Unleashing the Word: Rediscovering the Public Reading of Scripture

by Max McLean, Warren Bird

Overview

Does the Bible sound dull when you hear it read in church? An auditory tidal wave cascades from our televisions, radios, media players, and the Internet. Today’s distracted worshippers often feel spiritually shortchanged when the Scriptures are spoken without passion and power. This lively and encouraging book by a gifted Bible narrator and an award-winning writer, shows how churches can train their laypeople to unleash the Word of God with enthusiasm, conviction, and passion. Straightforward and culturally relevant, with practical how-to graphics, this resource provides the necessary tools to teach you how to read the Bible aloud, in a way that communicates its life-changing power!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780310292708
Publisher:	Zondervan
Publication date:	11/07/2009
Pages:	176
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Max Mc Lean has received critical acclaim for his theatrical adaptations of The Screwtape Letters, Mark's Gospel, and Genesis. He is known widely as the narrator of The Listener’s Bible (NIV, ESV & KJV) and classic Christian literature including Pilgrim’s Progress and Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God. His daily radio program is heard on 700 radio outlets. Max and his wife, Sharon, live in New York City and are active members of Redeemer Presbyterian Church.

Warren Bird, Ph.D., is Senior Vice President of Research and Equipping at ECFA.org (Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability). Previously he was Research Director at Leadership Network. He's an award-winning author/co-author of 34 books for pastors and church leaders, church boards, and seminary professors. Bird researches cutting-edge churches and works with their leaders to multiply their evangelistic and disciple-making impact.

Table of Contents

Contents of DVD 9

Foreword 10

Introduction: Why we Wrote this Book 12

Part 1 My Story

1 How I Got Started Reading Scripture Aloud 18

2 Recruiting Others Who Love the Game 29

3 No Longer the Worst Moment 39

4 The 9 Percent Isolation Factor 49

Part 2 Butterflies and Breathing

5 How to Sound Like You 60

6 From the Page to the Stage 68

7 Take a Breath-It Even Helps with Nervousness 87

8 Quick-Start Guide to Reading the Bible Aloud 99

Part 3 How to Teach Others

9 Train Your Pastor to Read the Bible Better-Really! 108

10 Invite Youth and Children to Make Scripture Come Alive 118

11 Scripture Reading at Home, at Weddings, and More 128

Part 4 Next Steps

12 What to Do Next 142

13 Q&A with Max McLean 146

Appendixes

Things You Might Say before or after Reading 151

How I Prepare a Scripture Reading 152

Suggested Texts for Practice 156

Resources Available from Max McLean 157

Discussion Questions for Accompanying DVD 160

Notes 163

Annotated Bibliography 167

Scripture Index 169

Subject Index 171

Acknowledgments 174

About the Authors 176