EPISODE THREE: COMMUNICATION

A CONVERSATION WITH JO SAXTON

 
 

Opening Activity:

Take a few minutes and read Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech. You can find it online with a quick Google search. Once you’ve finished, pause and ask yourself what he did in that speech that made it so impactful. Why do you suppose a quarter of a million people stood and listened to his words in Washington that day? Why are we still talking about that speech nearly 60 years later?

Today we will explore the effects of both good and bad communication. We will also examine what it takes to become a powerful communicator for God’s glory and for the good of others, as opposed to a poor communicator who simply leaves behind wreckage in his or her wake.

Questions:

1.     What was your initial reaction to today’s podcast discussion with Jo Saxton?

2.     When was an occasion when someone powerfully communicated a message and positively altered the orbit of your life?

3.     Conversely, when was a time when someone used poor communication to negatively impact your life, and how long did that poor communication mark you?

Today’s Goals:

After listening to this week’s podcast and working through today’s session, we will:

●      Be reminded of the power of our words.

●      Better understand the consequences of poor communication

●      Begin thinking about how to grow the reach of our voice for God’s glory and the good of others

Closing Thoughts:

During my interview with Jo I asked her what her ritual is before going out on stage to speak in front of large crowds all across the globe, and she said that she prays, “God, unless you show up this is a waste of time.” And isn’t that always true? God, if you don’t show up this won’t work. If you aren’t here, this will fail. If you don’t intervene, all this eloquent communication will amount to nothing. Imagine how different the story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal in 1 Kings 18 would have been if God had not shown up. Elijah stood alone against 450 prophets of Baal. The people of Israel were gathered around to witness the spectacle. The challenge issued by Elijah to the prophets of Baal was this: You call upon the name of your god, and I will call upon the name of the Lord, and the God who answers by fire, he is God. The 450 prophets of Baal cried out to their false god and begged him to send fire to devour their sacrifice, but he never answered. Then it was Elijah’s turn. He upped the ante and called for 12 jars of water to be poured over his sacrifice. Then Elijah, God’s lone prophet, stepped forward and prayed:

O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel, and that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your word. Answer me, O Lord, answer me, that this people may know that you, O Lord, are God, and that you have turned their hearts back.” Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt offering…

If God had not shown up, the 450 prophets of Baal would have likely descended on Elijah like a pack of wolves.

Unless God shows up in our lives, our efforts are a waste of time. Unless He moves, our communication is without power.

Prayer Prompt: Thank God for putting a message on your heart. Ask Him to give you wisdom and humility, power and gentleness, as you take that message to the people in your life.

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