Talk Like Jesus: Change Your World with the S.I.M.P.L.E. Steps of the Master Communicator

Previously mentioned Power Communicators such as Larry King, Stephen Spielberg, Ted Koppel, and Matthew Broderick are all media stars known around the world. In his day, Jesus' life was fraught with adversity. He was raised in obscurity, received a basic education, operated in a tradesman environment, and enjoyed no family status, financial advantage, or influential friends.

Yet, he mastered communication through ordinary, simple, common skill that astonished the rich, the powerful, the religious, the established, the privileged, and the professional.

Jesus was a brilliant communicator. Few people in history have had the impact or demonstrated such capability without the benefit of the electronic media. He accomplished all of this before the age of 34. So how did he do it? What made him different than all other communicators? The short answer is to say he was God. The more challenging answer is to look closely and evaluate what we know of his work and teachings.

In evaluating Jesus' methods of communication there are six distinct techniques that he uses over and over again. His approach, message development, presentation, imagery, and audience interaction reflect what we modern-day consultants and media experts identify as the distinct principles and structure of classic communication theory. I have termed Jesus' approach the S.I.M.P.L.E. Method, which stands for the techniques of: Stories, Interaction, Multi-Track, Preparation, Love, and Execution.

We have all heard that Jesus called some of the first disciples with the words, Come with me and I will make you fishers of men. What a terrific hook! The advertising world calls this a Branding Statement. But returning to the fishing image, the S.I.M.P.L.E.(TM) steps are tools this Master Communicator used for soul fishing.

To apply the Fisher of Men analogy, here is how the different steps work together.
S: Stories and parables are like fishing lines, baskets, or packages that tie together, hold, and contain information so that it is easier to remember.
I: Interaction is the hooks and bait that attract, engage, and pull people into the message.
M: Multi-Track means touching people on multiple levels simultaneously, which is like stretching and using a larger drag net to maximize the size of the catch.
P: Preparation defines the content, materials and way the elements within a presentation, or net, are woven together.
L: Love defines the passion, motivation, and heart of the fishermen. Love provides the foundation of truth, integrity, and commitment.
E: Execution is the example, focus, commitment, and follow-through that make the fishing expedition a reality. Execution unites will with disciple, direction and skill so that the goal is accomplished.

Jesus told his disciples that he would make them Fishers of Men. The S.I.M.P.L.E.(TM) Method defines the tools that this Master Communicator used for fishing. By applying these simple and powerful techniques, anyone can learn how to bait their hooks and cast their nets upon the oceans of the world to capture the hearts of men.

In the following chapters the steps of the S.I.M.P.L.E.(TM) Method are explained using scriptures and demonstrated using the presentation techniques of TV pros and journalists. Whether a high-profile CEO dealing with crisis media, a project manager, a pastor, a journalist, a teacher, a salesperson, a bible study leader, or a parent, these time-tested methods will help anyone shape and prepare a stronger message, ask better questions, improve listening skills, reduce communication conflict, and cope with media disasters. The stories, practical examples, insider secrets, charts, and applications will teach readers how to improve their professional, presentational and personal communication skills by learning how to Talk Like Jesus.