Is Your Message Missing the Mark?

Have you ever tried to explain something important to someone, only to feel like you’re speaking a foreign language? If you’ve ever preached, led a meeting, or (especially) parented a teen, you know the frustration.

It’s tempting to blame the listener for not understanding, but the truth is that communication failures often fall on the communicator.

As leaders, we must take responsibility for delivering our message. Discipleship, at its core, is about communication—whether from the stage, in small groups, or one-on-one. That’s why crafting the Right Message is essential.

The message requires much more than the right information. It’s about facilitating transformation. And transformation starts when the message resonates, inspires, and makes action feel possible.

So, how do you craft the Right Message? I’m so glad you asked!

Why the Right Message Matters

Discipleship isn’t a one-size-fits-all journey. People are at different stages in their faith, and your message must meet them where they are. A Seeker needs a different message than a Steward.

The Right Message bridges the gap between someone’s current spiritual reality and where God is calling them next. It creates a connection, inspires growth, and makes the next step clear and compelling.

The 5-Point Framework for Crafting Transformative Messages

I use a proven framework to ensure every message connects, engages, and inspires. Here’s how it works:

1. Introduction through Connection: Build a Bridge of Common Ground

Start by creating a connection. Help your audience feel seen, understood, and valued. Use relatable stories, engaging questions, or shared pain points.

• • Example for a Seeker: “Have you ever felt like there’s more to life than what you see?”
  • Example for a Student: “Remember the moment you decided to follow Christ? What comes next can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to.”

2. Interest through Tension: Spark Curiosity

Create curiosity by highlighting the gap between where they are and where they could be. This tension draws them in.

• • Example for a Shaper: “Have you ever felt like you’re growing in faith but still stuck—going through the motions without experiencing transformation?”

3. Insight through Truth: Make the Bible Come Alive

Resolve the tension with a clear, actionable insight rooted in God’s Word. Truth provides clarity, direction, and hope.

• • Example for a Steward: “Jesus said in John 15:8, ‘This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit.’ Let’s explore what it means to bear fruit in this season.”

4. Implementation through Application: Make It Practical

Insight without application is incomplete. Give actionable steps to help them implement what they’ve learned.

• • Example for a Student: “Set aside 10 minutes a day to read a Gospel passage and pray. Here’s a simple plan to get started.”

5. Inspiration through the Landing: Land with Hope

End with inspiration. Motivate your audience to take the next step by showing why it matters.

• • Example: “Imagine embracing this step of faith and inspiring others to do the same. The ripple effect could change lives.”

Using this 5-Point Framework ensures you craft a compelling content journey built around the person category in focus.

Here are a few more tips:

Making the Message Comprehensible

Clarity is key. Even the most profound truths are wasted if your audience doesn’t understand them. Use these three strategies to ensure clarity:

1. Speak Their Language: Avoid jargon and complex theology. Use accessible language tailored to your audience.
2. Meet Them Where They Are: Align your message with their faith stage. A Seeker needs different language than a Steward.
3. Simplify the Next Step: Ensure your call to action is clear, actionable, and designed with the Right Person in mind.

A Practical Example: Reaching a Seeker

Let’s say you’re crafting a message for a Seeker—someone curious about faith but hesitant to commit. Here’s how the framework might look:

• Connection: “Have you ever felt like something is missing in your life, but you can’t figure out what it is?”
• Tension: “You’re not alone. Many people feel this way, unsure where to turn. The good news is, there is an answer.”
• Insight: “Jesus said, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life’ (John 14:6). He offers the purpose and hope you’ve been searching for.”
• Application: “Take one step this week: Read the Gospel of John or join us for an Alpha course.”
• Inspiration: “Imagine finding the peace and purpose you’ve been longing for. That journey could start today.”

The Win: Transformative Communication

Crafting the Right Message isn’t just about words—it’s about impact. When your message is clear, compelling, and tailored to your audience, it can inspire real transformation.

Next time, we’ll explore the third step in discipleship: The Right Time and why timing is everything.

Call to Action:

✅ Download the 5 Rights Assessment Worksheet to evaluate your discipleship messages: DOWNLOAD HERE.

✅ Contact me for coaching or workshops to help your church craft messages that inspire action.

✅ Ready to transform your discipleship pathway? Learn more about our Discipleship Accelerator

** NOTE: I have dozens of churches scheduled to measure discipleship in their churches in Q1 2025. I have room for a few more. Let me know if you want more information on our custom discipleship measurement process.

Quotes for Inspiration:

• “The right message isn’t about what you say—it’s about what they hear.”
• “Transformation starts with clarity and connection.”
• “Speak to their heart, not just their ears.”

Resources for Further Learning:

• Book Recommendation: “Communicating for a Change” by Andy Stanley.
• Podcast: “The Art of Leadership Daily.”

One More Thing…

You’re probably aware of our Church Accelerator Community. All our Partners have unlimited access to our resource section, full of courses, frameworks, supporting documents, and our new Custom AI tools (Sermon Outline Creator, Sermon Evaluator, Small Group Question Writer, and more).

Partnership starts at ONLY $49, which gets you about $5,000 in resources. Don’t wait. Become a partner today.

Check out the Strategic Partner and Community Partner options if you’d like personalized coaching for you, a staff member, or your church. I limit the number of these options to maximize my investment in each church and pastor. Let me know if you are interested.

Leading With You,
Dr. Gavin Adams