Gather up a sundry batch of sinners (Nehemiah 8:1). Read them the Bible (Nehemiah 8:3). Everyone is super attentive (see Acts 17:11; Nehemiah 8:5). Everyone begs for the soul food of Scripture (see Matthew 4:4; Nehemiah 8:6). Utilize people like Eugene Peterson, Fred Buechner, C.S. Lewis, Robert Farrar Capon, Dr. Steve Brown, J.R.R. Tolkien, Flannery O’ Connor, Rankin Wilbourne, Russ Ramsey, and Paul David Hewson to help the sundry batch of sinners understand the emphasis of the Scriptures (see Matthew 9:13; Luke 24:27; 1 Timothy 1:15; Nehemiah 8:7-8).

When the sundry batch of sinners hears the Scripture they will want to weep (see Romans 7:18-19, 24; 11:32a; 1 Timothy 1:15), but a true and vehement understanding and application of holiness will compel you to say to the weepers, “This day is HOLY to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep” (see Romans 8:1; 11:32b; James 2:13; Habakkuk 3:2). “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is HOLY to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the JOY of the Lord is your strength” (see Matthew 9:13; Nehemiah 8:10). The true and vehement understanding of holiness will compel you to calm the crowd of weeping, somber, grave, “why-so-serious” sinners, and the Holy Spirit will compel you to lovingly chastise the solemn, frigid, stony-faced society with the words, “Be quiet, stop your crying for this day is holy; do not be grieved” (Nehemiah 8:11). And you will have to command the people to eat and drink and to send portions and to make great rejoicing, because such behavior is aligned with a true understanding of God’s holy word (Nehemiah 8:12).

Then you will need to admonish everyone to go camping for 7 days! (Nehemiah 8:13-18).