Early Christians Studied Scripture at Home?? (St. John Chrysostom)

Perhaps early Christians weren't so illiterate and Bible-less after all. During his whole public ministry, St. John Chrysostom (347–407) preached and demanded that his congregants buy copies of the Scriptures, read them at home, study on their own time, and—for men—teach their whole household: wife, children, and slaves. Even as archbishop, Chrysostom insisted that Scripture was clear (perspicuous) in all fundamental doctrines, even saying that the homily (sermon) would be unnecessary if Christians would simply study their Bibles. 0:00 Introduction 1:23 Turn Your House into a Church 3:33 Secular Life Needs Extra Scripture 7:22 Buy the Bible 9:54 Scripture Study Over Sermon 16:18 Thoughts from 1 John 17:17 Conclusion We discuss topics like family worship, male headship, the Puritans, secular vs. monastic life, and more. Texts from homilies on Genesis, Luke, Colossians, and 2 Thessalonians.