Communicating Absolute Truth to a Wikipedia Generation

One of the first rules of communication is understanding your audience. Unfortunately, we have all heard sermons, speeches or lectures that were off topic – or missed their target audience by a decade. Being conscientious in the preparation of our content is vital, but it is also imperative we understand the people we intend to address.

Over the years I have taught leadership courses on communication. In these sessions I focused on effective methods for sharing truth with the current generation. Each time I taught, I emphasized three major components.: (1) Preparation of your life; (2) Developing your message; and (3) Understanding your audience. In this blog, I am only discussing point #3. My challenge to student leaders is to be “students of students!”  If the message is important – and it is – then the method is vital for communicating that truth.

The reason I chose the title “Communicating Absolute Truth to a Wikipedia Generation” is to highlight just one aspect of this principle. The present generation of students (Gens Y & Z) are used to processing things with a Wikipedia mindset. For many of them, nothing is really set in stone but is constantly evolving like a Wikipedia definition.  The students of Gens 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 truth and immediately place that into their Wikipedia processor. There they weigh it against other things they have heard – or the fact 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 communication methods. Let me suggest a few things to consider to aid in our communication, especially when sharing the Gospel:

• Be careful with Christian clichés. People who grew up in the church may understand our terms, but the unchurched have to process these using Wikipedia.
• Define terms simply and in relevant language. It is okay to use the Without God’s power in our lives, preparing incredible content, have amazing communication methods and even delivering the message with finesse is pointless. vernacular of the people you desire to reach. Just keep in mind how quickly terms and concepts change with generations. Often the “cool” word or phrase you are using may have a new double meaning you never intended.
• Don’t water down theology but communicate clearly. It’s 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. Speak the truth confidently and unapologetically. If you blink…you lose them!
• Ask the Spirit of God to take the Word of God and penetrate hearts. When it is all said and done, we must rely upon God to do His work. Without God’s power in our lives, preparing incredible content, using amazing communication methods and even delivering the message with finesse is pointless.

Once we understand these concepts, hopefully we will be compelled to:

• Depend on God.
• Study the Scriptures.
• Be a student of students.
• Consistently improve our communication methods.

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