Ever get sleepy during the sermon? (Not mine, of course.) Truth
is, any one of us may find our attention wandering now and then.
Long attention spans are difficult under the best of
circumstances. The preacher bears a heavy responsibility here,
for subject matter, style of presentation, relevance, and many
other factors which contribute to a "live" wide-awake audience.
But the speaker cannot do it all. Nor is it enough to prove by
the Scriptures that we should be vitally interested. We know
that -- and yet we may need motivation. Perhaps we could even
learn how to become better listeners.
Jesus said, "Take heed . . . how ye hear"
(Lk. 8:18).
Not with dulled hearing and closed eyes, shunning the truth
(Matt. 13:15-16);
nor with preconceived notions that pre-vent our receiving truth
(Matt. 16:21-23).
The people I now have in mind do not belong in these categories.
But there are "good" people whose minds wander, or are easily
distracted; and this article is bold to make some suggestions
for getting more out of the sermon and of worship as a whole.
Sit
toward the front of the auditorium; close enough to feel the
speaker is talking to you. Do this not just to better hear the
speaker, but to improve the "oneness" of feeling essential to
good communication. It puts fewer distractions between you and
the speaker, allows you to better "read" his expressions,
gestures, etc. It also makes for better singing and a "closer"
feeling for the Lord's supper and other worship. Yes, there are
mothers with babies who need to sit closer to the nursery; sick
and elderly who need easier access to the rest rooms; and always
a certain number who "couldn't care less" about the worship, but
come (now and then) for unknown reasons. Leave the back seats
for them.
Become a participant, not an observer. In Christianity all
saints are priests in a holy, royal priesthood
(1 Pet. 2:5,9).
Each is a worshiper; praying and singing with the leader,
remembering Christ in the communion, giving freely with the
Lord's work in mind, and learning -- repeating in your own mind
-- that which is being taught. Being a true learner is not a
passive process, but requires distinct participation with the
teacher.
Take notes, learn to outline the message. Some are con-tent to
jot down the Scriptures used -- and that is good. But this can
be done without much thinking with the speaker. If we would make
an effort to jot down his main points (in our own brief wording)
and note their relation to one another and to the subject, we
would find ourselves much more of a participant -- and certainly
a much better listener.
Question what you hear. Is that a valid point, proven by the
Scripture used? You will not be able to think the matter through
during the sermon, but a question mark beside the point will
remind you to "check it out" when you are home. This word of
caution: one can be a "noble Berean" (Acts 17:11) without
becoming an habitual critic of the work of others. Learn
constructive criticism, and apply it to your own work.
Listen with the intention of making this your message, when you
have time to think it through. How would you tell this to
others? How could you improve on it, to fit some-one you need to
teach? This point of view can have an amazing effect on your
attention span.
Make self-application of the lesson. How can this improve my
life for Christ? How does it fit my personal needs? Listen with
a tender conscience, ready to learn and adjust your life
accordingly.
You
can have the blessings of Jesus Christ if you will learn to be a
good listener. The Savior said, "Blessed are . . . your ears,
for they hear." He also said, "Blessed are they which do hunger
and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled"
(Matt. 13:16; 5:6).
With a little practice on the above, and this kind of incentive,
you may not notice the preacher ran overtime.
Guardian of Truth - January 21, 1993
Other Articles by Robert F. Turner
Prayer and
Fasting
Local
Church is no Sham
Those "Other" Sinners
A Bit of Methodist History on
Instrumental Music
Careful to
Answer
A Man Called
David