My name is Pastor Elias Ayele. I am a coordinator of central zone youth ministry. I would like to say
a few words today on what Christian youth ought to do in areas of reading so that they can
become true disciples of Christ. The Bible is without question the most important book for us

Christians. Speaking of the Bereans, Acts 17:11 says that they were “more fair-minded than
those in Thessalonica because they received the word with all readiness and searched the
scriptures daily to find out if these things were so”. In comparison, the people of Thessalonica
were not fair-minded and did not search the scriptures while the Bereans searched the scriptures
daily. People who search the scriptures accept the word of God readily and without any pressure.
A reading generation cannot be easily carried away by false doctrine and backward views. In the
UK, a country next only to the USA in reading, in a campaign the people have devoted more
than twelve thousand hours to impart the habit of reading to children. They have a slogan that
goes, “Let them find you while you are reading”. They believe that a person who does not read
books is guiltier than the one who burns them. A person who does not read is missing out a lot in
life. Reading is a lifelong project. So I would like to say that the youth should not waste their
time in pursuit of useless fun. A person who does not read is easily fooled by false teachings and
wrong practices. I encourage the youth to improve their reading skills. Nowadays, most
Christians do not read. I want to speak on what should be done to improve reading habit.
Historians say that Ethiopia is one of the earliest country known for a tradition of reading and
critique. That means not just reading books but we had a culture of memorizing books with their
interpretation.
So we cannot say that there had been no culture of reading and critique. It is better to say that it
has not grown. Reading culture has retarded not among Christians only but in the country as a
whole. Nonetheless, when it comes to using reference books as well as developing the habit of
reading, it is necessary to look back into our history. We have to work especially on children and
the youth as well as young adults. If the youth do not read now while there are strong and store
knowledge, they will have to beg others in their later years when their eyes grow dim and unable
to make out letter on a page. Then they will regret it. So it is important to encourage them to read
now. Arab countries are on the least readers among nations. A man reads only six pages a year.
In the UK a person is expected to read seven books a year. In the USA, a person is expected to
read eleven books a year. The research has not been done in Ethiopia. But I want to take this
occasion to point out that reading is very important. I have heard that brother Adiamseged has
written many books despite the pressures of life in America and family responsibility. I have
read his book on the epistle to the Ephesians. He is a man I want to admire.

“The foolishness of a man perverts his way,” says Proverbs 19:3. But the way of the diligent
shall be made straight. The diligent shall be a blessing to themselves and others. Writing huge
volumes of books amidst great pressures requires an exceptional commitment. The apostle Paul
has written thirteen of the books of the Bible. He was not living a convenient life while writing
those books. For example, five of his books were written from inside a prison. So, I believe our
brother Adiamseged has followed the example of the apostle Paul in wiring books while living in
a difficult situation. Writing books in a difficult situation calls for a great sacrifice. So,
Adiamseged is one of the men I want to admire. The book in my hand, the book on Ephesians, is
a great tome of 448 pages or 460 including bibliography. It is enriched with valuable lessons. He
has worked and toiled a lot on it, he has sacrificed a lot to write it. I understand writing this kind
of book also requires great care. It has many books listed in the bibliography. So reading just this
one book is the same as reading many books. Personally, I have seen that this is a very important
book.
Finally, I would like to say a couple of words on how the youth ought to use this book. The
youth can study this book personally at home. I have heard that Adiamseged has also written
about ten other books. The book can also be used in group studies. I want to encourage readers to
use it also as a reference book. Again, it can also be used as a text book. I want to say, May God
bless our brother Adiamseged for writing a book in an Ethiopian language and in a style suitable
for Ethiopian readers. Anybody can read and understand this book. As I said earlier (and I don’t
mind repeating), I would like to express my deep respect and admiration for the author. It is
people who read that also write. People who don’t read don’t write either. So, I have seen that
Adiamseged is a reader. May God bless Adiamseged. Thank you.