WCF 1:7 All things in Scripture are not alike plain in themselves, nor alike clear unto all; yet those things which are necessary to be known, believed and observed for salvation, are so clearly propounded and opened in some place of Scripture or other, that not only the learned, but the unlearned, in a due use of ordinary means, may attain to a sufficient understanding of them.
What falls under the umbrella of 'ordinary means'?
To understand the letter of Scripture we must know the language in which we read it, our natural powers must have reached some degree of maturity, and our minds must be unbiassed by prejudices and erroneous views. To understand the sprit of Scripture, and so to receive spritual profit from our reading, we must have spiritual discernment through the indwelling of the Spirit, and even by the spiritual man prayer must be used as a means to secure enlightenment. Rev John Macpherson
Would the list include:
Education
Maturity/discipling
Instruction
Holy Spirit's guidance through prayer
Wouldn't everything on the list of 'ordinary means' be the responsibility/goal of the church? Are there 'ordinary means' that the church would leave to the family or the state?