"Who's the talker?!" - Getting God back on the agenda!
When I was at primary school there was this PE teacher who would always yell out "Who's the talker?!" in this strong aussie accent when someone spoke out of turn in his classes. It always made me laugh!
Anyway I was reminded of this last night as I read an article about 'God talk'. It spoke about, as Christians, what kind of 'talkers' we should be.
Does your language change depending on whether you are speaking to a believer or non-believer?! If you are a Christian, then you should always be speaking (and thinking) from a Christian perspective, cos thats what you are!
Of course you have to be careful as to how much jargon you use with different people, especially as some non-believers can also use this language without knowing the true meaning:
"Our contemporaries continue to use these concepts even though they have lost touch with their Author: they speak of creation, even though they have lost touch with the Creator; the uphold the values of 'right' and 'wrong' even though they do not believe in absolutes; they cherish their individuality and personhood, even though they believe we are all only biological machines."
As Christians we need to ensure that what we hold dear is reflected in our everyday conversation. Because if we dont, there will be serious consequences - "the secular view becomes the accepted norm of society" simply because when we stop referring to God we not only remove him from everyday thoughts but "we imply that life can be understood quite well without him."
I dont know about you, but i dont want to give anyone that impression!
And if you are someone reading this post who doesnt yet know Jesus, I'm sorry if this seems irrelevant for you, but let me challenge you with one thing also - if you know someone or speak to someone whose conversation may be filled with 'God talk' then don't be affraid to ask them why!
We were reading this article as part of our study on Reason for Hope - a series inspired by the verse "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." 1 Peter 3:15b
It is a privilege that God wants to and does work through us in turning people to him. We are called to be a light and salt to this world. We must also of course remember that we fulfill this role only with the help of God. It is very much more his work than ours. We are but mere clay pots holding a treasure that comes only from Him.
Are you praying that you can be bold in this world - down to everyday conversation?!
"Who's the talker?" You are. Inject God back into conversation and on the agenda!
Meanwhile, a little update:
Listening: Garden State Soundtrack and Steve Morrison 'Silently'
Reading: Roaring Lambs by Bob Briner; The Remarkable Prayers of the Bible by Jim George; and Desiring God (Ok, so i really just want uni to be over and to have some time to read! hehe)
The new house: Its almost all sorted finally! Got new blinds yesterday - yay no more sheets as curtains... And this pic is out the back, where I think i shall go to now for some breckie and reading!
Anyway I was reminded of this last night as I read an article about 'God talk'. It spoke about, as Christians, what kind of 'talkers' we should be.
Does your language change depending on whether you are speaking to a believer or non-believer?! If you are a Christian, then you should always be speaking (and thinking) from a Christian perspective, cos thats what you are!
Of course you have to be careful as to how much jargon you use with different people, especially as some non-believers can also use this language without knowing the true meaning:
"Our contemporaries continue to use these concepts even though they have lost touch with their Author: they speak of creation, even though they have lost touch with the Creator; the uphold the values of 'right' and 'wrong' even though they do not believe in absolutes; they cherish their individuality and personhood, even though they believe we are all only biological machines."
As Christians we need to ensure that what we hold dear is reflected in our everyday conversation. Because if we dont, there will be serious consequences - "the secular view becomes the accepted norm of society" simply because when we stop referring to God we not only remove him from everyday thoughts but "we imply that life can be understood quite well without him."
I dont know about you, but i dont want to give anyone that impression!
And if you are someone reading this post who doesnt yet know Jesus, I'm sorry if this seems irrelevant for you, but let me challenge you with one thing also - if you know someone or speak to someone whose conversation may be filled with 'God talk' then don't be affraid to ask them why!
We were reading this article as part of our study on Reason for Hope - a series inspired by the verse "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." 1 Peter 3:15b
It is a privilege that God wants to and does work through us in turning people to him. We are called to be a light and salt to this world. We must also of course remember that we fulfill this role only with the help of God. It is very much more his work than ours. We are but mere clay pots holding a treasure that comes only from Him.
Are you praying that you can be bold in this world - down to everyday conversation?!
"Who's the talker?" You are. Inject God back into conversation and on the agenda!
Meanwhile, a little update:Listening: Garden State Soundtrack and Steve Morrison 'Silently'
Reading: Roaring Lambs by Bob Briner; The Remarkable Prayers of the Bible by Jim George; and Desiring God (Ok, so i really just want uni to be over and to have some time to read! hehe)
The new house: Its almost all sorted finally! Got new blinds yesterday - yay no more sheets as curtains... And this pic is out the back, where I think i shall go to now for some breckie and reading!
2 Comments:
I agree, God talk is seriously like the best thing in the world. And I think people are more interested about God than we think, if we're prepared to talk abotu him starting on their terms. Not that it has to go there, but how good is it when it does?
oh my goodness! "who's the talker!" mr petree??? i remember we wanted him to go on that gladiator show...how random!
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