And while we don’t know the exact words that Paul spoke, we are told how he spoke. He presented the good news that he preached. He didn’t just blast them with facts and figures, he spoke so that he could get and keep their attention. He used words and ideas that they could understand.
He wanted back-and-forth dialogue. He wanted their questions because they were indicators about how good of a job he was doing, pitching his thoughts and ideas. He wanted active interaction with them because it showed that they were listening.
You never convince anyone of anything, or win anyone over, through a one-way presentation. If all you do is talk, then you’re committing communication suicide. You might be an expert, you may know it all, but if all you’re doing is talking, then you’re not really looking for an informed mind or a changed heart.
When Paul spoke, he was focused so others could understand.
For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.
1 Corinthians 2:2
Paul was focused on Jesus. Period. Jesus, God’s salvation. God’s anointed one. Son of God. God the Son. But Paul didn’t stop there. The other big idea about Jesus was that he was crucified. He went through a brutal, public execution to make the payment for our sin.
He wasn’t arrested for leading some rebellion. He wasn’t killed for trying to unseat the Roman government or Jewish religion. He gave himself up to pay the price we couldn’t pay. To repair and remake our brokenness with our great, loving heavenly Father God.
When you get down to it, it’s all about Jesus. Period. Who he was. Who he is. What he did. Why he did it. Paul kept Jesus as the main thing in his life and in his talking. That sounds like a good way to communicate. And who to communicate about.
Noodling Questions about 3 steps to good communication
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Explain how you have tried to improve your communication skills and abilities with people?
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Where do you practice your new communication skills? On whom?
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How much more important are our communication skills with God? Not just speaking, but also listening?
This article about 3 steps to good communication originally appeared here, and is used by permission.
