The Book of Acts tells us of the Berean Christians and their love for the word of God. “They received the Word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so,” (Acts 17:11).
Mortimer Adler wrote a small book in 1940 that became a classic: “How to Read a Book.” Many who thought they knew how to read books learned how to skim, analyze, comprehend, dissect and absorb a book’s message.
The same concept can be applied to sermons. Every week, thousands of pastors stand in a pulpit with a Bible in their hands to teach God’s Word. But much of their hard work and ministry are wasted on careless listening in the pews. It’s said we forget 80% of what we hear on Sunday within a few days.
Well, here is how to listen to a sermon: pray for your pastor’s message and your heart to hear it; if you know the text verses in advance, read and think upon it; sit near the front and you will miss many distractions; bring your Bible, and follow along in the Scriptures — you remember about 65% more of what you hear and see; make notes of the outline, main points, quotes and illustrations; take away a least one truth to apply in a practical way to your life the coming week; and try to share something from the message with another person as soon as you can. This will help you feed your soul and build your faith each week.
Of course, we must not rely on just a once-a-week sermon for all our spiritual nourishment. Let’s emmulate those faithful Bereans who received the Word with readiness and searched the Scriptures daily. A longing for God’s Word in the few usually produces powerful preaching in the pulpit.
Dr. David Bouler of Global Faith Ministries, Chattanooga, Tennessee, contributed this column to the Journal Review. He can be reached by email at debouler@aol.com.
