by Tim Hall

An article last year in "Newsweek" magazine interviewed several experts on the future of education in America. One professor advocated that we move away from having teachers stand up and lecture to the students, and do more interactive instruction. Her desire, she said, was to have "a guide on the side" rather than "a sage on the stage".

This professor made a valid point. There are times when a lecture, or a sermon, accomplishes a great deal. But there are also times when it is good to stand to the side and guide the student in doing things. We're seeing more of this in classrooms across America. It seems to fit in with the general trend of interactivity.

There is an application of the same principle in worship. When the church gathers together to worship God, what do we expect? Do we look to one or a few individuals to "do" worship for us? Or do we rather look to these individuals to guide us as we offer the worship for ourselves?

Sometimes it seems people come looking for the sage on the stage. "You do the Bible study for us," we may say. "You're the scholar, the one with the degree. You tell us what to believe, how to worship, what decisions to make." Certainly we should have respect for those who have been through formal education and have attained degrees. But should we hand over to them the full responsibility of interpreting the Bible and establishing acceptable doctrine?

That would be a mistake. Any person -- educated or ignorant -- is prone to errors in judgment. A preacher may have a deserved reputation as a trusted scholar in God's word, but still can be wrong on a given point. What God expects is for all Christians to be engaged in the task of studying the word and making proper applications. Acts 17:11 clearly points to this: "These [the brethren in Berea] were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so." (New King James Version)

We don't expect the song leader to do our singing for us; he is our guide on the side, helping us to offer worship to God for ourselves. Let's apply the same view to the preacher, to the one leading public prayer, and any others who may assist in the worship service. They help us do what God has commanded every Christian to do. They certainly don't do it for us.