S. Acts 17:22-23 (NIV)
22 Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. 23 For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship—and this is what I am going to proclaim to you.
O. Paul shared his faith not only in the synagogue but also in the marketplace (v.17). Paul looked for things in Athenian culture that people were familiar with and connected it to his message - to point people to Jesus.
Jesus did this also when he spoke in parables - using things people were familar with to teach spiritual truth.
A. It is good for us to not only share Jesus in church (the synagogue) but also in the market place (stepping out and reaching people who think about matters differently). It’s vitally important that we learn to be effective communicators so they can have a clear picture or understanding. One part of that is to set aside what some people call “Christianese” language i.e, choosing words that our listeners will understand. (Christianese language is a term that has been used to describe overly religious terms as opposed to terms or words that do not have a heavy religious tone but can still communicate and deliver the message. For example replacing the term “saved” with “receiving eternal life.”)
Also, to use things from our culture that people are familiar with to connect people to Jesus. I have tried this in the past in my messages that I preach. For example, in the fall I like to do a short series called “At the Movies” which is an opportunity to take something from the culture that people are certain to know and to use it as a connecting point to the gospel of Jesus. I’m not saying I do that well, but that’s my desire and I will continue to study and find ways to effectively help people make the connection from the known and familiar to Jesus.
P. Thank you Father for yoru word today and for Paul’s example in teaching spiritual truth. Thank you for putting great teachers in my life. Holy Spirit fill me and guide me to be an effective communicator of your word. In Jesus’ name.
