Counsel #7 — Avoid Insider Language

Picture: Counsel #7 — Avoid Insider LanguageCCL 118.1

“Happy Sabbath! We’re glad you’re here today. After the service, you are invited to join us for a potluck where we’ll be having haystacks.” As a first-time visitor, how much of this announcement would you understand? Insider terms—like happy Sabbath, potluck or haystacks—can be confusing. They can also make newcomers feel left out and unsure of what’s happening. Jesus reached people using their everyday language and told stories about simple things. Paul also adapted himself to his audience as much as he could. Even the New Testament was written in Greek rather than Aramaic or Hebrew. Building bridges with non-Christians includes adapting the words we use just like Jesus and Paul did.^{[146]https://record.adventistchurch.com/2022/07/29/speaking-the-right-language/}CCL 118.2

“To the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.” 1 Corinthians 9:22CCL 118.3

“Christ's manner of teaching was beautiful and attractive, and it was ever characterized by simplicity. He unfolded the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven through the use of figures and symbols with which His hearers were familiar; and the common people heard Him gladly, for they could comprehend His words. There were no high-sounding words used, to understand which it was necessary to consult a dictionary.” Ellen White in Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, p. 240.2CCL 118.4

Reflect: What are some “insider words” (for example, ingathering, Pathfinders, TMI, GC) you’ve encountered in Adventism/Christianity that you may be unfamiliar with?CCL 118.5