The discussion of the concepts and texts of the gospel may seem complex to those who pay little attention to cultural differences. One of the ways to gain cross-cultural competencies is being acquainted with the Grand Narrative of Scripture. It is critical to be aware of the stories concerned with individuals and their lives to find proper words when discussing Christian values and the gospel. It is important to tell the stories of people as narrated in the gospel so that modern people could associate themselves with the persons described in the scripture.
Cultural understanding is now pivotal within the context of the gospel proclamation due to globalization and current trends in human society. People are often unable to communicate because they concentrate on the differences between them rather than the similarities they can find. The discussion of the gospel should be characterized by high cultural awareness so that the speaker could deliver the message effectively. People do not listen if the speaker utilizes the language they do not understand.
It is possible to identify numerous instances of cross-cultural communication in the scripture. For instance, the way Jesus talks to a Samaritan woman and later to her community can serve as an illustration of such effective communication. Jesus acknowledges the differences as he is a Jew and she is a Samaritan. However, he makes the woman and her community focus on the similarities people, irrespective of their cultural backgrounds, have. Jesus knows that all people want to live happy lives without pain and sorrow, and they need salvation from the vices of the world. He is also able to find the right words to make his listeners understand his message. Cross-cultural communication may seem a difficult endeavor, but the gospel and the narrative of scripture can help in finding one’s own inspiration and focus on universal values all people share.