With all the tips, steps, and advice that can be found in books and websites, speaking in public really boils down to a handful of basic points. This article does not provide tips on how to project your voice, how to persuade people, how to breathe, how to move, proximity, or even what you should or should not say. However, you will learn the essential elements of what public speaking is all about.

First Things First

My public speaking career began in a Christian high school giving a short message during chapel hour. From there, it progressed to a high school play, then Sunday school teaching. My military experience furthered my public speaking experience, having to give briefings and teach in technical school. After leaving the military, I became a fitness instructor teaching fitness classes. For my master-degree studies I had to give a number of critiqued presentations. It was the same for my PhD studies.

In my career as an English language trainer, I have taught large and small classes, as well as being a guest lecturer for groups of teachers. In the ministry, I began speaking to even larger audiences in the hundreds. Finally, as a pastor, I have preached to and taught small and large groups of people gathering to hear the word of God expounded. My experience in the world of public speaking is varied and a collection of categories, groups, and levels. What follows is the foundational theme I have learned over the years for speaking in public without fear.

1. Public Speaking Is Not About You

We have all heard about the anecdotal surveys indicating that public speaking is one of the most terrifying things for people. When we are afraid to speak in public, it indicates something beyond the fear, perhaps even egocentricity, that overrides the message. It may be that we feel the message is not important enough to overpower our fear.

Fear of speaking in public includes fear that I might say something wrong, that I may make a mistake, they might laugh at me, everybody is looking at me, I may disappoint people, I might not look good enough, etc.

These are all self-centered concerns that boil down to pride. In each case, the focus is not on the people who need to hear your message, but on yourself and your concerns. In that sense, speaking in public becomes all about you.

But something is missing in the equation. Why are you speaking in public? Why have you been given the opportunity? We are speaking to people, not ourselves. When we take our eyes off ourselves and see the need for what we have to say and the importance of the people who need to hear it, our perspective will change from me speaking to them hearing. The fear you had gives way to the needs of others.

1. Is What You Are Saying Important?

Is what you have to say something important? If it is, speaking in public will be a matter of taking the spotlight, physically opening your mouth, and saying what needs to be said.

Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount began with the Lord opening His mouth (Matthew 5:2). The Lord came to us with an urgent, eternal message to share. It did not matter to Him what He looked like (compare that with Isaiah 53:2-3), sounded like, or felt like. The message was more important.

The Apostle Peter at Pentecost cared not how many people were out there (though it must have been in the thousands), what they might think of him, or how he should move. He had a message to share, and he was going to share it. Peter was not concerned about whether he was wearing a red power tie, how many jokes he had to inject to soften up his audience, his stance, if the people would laugh at him, or how well he could stand and deliver (e.g., the apparent rehearsed movements of guest speakers during a TED Talk).

The Bible says, Peter, “standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words…” (Acts 2:14, KJV) Peter had something very important that people needed to hear. He wanted his countrymen to be saved!

We may not always have a salvation message to share, but is what we are speaking about important? If you do not think so—look for it! Find the importance of what you have to say.

When we have something important that must be shared with people, our purpose for speaking becomes much clearer and our worries about ourselves less significant—the fear of speaking in public becomes less important. What matters more, is that people hear something important.

1. Are You Sincere?

Jeremiah, known as the weeping prophet, said that the word of God was like a fire in him when he tried to be quiet. He thought he could remain silent and “not make mention of God, nor speak any more in his name” (Jeremiah 20:9, KJV). However, that did not work too well because the important message for the people of Israel that God gave him could not be bound.

Jeremiah wrote, “His Word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay” (Jeremiah 20:9, KJV). Though the people did not repent, it was not for lack of truth spoken by Jeremiah. God had given him something to say, and he declared it. His heart was broken for his people.

We read of Paul on Mars Hill whose spirit was stirred within him when he saw the city given wholly over to idolatry (Acts 17:16, KJV). Paul was absolutely bothered. He was not concerned about how speaking in public might affect him but that these people needed to hear the truth. He just had to tell them about God and His Son Jesus Christ—not for his sake, but for theirs. He had a deep desire to share his message. In the end, some people did listen, others did not, and still others mocked Paul (Acts 17:32-34), but what was important and had to be shared, was shared.

When you are holding the truth, something people need to hear, something that is going to help people, it is difficult to remain silent. Why? Because you know that your audience will benefit from it, can be helped by it, can learn something from it, and or be blessed to hear what you have to say. People may respond differently than you expect or hope, but if you are open and honest with them, you have done your part. The responsibility is now theirs.

Rather than using modern marketing methods designed to convince people to do or buy things they do not want or need, consider the sincere approach. Those who respond will respond to your message with sincerity as well, and you will have reached those who truly value the message. At the very least, you will have stayed true to your message and to your audience and will have forgotten your fear of speaking in public.

1. What Matters Most?

What is most important when speaking in public? The Bible shows us people who had something to say without concern whether people liked them or what people thought of them. We could go through the prophets and the New Testament to see several.

Every day people all over the world share their passions with passion, apparently unconcerned about what people think of them. What mattered most to the Lord, to Jeremiah, to Paul, Peter, Stephen, and others was the people—the audience!

God shows us in His word that we speak because our concern is more about the people receiving the message than our own selves. The crucial element in public speaking is the opportunity to speak publicly. You have been given an open door to speak to people—what are you going to do with it? Will you squander the opportunity worrying about yourself, or will you maximize the opportunity to share something that your audience must hear?

When we are afraid to speak in public, we are prioritizing ourselves over our audience? We become more important than them. It is interesting to note that the Lord taught us to love our neighbors as ourselves. When our message is important for our audience, in a sense, public speaking becomes an act of love for our neighbors. This may drive us to want to speak instead of being more concerned about how we feel about speaking in public.

1. Be Not Afraid

If we are afraid to speak in public, perhaps what we have to say may not be too important, one might surmise. At least, not important enough to overcome our fears. Do you want to overcome your fear of speaking? Say what you must say. Something that the audience must hear. Something that would benefit them. Something that if they did not know, they would be at a loss. Something you are passionate about.

Think about the last time you were speaking to a family member, a friend, or a group of friends about a great movie or song you saw or heard, or maybe a traffic accident that you witnessed. You did not seem to care that all eyes were on you, neither were you afraid. True, these were people you know, not strangers, and you were not on stage, but the principle is the same—when we have something important to share, we put ourselves in the spotlight!

For some Christians, because we may not be passionate enough about our relationship with the Lord, or what He has to say in His word, or perhaps not passionate enough about telling others about Jesus Christ, people never get to hear. We forget that (1) the Lord commanded it, and (2) people need the Lord (again, sharing becomes an act of love for my neighbor), we allow our fears to rule over us.

Yet, how many times has the Lord told us to fear not and be not afraid (Isaiah 41:13, 43:1, Matthew 10:28, Luke 12:7, Proverbs 3:25, Jeremiah 1:8, Acts 18:9)? He has even told us that He will be with us until the end. What then is it that we fear?

Perhaps in view of God, we may find that our fears are irrational and even prideful—certainly not of faith. If you know God has given you an opportunity, do not fear. Or at least pray for boldness.  

In other public speaking venues, we may not feel that what we have to say is worth saying. That is why we must evaluate what we are sharing and if need be, improve it with something important that you feel strongly about. Once you gain perspective, the fear of speaking in public is irrelevant.

Closing Comments

The next time you are asked to speak, whether in a religious or secular setting, consider how your words will benefit your audience. Remove your eyes from yourself and place them on the needs of the people before you. Ensure that the message is something the audience must hear and be sincere in your delivery of it. That may mean taking time to rewrite what you want to say, taking time to dig for the gold as it pertains to your audience, or taking time to examine the needs of your audience. Remember, what matters most in public speaking is not you, but them.

Whatever the topic, make it important for the audience. If you are a Christian, see how you can incorporate Christ or His word into your message—letting your words be seasoned with the salt of God’s word.

Even if it is not an overt reference to a verse, but a simple use of the words of God in your comments, you are sprinkling your words with His word. Remember, God can use even a seed to bring forth much fruit.

Do we seek to bring Christ into everything we speak about? Do we desire to sprinkle the word of God into our secular lectures, presentations, or speeches? Use these questions to guide you in your preparations.

The Lord teaches us in Proverbs 15:1 (KJV) that “The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.” Perhaps if we gave our public speaking over to the Lord, He would prepare us more for it. Maybe you are asked to speak about something that does not involve God (you may think) but prayerfully seek the Lord and ask for wisdom on how God can be included in your message, even if in some small way. I have done it, and it works. You can too!

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Jerry is a bi-vocational missionary pastor-teacher in the Philippines with educational attainments ranging from bachelor to doctorate degrees in various fields. He has been writing since he was a child and continues to this day through articles, blogs, devotions, e-books, and more.