Biblical illiteracy is no longer the exception in the church.
It’s the norm.
Sure, your church may be slightly ahead of the average church, but compared to the past, we look from our stage over a crowd of people less engaged in Scripture than ever before.
You can’t assume your audience knows the story of Jonah… or even that Jonah is in the Bible. And it’s not just the unchurched. Even long-time churchgoers struggle to connect the dots between Scripture and their everyday lives.
They know some verses. They recognize a few stories.
But the overarching story of redemption? And how it applies to their marriage, anxiety, or job?
Speaking of Job…not too long ago, I had a person in a church tell me they started reading the Bible because they were in a career transition and thought the book of “Job” would be the best place to start.
You’re Preaching in a World That Knows More Memes Than Memory Verses
So here’s the tension: How do you preach in a way that’s accessible… without dumbing down the Gospel?
Because the real challenge isn’t truth—it’s translation.
You’re Speaking a Language They Don’t Understand
Too many pastors today preach with an assumed level of biblical understanding that no longer exists.
You reference Paul and assume people know he wrote most of the New Testament.
You quote Isaiah and assume they grasp the concept of prophecy.
You talk about grace and assume they haven’t redefined it through TikTok theology.
You’re not wrong for preaching the truth.
But when you assume too much, you lose clarity.
And without clarity, transformation never happens.
“The message may be true, but if it’s unclear, it’s unhelpful.”
The Shift: Simplify Without Compromising
Jesus never watered down the Gospel. But He did make it understandable.
He used:
- Stories
- Analogies
- Real-life tension
- Questions
- Familiar references
Jesus preached to people, not over their heads.
You can do the same. Here’s how:
1. Don’t Assume Knowledge—Build It
Take 10 extra seconds to set the stage.
“The book of Romans is actually a letter Paul wrote to early Christians in Rome—people just like us, trying to follow Jesus in a messy world.”
That’s not dumbing it down. That’s building a bridge.
2. Use Story as Your Delivery System
Abstract truth becomes concrete when it’s humanized.
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- Preach through Joseph’s betrayal.
- Peter’s denial.
- Ruth’s faithfulness.
Stories give people emotional access to theological truth.
3. Define Your Terms Like It’s the First Time They’re Hearing Them
Don’t assume people know what “grace” means.
Help them feel it.
“Grace means you’re accepted before you’re fixed.
God doesn’t wait for you to clean up your mess—He meets you in it.”
Clarity is kind, especially to the spiritually curious and skeptical.
4. Use Culture to Build Relevance—But Let Scripture Lead
Yes, name what people are already feeling.
Yes, reference the mess and madness of modern life.
But then, bring biblical clarity to the cultural confusion.
You don’t need to make the Bible cool.
You need to show it’s credible and compelling.
5. Always Point to Jesus—Not Just Behavior
Biblically illiterate people don’t need a checklist.
They need a Savior.
Don’t let your sermon land on “just try harder.”
Always bring it back to Gospel grace. Every single time.
Your Action: Preach Like Someone’s Hearing It for the First Time
Before your next sermon, ask yourself:
“If someone walked in today and knew nothing about the Bible, would they know what I’m talking about?”
If not, simplify.
Explain.
Translate.
Don’t trim the truth. Just clarify it.
Because at the end of the day:
“The Gospel doesn’t need your polish. But it does need your clarity.”
Quotes to Share
“The message may be true, but if it’s unclear, it’s unhelpful.”
“The Gospel doesn’t need your polish. But it does need your clarity.”
“Clarity is kind—especially to the spiritually curious.”
Want Help Relieving the Pressure?
Join a FREE Pressure Valve Session: I host a monthly Pressure Valve Session to help pastors like you tackle one of these seven pressures head-on.
Attend a Leadership Lab: Attend a digital strategy lab and walk away with a practical plan to confidently lead under pressure. Or I’ll come to you and host a retreat or a 1-day workshop.
Take the Pressure Inventory: This free, 5-minute assessment helps you identify where the pressure is heaviest for you.
Leading Together,
Dr. Gavin Adams
