In my previous post sharing the content of the workshop I led at the Rooted Conference earlier this month, I focused on compe
tence. (note: this is not a transcript of the workshop but more an expansion of my outline)
From there I shared…
Clarity comes from simplicity, structure, and stickiness.
Simplicity – It’s vital that we try not to communicate too much. Stick to one main idea and everything else should support that. Avoid the temptation to dump everything you know about a subject or passage into one message. What is the one truth that you want to convey? Make sure it’s incredibly clear to your audience what the message is about.
Structure – Finding the right structure helps a message make sense, keeps us on track, and allows an audience to follow along. Don’t be afraid to reveal the structure up front. Alliteration helps as well.
Stickiness – Is this message going to stick? Have I done everything in my power to help students remember the truth I am communicating and not just the great stories, jokes, or whatever devices are used to capture attention?
Parallel sub points under a main idea are incredibly helpful. Alliteration is a tool worth using. Repetition is as well. Progressive sub points when linear show progress toward something. Repetition is also helpful. I took a class in college on learning and memory in college and my professor emphasized that structure and repetition are really important. (I am repeating myself on purpose here)
Connection comes from:
Knowing your audience and how to capture their attention – this does not mean having relationships with everyone but knowing what their world is like. I used to speak at school assemblies (in England) and I did not know each student personally but I learned a lot about their world and could connect to it.
A good start or hook. We only have a moment to captivate some audiences (depending on how well they know us and how motivated they are to listen). Drop into story or crisis; state a reality people can relate to; raise a question that intrigues or connects. There are a variety of ways to start that hook an audience quickly.
Story telling – The use of stories connects our message to our audience. I probably don’t need to say more except that developing your story telling skills is super valuable. Help them experience what you are saying.
Discovery – Helping students see what God is saying through his word (rather than merely telling them) is vital. We want students to see that God’s truth comes from God’s word and not our fabulous brains. Show students where in scripture your main points come from. Let them examine for themselves and see that you are communicating God’s word.
(more to come…)
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