I Thessalonians 5:27
“I adjure you by the Lord to have this letter read to all the brethren.”
This is a key responsibility of the church, to get the bible out to it’s people. Peter was the first one given the charge to “feed My sheep”, (John 21:17). The book of Acts has this practice demonstrated. The apostles would preach the message in the public square and gain converts. Then they would meet regularly in house churches for bible messages.
Churches today are to teach the bible. Many do this differently. Some are seeker friendly. Their aim is to attract unbelievers. They tend to focus on topics of interest. These messages address common cultural struggles. While today’s context may be new, the underlying pain isn’t. Jesus meets these where they are at. The woman at the well was one such person. She thought the God of the bible couldn’t meet her need. Jesus demonstrated otherwise. She came to Christ and brought the whole village with her. This is the aim of the seeker friendly church.
Here’s an example of what this church might teach. They may spend a few weeks on entering God’s rest. Week one might focus on the stress we live with. We have illnesses due to it. The message wrap up would be with Jesus’ invitation, “Come unto Me all you who weary and heavy laden and I will give You rest.”
Week two could teach people how to enter that rest. It’s more than asking for it. Jesus says, “Take my yoke upon you and learn of me”. The bible teaches us of Him. As we apply those things and do what He says, we begin to sense His rest. This topic is so deep that several more weeks could devoted to it. Once this series ends, another begins.
Other churches see their purpose as maturing the believer. They also teach the bible. These tend to go verse by verse through entire books of the bible. This method allows all topics to be addressed, even the difficult, controversial ones.
One model went verse by verse on Sunday night with about five chapters covered. From those chapters the Sunday sermon was chosen. This portion is wide enough for the pastor to choose a relevant message. On Thursday night the pastor went in depth in a particular bible book (Romans, Ephesians, Genesis, etc). This normally took years took complete.
This type of teaching gives the church a wide and deep exposure. As one lives life, these lessons are applied. Due to this the potential for deep maturity is present.
These are two examples of how churches gets the bible out to the people. There are other models. These are easy, obvious ones.
Lord, thank You for our pastors and how they “feed Your sheep”. Bless them in the task. Help us to be regular in attendance and to take in Your Word and apply it.