A feature of the early days of assemblies was the frequent use of conversational Bible readings. The interchange of thought, of question and answer provoked lively discussion. At such gatherings many were brought into a deeper knowledge of the ways of the Lord. Those meetings attracted people of all classes of society, and they were marked by such a level of spirituality that the keenest intellects were satisfied with the fare provided for their souls. It was not the case that the responsible brethren went out of their way to speak to the intellectuals: it was something other than that entirely. Truth was expounded with clarity and power, and won its own way into the hearts of the hearers.
If the Bible reading was such a power a century ago, why has it now fallen on evil days? There are probably several reasons, and these are worth consideration.
In those days, the readings were conducted by competent leaders. While there was liberty for all to take part in raising questions and in discussion, these brethren recognized the necessity for well-taught men to lead such meetings. We sometimes find the Bible reading is regarded as the occasion when every man blossoms forth into a teacher, and has his little “say,” irrespective of any real ability to expound the Scriptures. We have known such meetings, where a passage has been commented on by almost every brother present without clear direction being given afterwards as to how the passage should be rightly understood.
Lack of preparation is one of the root causes of the decline in the Bible reading. Brethren come together without having carefully examined the portion, and sometimes seem to imagine that they only need to open their Bibles and everything will become crystal clear.
Another reason for its decline is that the Bible reading is so often allowed to become a time for controversy on knotty theological problems or fine points. A minority engage in a wordy battle while “the hungry sheep look up, and are not fed.” The Bible reading is not the place to discuss theological minutiae, but an opportunity of conveying the truth of God to His people. This cannot be done if brethren wrangle, or spend a long time discussing secondary matters. Let the vital matters engage our attention and the sheep will find pasture.
The finest method for conducting Bible readings is that of appointing a competent leader. His task is not just to teach truth as he understands it, but to create an atmosphere in which there will be a mingling of freedom and restraint–freedom for all that is profitable, but restraint upon the irrelevant. The leader will seek to stimulate conversation, yet gently hold the reins, ready to step in at any moment, to gather up some threads, to clarify something, to throw out some question himself to stimulate thought. He will be the better for some degree of resilience, correcting a wrong emphasis, or cultivating the art of “suffering fools gladly.” Many a young man has nervously raised a question in a Bible reading, only to have been snapped at, and, perhaps, to have had his mouth closed forever. The leader will remember that a question from a younger person, however unnecessary it may seem to the older ones present, may represent a major difficulty to the questioner.
Another value in leadership for a Bible reading is in the unifying of thought. It is the task of the leader to blend the varied elements together, and in the process to lay the right stress on the most valuable points in the discussion. In this way the meeting receives a proper focus: people will be learning, because they will be trained to set their minds on specific things, and will see the truth for themselves.
We have seen the modern form of the Bible reading work with great success, particularly among groups of young people, university students and others. The modern discussion group is simply (when dealing with things biblical) the Bible reading of older times. Discussion groups thrive, while Bible readings decline. May the moral not be lost to us, that to infuse some life into the meeting, to focus thought by clear and vigorous leadership, to stimulate friendly conversation, and finally to bring together the vital elements of contribution in the meeting, is the secret of a revival of what can still be a great power for good among God’s people–the assembly Bible reading. Then there will be no question as to its profit.