Essential Family: Essential Communication

The God of this universe, the Creator of heaven and earth, our Eternal King, wants to communicate with you today.

Meaning of Communication

• A process, whether verbal or nonverbal, of sharing information with another person in a way that they understand what you are saying

Mechanics of Communication

• What we mean to say
• What we say
• What the other person hears
• What they think they heard
• How they respond to what they think they heard
• What we think they said about what we said!
• Talking, Listening, Understanding

Messages about Communication

• Proverbs 15:23; 18:21; 25:11; 26:22; 29:20
• Job 19:2
• 1 Peter 3:10
• James 3

Matters of Miscommunication

• Excuses
• Verbal and nonverbal
• Sometimes childish
  • Pouting, melodrama, tap dancing
• Sin
• We need to learn how to speak, listen and understand

Means of Communication

• Levels of communication
• Barriers to communication
• Doorways to communication

Mouth One – Ears Two

• Listening means you are NOT thinking about what you are going to say next
• Listening is politely waiting for your turn to speak
• Listening isn’t a passive part of conversation
• Listening may not be your natural preference
• Listening …
  • Shows respect
  • Builds relationships
  • Increases knowledge
  • Generates ideas
  • Builds loyalty
  • A great way to help others and yourself
  • Proverbs 18:13
  • James 1:19
• Good listening attributes
  • Look at the speaker
  • Don’t interrupt
  • Focus on understanding
  • Determine the need
  • Check your emotions
  • Suspend judgment
  • Sum up at major intervals
  • Ask questions for clarity
  • Make listening and understanding a priority