Punta Gorda Seventh-day Adventist Church

Scripture: (Neh 8:8 NKJV)  So they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading.

Observation: As the building of the city of Jerusalem and of the temple were finished, Nehemiah and the leaders recognized the need for a consecration of the people to God.  Ezra, the scribe, stood before everyone gathered and read to them the words of the Book of the Law of Moses, the first five books of the Bible, or the Torah.  As the people heard the stories and the regulations found in those books, they were moved in their hearts.  But it wasn’t enough to just read the Law, the Levites helped the people to understand it by explaining its content and meaning.

Application: I encourage daily, regular reading of the Bible personally and at home.  Personally, I encourage everyone to read through their Bibles every year.  I have followed that practice for many years and have read through the entire Bible, in many different versions and translations, in two languages, every day of the year (with just a few exceptions), and doing so has enriched my life and opened windows of information, knowledge, and faith I might not otherwise have.
Beyond a reading of the Bible, though, there must be thoughtful study of selected passages, stories, sections of the Scriptures for deeper understanding.  Also, for daily family worship, at least a portion of the Scriptures should be read and discussed.  It doesn’t have to be a long theological dissertation and exegetical study of a passage, but at least a simple conversation of its meaning.  Dennis Raney, Christian counselor and writer says concerning our verse for today:
 It occurred to me that when we read the Bible to our families, we need to do so in a way so that we understand what we have just read, and that our children also grasp the meaning.
  It’s easy to stick to the text of the Scripture and read it word for word, flying by words like reproach and exhortation – lofty words that may (or may not) be clear to us, but which leave our kids with blank looks on their faces.
  When we read the Bible to your children, take the time to stop and explain the words and ideas they may have difficulty grasping.  If needed, try paraphrasing the text to give them a down-home explanation of what it’s saying.  Give them the freedom o stop you and ask what something means if they feel confused or stuck.
  Reading and studying the Bible as a family can be a source of great blessing.  But we need to make sure we aren’t just reading through it as quickly as possible, without helping everyone to understand what’s being read. (From the Family Life Marriage Bible).

A Prayer You May Say: Father, help us to spend time daily with Your word, to understand it, to meditate upon it, and to spend the time teaching others what we have learned from it, and from You.

Used by permission of Adventist Family Ministries, North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists.