1 Timothy 4:13<\/p>\n
Until I come,\u00a0devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture,\u00a0to preaching and to teaching.<\/p>\n
Timothy was to focus his time and energy on three key activities because these three would lead to the spiritual maturing of the Ephesian Christians. To read the Bible was important because people did not have their own personal copies. The Scriptures, mostly in scrolls at that time, were expensive and very few people had copies. The way the people learned them was through oral reading. Preaching is the clear proclamation of the gospel that calls for a decision. Teaching is expounding on the gospel, explaining key doctrines, and helping people repeat this knowledge so that they can live it out. Why do all this? Because we all need a boost in our spiritual development. It is very difficult, if not impossible, to be lone Christians. We need each other. We need someone with wisdom, understanding, and insight into the gospel of Christ, to help us grow and to call us to decision.<\/p>\n