Here are ten Scriptures that get lost when translated into our church practices. The second phrase of each pair might never be articulated and it will often have much truth to it. But there's a mould we tend to press the Scriptures into - and it's not always useful...
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly" becomes "Have a quiet time."
"Pray without ceasing" becomes "Have a quiet time."
"Preach the word" becomes "Explain the passage."
"Do not give up meeting together" becomes "Schedule weekly Bible studies."
"Confess your sins to one another" becomes "Join an accountability group."
"You will be my witnesses" becomes "You ought to do some evangelism."
"We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God" becomes "Please come on our course."
"You must be born again" becomes "You must be able to narrate a dramatic conversion experience."
"Pursue righteousness" becomes "Avoid porn."
"Flee from idolatry" becomes "Don't love things too much."
Can you think of others?
"Don't store up treasure on earth" becomes "obviously that doesn't exclude actually storing up pensions, investment funds, savings, property and treasure... "
"Pray for us" becomes "Gossip about people - as prayer points, of course."
"They devoted themselves to the fellowship" becomes "talk about the football over tea and biscuits."
"Encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness" becomes encourage yourself every day by having a quiet time
"I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven" becomes "if he keeps asking me to forgive him that many times, he surely can't be genuine, and so I really shouldn't bother"
"If you ask anything in My name, I will do it" becomes "It really doesn't matter if I ask, and He certainly won't listen to my request"
"Be filled with the Holy Spirit" becomes "read your Bible, pray, do good to others, memorize Scripture"