Have a student read Colossians 4:6 aloud from the Bible. If that is not possible, the verse is printed here for you.

Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Colossians 4:6

• How would you say this verse in your own words?
• How can a person have “gracious” speech?

Allow students to answer, and then share the following if they do not mention it: Speaking what is true can help others. It is also gentle and thoughtful.

When we speak well, our words can be helpful and caring to those who listen. Here is something else the Bible teaches us about our words.

The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent, and their lips promote instruction.
Proverbs 16:23

When we are wise with our words, our speech can be instructive, helpful, and pleasant to hear. That means the listeners want to hear what we say and to understand what we are expressing.

• Why is it important to speak in a way that others will want to hear?

Allow students to answer.

When our speech is instructive, we can help others to learn or we can lead them to think in new ways, even about something familiar. Jesus was a gifted public speaker. We can learn some valuable public-speaking skills from Jesus’ example.

Listen to this message Jesus gave to His disciples. As we read the verses, think about what made Jesus’ message clear and interesting for His audience.

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Matthew 19:23–26 

• What made this engaging for Jesus’ listeners?

Students might suggest things like the topic itself, the word picture of a camel going through a needle, or the statement that He made about how hard it is for a rich person to get into heaven.

Jesus used dramatic language and examples that others could understand. He was truthful, and He cared deeply about what He was speaking about.

• How can you tell that the audience was interested in what He was saying?

The verses say that the disciples asked questions and had an emotional response—they were greatly astonished.

One of the most important public-speaking skills is to speak about things you care deeply about. Jesus did that as He shared the message of God’s love and forgiveness with the world. This message was so important to Jesus that He gave His life to allow us to benefit from that forgiveness.

Teacher Tip: If any students express interest or have questions about Jesus’ gift of salvation and forgiveness, meet with them after class and share the information from the Salvation Path at the front of this guide.

It may be helpful to read the verses again after you read the questions in this section so the students can discover the answers.

When you do public speaking, it is helpful to talk about things you care about. You will have more experiences to share if you talk about subjects you are familiar with. Also, it is much easier to keep your audience listening with interest when you are excited about what you are saying.

When you speak to others, it is important that what you say is sincere and truthful. When you speak honestly, it gives you credibility as a speaker. This means that people believe what you say and want to listen to your thoughts and opinions.

Here are some other things we can learn about speaking in public from Jesus:

• Jesus shared stories in the form of parables when He spoke. Stories are a helpful and memorable way to share information with others.
• Jesus was aware of His audience. He was a good listener, and He often asked questions. He understood what people wanted and needed to hear, and He answered their questions. He also had different ways of speaking to crowds and to His close friends. He understood the value of His words and expressed Himself carefully.
• Jesus often sat or stood close to the people He shared with, and sometimes He even touched them. Because of this, people were excited to hear His message.

Teacher Tip: For students who come from broken homes, poverty, or other difficult circumstances, learning to speak well can be a tool that can help build their confidence and open doors of opportunity in the future.

Here are a few more tips to help you with public speaking.

• Know your audience. Ask questions and listen to the answers.
• Use good body language. It is important to use appropriate hand gestures and have a welcoming facial expression so people feel interested. Move around to keep the audience watching.
• Have the audience participate in some way. For example, you could ask them to do hand motions, raise their hands, or stand up if they agree or disagree with what you are saying.
• Use realistic images to engage your audience emotionally. If you can get an emotional response from your audience, you have made a good connection.
• Prepare well so you truly know your topic. Research the topic or ask questions of people who know it well.
• Pray before you speak. Ask God to bless and use your words and help you to focus on what is important. Prayer often helps to calm your thoughts.
• Start with something interesting. Get your audience’s attention with a fact or statement that interests them or is startling, such as the image Jesus used about the camel and the needle.
• Speak loudly, slowly, and clearly. If people cannot hear you, they will lose interest quickly. If you tend to rush because you are excited or nervous, try talking slower than usual. This will help you to speak at an understandable pace.
• Show your personality! Your speech should not sound like someone else talking. Your audience wants to know you, so show them who you are. Whether you are speaking naturally or acting, your speech should reflect who you are in the way that best fits the situation.