Reading The Bible. In Public.  Out Loud. Eeek!

For many lay people, reading a scripture passage - in public - is a daunting prospect.  Yet the occasion, whether an ordinary Sunday service, a wedding, funeral or special service is often greatly enriched by the addition of a member of the congregation - an “everyman”  - taking a turn at the lectern to share the Word of God.  It is often nerve-wracking, but it can be hugely rewarding… and a true interaction with the Holy Spirit.  If you’re like me and have always wanted to feel the presence of the Holy Spirit, then taking a crack at reading is a great experience.

A mighty claim?  An overstatement?  Try it.  Here’s some pointers on how to approach the challenge.

1.       Pick your Version

There are lots of translations and styles of the Bible.  You can be spoilt for choice.  Most churches have a preferred version.  Ours does.  But if it’s up to you, don’t feel forced to pick the King James Version (referred to as the KJV).  It’s 17^th century English, beautiful but archaic and comes off sounding formal.  In fact, it’s the most “proper”, official of all versions easily available and preferred for ceremonial occasions.  It’s a bit like reading Shakespeare and takes some disentangling to truly understand it.

An easy way to shop for a version you like is to go to http://www.biblegateway.com.  Here you input the passage and it offers you a 11 versions, in 21 languages with just one click.  Within the 11 versions, you will find most of the “regulars”.  However, there is the odd, obscure version thrown in for good measure – like the Darby version. Not that I, or anyone I’ve talked to, has ever heard of Darby or his valiant efforts translating the Bible, but it’s got a nice Victorian feel in the text and cadence, and would be absolutely perfect for certain occasions!  (Well, like a country wedding or a Victorian thematic with lots of lace, for example.)

For me, it’s the NIV (New International Version) out loud, and the NLT (New Living Translation) when reading and studying alone.  A popular everyday version is the Contemporary English Version (CEV) such that the unfathomable Proverbs 27:17  Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend reads: - Just as iron sharpens iron, friends sharpen the minds of each other.

With a lot to choose from, pick a version that suits you, and fits the occasion. 

2.       Understand it ALL

It’s hard to read a piece properly if you don’t know what it means.  Stands to reason.   Equally important is how the passage fits into the context of what else is going on.  Is your assignment the basis of that morning’s sermon – if so, what’s the topic?  The overall message of the service is a significant factor in your correct interpretation.  If there’s an issue at hand, how does your service leader intend to interpret it?  Chances are you’d be best off supporting that position.

Interpreting the passage can lead you to a study bible – of which there are scads, naturally – or, once again, the web.  www.textweek.com is an excellent resource for different commentaries.  Input the specific passage and then (after you scroll past the ads) it will offer you three sections:-

• Historical References, Commentary and Comparative Texts;

• Contemporary References, Commentary and Comparative Texts; and

• Study Links and Resources.

It’s comprehensive coverage and pretty hard not to find something that helps.  [not that you asked, but should  you be curious, I prefer the Life Application Study Bible, with New Living Translation.  At least, it’s my current favorite!]

3.       Pick A Style of Delivery

Once you have your version, you know what the text means, how it fits into the overall scheme of the service, the next decision is a style.  Should you go conversational, re-enact all the parts authentically or read it like a CNN reporter? (amongst the infinite options)

-           A conversational approach can trivialize the piece, but is effective with some of the lighter New Testament passages. 

-           It’s risky acting out all the parts – usually it comes out funny.  Intentionally or otherwise.  Unless, you know the story is very safe, and exactly what you’re doing.  Further, you need to know your congregation and pastor.  Will people be offended if the piece comes out slightly amusing (or out and out funny, depending upon your acting skills?)  Are you allowed to consider the Bible a rib-snorting riot in your congregation?  We are encouraged to find it exciting - yes, funny - no.  Perhaps you are the same?

-           The most generic (and it’s the simplest) approach is that of a reading a letter or a story, gently and with subtle expression, to an adult – as if helping the driver stay awake and entertained on a long car ride.   Do keep the pacing up, however, and your voice sure, not husky and lilting.  You don’t want to sound patronizing, nor do you want your listeners to nod off.

-           A footnote:  The Voice of God.  You do not need to drop your voice down low and render your best James Earl Jones impression.  You’re better off asking the minister / service leader their preference, I think.  My approach, thus far, has been to make those particular words slower and just a hair louder.  It seems to make the sentence grave and important without banging people over the head with it.  It also serves as an emphasis.

4.       Heed Punctuation

The punctuation is a(n) HUGE help with the long, run-on sentences in the Bible.  Stop at the pauses, you’ll have presented the passage one way; miss them out and it’s a completely different story! So, pause for the count of 1 for a comma, and catch a quick breath (chances are good you’re going to need it!): pause for the count of 2 at a period.  Changing paragraph?  Change the way you’re looking out (if you’re looking up at all, that is!)

Run you right handed forefinger down the right hand margin of the text by way of keeping in place.  If the sentence gets away from you, and you’ve lost the subject, you can then glance back, see who/what it is and add in a “he” “she” “it, or “they”.  No-one minds the insertion, and if you’re lost, chances are good your listeners are too.

You don’t’ want to sound monotonous.  A quick fix on that is to make your voice go up slightly at a comma and down at the period.  As if “hang on ,I’ve got something else to say….” and “now I’m done.”

5.       Rehearse

Perhaps, by now, you’re feeling pretty confident?  I’m afraid it doesn’t matter:  you’ve got to rehearse.  In the space itself, with the microphone, especially if it’s a Sanctuary.  Even if it’s only a quick “once-thru” you must give yourself the chance to feel it.  It does feel very different.  The cross is behind you, most of the people out front are staring at you … it is just, different.

Plus, your voice will reverb and sound dissimilar, odd even, with a microphone.  You should not be hearing that for the first time when trying to present a legitimate interpretation of sacred text.  It is easy for a listener to tell if a reader is more interested in the sound of their own voice that the meaning and delivery of the passage.  As you can imagine, it presents totally the wrong image.

Practice, and the reading goes well; do it cold, and guaranteed, you’ll flub, stutter or stumble.  Anyway, you need to so you can do the last step…

6.       “Offer it up”.  Hand Off.

You’ve chosen your version, you’ve checked in with the service leader, you’ve got which style you’re going with, you know what the thing is supposed to mean, you’ve practiced…. What’s left?

The hand off.

This is where magic is possible.  This is the most fun bit of reading a piece of scripture.  Your mind and mouth know what and how you’re going to present the text, you know it so well, there are bits where you don’t even need to look down…. here’s what you do:

By way of a silent prayer, offer your efforts to the Lord.  Let Him use you to His best advantage, ask Him to move through you for the spiritual benefit of those around.  You take several deep breaths.  Make sure you are standing evenly on two feet, shoulders relaxed, back straight…one more breath, low and slow to focus, and then let the Lord take over.  You read the passage, conscious of all that you’ve practiced, pointing each phrase towards the meaning you intend…

and at the end that you will not remember any of it!  Instead, one feels a calm elation and satisfaction, a joy almost, because one was able to be of service. Furthermore, you will be told that the reading was terrific, that the person “totally got it” and that you must do it again sometime.

I know what this sounds like, and if you knew me, you would know that this is not the kind of thing I normally go around talking about.  But I can tell you, from personal experience, whether singing a solo, or reading, when you “offer it up” the Spirit will take your offering and let it soar.  It is a remarkable and completely rewarding experience. 

Try it, you’ve nothing to lose.

Enjoy. 

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