Wonderful help for reading the Bible in public

Many of us can give thanks for excellent public Bible reading in churches.

But how can we help church members read the Scriptures clearly and in an engaging manner?

Clifford Warne (1930 – 2003) was a much-loved Christian communicator and broadcaster.

Perhaps his greatest passion was to ensure that the Bible is communicated well.

In 1979, he and Paul White published, through the Anglican Information Office in Sydney, a small book entitled “For Reading Out Loud”.

In the introduction they state –

“Some people who think the Bible has nothing to say to them, do so not because they’ve read it, but because they’ve only heard it read.

An unprepared or careless reading of God’s Book meant to them blurring of meaning and boredom.

These are days of trained news readers on television and radio. Why should we not have skilful Bible readers in church?

For the reader, learning, using and mastering the few rules set out in this book will make the Scriptures live in a new way.

For those who listen, it can mean a new understanding of the Bible and a desire to read it for themselves.

THE HEART OF THE MATTER IN READING ALOUD IS

TO UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU READ
TO SOUND NATURAL and
TO MAKE THE MEANING CLEAR.

When words are spoken, the meaning is not in the words alone, but in

THE EMPHASIS
THE PHRASING and
THE EXPRESSION given to those words.”

In addition to writing on the subject, Clifford Warne gave many talks and lectures. Three, in particular, were often distributed on cassette tape.

Thanks to Russell Powell at Anglican Media Sydney, three key recordings are once again available and are wonderful resources for individuals and churches.

They are –

The art of reading the Bible aloud.

A storyteller’s secrets.

How to hold an audience.

They are all accessible from this page at SydneyAnglicans.net.

We can be thankful for excellent Bible reading in churches – Let’s help all who read do it well!

Spiritual Conflict

“In his Screwtape Letters CS Lewis observes that there are two equal and opposite errors that people fall into regarding the dark powers. One mistake is to disbelieve in their existence; the other is to believe in them to excess.

In Ephesians chapter 6, verses 10 through 12, Paul the Apostle writes:

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power… For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places…

Paul takes the reality of conflict in the world to another level…”

– John Mason urges us to see what we need in the struggle against the cosmic powers of this present darkness.

Be radical and read the Bible

From Murray Campbell in Melbourne:

“A challenge if you live in Melbourne. A challenge no matter your age, and especially if you’re part of Generation Z

Be radical and read the Bible!

Check out the latest on ‘Tomorrow’s Melbourne’ and how an upsurge of Bible reading in the UK could help us take the Bible more seriously here in Melbourne.”

– That’s the theme of his latest ‘Tomorrow’s Melbourne’ video.

Living and Leading in the Way of the Cross — Don Carson

From The Gospel Coalition’s Carson Center Podcast –

“In this lecture [from 1 Corinthians chapter 4], Don Carson emphasises the role of Christian leaders as servants of Christ and the importance of faithfulness, humility, and integrity in their leadership.

Carson urges Christian leaders to avoid pride, remain accountable to God, and uphold the way of the cross in their lives.

Carson stresses the importance of discipline and the need for leaders to serve as models of Christlikeness within the church and community.

He teaches the following:

– Listen here.

Photo: Don Carson at the Next Level Conference in 2016.

Certainty4Eternity Podcast Episode 1 – Mark’s Testimony & Rayne’s Experience

Here’s a new podcast from Certainty4Eternity:

“Welcome to the first episode of Certainty4Eternity: The Podcast for Youth– a new series where Rayne Orange and Mark Gilbert dive into real, respectful conversations about Catholicism, Protestantism, and everything in between.

In this episode, we explore:

• Mark’s journey from Catholic schoolboy to Protestant minister.

• What it was like growing up Catholic in Australia

• Rayne’s experience in Catholic schools in rural Canada

• How Protestants and Catholics can have better, gospel-focused conversations

• Why understanding worldview is key to meaningful dialogue.

Whether you’re Catholic, Protestant, or just curious — this show offers a space for thoughtful, gracious discussion rooted in faith and Scripture.”

– Watch here.

Knowledge, Nakedness & Shame: Sex and Gender in and out of the garden — with Rob Smith

From The Pastor’s Heart:

“We’re digging deep into the Bible’s teaching on sex and gender – inside and outside the Garden of Eden.

We’re asking foundational questions: Was humanity created androgynous? Does Genesis allow for more than two sexes? Is sexual difference a core part of the imago Dei? What does it mean that the man and woman were naked and felt no shame?

Dr Rob Smith lectures at Sydney Missionary and Bible College and serves with Living Faith, a pastoral ministry of the Sydney Anglican Church caring for those navigating same-sex attraction or gender incongruence.

Rob is the author of a new book The Body God Gives.”

– Watch or listen here.

Parents and Children — A care greater than any legislation could mandate.

From Phillip Jensen:

“In Australia, the birth rate has dropped to below 1.5 children per woman. This is the lowest birth rate we have ever had and is clearly below the 2.1 children per mother necessary to maintain the population. How important is it to have children? Does marriage necessitate children? Is marriage itself necessary? In the special creation of woman in Chapter 2 of Genesis, the subject of parenthood is immediately raised.

Peter and I are canvassing some of the issues of parenthood in this episode of Two Ways News.”

– Listen here.

Christian Songwriting: A Conversation with Greg Cooper

At The Gospel Coalition Australia, Mikey Lynch interviews Greg Cooper in Melbourne.

Many will remember Greg as a member of Garage Hymnal and his beautiful songs such as ‘Hear our Prayer’.

“This extended interview is in two parts. First, Mikey discusses general principles with Greg about congregational songwriting, personal songwriting and the place of art and beauty in the Christian life. Second, Greg breaks down the composition and recording of one song—’The Same God’—in detail, drawing out general songwriting principles along the way.’”

– Listen here.

Preaching to Men

David Cook:

“This year I have been preaching at Mens’ days at churches here in Sydney.

Domestic violence is dominated by men; there is growing focus on ‘toxic’ men’s culture; suicide rates are dominated by men at a rate of 3 to 1; mens’ mental health is an area of growing need. Men and true masculinity are under pressure.

Male models, patterning healthy masculinity are scarce in our schools and single parent families are mostly mothered families.

Two areas needing special attention are:

How can I be a better man?

Where can I find purpose and meaning in life?

In every Gideon’s Bible, the ‘Where to look when..’ page is dominated by references to …”

– At The Expository Preaching Trust, David Cook writes about true manhood, purpose and meaning in life.

Image: A 2024 photo of Armidale’s Bishop Rod Chiswell with David Cook.

Humility and Peace: the relationship between the Bible and science

From The Pastor’s Heart:

“There are understandings/interpretations of the Bible that conflict with the conclusions of modern, empirical research – where science and the Bible are thought to be giving competing explanations of the same event or concept.

One way of reading the Bible leads to the conclusion that the Earth is 6000 years old while your local science department will tell you it is more like 4.5 billion years old.

Were human beings created in an instant from dust, or over billions of years through a gradual, meandering evolutionary process?

Was there a moment in our historical timeline at the curse of God on the sin of Adam and Eve when the physical nature of our universe changed?

Were there no volcanoes or earthquakes or floods or bushfires before the curse, or has the universe operated on the same physical principles since its creation, as the conclusions of mainstream geology and astronomy suggest?

Dr Lewis Jones is an astrophysicist from North Carolina, who moved to Sydney to do post doctoral research. Lewis is now director of the Simeon Network, the postgraduate and academic arm of the Australian Fellowship of Evangelical Students.”

– Watch or listen here.

Thinking about the Occult — Church Society podcast

In the latest Church Society podcast, Tony Cannon asks Kirsten Birkett about the dangers and fascination of the occult, and what the Bible says about it.

Biblical and pastorally helpful.
31 minutes.

The Bible’s guide to time travel

“Time is a funny thing. It goes too fast. Then too slow. We want it to stand still and then wish it didn’t. We love losing track of it but incessantly strive to find it. There are few things more frustrating and difficult than running out of time or wasting it. We just can’t seem to get it right!

Why does time so often feel out of joint? …”

– At The Australian Church Record, Annabel Nixey begins a short series for time travellers.

The Animals — How Genesis helps us get the relationship right.

From Phillip Jensen:

“Humans have always enjoyed living with the animals of God’s creation. But what is our relationship with the animals, and how should we care for them?

Today we move from the abuse of animals to the worship of animals as we think about the Bible’s teaching on animals.”

– Here’s the latest episode of the Two Ways News podcast, where Peter and Phillip Jensen reveal why the lady next door complained.

New mobile game ‘Serpent and the Seed’ is Biblical and beautiful

“Bible-inspired computer games aren’t a new concept. The Christian gaming genre has been around for a long time. But arguably, no game has matched the artistry and narrative brilliance of The Serpent and the Seed, a new mobile game free to download in Apple’s App Store or on Google Play.

The game is the brainchild of London-based developer Andy Geers, who attends Euston Church (an offshoot of Dick Lucas’ St. Helen’s Bishopsgate). I’ve spent time exploring the game, which includes gorgeous animation and original music by Poor Bishop Hooper.

If you’re looking for an edifying, theologically solid new game for your kids (or yourself), this is a solid option. …”

– At The Gospel Coalition, Brett McCracken introduces The Serpent and the Seed – developed by Andy Geers, the man behind PrayerMate.

A Prayer based around Philippians 1:18-2:11

Here’s a prayer based around Philippians 1:18-2:11 –

Our dear loving heavenly Father,

We come to you with much thankfulness today.

In Philippians, we are amazed to hear again of the lengths to which you have gone to secure our salvation – even though it is totally undeserved – in any way – by us.

Your beloved Son, who – from eternity past – enjoyed glorious fellowship with you and the Holy Spirit, stepped down from his place in heaven.

We thank you that he came as a servant – he took upon himself human flesh and became one of us.

Yet – amazing as that was – he did not stop there.

We thank and praise you that he humbled himself in his obedience to you – even to the point of death – death on a cross – so that we could be saved.

Please help us to be like Jesus – living in humility – putting others first, so that they can hear the gospel.

Please unify us in that great cause of seeing men and women come to Christ.

May our manner of life be worthy of the gospel.

After the Lord Jesus died and rose again, you highly exalted him and bestowed on him the Name that is above every name.

We thank you that one day soon – every knee will bow before him and every person will acknowledge that he is Lord, to your honour and glory.

But our heart’s desire is that men and women everywhere would bow the knee to Jesus in this time, before the judgment day, honouring him as Lord and Saviour – for we know that will bring you even greater glory.

In that light today, we pray for the 90 million people of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

We certainly pray for peace – and for wisdom for the world leaders as they make decisions in these days.

Yet, while many are focussed on the international conflict, we know that there is a deeper spiritual battle taking place in Iran, for the eternal destiny of men and women.

And so we pray for the small but growing number of followers of the Lord Jesus in that country – and for the underground house churches.

Please help them – in the midst of danger and uncertainly and much persecution – to lovingly speak of Jesus without fear.

And please give their hearers open ears and hearts.

And right here in Australia, please help us to likewise speak, so that many of our friends and relatives will glorify you as they willingly and joyfully acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord.

And we ask all these things in his mighty name. Amen.

Next Page →