"WORSHIP WORKSHOPS," The Public Reading of Scripture

On Wednesday evenings I am conducting a variety of "Worship Workshops," the past two Wednesdays devoted to "Oral Interpretation" or "The Public Reading of Scripture." The latest workshop material is presented below. Future workshops will be posted as they become available.

The Public Reading of Scripture(Oral Interpretation)

There is an important difference between oral reading and silent reading. Any person can benefit from practice in the correct way to read aloud. Just being able to pronounce the words is not good reading, and fast reading is not necessarily good reading when we are attempting to interpret the meaning of a passage for an audience. In order to read effectively the reader must feel deeply and convey the feelings through skillful use of the voice and body.

ORAL INTERPRETATION is reading aloud from the printed page with the purpose of interpreting what is read so that its meaning is conveyed to the listeners. For our purposes, Oral Interpretation and Public Reading of Scripture are used interchangeably.

Successful Oral Reading demands that the speaker know his or her material well enough that he or she can interpret fully and accurately the ideas, meanings, and beauties placed in the Scripture by the author. To do this capably, a burden of careful, almost meticulous preparation is placed on the reader. Much attention must be given to understanding what the author is saying; the reader assumes the responsibility of discovering the author’s meaning. When the reader starts to voice the author’s ideas, he or she still faces the difficult problem of imparting accurate meanings and moods by properly using his or her voice, expressions and actions. (Gail C. Hartzog, Voice and Diction Workshop, 1990)

GUIDELINES FOR PUBLIC READING OF SCRIPTURE

Preparing the Reading
1. You may want to type the reading using double spacing and leave wide margins. Another option is to mimeograph an enlarged copy of the text.

2. Read the passage silently, then read it aloud several times. This will help you get the “feel” of the passage. You will also discover any problems with pronunciation.

3. Study the emotional content, the mood of the passage. Is it joyful? Is it somber? Is it instructive? Is it written as poetry? Decide on the tone of the reading. The emotional content will dictate the tone of the reading.

4. Study the biblical meaning of the passage. Understanding of a biblical passage is essential to a proper oral reading.

5. Check the pronunciation of any word that you are not sure of. If you are not sure, look it up.

6. Let the tone of the reading dictate rate, pitch, volume.
Rate refers to the speed at which a person speaks.

Pitch refers to the tonal qualities produced in vocalization.

Volume refers to the amount of force needed in speaking for the message to be heard and for the emotional message of the reading to be conveyed. Speak naturally, but do let the tone and content of the reading dictate vocal variety.

7. Let the meaning dictate force, emphasis, and volume.

8. Mark the reading in a way that will assist you in emphasizing the tone and meaning.

9. Pay close attention to punctuation marks.

10. Let your facial expressions correlate with the meaning. Use gestures when possible; however, do not allow gestures to detract from the meaning.

The Actual Reading
1. Give a Brief Introduction
(1) Make it brief and in your own words.

(2) Include the book, chapter, verse of Scripture, and Bible translation. Including the author is also beneficial.

2. The Actual Reading
(1) Stand erect with both feet slightly apart. Do not lean on the podium or pulpit.

(2) Hold the Bible as you read. You can use your other hand to keep your place in the Bible.

(3) If you have typed your reading or mimeographed it, be sure it is firmly secured in your Bible.

(4) Be so familiar with the Scripture reading that it is practically memorized.

(5) Maintain eye contact as much as is possible during the reading. Familiarity with the Scripture reading and holding your Bible will aid you in maintaining eye contact.


For His Glory!
Pastor Joe
January 14, 2009