Our Daily Bread: Serving TogetherSample

Reinterpret Culture

You are the light of the world. -Matthew 5:14

Successful companies study cultures to create products that meet their client's tastes.

Wise parents, while preserving their values, make room for new tastes and cultures as they guide the next generation.

Good teachers help students comprehend diverse customs, traditions, and ideas.

Effective Christian communicators engage various cultures by contextualizing the gospel message without altering God’s truth; they do it using cultural intelligence.

Cultural understanding is critical to being effective disciples. By engaging in continuous contact with the culture we seek to influence, we learn to embody the gospel of that culture.

However, if we believe that our own culture and social tastes are the only frameworks for living, this can put others on the defensive, distancing them from dialogue and “hiding” God’s truth from them.

Rather, we can extend an open invitation when we share our faith. Jesus called Christians to be effective mainly by showing God’s love, sharing His truth, and doing good toward outsiders: “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

Light banishes darkness.

Cultural intelligence developed by gaining knowledge, skills, and experiences helps us to fulfill the mission God has given us to illuminate others with the truth of the gospel about Jesus, including new generations and other cultures.

Understanding the framework of those we are trying to reach helps us to keep Christ the Savior as the main thought.

Lucas and Valeria Leys

What knowledge, skills, and experiences would help you better understand the culture that God has placed you in so that you can be His light more effectively?

Lord, take me by the hand to practice cultural intelligence in order to illuminate Your message better.