Video Transcript: Lesson 5 Section 3

Let's explore two basic approaches to youth evangelism. The first is called the  contextualization model. Put simply contextualization means making sure the gospel message makes sense in its context. This could mean adjusting how we evangelize based on language,  culture, age, or other factors. contextualization helps us explain who the God of the Bible is.  Remember, the heart of the gospel is the radical truth that God is seeking to reestablish a  relationship with us. When contextualizing the gospel for any people group, we need to be  aware of the important influences on their lives. We need to think about their cultural  traditions and values, their beliefs about God, and about life, and the external factors which  have shaped their experiences. Each of these three things will determine ways in which the  gospel message will need to be customized. By recognizing these influences, we can  effectively communicate the gospel in a way that will be received and considered. If we ignore these influences, we risk that the message will be misunderstood, ignored, or rejected. Let's  look at an example of this challenge. Imagine you're traveling to a country whose language  you do not speak. You arrive at the airport and cannot read the signs. You approach a  uniformed officer and make hand gestures trying to communicate. To make matters worse,  the hand gesture you use is considered rude in that culture. And now you have offended the  authorities. In the same way, we might offend people when using unfamiliar words and  phrases to share the gospel. For example, describing an unbeliever with the word lost will  could offend someone who does not know and understand the biblical imagery of Jesus as a  shepherd seeking his lost sheep. At times, biblical phrases and imagery must be rethought so  that we can communicate the meaning clearly. The apostle Paul contextualize the gospel for  many different audiences. One time, Paul was evangelizing to the people in Athens. Seeing  how religious they were, he used a poem written to their god Zeus, to introduce them instead  to the God of the Bible. Let's look more closely at this example, in Acts chapter 17. While Paul  was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. Paul was greatly distressed by the spiritual state of the people around him. So he responded  to this burden by sharing the gospel. As was normal for him, he started with those in the  synagogue. However, he did not limit himself the Jews there who would be familiar with the  message of the Messiah. So he reasoned in the synagogue with both Jews and God fearing  Greeks, as well as in the marketplace, day by day with those who happen to be there. This  verse shows that Paul sought out those in the marketplace with whom he could share the  gospel. The story of Jesus resurrected was vastly different than anything the people of Athens  had heard before. As you read the rest of Acts, chapter 17, you can see how Paul's audience  struggled with his teaching. It was not that they didn't want to hear the story of Jesus, but  rather, they could not understand the message. In fact, they thought Paul was talking  nonsense. Paul could have left frustrated by this, but instead he saw potential, he recognized  that the people of Athens were spiritually hungry, and they were sincere in their desire to  understand. But Paul had to change his method of sharing the gospel in this particular  context. He had to start over and reframe his argument, verses 22 through 24, outline his  new approach, people of Athens, I see that in every way you are very religious. For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this  inscription, to an unknown God. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship. And this is  what I'm going to proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it is the  Lord of heaven and earth, and does not live in temples built by human hands. This passage is  an excellent model as we look to communicate the God of the Bible to teenagers. Like the  people of Athens, they have a spiritual hunger. There are cultural idols all around that fight for their time and attention. And you may find that teenagers have a hard time understanding  the message of the Bible, and how it fits into their lives. We must take the unchanging  message of redemption and share it in a new way. Otherwise, it may fall on deaf ears. Let's  learn from the two important ways Paul contextualized the gospel for the people of Athens.  The first thing Paul did was look for characteristics in the culture that showed evidence of a  spiritual journey. In Athens, he saw an altar dedicated to an unknown God. He uses this  evidence of spiritual hunger to pique their interest in hearing about Jesus. Paul also uses a  poem written to their god Zeus, to instead share the Gospel. Even though it is an artistic  expression to another deity. He uses it to affirm the qualities of the one true God of the Bible. 

Paul takes things they are familiar with, and uses them to direct their thoughts to a new  message about God. In the same way, we need to find the cultural characteristics of  teenagers we're trying to reach with the gospel. What are the things they recognize and  identify with? What are the trending movies, songs, or news articles, celebrities, hot topics  and hard questions. Just like Paul did, we can use popular culture to pique their interest and  begin a discussion. But remember, our goal is not to make a point about popular culture, but  to present the eternal message of Jesus. This leads us to the second way Paul contextualize  the gospel in Athens. He used his findings to begin spiritual conversations. In Acts chapter 17, Paul does not debate whether Zeus exists, or judge the people for believing in false gods.  Instead, he focuses on the key message of the gospel, and begins a discussion about Jesus.  Let's look at the first time Paul even mentions Jesus to the people of Athens. For he has said a  Day when He will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed, he has given  proof of this to everyone by raising Him from the dead. Earlier, Paul started his argument with general observations about their spiritual journey, and used examples from popular culture.  Now, he is sharing the main message of the gospel. When we present the gospel in context, it doesn't mean we reduce the message to be more acceptable to our audience. We must not be afraid to point out that their spiritual ideas are wrong. However, Paul shows us that we can do so in a way that is sensitive and not offensive. Paul points out that their idols are false, but he  does not shame or condemn them for this. Instead, he honors the fact that they want to know the truth and shows them a better way. Let's learn from Paul two ways we can effectively  contextualize the gospel for teens. Firstly, we can use what God presents in life. For example,  characteristics of their culture that show evidence of a spiritual journey. Secondly, we can use  what culture presents about faith and truth to begin conversations about Jesus. For example,  poems, movies, songs or Quotes From Famous people. You may want to read Acts chapter 17,  for yourself, and more closely examine Paul's ways of contextualizing the gospel. Remember,  every time we share the message of Jesus, we are working within a particular culture. We  must customize our presentation and approach even though the content of the Gospel itself  remains unchanged.