Spoken Word Poetry:

Goals:

• What Is Spoken word poetry?
• Is it effective for sharing the gospel? Why?
• How can this help me minister to my Youth and church?

I Am Alex James

I believe that spoken word poetry is an incredible way to convey the truths of scripture, challenge worldly precepts and encourage believers regardless of age.

1. What is spoken word poetry?

-It is the use of poetic and performance devices to engage an audience with a perspective on a topic.

It's modern day story telling/parable. The artist uses everyday items and scenarios in an effort to speak truth into the hearts of men.The only difference is that sometimes it rhymes...

But with what purpose?

12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.

This text speaks to the
idea of building a house through - constructive criticism; that makes the Home "more" suitable.
More EDIFIED.

"Spoken Word Poetry is

Jesus Himself often used what we call literary devices as he spoke and disciples the 12.

Matt23:33
You SNAKES, you offspring of VIPERS! How will you escape being condemned to hell?

SNAKES.......VIPERS

• Christ is not saying literally that they are reptiles.
• He was using a Metaphor - a comparison attributing a trait that it is not normally associated with the subject.
• Literary devices such as this are found all through the bible to convey deep ideas using common ones.

Let's try it out!
Describe one of these things:

*Family
*Your Church
*Your Best Friend

But use 1 of your 5 sense to do so.

To me my Sons look likes Hope.

A Christian poet uses some of those same devices to create a space for their audience to engage with biblical truth, honest assessments and encouragement.

is it effective?

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G.O.S.P.E.L

• This is not how most people hear the Gospel.
• The Artist - Propaganda Offers theological truths while... Rhyming, with almost a hip hop cadance.
• He handles: God as creator,Original sin and Christ as propitiation for the sins of the world.
• All in 2 min & 30 secs.

I believe spoken word poetry is effective for 2 reasons.
A poet's tools for war are words. The Word of God is power. It's hard not to be powerful with powerful tools.

You will even notice that the dedicated the process of writing a poem is similar to that of a Sunday sermon.That's why poets can connect and evoke such emotion in the listener

When the words creative and honest but most importantly gospel-soaked... Then they have power.

Since were talking about Story, I have a question...

NOT CHANGE.
Attitude.Personality.
Patience.
No absence of negative traits and no greater presence of christ like ones.

Do the youth or people you serve even know your story? Not the edited version I mean your truth?

What if by knowing the truth of how you were changed is one of the keys they got is waiting to use to change them?

Without our stories and creating and cultivating a place for them you’re youth group may just a place to convert and conform.

I believe that especially in this generation they desire truth to be spoken even its ruthless.

You see poetry can be used to encourage and to embolden but also sometimes as needed constructive criticisms.

And if there is anything I know... Our youth desire authenticity above all else. Over talent and popularity.

It some ways poets are willing to attempt to tackle topics that would almost never come up in a regular church or discipleship settings.

Now I'm not saying Poetry is perfect and better. It can be used as a creative safe space to allow for very deep engagement not only from poet to listener.

But also for youth as well. Poetry inherently has a culture of transparency and honesty.
The perceived absence of these 2 traits is the quickest way to for a youth to mentally bow out of a space.

Question Do your youth & young adults believe that you are Authentic?

Benefits to Youth Poetic Ministry:

• Ownership of your Testimony.
• Increased boldness and courage about their stories.
• Increased public speaking skills
• Greater transparency in group sessions.
• When pain is shared bonds are built.

What if you wrote a short poem about your testimony as a way to build a connection to your youth?

Lets try it?

To End My Time With You Before We Open Up For Questions Here Are Some Quotes From Some Poets About This Topic...

Camari

Ezekiel
"It's not about just writing anything but writing when we feel called to write sharing the heart of God."

Leve Ross
Q: Is poetry a ministry? "Yes, spiritually and intellectually. It grants the gift of listening. It makes listening cool again."

THANK YOU ALL!!!

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