Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
December 08, 2022: SOAP #4753: 1Timothy 1-4

SCRIPTURE:  1Timothy (NIV) 4:13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.

OBSERVATION:  Paul is writing to Timothy who he considered his son in the Lord.  Timothy had been left behind in Ephesus to oversee the growth of the church.  Among many instructions Paul gives, here we read that Paul encouraged Timothy to read the Bible aloud in public, as well as preaching the word and teaching the word. 

The scriptures are so important to believers!  They give us God’s priorities and His plan for our lives.  The Holy Spirit speaks to us personally as we read the Bible. 

In the three practices given to Timothy, reading is mentioned before preaching and teaching.  The personal knowledge of the word we get through reading and hearing, helps us discern what we hear in the sermon and Bible class. 

APPLICATION: In Paul’s day, public reading was important.  Most homes did not have a copy of the Bible.  So public reading would provide knowledge to the believer to enable him to make judgments.  In places where Bibles are not readily available today in the homes of believers, church leadership should take Paul’s instructions to Timothy very personally and seriously.  They should set aside time in each gathering for the public reading of the scriptures. 

For those of us who have multiple copies of the scriptures in our homes, even on our phones, we must make sure that our busy lives do not crowd out time for reading the scriptures! 

PRAYER:   Heavenly Father, in your wisdom, you provided what your children need.  You provided your Son as the sacrifice for our sins.  You provided the Holy Spirit to always accompany us.  You provided the Bible for spiritual growth.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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