Communicating Absolute Truth to Wikipedia Students

Understanding your audience is one of the first rules of communication. Yet we have all endured off-topic sermons or lectures which missed their target audience by a decade or two.

It is vital we be conscientious in the research and preparation of our content. However, understanding the people to whom we intend to deliver the content is imperative as well.

When I teach leadership courses focused on communicating truth to students I emphasize the following three components. In this blog I will be discussing only the third point.

• Preparation of your life
• Developing your message
• Understanding your audience

My challenge to youth leaders is to be “students of students!”  The message is important therefore the method is vital for communicating the message.

The reason I chose the title “Communicating Absolute Truth to Wikipedia Students” is to highlight just one aspect of this principle. The present generation of students often process information with a Wikipedia mindset. To them, information is rarely set in stone, it is always evolving. Gen’s Y & Z are very comfortable with contradiction.

Realize when we say something like “Jesus said, I am the way, the truth and the life…,” they tend to take what we see as absolute and immediately place the information into their Wikipedia processor. There they weigh it against other things they have heard or the fact that their friend is Buddhist or Muslim – and they begin to massage that absolute.

This does not mean we change our message but it should affect our method. Let me suggest a few considerations to aid in our communication of truth:

• Dispense with the Christian clichés. You will greatly limit your ability to communicate to any unchurched people using terms that even some church people do not understand.
• Define terms simply and in relevant language. Using the vernacular of the people you desire to reach may be a positive communication tool if you are genuine.
• Don’t water down theology but communicate clearly. Its okay to just say “Jesus came back to life,” if you don’t think they will immediately grasp the term “resurrection.” Still introduce them to the doctrine: they can get it.
• Acknowledge the struggle they face with absolute truth. They are being programed from numerous venues and your acknowledgement helps level the playing field.
• Confidently communicate the truth. Do not apologize, hesitate or flinch about what you are saying. If you blink…you lose them!
• Ask the Spirit of God to take the Word of God and penetrate hearts. When all is said and done, we must rely upon God to do His work.

What have you found to be effective in communicating truth to students?