The Case for Growth

Do your students know what to expect this year? Surprise them. Let them know that they matter and the message of truth matters by improving your ability as a communicator. Below are 10 reasons why it’s important to develop your ability as a speaker.

The Case for Growth in Public Speaking

1. It shows when you’re not prepared. You can tell when someone put work into something, or when they are delivering a message on the fly. What do you model for your students? Inspire excellence.

2. You default to poor language, idiosyncrasies, cheap shock thrillers to keep people engaged. Ie. Language (swears), Sexual or relationships innuendo’s (Bow Chicka Wow Wow) or you get sidetracked because something flew past the window and you publically blame it on your A.D.D. Let’s be honest you don’t know where you’re going next.

3. The Word of God is POWERFUL! It is sharper than a double edged sword. When you swing your sword is there impact? Does the darkness take a huge hit while the kingdom of God advances? Is your sword sharp or dull? (Heb 4:12)

4. The Word of God is RELEVANT and not BORING!!! It’s active and alive (Heb 4:12), does your message reflect that?

5. Students are hungry for truth, hungry for help and hungry for hope. When they sit at your table do they leave empty? Feed them. (John 21:17)

6. A spoon full of sugar helps the medicine go down. – Mary Poppins The most direct approach in dealing with sin isn’t always the best approach. There are other tools and literary devices that can help people see their sin and turn from their ways. Ie. Nathan used a short allegory for David (2 Sam 12)

7. To reach a larger audience. Students invite friends when they are certain their friends will have a good time and can get the help they are looking for. (Which leads to the next reason. )

8. *Consistency. You’ll know what you’re doing and why it works which will help you use your limited time more efficiently. You will also have more ON days than OFF days. Students will then gain the confidence to invite others.

9. Learn how to communicate your thoughts. The lessons you learn along with the profound concepts you are reading in books are brilliant and valuable. However, if you can’t express yourself how will that information benefit your group?

10. Public Speaking can help you become more efficient in outreach. It enables you to communicate to strangers better especially people you are not use to connecting with, ie. Parents, teachers, and different classes of people. You develop a sensitivity for what you’re listeners are hearing which is valuable in communicating to people in a crisis situation and ESL families (Less insert foot in mouth syndrome).

I know there is so much that you are doing as a youth worker, but please take time out for growth and development in this area. Consider it a gift to yourself in making the most of your efforts to see what you’ve been praying to see take place in your students. Whether it’s joining a toastmasters club in your area www.toastmasters.org or picking up Public Speaking for dummies, or even reading these Tips I’m giving you on this blog. You may only have one opportunity with a student as you never know what tomorrow holds. My prayer is that they would know how wide, how high, how deep the love of Jesus is while on your shift. Make that moment count.

* Consistency is the reason why I joined a public speaking club called toastmasters. I was so frustrated with my inconsistency and now I am now a lifelong learner after realizing that you never arrive as a speaker.

A member of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers (CAPS) Alison has dedicated her time to developing her gift of Public Speaking so that her listeners would believe the truth that she shares and to raise up other strong youth communicator’s in Canada. She has been speaking full time for four years and is currently enrolled in Youth Speakers University.

Speaking Tips are from Alison’s Public Speaking Enhancement Workshop for any inquires message her today. http://www.inspiringteengreatness.com