Words Create Worlds
Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel once said, “Words create worlds.”
In context, he was making a point that the holocaust did not begin with tanks and guns but with evil words. It’s a strong warning to consider that what we say has the creative power to shape what we think, believe, and feel. While it’s a warning, it’s also an instructive point to consider that we have the power to create beautiful cultures with our language as well.
The question is, “Are we considering enough how the language we use in our families creates a disciple-making foundation that our children can stand upon as they seek to be with Jesus, be like Jesus, and do as Jesus did?”
Take a moment with the following image and ask yourself, what stands out?
The image above is one family’s attempt to use language to create a world or set a culture (five kids between 6 – 12 for some context). This little chalkboard sits in the room where they share most of their meals. They sat down together to ask and answer two questions:
What is the church?
What did Jesus ask us to do?
Unfortunately, we don’t get to hear the conversation that took place. We’re looking at the end result of what they wrote down. Notice what you don’t see in response to the first question. There are no words about buildings, events, titles, times, places, etc. These are words we’ve often associated with the church.
Notice what you don’t see in response to the second question. There are no specifics about how much knowledge of Scripture one has, how often one must pray, or even what types of prayers we must pray.
There is an emphasis on people—and ordinary people at that. There’s an emphasis on the words Jesus gave us in Matthew 28. There’s an emphasis on family and community and the idea of everyday rhythms.
Is this a perfect rendering of who the church is or what we are to do? Probably not. What it does provide is a consistent reminder for this family of who they are and what Jesus has called them to do. It’s a foundation for a more holistic picture of how to function as Jesus's followers in the everyday stuff of life. It’s also a launching pad for a whole lot of other spiritual conversations that can happen as they share meals in the future, like:
What does it mean to “make disciples?”
Why is baptism important?
How might Jesus be calling us to “Go” as a family?
What does Gospel Community look like for us?
How have we lived like Jesus today?
You don’t have to have a chalkboard to do this exercise or to start a journey with your family. You don’t have to have all the right answers. The moment doesn’t have to be perfect. Our language is creating the culture in our home and it’s important to consider what that culture is and how we want to shape it. Consider what this conversation might look like in your own family and how and what you might ask.