Read

Tragically, I never grasped the importance of books at school. I don’t think I finished any of my required reading assignments.

As a scientist, I preferred to experiment. It wasn’t until I started leading that I understood the deficiency in my life. 

Teachers must be first and foremost learners.

In his excellent book ‘Spiritual Leadership’, Oswald Sanders asserts, “The leader who intends to grow spiritually and intellectually will be reading constantly”.

I think he was right. Yet, sadly, many young preachers seem to rely on blogs and podcasts rather than submitting to the disciplines of reading books.

My suggestion, for what it is worth, is that we should all read more. We should read deeply, widely, and regularly.

Sanders quotes the Sixteenth Century philosopher Francis Bacon who said, “Reading makes a full man; speaking a ready man; writing an exact man”.

I think he was right as well.

As Paul instructs Timothy, “Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching” (1 Timothy 4:13).

Are we following this advice?

Do we make reading a daily necessity?

Have we missed this second vital step in our preaching preparation? 

Robert