BIBLICAL BASIS FOR COMMUNICATION
1. In order to understand what the Bible teaches about communication let us begin by looking at some of the key verbs in the N.T. that teach us the different dimensions of communication. The following is a list of some of the key verbs used for effective communication in the N.T.:
A. Deomai - ``Beseech’’ as in 2 Cor. 5:20 which says, ``We beseech you be reconcile to Christ.’’
B. Epitimao - ``Rebuke’’ as in 2 Tim. 4:2 which says, ``Preach the word . . . rebuke and encourage with great patience and careful instruction.’’
C. Laleo - ``Speak’’ as in Acts 9:29 which says, ``He spoke and debated with the Grecian Jews, but they tried to kill him.’’
D. Noutheteo - ``Admonish or warn’’ which in Col. 1:28 says, ``We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom.’’
E. Didaskolos - ``Teach’’ which in I Tim. 3:2 says, ``An overseer must be able to teach . . .’’
F. Elengcho - ``Reprove’’ which in 2 Tim. 3:16 says, ``All scripture is profitable for reproof, correction, and training in righteousness.’’
G. Peitho - ``Persuade’’ which in Acts 18:4 says, ``Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.’’
H. Katecho - ``Inform or Instruct’’ which says in Acts 21:21, 24, ``They have been informed that you teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn away from Moses.’’
I. Diegeomai - ``Declare’’ which says in Acts 9:27 ``How in Damascus Paul preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus.’’
J. Symbibazo - ``Prove’’ which says in Acts 9:22 ``Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ.’’
K. Parakaleo - ``Exhort or Urge’’ which says in I Pet. 2:11, ``I urge you as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires.’’
L. Kergyma - ``Preach or Proclaim’’ which in 2 Tim. 4:2 says, ``Preach the word, be ready when its convenient and when it is not.’’
M. Euangelion - ``Evangelize’’ which is used seventy-five times in the N.T. to evangelize the lost with the gospel.
2. Let us begin to ask ourselves questions of our patterns of communication. Are we communicating in the pattern set in the above verbs? Are we making our communication priorities according to these patterns? Is our preaching, teaching, and counseling using these kinds of verbs to direct our communication? How effective is our communication?
Are there some things that we could do to improve our communication using these verbs and ideas? Are we adequately aware of people’s cultures so that we can effectively use these verbs and ideas? Are there any major hindrances for us to communicate through these verbs? Who are some examples of people who most effectively use communicate with these verbs and ideas? What can we learn from them? What do we need to change to make our communication more like that used in the N.T.?
3. Efforts to balance the rational, emotional, behavioral, and entertaining parts of communication is seen throughout the scriptures. However, the communicating to all three together without serious distinctions made between the four is key. The Biblical pattern for communication is to:
A. Inform which is usually achieved by rational, logical appeals to the mind.
B. Persuade through proper emotional appeals.
C. Entertain through the use of illustrations, humor, or expressions of joy, delight, praise, and thanksgiving.
D. Behavioral - Displaying Godly actions.
4. The emphasis of communication is always on the Great Commission (Going into all the world to preach the gospel and make disciple) found in Matt. 28:18-20, Mk.16:15, Lk.24:46-49, Jn. 20:21, and Acts 1:8.
5. The Holy Spirit is the key to making communication effective. Jn 16:13 says, ``He will guide you into all truth . . . He will convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment . . . He will show you things to come . . . He will teach you what you are to speak . . .’’
6. We look to Christ, Paul, and the Apostles for our models for communication. ``Christ spoke with power and authority unlike the Pharisees.’’ Paul said in I Thes. 2:12, For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting, and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.’’
Of the Apostles it was said in Acts 4:13, Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men they were marvelling because they had been with Jesus.’’
Let us ask the Lord to allow His communication to flow through us like a stream of living water to the thirsty people around us.
