Caesarea, Israel. Teaching about Paul the Apostle’s audience with King Herod Agrippa in that very city.
But Agrippa did answer: “Keep this up much longer and you’ll make a Christian out of me!” (Acts 26:28, The Message)
This week I’m in Israel, touring with Christ Fellowship Church (Palm Beach, Florida). And just a few days ago, I taught a lesson in Caesarea, the ancient city built by Herod the Great right on the Mediterranean.
As you might have guessed, this lesson relates to my Christian faith. But I don’t share it here in order to impose it on you, but rather because I believe that Paul can teach all of us – whether we agree with him or not – a thing or two about the power of connecting.
After all, as the above quote from Acts indicates, Paul was such an effective witness to his faith that he almost convinced King Agrippa.
How did Paul’s testimony have such a powerful impact?
1. He immediately connected with King Agrippa.
In only a few words, Paul established common ground with Agrippa. Not only that, but Paul also appealed to the king’s intellect and ego.
Agrippa spoke directly to Paul: “Go ahead—tell us about yourself.”
Paul took the stand and told his story. “I can’t think of anyone, King Agrippa, before whom I’d rather be answering all these Jewish accusations than you, knowing how well you are acquainted with Jewish ways and all our family quarrels.”
Clearly, Paul had done his homework. He understood Agrippa’s point of view and what he cared about, and he used that knowledge to immediately create a connection.
2. He was vulnerable and open about his past.
Finding common ground is a two-way street. While it’s important to focus on others to understand them, it’s also critical to be open and authentic so that others understand you. Paul did it by telling his own story – the good, the bad and the ugly – to the king:
From the time of my youth, my life has been lived among my own people in Jerusalem. Practically every Jew in town who watched me grow up—and if they were willing to stick their necks out they’d tell you in person—knows that I lived as a strict Pharisee, the most demanding branch of our religion.… For a time I thought it was my duty to oppose this Jesus of Nazareth with all my might…. I stormed through [Christians’] meeting places, bullying them into cursing Jesus, a one-man terror obsessed with obliterating these people….
One day, …right in the middle of the day a blaze of light … poured out of the sky…. Oh, King, it was so bright! We fell flat on our faces. Then I heard a voice in Hebrew: ‘Saul, Saul, why are you out to get me? Why do you insist on going against the grain?’
I said, ‘Who are you, Master?’
The voice answered, ‘I am Jesus, the One you’re hunting down like an animal.
3. He expressed his conviction.
Just as Paul was honest about his past, he held nothing back when sharing his passion.
[the voice continued], ‘But now, up on your feet—I have a job for you. I’ve handpicked you to be a servant and witness to what’s happened today, and to what I am going to show you.’ …What could I do, King Agrippa? I couldn’t just walk away from a vision like that!
Whether you agree with Paul or not, don’t you find his passion contagious? If you had been there as he spoke, wouldn’t you have wanted to hear more of what he had to say?
***
Connection, authenticity, and conviction: what a powerful combination. Scottish philosopher and religious skeptic David Hume was once observed early one morning hurrying to hear evangelist George Whitefield preach. When asked where he was going, Hume answered, “To hear George Whitefield.” Puzzled, the questioner asked if he believed what the evangelist preached.
“Certainly not!” Hume replied, “But Whitefield does.”
Everyone communicates. But if you want your communication to be truly effective, do what Paul did. Listen, speak honestly, and be passionate. Then you’ll be communicating at the highest level, and maybe others will rush to hear what you have to say, too.
16 responses so far ↓
1 uberVU - social comments // Mar 1, 2010 at 10:31 am
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2 Nickcole Byrd // Mar 1, 2010 at 10:35 am
I think as we grow in areas of ministry, business and in our relationships we find the lack of support to cause us to become less passionate about our mission. But if the thing that you believe God has called you to do is truly authentic the passion and zeal should be burning in such a way that people should be able to see our belief in our own message, and in our own mission through our everyday living.
3 Dan Rockwell // Mar 1, 2010 at 11:20 am
John,
I love the idea that vulnerability doesn’t have to make us weak. Paul was vulnerable but still expressed his convictions.
We can be vulnerable and express our convictions.
I think vulnerability opens the door for others to listen to our convictions. It’s the fakers no one wants to hear.
Regards
Leadership Freak
Dan Rockwell
Recent blog: Criticize Me. 10 ways to effectively receive criticism
4 Alan Humphries // Mar 1, 2010 at 1:50 pm
Thanks John, I am so looking forward to your new book. I hope many “Preacher”, Bible Colleges will choose to use it as a text.
5 Yvonne Green // Mar 1, 2010 at 2:05 pm
I want to thank you John and Margaret for stretching me spiritually Look forward to the new book.
6 Kevin Woodside // Mar 1, 2010 at 6:57 pm
Being unwilling or unable to let ourselves be vulnerable may be our biggest obstacle to building trust and genuinely connecting. Your well stated post shows what a great example of the effectiveness of ‘fearless vulnerability.’
7 Kevin Woodside // Mar 1, 2010 at 6:59 pm
…Paul was
8 David Mansfield // Mar 2, 2010 at 3:21 am
Hi John,
No need to apologise about sharing your faith. The great stuff you teach is born out of who you are, which includes your faith. To share these lessons is not an imposition but is part of the strength of what you do. Thanks for so many years of encouragement.
9 Ruth // Mar 2, 2010 at 7:20 am
Dear John
All I can say, as many others, is thank you so very much for your teachings and for living out what you teach.
I have certainly learnt so much from you via your books and emails, and hope to learn still so much more.
10 maryjane.zavala-padron // Mar 2, 2010 at 7:58 am
Thank you for sharing. As always your messages are enouraging to my soul. Not only do we listen with our ears, but we listen when passion speaks to our hearts…and this is how we truly capture and connect with our audience.
Passion always,
mjz-p
11 Tom Kay // Mar 2, 2010 at 8:37 am
John,
Good stuff! It kind of reminds me of our old friend Fred Smith might say:).
Safe travels!
Your directional challenged friend!
tom
12 Terry Smith // Mar 2, 2010 at 12:26 pm
Right on John, thanks for sharing that! Be safe and enjoy your trip, it sounds like great fun…
13 Tshepo Mogoba // Mar 3, 2010 at 12:31 am
“Listen, speak honestly, and be passionate”.
Thank you Dr Maxwell.
I believe this is exactly what every human being needs.
James 1:19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.
I call this The Art of Communication. And I believe Paul really did understand and mastered this art.
Thank you once again,
14 Yuhong // Mar 4, 2010 at 10:23 pm
John:
I am your student, I am from Shanghai.
At present, I do not speak English, I used to write in Chinese, and then use translation software. I hope it accurate translation of my original. At the same time, I am sorry, if there is an error of translation results, I believe that in the future, I will use American English communication.
I like your book, I believe Paul. He has a firm belief! He will create a bright future!Extremely Thank you!
yuhong
2010.3.5
15 Sohan // Mar 5, 2010 at 10:03 pm
Thanks John, communication is such a powerful tool. Connecting on a common ground, being open of our human foibles and having strong conviction in what we say will surely get our point accross. Let’s keep communicating and let’s communicate love to all.
Sohan
16 Noor // Mar 15, 2010 at 3:23 am
Hi John :-
I am very found of your book “the power of intention” it inspired many lectures a gave out to youth as I am involved in their well being and concerned about there choices in life , I would like to ask you a question , are you really satisfied with your religion?? don’t you have un answered questions?? , don’t you want to know more about Israel (Usurped Palestine )?? a person like you shouldn’t stop searching , don’t accept what you know because you know it , you’re a genius in human innovation and exploring this lives reality and the secrets of human existence , please don’t stop looking around there’s much more waiting for you.
Best Wishes