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Lesson Nine: Teaching Without Preaching

The Eighth CWG Commandment

You shall not preach to your reader, rather, establish common ground, presenting biblical truths gracefully and subtly.
(I Corinthians 9.19-23)

 

Preparation and Prayer

Bring to the meeting:

» A Bible and your 3-ring binder

» Any letters or essays in process (enough copies for all)

» Copies of articles by other writers (national, local, or others) that you have found especially effective at incorporating Scripture

As you open your meeting, pray:

» For the members of your group

» For your audience

» For editors of your local paper (by name)

» For God to give you a heart of love for your readers, and a desire to meet their needs through His Words

 

Establishing the Vision: How to Communicate to the Secular Mindset Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:1-4

In Lesson Eight we discussed the elements of effective communication. Writing in an interesting, respectful, accurate, honest and compelling way will gain us a hearing in the secular media. Equally critical, however, is learning to adapt our message to the reader's point of reference.

Readers usually interpret a message in terms of their own context-their culture, beliefs, language, life situation, etc. A writer who listens, asks questions, and establishes common ground with his audience will always be more effective. We must convey God's never-changing Word to a vast diversity of people. If our goal is to effect change in people's hearts and lives, we must adapt our message to our audience.

Know what your audience believes

We must fight the tendency many Christians have to close our doors on our culture and entrench with those who think and act like we do. Learn to understand your culture and march out in love. Study to understand the prevalent ideologies of our day: Traditional culture; Modernity; and Post-Modernity. (See box below.)

Establish common ground

Once you understand your reader's frame of reference, demonstrate a knowledge and respect for their beliefs. For example, simply reciting long Bible quotes will not move a reader who rejects the authority of Scripture. Rather, he must be shown how God's way works. Be sensitive to the questions and objections your words will raise in the minds of your readers. Anticipate them and answer them in a compelling way.

Avoid Christian "jargon" and "evangelicalese" which may confuse and alienate your readers. Establish credibility by choosing language that fits their perspective. Practice how to explain religious issues in secular terms.

Appeal to their felt needs. Are you writing about the value of strong families? Appeal to the universal need to feel loved, valued and secure. Demonstrate how God's ways provide for those needs to be met.

Establish a tone of humility and empathy with the reader. We must never preach "down" to those who fail to measure up to our high standards. Rather, extend the loving hand of patient encouragement to those who, like us, struggle with confusion and sin. Be specific and personal in your illustrations and applications. Personal testimony will open doors that preaching will not.

Challenge their frame of reference

Once you have established your understanding of a non-Biblical position, skillfully show the reader the superiority of God's way as revealed in His Word. Reveal the insufficiency of a non-Christian position or argument and highlight the All-Sufficiency of God. Use a mixture of warning, encouraging, admonishing, comforting, confronting and urging.

Be realistic about both the costs and the benefits of change. Don't fall into the trap of offering "cheap grace. " Life changing truth is sometimes a painful thing to hear (salt can sting!), but it is what brings lasting hope and life, Talk straight but let your genuine love show through.

Leave the results to God

Scripture tells us that God's truth will be "foolishness" to those who are not of the Spirit. Sometimes even the most intelligent, well-planned argument, skillfully woven with Scripture will fail to move your reader You may even face hostile resistance to your message. Try not to take any attacks personally; rather be ready to defend your position in a loving, non-confrontational manner Remember that even Jesus, the perfect communicator, faced bitter resistance by the people He came to save. Success is not your concern; obedience to God is.

Pray that His words will go straight to the heart of those He is calling. Sow seeds of truth in faith, allowing God to bring them to harvest at the proper time. And persevere in bringing God's truth to a dying world.

Questions for Discussion:

» Choose an area of need, controversy or debate in your community right now. Role-play as a member of the "opposition" and explain to the group your position. Be thoughtful and careful in your portrayal. Why do you believe what you do? What needs do Christians fail to address in this debate? What are the rallying points of your movement?

» How will your new understanding of this issue help you prepare your next article for the secular media?

 

Perfecting our Skills

Critique:

Take fifteen to thirty minutes to read and critique written pieces which members of your group have brought. Did the author include evidence of adequate research to support his points?

Spend around five to ten minutes per article. Be affirming and constructive. Remember to use our steps to R.A.C.E! (Refer to Lesson Two.)

Skillfully Weaving Scripture into Your Writing

To successfully and effectively use Scripture in the secular media, apply the following suggestions

Avoid tacking Scripture onto the end of the article, like the moral in Aesop's Fables. It is highly likely that Scripture placed there will be lopped of by a zealous editor -or even worse, totally ignored by the reader.

Apply Scripture to your point early in the article so the reader knows just where the source of your wisdom lies.

Weave it so gracefully into your text that it is virtually impossible for an editor to remove. Embed your verse into a sentence; make it part of a list of points following a colon; build a thought upon your scripture passage so that what follows makes no sense if the Bible reference is removed. Be creative. The best source of ideas can be found in the writings of others who have published effective, truth-filled letters and essays. Read professional columnists who include Scripture in their writings. The annual Amy Awards Winners booklet includes inspiring examples. (Write to the Amy Foundation for a copy.)

Avoid sounding strident and harsh, making your point with a sledgehammer. In Deuteronomy 32:2, Moses asks God to let his teaching "drop as the rain," "distill as the dew, ... as droplets on the fresh grass and showers on the herb. " These are tender and nurturing pictures. Let your words bring hope and life.

Point out the Scriptural truths your reader already believes. Sometimes it is possible to find a point of agreement around which you can build your argument. For instance, you may agree with a leader who says it is wrong for humans to kill innocent children in an act of terrorism; then point out that it is inconsistent to condone abortion-on-demand.

Use chapter/verse references sparingly. Although it may be important to direct the reader to the specific passage you are quoting, be aware that pausing to give a chapter/verse reference interrupts the flow of communication you have worked hard to establish. Use discretion about whether to include it. Try including it in the text, i.e., "In John 3:16 Jesus says; 'For God...."' or simply "Jesus says, 'God so loved...."' It is not necessary to use Roman numerals to denote scripture "addresses."

Whenever possible, use modern translations or paraphrased versions of the Bible. Use accurate translations that you believe are true to the most ancient manuscripts. But remember that the Bible was not written in Middle English-it was written in Hebrew and Greek. Modern readers will respond better to words and phrases that make sense to them, without the hurdles of unfamiliar twists of language.

References for future study:
Understanding The Times; David Noebel, Summit Press, 1991
Modern Times; Paul Johnson, HarperPerennial, New York, 1992

 

Application

1. Write a letter to the editor or essay, following the guidelines on page one. Be especially aware of your readers' perspective.

2. Assign at least one person in your group the task of writing to your local media about the topic chosen by your group during discussion question one. Use insights gained during discussion to help you establish common ground with your readers.

3. Study articles where writers have effectively included scripture. How did they weave it into their text?

4. Make a list of the doctrines upon which all Christians agree. Make a similar list of those issues which divide the Church or cause disagreement. Be prepared to discuss it next time.

 

Technical Tips

Commonly Misused Words

» media-medium: medium is singular; media is plural.

» affect-effect: Usually affect = a verb; effect = a noun, except when meaning "to bring about,"

» capital-capitol: Always use capital, unless referring to the building in which the legislature meets.

» complement-compliment: complement = "to complete." compliment= praise or a gift.

» imply-infer: A speaker implies; a listener infers.

» principal-principle: Principal is a person, the main element of something or money; Principle is a rule, truth or standard.

» irregardless: Never a word! Use "regardless."

» comprise: Literally, "embrace." The whole comprises the parts. The parts do not comprise the whole.

Thought To Ponder

"Frankly, most sermons don't belong in a secular newspaper or magazine, and we do our cause a disservice when we submit this type of writing for publication. The way to win a hearing... is to be articulate, cogent, and good-natured. Quoting lots of scripture and using the evangelical jargon that only one's fellow church members understand is viewed by secular editors as inappropriate, and I agree.

-Bob Briner, Roaring Lambs, Zondervan, 1993, p. 59.

A Leader always:

» coaches people rather than drives them

» promotes goodwill

» inspires enthusiasm

» sets the pace

» fixes the problem rather than fixes blame

» makes himself part of the solution and says "let's go!"

The world needs leaders, but nobody wants a boss.

-adapted from the writing of Waite Phillips

 

Scripture References

» Deut. 32:2
» Rom. 15:4
» Prov. 14:8
» 1 Cor. 1:17-21
» Prov. I5:1-2,4
» 1 Cor. 2:12-14
» Prov. 16:7
» 2 Cor. 2:14-17
» Isa. 50:4
» Phil. 2:3-4
» Isa. 55:8
» Phil. 4:5
» Hosea 10:12
» 2 Tim. 3:12
» Matt. 13:18-23
» 2 Tim. 4:1-4
» Rom. 12:16
» 1 Pet. 3:8-17

This is the ninth of twelve lessons in the "Church Writing Group " curriculum. Reproduction of this lesson is permissible.

For more information contact The Amy Foundation, P.O. Box 16091, Lansing, Ml 48901, (517) 323-6233.

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