Theocratic Aid To Kingdom Publishers

Lesson 20

HOW TO SPEAK WELL EVERY DAY

"Take with you words, and return unto Jehovah: . . . so will we render as bullocks the offering of our lips." (Hosea 14:2, A.S.V.) This matches the expression of the apostle Paul at Hebrews 13:15: "Let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips." Such sacrifices are not to be offered only at intervals, but continually. The speaking to God's glory is to be performed daily. (Ps. 61:8; Luke 9: 23; 19:47; Acts 5:42) Hence the question of how to speak well every day becomes vitally important to the Theocratic minister.

When speaking the Kingdom message to the people, look at them. As the minister speaks his facial expression should reflect the import of the message. He should portray enthusiasm, kindly interest, earnestness, and strong conviction. In other words, Jehovah's ministers should have speaking countenances. The facial expression should show that the speaker believes what he is saying. Important also is pleasantness. The message is one of good news, and its gladsome truths should be proclaimed to the people with radiant joy. Smile, and be congenial. Not only should one's face reflect emotions as he speaks, but as one listens his expression should change with his inner reactions. Poker faces have no place in everyday gospel-preaching.

Choice words become the Kingdom message. The best are none too good for framing in the minds of listeners the glorious Kingdom truths. This means watch grammar, apply in everyday conversation the rules learned in Theocratic ministry training. Glaring errors in grammar detract not only from the message but from the messenger.

Likewise the words chosen to present the truth should be in good taste, simple, understandable, refined. Coarse and vulgar expressions of the day avoid. Some slang after much usage becomes a reputable part of the English language, but until it is elevated to this position the Theocratic minister plays safe to shun it. It is very important that the above counsel as to grammar and choice of words be followed in daily conversation, for this reason: habits once formed are not easily broken. If slang-weakened language is used in the daily routine, when one gives a speech on the platform he will grope for acceptable words, and when he finds those words they will not be natural to him and he will seem to be "on parade".

In the everyday conversations of house-to-house preaching poise is essential. If unforeseen circumstances arise the minister should not allow it to throw him off the track. If interruptions occur, accept them as the expected thing. If differences arise, do not lose all sense of balance. Keep your wits about you; watch your spirit or mental disposition under any unsettling conditions that arise. Above all, if one does become vexed or angry he should not show it. One very important point for gospel-preachers to remember, and one in which they often fall short, is not to plunge in at the outset and tell the other person he is all wrong. Take one main point and discuss it and let other major differences await another day for settlement. Do not contradict on every trivial matter. Do not adopt the attitude with the people that you are right and everyone else is wrong.

The point just mentioned about confining oneself to one main issue leads into the next matter for discussion, namely, fixing the point. This means nothing more than to set the goal or aim of the conversation and then to order words accordingly. So doing one will always be "keeping his eye on the ball", so to speak. In door-to-door work and at back-calls it will be necessary to introduce this main point; in other words, to establish at the outset a point

of contact. Determine the interests of the person being addressed, and from this solid ground lead into the point at issue. This procedure is always followed by alert witnesses as they go from house to house. In making their presentation they watch the face of the householder to note reactions. If no response, change tactics. When a spark of interest is struck by some statement, follow that line of thought to lead into the fixed point. A Theocratic minister should not confine his witness to points that appeal to him alone. He should not get into a rut in his testimony and strike always with the same blow. A versatile attack becomes fighters for the New World. They should be alert to catch the responses of the different individuals they address and capitalize upon the varied individual interests shown. Talk on Kingdom truths that seem to strike a responsive chord in the bosom of the hearer. The above, how-over, does not argue against the regular use of the printed testimony card from door to door.

Above all, servants of God should speak to the point. The Scriptures abound in counsel about sparing words and letting words be few. They even go so far as to declare that a fool is known by a multitude of words and that 'in many words there wanteth not sin', especially if spoken in anger. (Prov. 17: 27; 10:19; Eccl. 5:2, 3) Words that convey no thought are worthless words. And the thought expressed must be brief and to the point. From the hearer's standpoint there are two outstanding reasons for avoiding wordiness. In the first place, it is vexatious to the hearer and stamps the speaker as boring. In the second place, a message can be hidden by words, words, words. Even if the speaker makes his point, if it has been weighed down unmercifully with excess word-baggage the hearer will have become so wearied by the burdensome presentation that he will have no energy to react enthusiastically. Keep the message on the "sword of the spirit" sharp and pointed. And know when to quit. Don't close a listening ear by abusing it. Remember, conversation is not lecturing.

And this brings us to a brief discussion of conversation manners. Pause, and thus give the other a chance to express himself. If one does all the talking the other will not listen. Learn to listen attentively, intelligently, and with patience. In order to be helpful one must listen. Why? Only by patiently listening first to the other's errors can one find out wherein he can help. True, it will cost a little time, but it will be worth while. Here is a tip: Reduce your interjections and you will shorten the other's speech. Interjections induce the other to start anew. Wait, and your turn will come to verbally express your reactions. Polite and attentive silence will suggest to him, "Now, I should give the other person a chance." There are limits to listening, however. Remember that you are there to speak the truth, and you should not allow the other person to ramble on with irrelevant twaddle and idle rigmarole when you should be preaching the gospel.

Public speaking from the platform has been defined as heightened conversation; therefore, everyday conversation will follow the same principles, but without the intensification required for delivery to a large audience. It is merely a case of applying in everyday speaking with appropriate modification the same principles followed in platform speaking.