The Bible is not only studied—it is lived. In the Church, East and West, the Scriptures are woven into every part of Christian life: in the liturgy, in personal prayer, in the formation of conscience, and in the proclamation of the Gospel.
The Church does not treat the Bible as a book of the past. Rather, it is read, sung, prayed, and preached every day, as the living Word of God that nourishes the people of God in every generation.
“To get the full flavor of an herb, it must be pressed between the fingers. So it is with the Scriptures: the more frequently we are in them, the more the flavor, the better the taste.”
—St. John Chrysostom
Proclaimed in the Liturgy
In every liturgical celebration—especially the Divine Liturgy (or Mass)—the Scriptures are at the center. The Church reads from the Old and New Testaments, not merely to inform, but to allow Christ to speak directly to His people. Each and every liturgical service - such as Vespers, Matins and the Hours of the Day - contain texts woven from the Scriptures.
The Eastern Churches follow an annual lectionary centered on the liturgical calendar, with Gospel readings appointed for each Sunday and feast. Old Testament readings are featured at Vespers, especially on major feasts. The Western Church follows a three-year lectionary cycle, offering a broad and rich reading of the entire Bible over time.
Whether East or West, the purpose is the same: to allow the faithful to hear the full story of salvation, in harmony with the seasons of the Church’s life.
Sung and Prayed in the Services
In the Church's daily services—Vespers, Matins, the Hours, and more—the Psalms and other Scripture passages are constantly present. In the East, the Psalter is often read in full every week. In the West, the Liturgy of the Hours draws heavily from Scripture, especially the Psalms, Canticles, and Readings.
When we pray with the Bible, we are not simply reading about God; we are speaking to God with His own words. The words of the prophets, the songs of the psalmist, and the parables of Christ become our own prayer.
Forming the Heart and Mind
The Bible also shapes Christian thought and daily life. Through regular reading and reflection, believers grow in knowledge, love, and trust in God. The Church encourages everyone—clergy and laity alike—to be familiar with Scripture and to allow it to form their conscience and decisions.
Fathers and mothers, teachers and preachers, monks and laypeople alike have drawn strength from Scripture to guide their lives. In the East and West alike, the saints are living examples of what happens when Scripture is not only read, but obeyed.
“The Holy Scriptures lead us to all that is good and away from evil. They train us in piety and discipline, and give peace to the soul.”
—St. Basil the Great
A Shared Word
Though the Church includes many cultures, languages, and traditions, all are united around the one Word of God. Whether it is chanted in Greek, read in Latin, proclaimed in English, or whispered in silence, the Bible speaks with the same divine voice to all the faithful.
It is through the life of the Church that the Scriptures continue to be not only a text, but a living presence. In every liturgy, every prayer, and every heart turned to God, the Word continues to be spoken.
“So shall My word be that goes out from My mouth: it shall not return to Me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.”
—Isaiah 55:11
Next: Part 6 – Why Bibles Differ – Canon and History →