The other day I grabbed Basketball Boy a pair of jeans off Walmart clearance — because with six kids, clearance isn’t just a good idea… it’s a spiritual discipline.
I always buy a size up and a season ahead so we’re not in a “why are your ankles out?” crisis next year. He disappeared to try them on, and a minute later he stomped back out wearing his original clothes and holding the jeans like they were made of radioactive material.
“They’re TOO BIG!”
“Okay buddy, just put them on the sofa.”
“But they caused emotional damage!”
…Excuse me, what?
Sir. You are six. What emotional damage did these jeans cause? Did they whisper insults? Challenge your self-esteem? Haunt your dreams?
“Do you even know what emotional damage means?” I asked.
“No… I just heard someone say it.”
And suddenly, something clicked in my brain: This is EXACTLY what happens in church.
When We Use Church Words People Don’t Understand
Basketball Boy heard a phrase that sounded dramatic and important — so he repeated it, confidently and completely incorrectly.
It reminded me how often Christians toss around words that people who weren’t raised in church have never heard of, don’t understand, and honestly can’t even come close to defining.
Words like:
- sanctification (Someone asked if this had something to with Santa once.)
- anointing (Talk about a confusing concept)
- washed in the blood (Imagine how terrifying that could sound when we proudly belt that off key on Sunday morning)
- hedge of protection (Just a hedge? My hedges can’t even protect me from raccoons)
- backsliding (Like down a hill?)
- intercession (huh?)
- being “on fire” (ummm…excuse me? This is either really scary or if your kids are a certain age, funny)
If you grew up in church, these sound normal. Comfortable. Familiar.
But if you didn’t grow up hearing them? They sound like we’re speaking in a different language.
Enter: Hubs.
He wasn’t raised in church and came to Christ later in life. (Another one of those phrases) So he’ll hear a phrase and ask:
“Hey… what does that mean?” I used to get a bit irritated because I thought he was trying to trip me up or make fun of me. I wasn’t being understanding of the fact that he was just trying to learn.
Now it leads to impromptu Bible studies at the kitchen table: sometimes while I’m cooking dinner and someone is yelling about who stole whose Pop-Tart. And now, those are some of my favorite moments.
People aren’t confused because they’re unspiritual. They’re confused because no one has ever explained it.
Bible Story: Philip and the Ethiopian (Acts 8:26–40)
In Acts 8, Philip encounters a man riding in a chariot, reading Scripture aloud — and clearly struggling to understand it.
Philip asks, “Do you understand what you are reading?”
The man replies:
“How can I, unless someone explains it to me?”
— Acts 8:31
He wanted to know.
He wanted to learn.
He just needed someone to break it down.
Philip didn’t shame him.
Philip didn’t roll his eyes.
Philip didn’t say, “You should know this already.”
Instead, he climbed into the chariot, sat next to him, and explained everything in simple, clear, loving terms.
And because of that conversation?
The man understood.
He believed.
He was baptized.
All because someone took time to explain what the words meant.
Why This Matters Today
If we want:
✔ new believers to grow
✔ visitors to feel welcome
✔ our kids to understand their faith
✔ our spouses to feel included
✔ our friends to feel safe asking questions
…then we must be willing to pause and explain things simply.
No judgment.
No superiority.
No “church club vocabulary.”
Just grace-filled clarity.
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Because if we don’t explain what we mean, we risk sounding just like Basketball Boy holding those jeans, shouting, “EMOTIONAL DAMAGE!”—
with no idea how to use the phrase at all.
Bible Verses That Support Clarity and Understanding
📖 Colossians 4:6
“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”
📖 Psalm 119:130
“The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.”
📖 Romans 10:14
“How can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?”
📖 Proverbs 4:7
“Though it cost all you have, get understanding.”
We help people understand by slowing down, explaining, and walking alongside them—just like Philip did.
GUIDED PRAYER
“Lord, help me speak with grace and clarity. Remind me that not everyone grew up hearing church words, and help me explain my faith with compassion, patience, and humility. Give me the heart of Philip—willing to climb into someone else’s chariot and walk with them until things make sense. Help me welcome questions, encourage learning, and never make anyone feel small for not knowing what something means. Thank You for the people who explained things to me as I grew in faith. Help me do the same for others. Amen.”
DEVOTIONAL ACTIONS
1. Pick One “Church Word” to Explain Simply
Write it in one sentence as if explaining to a child or a new believer.
(Example: “Grace means God gives us kindness we didn’t earn.”)
2. Invite Questions Without Judgment
Tell someone close to you:
“You can always ask me anything about faith. No question is stupid.”
3. Read Acts 8:26–40 This Week
And ask God to open your heart to the people in your life; the ones who want to grow but need someone to sit beside them.
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