Enhancing the Art of Reading God's Word in the Age of Distraction

With countless communication options, social media captures the attention of people of all ages. Unfortunately, some studies suggest that the actual time spent reading has decreased, potentially due to the shortened attention spans of readers. Social media might be diverting us from the precious gift God has given us: the ability to read, learn, and comprehend.

When I began my seminary education, I encountered an overwhelming number of pages to read. Sometimes, this information was just the foundation for a deeper exploration of a subject. With so much to cover, I turned to my wife, a talented reading consultant, for assistance. After some assessments, she determined that my reading comprehension rate was about fifty pages an hour, though this varied depending on the difficulty of the subject.

Discovering the Joy of Reading

I threw myself into my studies, never reading any single source for more than thirty minutes before returning to the beginning to take notes. Discovering the joy of reading to learn was a blessing.

The Transformative Power of Reading Aloud

During my first quarter, I took a "communication" class with a speech professor from a nearby university. Our first assignment was to read the Bible aloud.When I stopped at the appointed verse, the professor instructed, "Read it again, and this time, mean what you read." This exercise shifted my focus—it was no longer just about gathering personal knowledge or taking notes. It was about expressing God’s Word to others. This approach transformed my understanding of how to communicate God's Word, not through preaching, but through the pure reading of His Scriptures.

The Importance of Reading God's Word

It could be argued that the most important part of a pastor’s sermon is when he reads God's Word to the congregation. Why? Because it is God speaking directly, without mediation. The Word is alive, recounting events, healings, and lives empowered by the Holy Spirit. These narratives draw listeners into God's work, showing that His wonders continue today in various forms.

Engaging a Distracted Audience

Here lies your challenge: the majority of your audience is also engaged with social media and prone to short attention spans. They will pay attention for about thirty seconds before their minds wander.

Bringing the Word to Life

Unless. Unless you treat the Word with the reverence it deserves. You’re not simply reading aloud like my sixth grade teacher followed by questions from the back of the book. You are presenting a divine message from God to His people and all gathered in His presence. The Word should be engaging, it should captivate. It should be "performed," not in a theatrical sense, but with careful pronunciation, deliberate pacing, and the proper use of your voice.

The Power of Practice

The reading begs for pauses, allowing the words to penetrate the listeners’ minds. How do you achieve this? Practice. Apply the same discipline to reading the Word as you do to preparing your message from it. You have no idea how God is working in the people who are engaging with His Word.

A Memorable Final Course Experience

In my final year of seminary, I took the final course in communication with the same professor. Each student read a passage from the platform. One classmate read the genealogy from Matthew. None of us wanted to follow him; we were mesmerized. His great voice, measured pace, thoughtful pauses, and emphasis on each word moved us. This is how to read God’s Word to a generation often lost in social media, with fleeting attention, who deeply need the hope God’s Word brings.

Transforming the Delivery of God's Word

Let me guide you in bringing this transformative power to your congregation. Consider scheduling a speaking coach session with me to master the skills necessary for engaging your audience deeply with God's Word. Together, we can explore techniques to enhance your delivery and allow His message to resonate profoundly within your community.