Have You Not Read?

The attendant handed Jesus the scroll, and the Lord read aloud from Isaiah 61:1-2:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; Because he anointed me to preach good tidings to the poor: He hath sent me to proclaim release to the captives, And recovering of sight to the blind, To set at liberty them that are bruised, To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord” (Lk. 4:18-19).

The public reading of Scripture was a familiar scene in Jewish synagogues. Alfred Edersheim says that before the time of Christ, reading select passages of Scripture in the synagogue was a fixed practice. Deuteronomy 6:4-9, 11:13-21, and Numbers 15:37-41 were read regularly (p. 245).

Since Jesus consistently attended the synagogue worship assemblies, we may assume that he witnessed the perennial reading of the Old Testament from his youth (cf. “as his custom was,” Lk. 4:16).

Paul acknowledged that the “voices of the prophets” were read “every Sabbath” (Acts 13:27). He was aware that “Moses from generations of old hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath” (Acts 15:21).

There was good reason for this. The Lord God placed a high priority on both the public and private reading of the Word. The Old Testament, therefore, contains a rich heritage concerning the reading of Scripture.

The scriptures were read in public (Ex. 24:7; Deut. 31:9-13; Josh. 8:34-35; Neh. 8:1-3,8,18). They were also to be read or meditated on in private by kings, families, and individuals (Deut. 17:19; Deut. 6:4-9; Ps. 1:2; 119:11, 105).

And when the Scriptures are read and revered, wonderful things happen. Consider the examples of the Ethiopian treasurer and Timothy (Acts 8:26-38; 2 Tim. 3:15).

God placed this high priority on reading the Scriptures because he breathed their very words (i.e., inspired; see: 2 Tim. 3:16). Through the Scriptures, God reveals what we are to believe, why we can believe, where we need correction, and how we are to live in righteousness.

It is the Word of God that can equip us for service and save our souls (2 Tim. 3:17; Jas. 1:21). How valuable it is to be able to read and be motivated to read this divine revelation.

From a secular point of view, we readily observe the importance of literacy. Jim Trelease authored a book entitled The Read-Aloud Handbook, which includes numerous studies on the personal and social effects of literacy and illiteracy (p. xxiv-xxv). It has gone through a number of printings, selling over 1,000,000 copies, and continues to be a valuable resource for parents and educators. His list of good books to read aloud to children is helpful, but the facts and encouragement about reading aloud to children are invaluable.

Reading produces knowledge, and knowledge leads to action. If reading is vital to the well-being of our children (and our’s as well) in this life, how crucial then is the reading of God’s Word for well-being in the life that is to come.

We ought to see the necessity of giving our children the tools by which they may spiritually prosper. Parents must take responsibility to ensure their children’s development in reading skills.

Sadly, some parents feel incapable of teaching their children how to read. It is true that some have limited ability, and this would be a hindrance. Space limits us in addressing how a challenged parent can ensure that his child develops.

Even though one may be limited personally, that does not mean he cannot, with alternate methods and supervision, make sure his child learns. In fact, many parents who have struggled with literacy issues have been the most compelling advocates for reading programs. They want a better life for their children, and they know this is connected to the ability to read. If you can read this article, you can teach your children or grandchildren to read.

Unfortunately, many believe that teaching reading takes an expert. Where were the reading specialists when Benjamin Franklin, Abraham Lincoln, and Frederick Douglass learned to read? Jessie Bauer, a former elementary teacher and school administrator, raises that question. She also writes:

“Here’s the good news: Reading is easy. We’ll repeat that: Reading is easy. One more time: Reading is easy. Unfortunately, the First Commandment of American Education seems to be ‘Thou shalt be an expert before attempting to teach reading.’ It isn’t true. Forget everything you’ve ever heard about decoding, phonemic awareness, and comprehension skills. If a five year old can master beginning reading, you can master it as well” (p. 61).

This does not mean that certain skills are not needed for some children. It does not address the aptitude that it takes to manage thirty students at the same time. Generally, parents can teach their children to read — children who are ready and able to learn beginning reading. Don’t hope that your child learns to read. Make sure!

Reading is inexpensive. With a library card and a few minutes a day, your child can absorb the information that will enable him to transition from listening to reading. Children who are blessed to have their parents read to regularly have a greater background of knowledge, develop larger vocabularies, are conditioned mentally to absorb information, have better attention spans, and become the best readers.

Why is this so vital? The more your child reads, the more likely it is that he will read the Bible on his own later in life.

But some parents may say, “My child is reading fine. Job completed!” Not so fast. There is a difference between reading and reading well.

Reading well means a higher level of comprehension. It means that when the teacher asks, “Now what does that paragraph mean?” the student can put the thoughts into his own words, demonstrating the ability to take the written word and get the meaning.

In his book How to Read a Book, Mortimer Adler discusses the different levels of reading (pp. x-xi). He laments that many students stagnate as readers at about sixth grade. In order to develop proficiency at the most advanced levels of reading, parents must be vigilant to maintain a balanced reading program for their children. This will ensure that their child develops into an analytical, deep reader.

Is this crucial to Bible study? Absolutely.

Teach your child to read and read well. But do more than that. Teach your child to love reading. Jim Trelease references a scholastic committee that interviewed 150 students who were considered among the nation’s top students. One committee member asked the students competing for scholarships if they had recently read a book for pleasure that had not been assigned. Only one student had done so! Trelease concluded, “We have taught children how to read, but forgotten to teach them to want to read” (p. 5).

What’s the message if we say, “Johnny, find yourself something to read. Mom and I are going to watch TV.” Let’s remember the power of example. Let’s regulate our own TV time and train our children to think — to learn through the written word.

Here is the reason. If we teach our children to read, to read well, and to love to read, then we can teach them to love to read the Bible. If they can’t read, if reading is a most difficult task, if they hate reading, do you think they will actually read the Bible on their own?

And if they don’t read the Sacred Word for themselves, will they spiritually develop as they should? If we don’t read the Bible as parents, if our children do not see us reading it for our pleasure and spiritual development, will they read it? Not likely. In most cases, they will do what they grow up seeing us do.

Consider this. The average kindergarten teacher spends 700 hours with the students. By way of contrast, the little folks will have spent 52,000 hours outside of the classroom. What are they learning from mom and dad? Are they requesting books or playing video games? Are they learning to read, or are they professional remote control operators? Television has some valuable uses. We do not suggest letting your child watch TV is sinful. But we must monitor the content and time our children spend “plugged in.” They need your time and example. After all, the Bible is a book.

Ten times in the Gospels, we read of instances (some are parallel accounts) when Jesus forcefully asked, “Have you not read?” (Matt. 12:3,5; 19:4; 21:16; 21:42; 22:31; Mk. 2:25; 12:10; 12:26; Lk. 6:3). Certainly we see the premium Jesus placed on reading, understanding, and obeying the Scriptures.

Teach your children to read. Teach them to read well. Teach them to love reading. Teach them to love to read the Bible. And when you’ve read of Noah and the ark, Abraham, Daniel in the lion’s den, and baby Jesus — if you do it regularly, if this is your daily routine, they’ll say, “Read it again.” And you’ll say, “Please?” And they’ll respond, “Please, Dad,” or “Please, Mom, read it again.”

By reading the greatest book on earth, you can save yourself and the little ones who hear you.