LIFE LESSONS FROM CHESS | KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE
Tue, Aug 10, 2010
Key Bible Verses: Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces. (Matthew 7:6 NIV)
During a lesson at the St. Paul Citadel Chess Club, I explained to the students the importance of making the right moves in the game. My objective was to illustrate the importance of making right decisions in life. I began by sharing that if you count both the “white” and the “black” side’s first move, there are actually 40 possibilities. Add this to the second move and you will discover 71,852 possibilities. The third move includes 9 million possibilities. The fourth move, 315 billion. At that point, Donavan raised his hand and said, “Major Fleeman, I’m only in kindergarten!” I could not help from giggling inside when I realized the information I was sharing was much more interesting to me than my audience.
Scripture warns against throwing pearls to swine. Now I don’t believe He was comparing people to pigs as much as explaining the importance of discerning what and how much to share with your listeners as you tell them of the love of Christ. The fact is, if they don’t understand what we are saying it will only lead to confusion, not discipleship.
My response: Lord, what words can I use to make understanding of the love of Christ clear today?
Thought to Apply: “Sing it o’er and o’er again, Christ receiveth sinful men; Make the message clear and plain, Christ receiveth sinful men.” (Erdmann Neumeister)
Life Lessons from Chess is a five-part devotion series written by Major Paul Fleeman.
Tags: devotions
September 25th, 2010 at 7:45 am
Chuckled at your illustration. Know your audience indeed. It reminded me of how, many years ago, fresh from university, I took up a pastoral charge in a small church in rural Ontario. Many in my congregation had only a grade school education. I quickly had to learn how to relate, and how to communicate!
It was your reference to Erdmann Neumeister’s fine gospel song that first caught my eye this morning. If you enjoy reading about our hymns and their authors, I encourage you to check out my daily blog on the subject.
And if you’ll excuse a brief “commercial:” With the arrival of fall, we begin to think of the Christmas season up ahead. If you do not have a good book on the subject of our Christmas carols, I encourage you to take a look at mine, Discovering the Songs of Christmas. In it, I discuss the history and meaning of 63 carols and Christmas hymns. The book is available through Amazon, or directly from Jebaire Publishing. (Might make a great gift too!)