Use of Language
Language can be a barrier to communication. We are so used to complex jargon-ridden language that we hardly understand what we are saying anymore! It is essential to leave all that behind, and do all we can to speak in an appropriate manner. Things we try to do are:
Use short sentences, using a limited set of words.
Use straight forward English, simple but not simplistic or childish.
For example.
"Jesus and His disciples went into the town. They were tired, so Jesus asked them to go and find some food. Off they went do do as He had asked"
We can follow who is who in this sentence, but many of our listeners will not! Try this,
"Jesus and His disciples went into the town. Jesus and His disciples were tired. Jesus asked His disciples to go and find some food. The disciples walked off to find some food."
Another example is a song with the phrase, ".. the lamb upon the throne ..". In the middle of this song someone asked me why there was a sheep on the throne? I explained that this was one way of talking about Jesus. The retort was, "Then why don't you say so!" I think that sums it all up!
Consider having at set of phrases / words that you use consistently. Some examples
- Disciples - Jesus' special friends
- Pray - talk to Jesus
- Worship - sing to Jesus, tell Him that you love Him
This is more difficult to do than it seems! Try to make sure that all your helpers adopt the same words.
Use concrete terms, and use examples from their lives - living in homes, going to day centres or education. Think of simple things that they can do such as
- helping each other with zips and buttons,
- picking things up for folk in wheel-chairs,
- allowing others to have the last cake / biscuit etc,
- being kind to each other,
- saying 'Thank you' to carers, and so on.
Tell stories. We use stories from the Old Testament and the New Testament.
There are some useful links here
Further resources are on the main resources page.