Communicating Timeless Truths in a Text-Happy World
Our world has changed, and so has the way we communicate. We’ve gone from writing letters to typing emails, and now we’re in the age of 280-character tweets and 😍-filled texts. As communicators of the gospel, we can either shrug our shoulders or ask, “How can we use this to point people to Jesus?”
If you’re thinking, “Wait, what do emojis have to do with exegesis?”—stick with me. Emojis are just symbols, but they represent something bigger: a shift in how people connect and process information. And if we want to communicate timeless truths in a way that actually lands, we’ve got to meet people where they are.
The Gospel in Bite-Sized Messages
Here’s the deal: People scroll… a lot. In a world of endless distractions, most aren’t sitting down with a physical Bible for an hour-long deep dive into Leviticus. (No judgment here—Leviticus can be heavy-lifting!) They’re consuming bite-sized messages, often with emojis and memes breaking up the monotony.
So, how do we take something as deep and transformative as the Word of God and make it resonate in a world where TL;DR is basically a love language? It starts with clarity. The gospel is already relevant—we just need to communicate it in a way that sticks. (Btw = TL;DR means Too Long – Didnt Read)
Jesus was the OG at this. He didn’t use 🐑 emojis, but He told parables—short, relatable stories about farming, fishing, and family drama. If He walked the earth today, I’m convinced He’d use whatever tools were available to reach people. TikTok? For sure. Emojis? Absolutely.
Emojis: Tools, Not The Truth
Here’s the key: Emojis are tools. They’re not the truth; they’re just a means to communicate the truth. For example:
- A 🙏 emoji can remind someone to pray.
- A 🌱 emoji can point to spiritual growth.
- A ❤️ emoji can emphasize God’s love for us.
When we leverage cultural tools like emojis, we’re not watering down the gospel—we’re helping people engage with it in a way that makes sense to them.
Exegesis: Don’t Lose the Depth
Now, let’s balance this out. Just because we’re using modern tools doesn’t mean we abandon depth. Exegesis—pulling the meaning out of the text—is still foundational. If all we do is toss out a “God loves you! ❤️” without unpacking why that matters, we miss the opportunity to help people dig deeper.
Think of it this way: Emojis and short-form content are like appetizers. They open the door for a deeper conversation. But at some point, we’ve got to serve the main course—the rich, life-changing truths of Scripture.
Bringing It All Together
So, how do we merge emojis and exegesis? Here are a few ideas:
- Simplify, but Don’t Oversimplify.
Use short, clear messages to grab attention, but always offer a next step for those ready to go deeper.
- Use Visuals to Reinforce Truth.
A 📖 emoji with a verse graphic can remind someone to spend time in the Word.
- Meet People Where They Are.
Whether it’s a meme, a video, or an emoji-packed text, find ways to engage people in their space without compromising the message.
Everyone Communicates, but Few Connect.
That sounds like a John Maxwell book, right? That’s because it is, and John is on point!
At the end of the day, the gospel doesn’t need our help to be relevant—it’s been changing lives for over 2,000 years. But it does need our willingness to innovate. Whether we’re speaking from a pulpit or posting on Instagram, our job is to make the timeless truth of Jesus accessible and understandable to a text-happy, emoji-loving world.
So let’s embrace the tools of the moment, stay grounded in the truth, and trust that God can use even a little ❤️ or 🙌 to spark something big.
Now, go share some hope—with or without the emojis. 😉
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