home, Joshua has the privilege of serving as pastor at Trinity Baptist Church (Burlington, Ontario) and as a guest lecturer through Carey International University of Theology.
