Nehemiah's Examination and Explanation of the Word

Nehemiah 8:1-8 (NLT)

8 1 all the people assembled with a unified purpose at the square just inside the Water Gate. They asked Ezra the scribe to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had given for Israel to obey.

2 So on October 8[a] Ezra the priest brought the Book of the Law before the assembly, which included the men and women and all the children old enough to understand. 3 He faced the square just inside the Water Gate from early morning until noon and read aloud to everyone who could understand. All the people listened closely to the Book of the Law.
4 Ezra the scribe stood on a high wooden platform that had been made for the occasion. To his right stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah. To his left stood Pedaiah, Mishael, Malkijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam. 5 Ezra stood on the platform in full view of all the people. When they saw him open the book, they all rose to their feet.
6 Then Ezra praised the Lord, the great God, and all the people chanted, “Amen! Amen!” as they lifted their hands. Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.
7 The Levites—Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, and Pelaiah—then instructed the people in the Law while everyone remained in their places. 8 They read from the Book of the Law of God and clearly explained the meaning of what was being read, helping the people understand each passage.

Sometimes what we need most is for someone who understands more about the scriptures than us to explain them to us. Chapter 8 is very rich, but most of all this stands out to me that the Levites read from the Book of the Law and explained the passages to the people. Then the next day, the family leaders, priests and Levites met with Ezra to study the Law in greater detail. It is my conviction that we never out grow the need to be discipled and likewise, that we are never too young or old spiritually to be involved in discipling someone else. As babes, our testimony is fresh and delightful because of our new found love, forgiveness, and fellowship with Jesus.  Elders of the faith are rich in wisdom and experience which we can glean and apply to our own journey. Believer, do not make the mistake of no longer putting yourself in the position to be taught or thinking you no longer need to be a student. With that, do not opt out of opportunities to pour into those who are younger than you in the faith. Don't fall for the enemy's lie that you do not have anything worth sharing. You are only left with nothing to share if you have been forgoing your own time alone with the Lord in His Word. Make time for the Lord! Make time for the Word! Make time for others!