Public Reading of Scripture 12.01.001

Welcome to the Public Reading of Scripture app! Public Reading of Scripture brings the church back to the practice of reading and listening in community.

Reading the Bible in community was foundational to the life of God’s people in the Old and New Testaments. Public readings of scripture served as an act of remembrance and identity formation. This practice is found throughout the Bible, from the reading of the Law in the time of Moses to the reforms of the righteous King Josiah and leaders like Ezra, who brought renewal to the people of Israel.

In the time of Jesus, reading the Law and the Prophets aloud in synagogues was a central element of Jewish life. Early Christians maintained this tradition, and the letters of the Apostle Paul were read aloud in their gatherings. This practice was so important to Paul that in 1 Timothy 4:13, he instructed all to "devote yourself to the public reading of scripture, to preaching, and to teaching."

Today, you have the opportunity to participate in this practice with your own communities. As God’s people, the word of God is our spiritual nourishment. Regularly gathering for extended reading and listening makes knowing and loving God’s word as simple as enjoying a good meal. May your community grow in knowledge and love for God and be equipped to participate in His work. Thank you for being a part of this movement!

Best Practices

When facilitating your own Public Reading of Scripture gathering, it is recommended to have print Bibles available so that participants can read along.

You can choose a reading plan for 20, 30, 45, or 60 minutes, depending on what is most suitable for your group. Keep in mind that it takes approximately 90 hours to read the entire Bible.

Each session within any reading plan begins and ends with a Psalm as an opening and closing prayer. Additionally, each session includes an Old Testament reading and a New Testament reading. With our 45-minute and 60-minute reading plans, the Old Testament can be read once in about two and a half years, and the New Testament can be read about twice in the same timeframe.

We recommend taking brief pauses between readings to allow for prayerful reflection on what has been heard. These moments are marked within each session.

You will find optional videos from The Bible Project embedded within each session. These videos provide helpful context such as narrative structure, themes, and historical background of the book being read. They are engaging and accessible, enriching your group's understanding of the passages being read.

At the end of each session, be sure to express gratitude to your group and encourage them to join for the next session. Discussing the Bible passages is entirely optional; the primary focus is on collectively listening to God’s Word.