This Week's Message in 10 Tweets

Source UNITED

Source UNITED

Big Idea: God's Word is meant to change our lives. 

1. Every movie has great writing in order for it to be a great story. God's Word is to be our script to how we live our lives

2. We read the Bible to change who we are (Hebrews 4:12). 

3. God’s Word helps cut through the junk and reveal what needs to be changed. It reveals our innermost thoughts and desires. 

4. Learn to use God’s Word as a mirror (James 1:23-25)

5. You and I face a choice each time we read God’s Word. Do I change or simple stay the same? Will I obey God’s Word or disobey it?

6. Maybe instead of praying others will change, we ask God to change our hearts.

7. The Bible shapes us into the person God meant us to become!

8. Every great story has a central person who sacrificially gives everything for others. 

9. The Bible is the greatest story ever told and Jesus is the HERO of the story. His script was given to Him by His Heavenly Father.

10. Through a relationship with Jesus, you can live a story bigger than yourself when you follow God's Word (His script) for our lives. 

To watch the messages from Source Student Ministry, check out the vimeo page. 

3 Words that Matter in Communicating God's Word

3 Words that Matter in Communicating God’s Word

My passion is to communicate God's Word. I work hard every week trying to improve. I want to share three words that I hope will help shape the way I prepare and deliver God's truth. 

Clarity      
                                                                                               
I want to make sure I know where I'm going so I can lead the audience. If I'm unclear on the direction and main thought of the message, those listening will be confused. I break down each message to a one-sentence big idea that I seek to say at different times throughout the message. I've heard this quote before, "If there's a mist in the pulpit, there is a fog in the audience." A practical way that I seek to be clear is to practice my message out loud. I will find a place that is quiet and teach it to myself. I will then delete and change different areas of the message that were confusing or unclear. 

Simplicity 

The best communicators can take something that is complex and break it down for anyone to understand. Simplicity doesn't mean a lack of depth or truth, but it means to teach in such a way that people can apply it to their lives. Make sure to break down your teaching in practical ways for people to put it into action immediately following the message. Too many sermons (or "talks") lose their power when there aren't any action steps following it. If it’s simply a speech where people are emotionally touched but without simple steps to apply it, it will be forgotten quickly. 

Power from the Holy Spirit

I believe this is the most important step of communicating God’s Word. Without the movement of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of people, we are simply speaking words. The Holy Spirit is what imprints God's Word and convicts people to change. The Holy Spirit is Who comforts and encourages. Remember, the results are up to God; we are to be faithful in studying God's Word and communicating it as clearly and simply as we can. Many times I pray something like this, "God, without you working through me, I'm not capable of changing anyone. Speak through me exactly what you want me to say." 

What other words would you say matter in preaching or teaching God's Word? Share in the comments below.