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Study 01 of 25

Introduction: The Importance of Public Speaking

The voice as a gift for the gospel commission

Hands-free narration of this study — good for the car.

Synopsis

The course opens by naming the human voice one of God's most precious gifts, given so people can share what they feel, have seen, done and known. God commands His people to use speech to tell others of the plan of salvation, quoting the gospel commission of Matthew 28:19, 20. Since teaching is done mainly through the voice, knowledge alone is not enough — a worker must also know how to use the voice correctly, or the work will fail. Jesus Himself is held up as the model public speaker: people recognized His authority (John 7:46; Matt. 7:28, 29), His language was pure and clear, and He spoke slowly and impressively, emphasizing key words. The section lists the methods Jesus used to hold attention — prayer before preaching, a Scripture base, illustrations from nature, simple parables, meeting people's needs, and personal visitation. It then turns to church leaders, insisting that clear speech is even more vital than well-prepared content, since a leader who neglects his voice does discredit to the cause of God and loses half his influence.

Key points

  • The human voice is one of the most precious gifts God has given to mankind.
  • God calls His people to use speech to fulfil the gospel commission (Matt. 28:19, 20).
  • Jesus is the model public speaker: pure language, slow and impressive delivery, emphasis on key words.
  • Jesus preceded His preaching with prayer, used Scripture, nature, parables, and met real needs.
  • A church leader who neglects developing his voice does discredit to the cause of God and loses influence.

Key texts

  • Matthew 28:19, 20
  • John 7:46
  • Matthew 7:28, 29
  • Titus 2:8
  • Nehemiah 8:8

From the course book

Introduction: The Importance of Public Speaking · pp. 9-10 (reader pages 9-10) · Open the reader

  • “The human voice is one of the most precious gifts that God has given to mankind.” (p. 9)
  • “We may have knowledge, but unless we know how to use the voice correctly, our work will be a failure… Knowledge will be of little advantage to us unless we cultivate the talent of speech.” (p. 9)
  • “Any church leader who neglects the development of his voice is doing discredit to the cause of God.” (p. 10)

Put it into practice

  • List the six methods Jesus used to hold His hearers' attention and check your own preaching against them.
  • Begin treating voice development as part of your spiritual preparation, not an optional extra.
  1. Comprehension

    1. What does the course call the human voice, and why was it given?

  2. Scripture

    2. Read Matthew 28:19, 20. What commission is quoted to justify the importance of public speaking?

  3. Comprehension

    3. According to Testimonies vol. 6, p.380, why is knowledge alone insufficient for a worker?

  4. Scripture

    4. Read John 7:46 and Matthew 7:28, 29. What set Jesus apart as a speaker?

  5. Comprehension

    5. List three of the methods the course says Jesus used to hold His hearers' interest.

  6. Doctrinal Clarity

    6. Why does the course say it is 'even more important' for leaders to speak clearly than to prepare interesting material?

  7. Doctrinal Clarity

    7. What warning does Testimonies vol. 6, p. 381 give about ministers with defective voices?

  8. Contrast

    8. Contrast the 'monotonous, spiritless preaching of the scribes and Pharisees' with the description of Jesus' voice.

  9. Application

    9. Which of the six methods Jesus used for holding attention is weakest in your own preaching preparation right now?

  10. Application

    10. How will you begin treating the development of your speaking voice as part of your service for God?