Sharing the Gospel Across Languages

Prepare for understanding

Use this tool when a Gospel conversation, church gathering, or teaching session needs more than one language. Its purpose is to help the speaker, interpreter, and listener understand one another. Choose the language by asking the people involved, rather than assuming it from their address, family name, or appearance.

IndiaPCG may serve people who use different languages and different levels of written literacy. This tool does not assume that one Indian language suits every setting. A person may prefer one language for daily conversation and another for Bible reading. Ask what is most useful before arranging interpretation.

Distinguish the passages and the application

Acts 2:1 to 11 describes the Spirit’s work at Pentecost and listeners hearing in their own languages. This event should not be reduced to a description of an ordinary translation team. In 1 Corinthians 14:6 to 19, Paul’s concern includes understanding and the congregation’s edification. ¹ Those passages give a biblical reason to value intelligible communication while respecting their distinct settings.

For this practical tool, the application is straightforward: prepare speech that listeners can understand and check whether the message has been communicated. That application does not make every human interpretation a spiritual gift or guarantee that an unreviewed translation is accurate.

Brief the interpreter before speaking

Meet beforehand with a competent interpreter familiar with the intended language and the subject. Provide the Bible passages, the main message, names that need pronunciation, and any terms requiring discussion. Agree on a pace and a signal when a phrase needs clarification.

CAST’s accessibility guidance encourages linguistic options and explanation of key vocabulary across languages. ² Apply the principle by making the core message available in a form the listener can use. The interpreter’s task should be clear, and neither person should be left to guess what the other intended.

1. Session purpose and audience: ____________________.
2. Languages and preferred form of Bible reading: ____________________.
3. Passages and main message supplied in advance: ____________________.
4. Terms or phrases we need to agree on: ____________________.
5. How we will pause for clarification: ____________________.
6. How private questions or personal information will be handled: ____________________.

A short message to prepare together

An original sample is: “The Christian message centres on Jesus Christ. He died and rose again. He calls people to turn to him in repentance and faith. Through him there is forgiveness, and following him changes the way we live.” Luke 24:44 to 49 supports the central proclamation of his suffering, resurrection, repentance, and forgiveness. ¹

Give this sample to the interpreter before the conversation. Discuss how each idea will be expressed accurately. Do not add a second image, joke, or doctrinal claim while the first sentence is being interpreted. A prepared message can remain warm and personal without making the interpreter chase every change of direction.

Check important words rather than swapping labels

Make a short list of terms such as sin, grace, repentance, resurrection, and forgiveness. Ask what the selected word communicates to an ordinary listener in this setting. If a word has several meanings or is unfamiliar, add a brief explanation from the passage. Do not assume that the closest dictionary entry communicates the whole Christian idea.

A listener should hear both that Jesus died and that he rose again, rather than an unclear phrase about living on in people’s memory. Keep an explanation of repentance connected with turning to Christ, rather than reducing it to payment or a ritual fee. Check theological questions with a responsible local teacher and competent language speaker.

Use a pace that helps both people

Speak in a short, complete thought and pause. Face the listener, while allowing the interpreter to hear clearly. Avoid long chains of clauses, unexplained abbreviations, English idioms, and sudden changes of topic. A pause is part of the communication rather than a delay to be filled.

If an interpreter needs to ask a question, stop and clarify. Do not rebuke them for interrupting when an accurate rendering needs more information. If the listener uses a different term, ask what they mean before deciding that they have misunderstood the faith.

A meaning check to use together

After a short part of the message, invite the listener to describe what they heard. Explain that you are checking the clarity of the explanation, not examining them. Ask an open question such as “What did you understand about what happened to Jesus?” rather than a question that supplies its own answer.

If the response reveals a difference, return to the sentence and the passage with the interpreter. Clarify the idea, then ask again in a natural way. Do not make the listener repeat a formula until the speaker feels successful.

A language and meaning check sheet to copy

Use this with the interpreter during preparation or review. It is a working sheet, not a published dictionary. A word that has not been checked should remain marked as a question.

1. English idea or Bible expression: ____________________.
2. Proposed wording in the listener’s language: ____________________.
3. Plain meaning the listener is likely to hear: ____________________.
4. Possible ambiguity or unintended association: ____________________.
5. Brief explanation needed alongside it: ____________________.
6. Relevant Scripture and responsible reviewer: ____________________.
7. What the listener actually understood: ____________________.
8. Revision agreed after checking: ____________________.

Review any draft produced with translation software

A translation tool may help prepare a draft, but do not publish or teach a theological explanation merely because software produced fluent sentences. Arrange review by someone competent in the language and the biblical subject. Read the draft aloud and check the meaning with intended readers where appropriate.

Use an established Bible translation suitable for the listener’s language rather than inventing a new rendering of Scripture during a live session. When the website quotes English Scripture, retain its exact KJV wording. Label any plain English explanation as an explanation, so readers can distinguish it from the quotation.

Agree on a follow up that is accessible

If the person wants to continue, offer a passage, conversation, or local gathering in a form they can use. Give accurate details and ask permission before arranging contact. Do not assume that giving someone an English link meets a request for help in another language.

Review the session with the interpreter. Record any expression that needs better preparation next time and any question requiring research. Clear communication is a practical act of care: it helps the listener consider the Gospel’s actual message and respond knowingly.