Reading Scripture Together with the Church on New Year’s Eve
When we gather together with the church, we often read and discuss Scripture together. Typically, we will read at least a chapter of Scripture together; sometimes we will read even more.
If we’re studying through a shorter book, we’ll read that book in its entirety each time we discuss it. We’ve done this with Philippians, Colossians, and Ruth (and perhaps others). In each case, we studied each book once a week over four or five weeks, and we read through the entire book each time. So, after a month or so, we would have read through those books 4 or 5 times together.
But, occasionally, we get together to read even more Scripture together in one gathering. Previously, we’ve gotten together to read the Gospel of Luke and the Gospel of John. When we read through these longer books, we typically read a few chapters at a time, with someone different reading each chapter. Then, we take a break to share some food and conversation. We repeat that cycle until we read through the entire book. Of course, these gatherings usually last 2-3 hours.
We’re planning to gather together again this Saturday night (yes, Saturday night) to read through Scripture again. But, this time, we’re going to read through two entire books of Scripture: Jonah and Mark. Yes, Jonah is a shorter book in the Old Testament, and Mark is one of the four Gospels in the New Testament, but I think the combination will work well together.
If you are in Raleigh, Wake Forest, Youngsville, or the surrounding area, you are welcome to join us. For that matter, if you’re willing to travel from wherever you are, you are welcome to join us. Just get in touch with me at aknox [at] sebts [dot] edu, and I will give you more information.
By the way, we will not discuss the books of Scripture much on Saturday night. However, we do plan to talk about these two books together when we gather together again Sunday morning. It will be interesting to see what insight people bring to our discussion after reading through both books at one time.
What do you think about reading entire books of Scripture together as the church?
Alan
WOW!!! Just reading the scriptures together – *Sounds* wonderful.
*Psalm 119…
11 *Your word* have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
12 Blessed are you, O LORD: teach me your statutes.
13 With my lips have I declared all the judgments of your mouth.
14 I have rejoiced in your testimonies, as much as in all riches.
15 I will meditate in your precepts, and have respect to your ways.
16 I will delight myself in your statutes: I will not forget *your word.*
28 Strengthen me according to *your word. *
101 I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep *your word.*
105 *Your word* is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
114 You are my hiding place and my shield: I hope in *your word.*
140 *Your word* is very pure: therefore your servant loves it.
161 Princes have persecuted me without cause:
but my heart stands in awe of *your word.*
162 I rejoice at *your word,* as one that finds great riches.
* Psalm 130:5
I wait for the LORD, my soul does wait, and in *his word* do I hope.
* Proverbs 4:20 -22
Attend to *my words;* incline your ear to *my sayings.*
Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart.
For they are life to those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
John 8:31
Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him,
If you continue in *my word,* then are you my disciples indeed;
Amos,
Yeah, just reading Scripture together. Pretty crazy, huh?
-Alan
Alan,
Thanks for your blog. We recently moved to a new city in CA and have been looking to gather as a house church. Just when we didn’t think it was going to be possible, the Lord brought us another family to meet with. One of the discussions that we plan on having is: What does God’s Word say we should do together when we meet? Both of our families have only attended “institutional church” gatherings in the past. Other than what you’ve said about reading scripture together, any other thoughts or guidance?
Grace and Peace,
-Drew
Drew,
You’ve asked some important questions, question that I’ve been exploring on my blog for the last few years. In fact, those questions (and others like them) are what led me to begin looking closely at Scripture and compare that to the church today. While there are a few passages that I think directly relate to Christians gathering together (such as 1 Corinthians and Hebrews 10:24-25), I also think that the most overlooked passages when it comes to gathering as the church are those referred to as “one another” passages. I’ve written several posts on different passages of Scripture that you’ll find in the “Edification” and “Gathering” categories on my blog. I hope this is helpful!
-Alan
I will definitely spend some time reading older posts of the blog. Thanks again for maintaining this blog and for pouring yourself into it.