1. Young Men’s Worship Service Training Class Eastside church of Christ – Feb. 2007 “…that the church may receive edifying.”

2. Young Men’s Worship Service Training Class Eastside church of Christ – Feb. 2007 “…that the church may receive edifying.” Offering suggestions for young men so they can better serve in the assembly of the local church of Christ “…that the church may receive edifying.” In Remembrance Of Me

3. Young Men’s Worship Service Training Class Eastside church of Christ – Feb. 2007 “…that the church may receive edifying.” An opening observation… Notice the teaching in 1 Cor 14 Context = the use/practice of spiritual gifts possessed by the Corinthians, especially in their public worship assemblies Use of spiritual gift was to “edify the church” vv. 5, 26, 40

4. Young Men’s Worship Service Training Class Eastside church of Christ – Feb. 2007 “…that the church may receive edifying.” An opening observation… Notice the teaching in 1 Cor 14 Context = the use/practice of spiritual gifts possessed by the Corinthians, especially in their public worship assemblies Though we do not possess such gifts today, principles from this text can guide us in using our “gifts” when leading in public worship

5. Young Men’s Worship Service Training Class Eastside church of Christ – Feb. 2007 “…that the church may receive edifying.” General Introduction What is required for this class? Ê Faithful living for Christ Hypocrisy is not to be found in Christians Mt 7:5 Rom 2:1, 3 1 Pet 2:1-3 Trying to improve how we worship God publicly is a waste of time if we are not privately committed to Him cp. Titus 1:16

6. Young Men’s Worship Service Training Class Eastside church of Christ – Feb. 2007 “…that the church may receive edifying.” General Introduction What is required for this class? Ë A real desire for self-improvement If we decide to “show up” just because we think the elders want us here or we think everyone else (our friends) will come, we won’t improve In almost every endeavor, if one WANTS to bad enough, he CAN

7. Young Men’s Worship Service Training Class Eastside church of Christ – Feb. 2007 “…that the church may receive edifying.” General Introduction What is required for this class? Ì An honest effort from a true heart At first, the unknown or new is uncomfortable Yet, after time and practice, the uncomfortable becomes comfortable We will help in this way by doing drills/practice Adopt the motto Ù “I’ll try my best!”

8. Young Men’s Worship Service Training Class Eastside church of Christ – Feb. 2007 “…that the church may receive edifying.” General Introduction Topics we’ll cover in this class… Public reading of the word of God Public prayers Talks when presiding over the Lord’s Supper Extending the invitation on Wednesday

9. Young Men’s Worship Service Training Class Eastside church of Christ – Feb. 2007 “…that the church may receive edifying.” Reading The Scripture There is precedent for the public reading of the Scripture Ezra read to the remnant Jews Neh 8:1-8 He read from a podium v. 4 This was done as an act of worship v. 6 Notice the stated purpose for the reading v. 8 “…so that they understood the reading.”

10. Young Men’s Worship Service Training Class Eastside church of Christ – Feb. 2007 “…that the church may receive edifying.” Reading The Scripture There is precedent for the public reading of the Scripture Jesus read in the synagogue Lk 4:16-20 Notice He “…stood up to read” & then He “…sat down” vv. 16, 20 The reading made an impression upon those in attendance v. 20

11. Young Men’s Worship Service Training Class Eastside church of Christ – Feb. 2007 “…that the church may receive edifying.” Reading The Scripture There is precedent for the public reading of the Scripture Paul urged Timothy to “give attention” to the public reading of the word 1 Tim 4:13 Same word as in Acts 13:15 & 2 Cor 3:14 Context implies this was a “public” activity

12. Young Men’s Worship Service Training Class Eastside church of Christ – Feb. 2007 “…that the church may receive edifying.” Reading The Scripture There is more to reading than we might ordinarily think Some may reason, “Well, all I’m doing is reading a bunch of words…anyone can do it.” Anyone may be able to read, but not all read effectively, especially the word of God This isn’t just a “time filler” to do in church

13. Young Men’s Worship Service Training Class Eastside church of Christ – Feb. 2007 “…that the church may receive edifying.” Reading The Scripture In many ways, public reading is more important than preaching!! Preaching= human commentary on Divine, revealed truth Reading= actually hearing the Lord’s own words about Divine, revealed truth

14. Young Men’s Worship Service Training Class Eastside church of Christ – Feb. 2007 “…that the church may receive edifying.” Reading The Scripture The word of God is how we purify our souls, by which we are born again 1 Pet 1:22-23 Unbelievers may think about their lost condition when the Scripture is publicly read Believers never get tired of hearing that which led them out of sin

15. Young Men’s Worship Service Training Class Eastside church of Christ – Feb. 2007 “…that the church may receive edifying.” Reading The Scripture Ways to improve our reading… Ê Preparation beforehand Schedule is distributed monthly…no excuse to not be prepared Study context Ù author, audience, main message, any hard names to pronounce Look up anything you might not understand

16. Young Men’s Worship Service Training Class Eastside church of Christ – Feb. 2007 “…that the church may receive edifying.” Reading The Scripture Ways to improve our reading… Ë Use of amplification system Any brother leading in worship should come to the front and use the microphone Especially to benefit those with hearing difficulties Stand directly behind the mic – not beside it Speak clearly into it

17. Young Men’s Worship Service Training Class Eastside church of Christ – Feb. 2007 “…that the church may receive edifying.” Reading The Scripture Ways to improve our reading… Ì Pay attention to “voice logistics” Announcing the passage – 2 times is preferred Give people time to find it Voice volume – speak to be heard Voice tone – a pleasing tone…not monotone Try to be conversational, yet still respectful

18. Young Men’s Worship Service Training Class Eastside church of Christ – Feb. 2007 “…that the church may receive edifying.” Reading The Scripture Ways to improve our reading… Ì Pay attention to “voice logistics” Pace or speed at which you read Read at an understandable pace It is not a 100 yard dash…don’t try to get through it so we can get to the next activity in the service Neither is it a “snail’s marathon” Give a slight pause before finishing the text

19. Young Men’s Worship Service Training Class Eastside church of Christ – Feb. 2007 “…that the church may receive edifying.” Reading The Scripture Ways to improve our reading… Í Pay attention to grammar Use your best enunciation Be careful to observe all punctuation

20. Young Men’s Worship Service Training Class Eastside church of Christ – Feb. 2007 “…that the church may receive edifying.” An illustration based on Eph. 4:28 “Let him who stole steal no more laboring with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.”, Comma – punctuation used for emphasis in slight separation of thought

21. Young Men’s Worship Service Training Class Eastside church of Christ – Feb. 2007 “…that the church may receive edifying.” An illustration based on Eph. 4:28 “Let him who stole steal no more laboring with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.”, Comma – punctuation used for emphasis in slight separation of thought

22. Young Men’s Worship Service Training Class Eastside church of Christ – Feb. 2007 “…that the church may receive edifying.” Reading The Scripture Ways to improve our reading… Í Pay attention to grammar Use your best enunciation Be careful to observe all punctuation Î Assume the role of “messenger” Be more than a “reader” – convey the meaning (e.g. how parents read to their children)

23. Young Men’s Worship Service Training Class Eastside church of Christ – Feb. 2007 “…that the church may receive edifying.” Reading The Scripture Some closing thoughts… When the Scripture is read, it is one of our most solemn moments in worship We are reading the very words of God Himself 1 Thess 2:13 It doesn’t have to be dry, dull, & boring

24. Young Men’s Worship Service Training Class Eastside church of Christ – Feb. 2007 “…that the church may receive edifying.” Reading The Scripture Some closing thoughts… If we truly love the Lord and His word, we’ll show an equal love and respect for His word, especially when it is read publicly for all to hear

25. Young Men’s Worship Service Training Class Eastside church of Christ – Feb. 2007 “…that the church may receive edifying.” Leading Public Prayer It is scriptural for prayers to be led in public or when Christians are gathered The early church in their worship Acts 2:42 Early Christians when facing opposition Acts 4:23 Early Christians when concerned for a brother Acts 12:12

26. Young Men’s Worship Service Training Class Eastside church of Christ – Feb. 2007 “…that the church may receive edifying.”