Creating Content that Connects

Who is this for? Think of, and write down, a friend or two (at most 5) who you would really like to connect with on this topic. Perhaps you want to write about a song, and you know that would be their jam, or they’re at a similar life stage to you and this would really resonate. Perhaps they’re someone who you’ve spoken to about this very thing before – but you didn’t know how to bring Christ into that conversation – well now you have time to plan.

Start praying for them and ask God to help you write with them in mind, that it will reach them at a point where they have time to think about it, and that his Spirit will use it to open their hearts to him.

Where are they at? From a full and thorough gospel explanation to something with just a hint of Jesus: there is room for every stage in a Collective. Do you want to start them thinking? Could you open up the conversation? Is this an issue you could use to challenge their worldview? Would they just ignore it if you explicitly mentioned Jesus? Can you intrigue them? Is this the moment to share a part of your personal experience? You don’t need to ask yourself, ‘what do I need to say to convert them?’, instead be faithful in what you say, be thoughtful in how you say it, and leave the door open for the Holy Spirit to take them one step closer to Christ.

What will they want? Now this isn’t relevant to the message – they need the gospel so that’s what we’ll give them. But we can package it in an appealing way, a way that’ll make them click, pause and think. Your busy mum friend probs won’t have time for a long blog post but a bit of poetical peace and quiet – yes please! If your friends are scrolling through Insta, would they take enough time to watch a 90 sec video of you – it’s only short, so why not? Are they the family member on your Facebook feed who regularly posts interesting articles – they would certainly love to read a longer piece from you.

Keep these things in mind as you prepare, produce and pray!

By Hannah Lewis