Hearing the Word: Practical Applications (1)

With the theological pointers of the past couple of days guiding us, I want to offer ideas on the practical matter of application.

I'm assuming that we're agreed that the Bible is the Word of God which should be heard with all diligence and joy, and that many of us have a sincere desire to hear it with eager, believing, submissive ears. So let's think about the right hearing of the Word as it is preached. These thoughts certainly have relevance for hearing God's Word through your reading and study as well, but we'll concentrate on how to get the most out of preaching.

Since I'm going to use six "P" words over the next couple of days, I'd better borrow J.I. Packer's alliteration apology. "Alliteration", he once wrote, is a "preacher’s ploy for pointedness, precision, and perspecuity. Pardonable? Perhaps." Whether or not my appalling alliteration activity is absolutely absolvable I'll allow all you to adjudicate.

To get us started, here are a few thoughts on the right hearing of the Word preached:

1. Preparation. I'm thinking here of preparation of the body. To hear God's Word preached is a physical as well as spiritual challenge. It requires immense powers of concentration and effort. For this reason I'd suggest that as a general rule, we all get to bed early Saturday evenings. I'd also recommend that to bring body and mind to full alert status on Sunday AMs, we eat just enough food and (if we like the stuff) drink just enough coffee to nourish strength and awaken the grey cells. Good rest and a careful amount of healthy food and drink before we worship (for a few reasons we'd prefer this not happen during our worship)can prepare the body to rightly receive the Word.

What other helps have you found for getting your body prepared for worship and hearing God's Word? Please comment!

2. Preview. Since we normally preach through a book of the Bible it's possible to know the next text that is going to be preached ahead of time. And even when a special topic is going to be taught it usually is posted on our website before each Sunday. I'd encourage that hearers read that text and its surrounding context prior to their arrival. Preview can also include a quick review of what was preached the Sunday before to make sure that your mind is up to speed. Previous week's review notes are usually available on the site.

3. Pray. Don't treat this as empty cliche. Treat it as necessary heart prep and a God-moving exercise of grace. Before you leave for worship Sunday morning pray either alone or with your family and ask God to come and bless His church by sending His Spirit to work in power and grace through His Word. And if you can make it to the 9:00AM prayer time that would be wonderful too. In these ways ask God to show you through His Word preached, more of His glory, the gospel, and the true nature of faith and obedience in Jesus. Pray your way into a state of expectation so that as you arrive you are confident that God is going to meet with us and speak to us with the power of His truth.

So there you have a couple of starter ideas. I really am interested to know what you have found helpful for the right hearing of the Word preached? Go ahead and comment so we can carry on a conversation here.