Why is the public reading of Scripture important for Christians?

The public reading of Scripture is integral to Christian worship as it presents the unaltered voice of God to His people. It is emphasized as one of the most pure aspects of worship, with ministers charged to read the Word aloud for the edification of the congregation (1 Timothy 4:13). This act invites the congregation to receive and understand God's divine revelation, reinforcing the importance of Scripture as the inspired, inerrant word of God. In models such as Nehemiah 8, we see that reading the Scripture distinctly and giving sense to its meaning allows the people's attention to focus on the truths of God's Word, and this ultimately leads to spiritual growth and understanding of the Gospel message.