Finding Common Ground

Today I read Hebrews 2 and from the moment I read the chapter heading I had one thought, and that was finding common ground when teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As missionaries for Jesus Christ we were taught when learning the most effective way to teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ that it is best to build on what the person already knows. We see examples of this in the scriptures too, Ammon and Aaron do a very good job of doing this in the Book of Mormon when they teach King Lamoni and his father respectively.

Paul knows his audience, they are the Jews, sometimes referred to as Hebrews. He knows that they have always been looking for a Messiah, or a Christ to come. He is trying to help them understand that Christ has come and has redeemed them, which would be a very hard thing to understand for most of them because they were looking for a militant Savior, one who would throw off their oppressors, the Romans. We all know of course that such was not the case and that Christ will come as a Savior of the political and physical sense only the second time. His first coming, He came to save our souls, our bodies and our spirits.

Paul continues his introduction of the Savior and his re-enforcement of who Jesus is to those who already believe and trying to convince those who don't believe yet. Surely Paul knew that his words would not reach only those who already believed, much like our own modern day Prophet and Apostles know that their words for General Conference are heard by those who are not of the Latter-day Saint faith as much as they are heard by those who are. But that is one of the reasons our speakers in General Conference focus on the basics of the Gospel. It is the common ground that 90% of all Christian faiths agree on.

When we find the common ground that almost all people can agree upon it is easier to help those who are unfamiliar with the doctrine to come to understand what we are trying to teach. It can take some time to make sure that we are communicating effectively and to really find where someone already understands, but it is very worth it when you do finally find that common ground. When you can see that light of understanding come on in someone's eyes who is truly trying to understand what you are teaching, it is a feeling unequaled in this world! Until tomorrow.