The Importance of Reading Scripture

(1 Timothy 4:13 – The Importance of Reading Scripture)

Recently, I have been traveling across the country visiting churches and seeing how they operate and run their meetings.

One of the key things I have noticed is the lack of use of the Bible in their meetings. Some preachers are using all manner of books and even films to build their sermons upon, but very little reference to scripture.

This is not universal, but seems to be a widespread phenomenon. And so this scripture today is vitally important as it relates to this issue and the importance of reading scripture.

Why read the scriptures?

Before going too far, let us consider this verse as it relates to the importance of reading scripture.

Till I come, attend to the public reading of scripture, to preaching, to teaching. (1 Timothy 4:13)

There are three things Paul encourages Timothy to do in this verse. All of them pertain to the importance of reading scripture.

First, he says that Timothy should read the scripture publicly. We must remember that in days gone by, reading and writing were not something that everyone was able to do. It has only become a standard practice for people over the past few hundred years. Prior to that, announcements were made by the use of town criers or speakers in public places.

So the importance of reading scripture was about educating the people so that they could learn the words of the Lord as many could not read.

Even amongst those who could read, the importance of reading scripture was still necessary. It is perhaps even more important today where people can read, but there is so much to red that the word of God is overlooked.

And reading the scripture is essential for the purpose of learning the truth.

The importance of reading scripture for teaching and preaching

The work of preachers is to preach and teach the scripture. Their sole purpose is to bring the word of God to the people so they can learn, grow, and mature in Jesus Christ.

The value of the word cannot be understated as we see Jesus comment on the word in this way:

Sanctify them in the truth; thy word is truth. (John 17:17)

Jesus was speaking of the Father when He said, “THY word is truth.”

The scriptures are the words of the Father given to us so that we can learn and grow into His likeness. And His words are powerful. We see in Matthew chapter 4 where Jesus was tempted and tested by Satan in the wilderness for forty days and nights. With each temptation the devil threw at Jesus, the Lord overcame the testing by using the word of scripture. Every temptation was answered with the words, “It is written…”

This is the power of the scriptures. And this is why the importance of reading scripture cannot be understated.

As I have travelled I have seen too little use of the scripture in the ministry of churches. Which raises the question, if the scripture is not being read, then what are the people learning? If the preachers are not preaching from the scriptures, what are they preaching?

The answer to this is quite simple. They are preaching from the works and words of men rather than the word of God.

I have recently heard sermons that mentioned perhaps one passage of scripture, but without any real discussion of it. Sometimes they used the writings of other men to discuss the scripture rather than digging into the word itself for explanations of the scripture.

Tragedy in the Church

Such situations as this are indeed a tragedy in the modern church. And the tragedy is that the word of God has been pushed into second or third place in the priorities for preaching in some places. And sometimes it has almost no place at all.

I have even seen in a church where the use of clips from a Disney animated film was used and preached from the platform. But the message could have been better preached from the word of God than some random film.

Such preaching really underscores the importance of reading scripture, especially in the church. And it is even more apparent when speaking to members of the congregation afterwards.

Some were left scratching their heads saying, “Where was Jesus in that message?” Some were left hungry for the word of God, looking for ways to get fed the spiritual food because they are not being fed at their churches.

It has been said in various places that there has been a falling away from the churches. This has especially been noted in the past two years because of COVID.

But I would say that if people are not being fed the good spiritual food from the scriptures, then is it any wonder they leave and look for alternatives. A person who is satisfied and growing in Christ will not leave and go elsewhere. If their spiritual needs are being met, why would they seek something else?

The importance of reading scripture for preachers

Jesus spoke abut the importance of reading scripture for the preachers and teachers of His people. He gave instructions and warnings on what they are to do, and a good example of this was when Jesus commissioned Peter.

15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 A second time he said to him, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. (John 21:15-17)

Three times Jesus spoke to Peter asking if he loved the Lord, and three times Peter responded in the positive. And in each case Jesus said that if Peter loved the Lord, then he should “feed” the people of the Lord. Jesus said to “Feed my lambs,” which is to teach those who were young in the Lord. He then said to “Tend my sheep,” which is to pastor and look after the congregation of the people of God. And finally He said to “Feed my sheep,” which is to teach the older Christians so they are not hungry and will continue their spiritual growth.

It is a message that all preachers and pastors should listen to because Jesus is not talking about physically feeding the people but feeding them the spiritual food of the word of God.

And there are warnings for those who do NOT feed the congregation but choose instead to do their own thing. The consequences are quite dire.

45 “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? 46 Blessed is that servant whom his master when he comes will find so doing. 47 Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. 48 But if that wicked servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed,’ 49 and begins to beat his fellow servants, and eats and drinks with the drunken, 50 the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, 51 and will punish him, and put him with the hypocrites; there men will weep and gnash their teeth. (Matthew 24:45-51)

We see that the faithful and wise servant is recognised by the fact that they give the rest of God’s house their food at the proper times. They are obedient and feed the people of God when they need to be fed, and they give them the good quality spiritual food.

But as for the wicked servants, they are not obedient and are not feeding the rest of God’s house when they should. They are abusive and disrespectful of the house of God, using it for their own benefit and gain.

And the final outcome for both is quite clear. Those who are feeding the people will receive the Father’s reward and blessing, while those who don’t are cast out.

The importance of reading scripture is essential both for individuals, and also for those who are preachers of the word. We must read the word to learn the truth of the ways of God, and to grow in the Lord. Be sure to continue to learn and grow and understand the importance of reading scripture.

You might also like:

Trouble For The End Times Church
Spreading The Gospel 2
Preaching The Gospel
No Comparison
When God Is Your Teacher
Who Are You Learning From
Judging By Appearances
A Servant Is Not Greater Than His Master
Taught By Jesus
Preaching The Word
Evangelism Primer From Apostle Paul
Understanding The Depths Of God
Babes In Christ
Do You Need A Degree To Teach The Gospel
Unpacking The Mystery Of The Gospel
The Call Of God To Preach
The Gospel Of Jesus Christ Is Unstoppable
Preaching Christ All Publicity Is Good Publicity