Who's language do we speak?

Act 2:5-8 New Life Version (NLV) ⁵ There were many religious Jews staying in Jerusalem. They were from every country of the world. ⁶ When they heard this strange sound, they gathered together. They all listened! It was hard for them to believe they were hearing words in their own language. ⁷ They were surprised and wondered about it. They said to each other, “Are not these Galileans who are speaking? ⁸ How is it that each one of us can hear his own language?

These verses were part of Men's Group this evening.  The one I have made larger is one that hit me in the face as it was read.  It caused me to wonder if we as the Church are speaking in "the language" of those we are trying to meet.

I wonder if we use words that are a code for us insiders.  Not always as an attempt to keep the not-yet-christians or any other new comer in the dark but simply cause we have always used the terms; "born-again, second blessing, save, washed in the blood" to name a few.

I also wonder if we need to reach those that are not-yet-christians that are say under 45 years old and younger if we need to change our language?  How we present the gospel; both in words and also in other ways; which I,  as a 50 something former pastor turned hamburger flipper,  am not sure I can innumerate.  Change our time frame; both hour and day?  What makes Sunday between 9 a.m. and Noon the time for church?  Why not Friday at 7:52p.m. or Saturday afternoon or Tuesday evening?      Change our method of presentation?    Is there a way to do the sermon as a text or email that then can be discussed at the "worship time" (even that phrase "WORSHIP TIME" is our/my language.)  These and many other thoughts go wandering through my wondering mind this Wednesday evening between 6:00 p.m. and 7:29p.m. followed by Choir practice.

More wondering of this Old Man

Deuteronomy 6:1-8

6 The Lord your God has directed me to teach you his commands, rules and laws. Obey them in the land you will take over when you go across the Jordan River.  ² Then you, your children and their children after them will have respect for the Lord your God as long as you live. Keep all of his rules and commands I’m giving you. If you do, you will enjoy long life.

³ Israel, listen to me. Make sure you obey me. Then things will go well with you. Your numbers will increase greatly in a land that has plenty of milk and honey. That’s what the Lord, the God of your parents, promised you.

⁴ Israel, listen to me. The Lord is our God. The Lord is the one and only God. ⁵ Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Love him with all your strength.

⁶ The commandments I give you today must be in your hearts. ⁷ Make sure your children learn them. Talk about them when you are at home. Talk about them when you walk along the road. Speak about them when you go to bed. And speak about them when you get up. ⁸ Write them down and tie them on your hands as a reminder. Also tie them on your foreheads. ⁹ Write them on the doorframes of your houses. Also write them on your gates.   (NIRV)

This is at least the second time God repeats the idea in the first three verses.  The time I saw this evening was in chapter 4 but I digress for my wondering.   My wondering thought is; Is this where we have messed up today and why the world is going to . . . down the tube."  Are we teaching anything let alone the commands of God to our children?    Well this is the wonderings of this old man!