I vividly remember a comment a young woman made after hearing a guest preacher at our church.  As she left the service she asked me, “Why does that preacher hate us?”

Now, I knew the man who was the guest preacher that morning. So I was able to quickly come to his defense.  “Look,” I told her, “I know the man who preached today. He is a very kind and loving man.  I know he doesn’t hate us, and he’d never want us to think he did.”

But her comment got me thinking: Why did this woman conclude that the preacher, who is a kind and loving person, was the opposite of that when he preached? What does it take for a preacher or teacher to communicate love for people when speaking?

As I’ve reflected on these questions, I’ve come up with four ways we can better communicate love for people as we preach and teach God’s Word.

1. We can start our messages by looking people in the eye and smiling at them

When you start by looking at those in the room and smiling, even for a few seconds, it tells them you are glad to be with them and happy they are with you. A smile is a short, silent, but significant way to express warmth and kindness. It’s a brief pause that draws people in. It’s a nonverbal way of communicating personal affection.

I know it sounds simple, but consciously starting with a smile sets the tone for the entire sermon.

And don’t forget that smiling isn’t just a one and done thing. The default setting for our countenance as preachers should be a smile instead of a frown or scowl. Starting with a smile on your face gets you started out on the right foot.

2. We can put ourselves in the circle of those who need God’s grace

Sometimes we communicate that our listeners need God’s grace but fail to make it clear that we do too. We talk about their struggles in a way that distances us from them. We imply we are outside the circle of struggle. We come across as one of the religious leaders ready to cast the first stone.

I’m not saying we should exaggerate our own struggles and failings; I’m saying our humility should come through as we preach and teach.  Our listeners should sense we know we also need God’s grace.

3. We can use “we statements” more than “you statements”

If we are to be faithful preachers and teachers of God’s Word, we will need to be forceful in calling hearers to obey biblical commands.  That’s why Paul could tell Titus, “Declare these things.  Exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you” (Titus 2:15). So, as faithful communicators, we will need to call people to the obedience of faith.

But we should remember that we are under the same instructions as those who listen to us. What God’s Word says to them, it says to us as well. That’s why using “we statements” more than “you statements” is often fitting.

Instead of saying, “You need to forgive those who have sinned against you”, we say, “We need to forgive those who have hurt us.”

Rather than declaring, “God calls you to a holy life” we can say, “God calls you and me to a holy life”

As Kent Anderson points out, Preachers are the first hearers of the message.  And when we clearly put ourselves under the authority of God’s Word, we communicate to people that we stand with them, not over them.

Please don’t misunderstand me:  there certainly are times to use “you statements.”  But if we overdo this, we may unintentionally leave people with the impression that we above them and against them.

4. We can show love for people when we are not preaching or teaching

The best way preachers can communicate love when preaching is by communicating love when we are not preaching.  As we demonstrate love in the flow of everyday life and ministry, we build a reputation as caring shepherds who love the sheep. The phone calls, visits, notes, caring conversations we have on Monday through Saturday, lay a foundation for how we come across on Sundays.

In 1 Timothy 1:5, Paul reminds a young preacher named Timothy that the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith. Love is the goal we are aiming at.  We want to see those we teach grow in their love for God and their love for others.

If love is the goal we want for our hearers, it needs to be evident in us as preachers and teachers.

So seek to show genuine love for those you teach by…

• Starting with a smile
• Putting yourself in the circle of those who need God’s grace
• Using “we statements” more often than “you statements”
• Showing love for others at all times.