It was encouraging last night to hear so many people say that Joshua was their favorite Old Testament book. The comments ranged from "I can't wait for the series of messages!" to "How can I get a copy of the message the week I can't be at Church?" It wasn't just the comments that caught my attention but the countence too. The smiles, the twinkle in the eyes, the overall look of excitement was an equal blessing. The eagerness to hear the Word is always an encouragement to a pastor.
It is true that our attitude toward the preaching and teaching of the ought to be eagerness. The Bible says we should desire it as new born babies desire milk, as a hungry person wants bread, and as a student desires learning. A desire for the Word is Spirit given but is developed by the faithful receiving of the Word. A willingness to be led of the Spirit will always bring us to the teaching of the Word. Check out Acts 17.
Desire of the Word should also have discipline with it. For the believer to receive the most from the Word we need the attitude of a student who will study, search, and apply the Word to his life. It's important to come to a place of the teaching of the Bible with an open mind, a soft heart, and a pencil to write something down to remember and think about later. It's important to seek to keep what we learn in our mind over the next few days until the Spirit of God has put it into practice in our lives. Check out James 1.
Last but not least is to remember to distribute to others the things we have learned from the Word. In 2 Timothy 2:2 the Apostle Paul taught this principle and it proved to be a strength to the churches where he ministered. Maybe you would consider starting a small "afterglow" group to meet together during the week and discuss questions and blessings learned from the Word at church or Sunday School.
I admit I left church last night with a greater desire to prepare to preach this series from the Book of Joshua, looking forward to the growth it will bring in my life and in the lives of those who hear and obey it. It is our solid foundation (Matthew 7).