Cut to the Heart - Part 2

In the last blog, I noted that a key objective for preaching and teaching can be found in Peter’s message on the first Pentecost. Acts 2:37 tells us, “Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Brethren, what shall we do?’”

We want to move people’s hearts and minds so that they want to take action to grow in their faith. In the last blog, I laid out four lessons we can learn from Peter’s message:

1. Through prayer, make sure your words are driven by the Holy Spirit
2. Understand and articulate the objections of your audience
3. Identify your target audience
4. Find common ground

As promised, here are four more:

Five, inspire them by showing them a better life is possible and accessible.

At one point Peter says to the crowd, “For the promise is made to you and to your children and to all those far off, whomever the Lord our God will call.” (Acts 2:39)

Peter paints a picture of a better life that is available to them through the person of Jesus Christ. It is available to them and to their children. He gives them hope. Sometimes people do not want to move or take an action they know they need to take if it seems unattainable or impossible. No one wants to fail and if something feels too challenging or overwhelming, people will do nothing.

However, if we use words that make a better future accessible and attainable and not too distant or too difficult then we give them courage to move forward. You can do that by letting your audience know of any support that is available. If you’re inviting people to volunteer, let them know they will receive training and support. If you’re encouraging people to join a small group, let them know that resources will be made available to them.

Another way to encourage people is to help them see the progress they have already made on a journey. Remind them of the action steps they have already taken and that the action you are challenging them to take is just a continuation of that path. The people that Peter was speaking to were already interested in following God. They just needed to see that their journey would be continued by following Jesus as the Messiah. The same is true for any audience. They have already taken a step by coming to the event. Now you are encouraging them to take the next step.

Six, make an argument.

This doesn’t mean be argumentative, but we need to have sound reasoning behind our preaching and teaching. We persuade people not just because we want our way but because there are objective reasons for the person or group of people to take action. We really are for others and believe the path we are proposing is for their own good.

Acts describes Peter’s speech in this way: “He testified with many other arguments and was exhorting them, ‘Save yourself from this corrupt generation.’” (Acts 2:40)

Peter testified with many arguments, ones that added depth and breadth to what he was saying. People can feel it when we have thought something out. They can feel it when we have confidence in our material and have a clear grasp of the reasoning behind the arguments we are making.

Seven, present next steps.

Peter has an action plan for his listeners. When they ask him, “What do you want us to do brother?” Peter doesn’t throw up his hands and say, “I don’t know. I didn’t think you would listen to me.” Instead, he has a clear message and action step for the people to take.

Here’s what Acts of the Apostles tells us he said: Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38)

Peter is very specific about the action step and the benefits of taking the step. Repent and be baptized. Turn away from your way of doing things and turn toward God. Baptism is the step they need to take. If they take that step, they will receive forgiveness for their sins and receive the Holy Spirit.

Eight, take the time to plan preaching and teaching.

It is very challenging to have clear action steps if you are putting together communication a day before or the day you deliver it. Also, make sure you have some crystal-clear action steps in your homily. Peter is very clear in what he wants people to do. Often Catholic preaching makes the next steps so vague that people are left wondering what to do. The clearer our action steps, the more likely people will take action.

We preach and teach to move people’s minds and hearts so that they will take action and grow as followers of Jesus Christ. It is an incredible opportunity. Let’s learn from Peter’s success on Pentecost Sunday!

Rooting for you,
Tom