Every Sunday the thousands who pour into Central Church have one visible trait in common: each carries a Bible, many times worn from use. A portion of Scripture is read aloud at each service, frequently followed by a warm "amen" from the congregation. During the sermon members follow along in open Bibles, notepads in hand. Bibles are greatly cherished, with favorite verses underlined, and pages often discolored by dried tears. A love for God's Word is evident at Central Church.

A Priority

Even the regular service schedule reflects the priority given to Scripture at Central Church. A short time of song and prayer is immediately followed by the teaching of God's Word, and with announcements and offering delayed until after the sermon.

The platform itself has two tiers. The lower tier is used to lead songs; the upper tier is used for the preaching of the Word.

All around the church complex, various scriptures are posted in key locations. Two scriptures are most prominent. One is positioned at the front of the main auditorium: "If thou canst believe, all things are possible" (Mark 9:23). The other is placed near the top of a main stairway, and in the Memorial Gymnasium. This verse echoes the church's belief in a caring God, and stands as their corporate motto: "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth" (3 John 2)

HOME BIBLE STUDY

A weekly Bible study is one of the primary features of the home cell unit. Lasting about an hour, the format of this study is similar to that of the church's. Bible teaching comes first, any discussion and fellowship following that priority.

Each Bible study is led by the home cell unit leader of the neighborhood area. Every Wednesday home cell unit leaders come to Central Church, during one of three sessions, to hear Dr. Cho give that week's lesson over video tape. The cell leaders become carrier-teachers, carrying that week's Bible study to the members of their home cell units. To aid home cell leaders and members, an outline of each week's Bible study is inserted in the back pages of the church's monthly magazine, Shinangge.

Rev Yi Shik Cho is head of one of Central Church's eight home cell unit districts. In talking about the use of the Bible in the home cell unit he commented, "Through the weekly Bible study we are systematically trying to give members an understanding of God's Word for practical application. A knowledge of the Bible is necessary if one is not to fall into error. The Bible is the eternal plumb line for the Christian, giving him or her a focal point for direction and guidance."

PERSONAL DEVOTIONS

Sermons and Bible studies are important, but they alone do not provide enough nourishment for the Korean Christian to fully bloom and mature. Study of the Word must become personal.

Personal daily devotions are encouraged from the pulpit and by cell unit leaders. In surveys taken at three maturity growth seminars it was found that three out of every four members reported having regular daily personal devotions. These devotions lasted about thirty minutes. During devotions an average of two Bible chapters were read daily, and one scripture memorized every month.

While sermons and Bible studies should not replace personal devotions, they can serve as appetizers to further personal exploration of Scripture. "Whenever I hear Dr. Cho's preaching," interjected one member, "it makes me hungry for more of the Word. After listening to his sermons, the first thing I do is study the Bible, for I want the truths of Scripture to be a vital part of my life."

The rewards of Bible study and personal devotions are numerous. "The Bible is essential to my life." Asserted Central Church member Heeyong Kim. "I read the Bible so my mind and thinking can be cleansed, so that my attitudes can be changed. Whenever I have a problem, I read the Bible for solution and guidance. The Bible is powerful. It shows me to follow Christ, and creates in me a love for my neighbors."

FAMILY DEVOTIONS

Central Church also encourages daily family devotions. For the most fervent Christians, family devotions are held twice each day: in the morning, and at supper time. During these devotions the father assumes his spiritual headship, guiding his family to a deeper understanding of God's Word.

With increased disruption of the family unit, these daily devotions have assumed added importance. Many testify of the help family devotions have been to them, gradually healing family hurts, gently directing their attentions to Christ.

FAVORITE SCRIPTURES

A recent survey was taken of the favorite scripture verses of the pastoral staff at Central Church. The chapter most frequently quoted was from John 14. One third of the verses were located in the Old Testament; the remainder were in the New Testament. The many scriptures quoted reflected a wide diversity of Bible reading.

The three verses mentioned most frequently were: "The Lord is on my side. I have no fear: what can man do to me?" (Psalm 118:6);. "The end of all things is upon us, so you must lead an ordered and sober life, given to prayer. Above all keep your love for one another at full strength, because love cancels innumerable sins" (1 Peter 4:7-9 NEB); "Beloved. I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth" (3 John 2).

Article copyrighted 1980 by "World of Faith" magazine, Winter 1980, Volume 2, No. 1, Pages 11 &14. This magazine is no longer published, but has been replaced by "Church Growth," available at P. O. Box 7; Seoul 150, Korea.