How Jesus spoke flowed out of who Jesus was.  Read through the Gospels and you will find the following aspects of Christ-like communication:

The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks. (Lk. 6:45)

Because Jesus was pure and sincere (Heb. 7:26), He did not use manipulative tactics in His communication.  He refused to use flattery to get the religious leaders to follow Him.  He did not candy-coat what it would be like to be His disciple when people asked about it just to bump up the number of followers.

Because Jesus was true, truth itself (Jn. 14:6), He could not be deceptive in His communication.  He told the disciples what to expect.  He even told them how He genuinely felt (i.e., grieved in spirit).  He said what was hard for people to hear rather than try to smooth it over to make them feel better.

Because Jesus was humble, gentle, and meek (Matt. 11:29), He was not pretentious or pompous in His communication.  He spoke in ways people would understand, not using high and lofty words just so people would realize how great He was.

Implications for Us in Ministry:

Check your motivations.

Jesus actively listened to people. Read through the Gospels and you will find the following aspects of Christ-like communication:

Jesus welcomed all people, willing to engage in conversation with them.  Read through the Gospels and you will find the following aspects of Christ-like communication:

Though God Himself in the flesh, Jesus did not hold Himself aloof but rather freely communicated with fallen human beings. He welcomed anyone from tax gatherers and sinners to the self-righteous religious leaders. At either side of the spectrum, these were people who were far from God. How He communicated varied based on who it was but He still permitted all to come to Him.

Though born a Jew, Jesus engaged in communication with Samaritans and Gentile people who approached Him.

Though His ministry primarily focused on adults, Jesus had no problem relating with children as well.  The disciples were the ones who tried to hinder them from coming to Him but Jesus said, “Let the little children come.”

Implications for Us in Ministry:

Position should not separate you. Jesus was willing to leave the glories of heaven behind and humble Himself to come to earth.

If people feel they can’t talk freely with you because of your ministry position, what might you be doing to give that impression?  What can you do to break through preconceived ideas about certain positions?

Prejudices should not define you. Jesus broke through prejudices and cultural norms.  He could be approached by anyone without fear of rejection.

If people feel they can’t approach you without being judged, what might you be doing to give that impression?  What can you do to break through your own bents and biases to accept all people regardless of who they are or what they’ve done?

Purpose should not isolate you. Jesus had a primary target group to whom He ministered but still welcomed others.

If people feel they can’t come to you because you have an agenda that doesn’t include them, what might you be doing to give that impression?  What can you do to break through a narrow view to the big picture perspective of God’s overall purpose to love Him and love others?

Jesus communicated to the masses yet still found time for the individual.  Read through the Gospels and you will find the following aspects of Christ-like communication:

Jesus spoke to crowds of at least 4,000 to 5,000. Between his speaking schedule, training of the Twelve, healing and miracles, Jesus was one busy person. He was on a mission, clear on His purpose. Yet, He was not so busy or so intent on meeting His agenda that He didn’t have time to communicate with individuals as well as the masses.

Implications for Us in Ministry:

Examine your heart. Jesus cared about both the individual and the masses.  And, people mattered to Jesus more than tasks.

• Do you value individuals or are you so consumed with ministering to larger groups that you have little time or concern for one-on-one?
• Do you value the person knocking on your door, sending an e-mail, or calling on the phone more than the tasks you are trying to accomplish?
• Do you value connecting with people or begrudge the time it takes?

Examine your purpose. In the final analysis, Jesus knew that it was about loving God and loving people (Matt. 22:37-40).

• Even if you have more task-oriented spiritual gifting, are you aware of the people around you?
• Even if you are drawn to serving a specific target group of people, are you open to others?
• Even if you lead a big church, are you seeking to connect with individuals?

Examine your schedule. Jesus accomplished more in His three years of ministry than all of us combined will in a lifetime, yet He was still able to stop and spend time with the Father and with individuals.

• Does your schedule reflect what Jesus views as important?
• Do you build margins of time into your schedule to be available for the unexpected or are you so busy you can’t fit people in?