“It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but [shall live] on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” – Matthew 4:4.
ABC Bible Groups spur Christians of Rwanda on toward reading and feeding on God’s Word just as they regularly have their daily meals. It may be every day, every week or monthly, depending on what suits your schedule best and honours God’s Word in your life.
I think that many Christians would be surprized to learn that Jesus held people responsible for reading and knowing the Scriptures. Notice just some of the passages quoting Jesus that indicate this:
“Haven’t you read what David did …?” (Matthew 12:3; referring to the Books of Samuel).
“Or haven’t you read in the Law …?” (Matthew 12:5; referring to the five Books of Moses).
“Haven’t you read that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them …’/” (Matthew 19:4; referring to Genesis).
“Have you never read,” ‘From the lips of children and infants …?” (Matthew 21:16 referring to Psalms).
“Have you never read in the Scriptures: The stone…?” (Matthew 21:42).
“You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. …?” (Matthew 22:29).
“But about the resurrection of the dead—have you not read what God said to you …?” (Matthew 22:31).
“You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me” (John 5:39).
The Apostle Paul, too, urged Timothy to read the Scriptures aloud to his congregation: “Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture” (1 Tim. 4:13).
In the last book of the Bible, Jesus reveals to the Churches that there is great blessing for the person who reads. “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.” (Revelation 1:3)
From these verses, you can readily see that it would be foolish to underestimate the effect of opening the Bible and read it for yourself. The last two passages suggest a pastoral responsibility. The Catholic Church held people in spiritual darkness for over a thousand years because the Bible at the time (being written in Latin the language of the learned) was inaccessible to most members of the societies.
When the Latin Bible was translated into ordinary man’s language the results were the revivals and reformed societies. When someone takes the Word of God from you, he disarms you for combat. You grope in this world as a blind person. You lack what the Psalmist boasts: “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path” (Psalm 119:105). The Word of God directs him in all his doubts and difficulties, and comforts him in all his fears and distresses. Reading the Word of God can afford these benefits to us, too.
Who is not doubtful like the Psalmist? Who does not experience difficulties like him? Who is not attacked by fears? Surely, no one on this planet needs to read the Word of God more than us.
Very sadly, however, most Christians today no longer set aside adequate time to read the Word of God. They are instead preoccupied by many things, except reading God’s Word. This is a worldly spirit at work in all men, and it is extremely perilous that this spirit has gained entry into the household of God. Christians spend many hours rehearsing songs, holding many less useful meetings and spur of the moment youth programs; yes, every sort of nice gathering occurs in the church. But, how often do people meet to read the Bible together?
To make matter worse, most pastors read the Bible only when they look for verses to preach on Sunday. In order to know the whole counsel of God, or to preach the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27) it is important read the whole Bible, regularly.
However, make no mistake; the Bible urges the believers to read the word of God and the emphasis is more on feeding on the Bible itself than on just listening to the sermons delivered during Sunday services or weekdays. The Jews used to meet in the synagogues and a scribe or someone else so tasked read a portion from the Law of Moses along with an application (conclusion, haftorah) from the prophets. The interpretation had its own place, but reading of Scriptures either at home or in the synagogue was primary. Even Timothy (1 Tim. 4:13) was instructed to read the Scriptures—just reading—during the Church meetings. Today’s reliance on Sunday sermons without reading the Bible is unbiblical and has produced a very shallow and weak Christianity.
Note that sometimes the Bible is wrongly preached and even misrepresented during sermons. But when you read the text of the Bible in its entirety, over and over, you will not only gain insight which possibly no one else has ever had; you will also be in position to listen to good expository sermon more meaningfully than he who is ignorant of what the Bible literally says. What the Bible says is basic to all you think about and do for God. Preaching is never meant to replace your reading of the Bible. It is basic to what you sing in the Church and what think and utter in prayer. It is meant to shape your desires and determine what you believe.
You must read your Bible.
Sadly, unlike Joshua, Ezra, Jesus, the apostles and all the faithful who saw the Word as everything for them, and fed on it as we feed on our breakfast, lunch and supper, most of today’s Christians don’t show interest in reading the Word of God. They just say they love and honour it; but what they do betrays their words. Instead, they spend much time on their cell phones and social media. They save money to purchase the latest mobile device which will grant them better access to WhatsApp, Facebook, and so on. But they spend shockingly little time reading the Word of God. And when they do read it, they leave all windows open for disruptions and end up not having read it. Yet, they multiply Scripture-less activities in the church. We need to repent the ungodly, ignorant spirit that subordinates the wholesome reading of the Bible to other things in our life and the church. Let us instead subordinate everything else to the active reading of the Word of God. Read it, think about it—that is your mandate. Then God will give you understanding and every blessing that he has promised to those who read.
Africa Bible in Community (ABC) has undertaken the task of encouraging the believers to meet and read the Bible in groups. There are personal reading weaknesses which you can overcome when you meet together to read as a group. That’s why ABC encourages communal reading of the Bible. Make a plan to read your Bible and stick to it. Make up your mind to resist all temptations and disruptions which divert you from that plan.
With over a hundred ABC Bible Groups now taking place across the country of Rwanda, there are three features of the program that have led to its ongoing success:
1. Oral – Readers both see and hear the Word of God. Those who cannot read can join in listening.
2. Communal – Reading alone is valuable, but harder. Reading together brings encouragement.
3. Prayer – The prayer time using Scripture as the basis and motivation is a wonderful African expression of faith.
The groups are founded on the basic reality of Matthew 4:4, namely, that we are not preserved by eating food alone, but that we are even more preserved by feeding on the Word of God written in the Bible. This is true given the fact that man is created both body and spirit.
“Bread” is necessary for the Bible, but even more important is “bread” for the spirit in the very words of God.
The only access to these words is through reading the Bible, the only record of the words spoken by God.
“And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.” Acts 20:32