Communicating Across Cultures

Devotional week 44

“I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.” — 1 Corinthians 9:22

Right from the start the message of the gospel has been communicated to people from different cultures. On the day of Pentecost many Jews and proselytes from the diaspora were gathered in Jerusalem and heard the disciples speak about the wonderful works of God in their own language! Thus, they could understand what was said to them.

Language is the most important tool of communication, but it is not the only thing we need to consider when sharing the good news with someone from a different culture; we also need to take into consideration their worldview and cultural customs. Some may reject the Gospel because, as Scripture says, it is a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Greeks, but others will reject it because of the way the gospel is presented or the way the messenger behaves and acts.

Paul gives us a model to follow when he says, "I have been all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some." When we live among people from different cultures aiming to share Christ with them, we need to have a humble attitude and a willingness to learn from them. This we do by observing and asking questions, being slow to jump to conclusions, and adapting to the culture as long as it is not in conflict with Jesus’ teachings.

The first thing we observe is the way people dress. We should dress in a way that is not offensive, even though it might not be according to your personal preference. Then you need to learn how to greet people, customs for eating a meal together, and other visible cultural practices. Over time you will also need to learn the more subtle and unspoken rules of social interactions. This can be how people answer an invitation or how money is handled.

When I lived in Senegal, I learned an important lesson about this. People would often say, “Yes, I will come,” when invited to an event, even if they knew they were busy. They said this out of respect, not dishonesty. Coming from Norway, that seemed strange to me because I believed one should only say yes if they truly planned to attend. But I came to understand that their “yes” was a polite way of showing goodwill. Many also added the phrase “Insh’Allah,” meaning “God willing,” as a reminder that plans depend on God’s will. It showed a deep awareness of God’s sovereignty and the belief that human plans are always in His hands. When we take time to understand others and genuinely seek to connect, we show the love and character of Christ. The Gospel is not tied to a single culture or way of life. It is for everyone, everywhere.

Crossing cultures for the sake of Christ is not about blending in; it is about standing out through love. When we lay aside our pride, learn from others, and serve them with respect, we mirror the humility of Jesus Himself, the One who stepped into our world, spoke our language, and met us where we were so that we could know the Father’s heart.

That is the heart of cross-cultural ministry. It is the Gospel in motion, love that listens, learns, and bridges every divide until all people have had the chance to see Jesus clearly.

Challenge

In your workplace or community, are there people from other cultures who do things differently from what you are used to? Take time to observe and ask questions. Learn from them and reflect on how this understanding might shape the way you share the Gospel.

Prayer

Father God, thank You for creating us with such beautiful diversity. Each culture reveals a glimpse of Your glory and greatness. Help me to meet people with a willingness to learn from them and share the gospel in a relevant and appropriate way. Amen.