Updated on October 23rd, 2025 by Connie Thomson
I vividly remember standing under flickering streetlights in the busy Jatujak Market in Bangkok, Thailand. I was at the crowded market for two reasons—as a tourist looking for low-priced souvenirs, and as a missionary learning the culture of an unfamiliar country.
A local friend pointed to the rhythm of life around us—vendors calling out, kids laughing, elders settling disputes—and said, “If we speak about Jesus without speaking the people’s language, they won’t hear us.”
That simple insight captures the heart of biblical contextualization.
The Heart of Biblical Contextualization
Gospel contextualization is not about changing the gospel message. It’s learning how people think and feel so the good news lands clearly. This concept becomes relevant when we engage in cross-cultural ministry experiences, like mission trips. I shared my 3 reminders for cross-cultural ministry here.
If you’ve ever wondered, “what does contextualization mean?”—it’s this careful, faithful practice of connecting God’s unchanging Word to culture and real life.
In this blog post, I want to walk through four foundations that make biblical contextualization both wise and practical. We’ll explore why it matters, how the Bible itself models gospel contextualization, and the guardrails that keep us on track.
We’ll talk about the missional impact churches see when they lean into the contextualization of the gospel with humility and prayer. And we’ll end with steps any ministry team can take to start contextualizing the gospel right where they serve.
Build illustrations and applications from local stories and proverbs.
Jesus Film Project® is committed to this work globally, offering films and tools that carry the story of Jesus in heart languages. These resources help you practice biblical contextualization with confidence—keeping Scripture central while meeting people where they live.
Understanding Biblical Contextualization
Let’s begin with the big question: what does contextualization mean when we talk about faith? At its core, biblical contextualization is the careful communication of God’s unchanging truth in ways that connect locally.
The gospel message stays the same and the definition of evangelism doesn’t change. The metaphors, language and entry points change so that people can deeply understand.
That’s gospel contextualization in everyday terms. It’s paying attention to how people speak, what they value and how they make sense of the world—then presenting Scripture in ways that resonate.
It is important to realize that biblical contextualization isn’t trying to become the culture. The Gospel Coalition blog reminds us of contextualizing the gospel isn’t about trying to make it edgy, but it is about trying to make it real to the listener.
To do this well, we remember that the Bible itself is written within real times and places.
Three Biblical Contexts to Consider
- Historical context clarifies practices and events. The history books of the Old Testament include Genesis through Esther.
- Literary context helps us trace the flow of thought and genre. An example of this Biblical context would be Psalms. Psalms is a poetic writing, whereas Proverbs is a wisdom text.
- Theological context places each passage within the larger story of creation, fall and redemption. The overarching story of the entire Bible allows us to fit each verse we read into the whole picture.
Without these frameworks, verses can be pulled out and misapplied. With them, biblical contextualization becomes a trustworthy pathway for teaching and application—showing how the contextualization of the gospel honors God and serves people.
Jesus Contextualized His Message
Jesus modelled this beautifully. He spoke of seed and soil in farming towns, of vineyards and shepherds in rural communities. His stories were rooted in everyday life so listeners could grasp profound truth.
Jesus taught with everyday pictures: sowers and seeds, lamps and coins, shepherds and gates. With Nicodemus, He spoke of new birth. With the Samaritan woman, He offered living water, crossing social lines to address deep longing. These are several examples of Jesus contextualizing his message.
In fact, those who study Scripture nowadays often must work to understand the context Jesus was speaking in. From speaking in parables about fishing to mustard seeds to wineskins, Jesus often taught using topics that were familiar to the people around Him and the context in which they lived.
This is biblical contextualization at its best—using familiar stories to reveal eternal truth so listeners can see and respond.
Paul Localized The Gospel
Paul did the same. In synagogues, he reasoned from the Scriptures. (Acts 17:1-4) This is because the Jews in that place relied on the Old Testament for God’s Truth.
In Athens, he quoted poets and referenced an altar to an unknown god—building common ground before proclaiming Christ. (Acts 17:22-23) That’s contextualizing the gospel without compromise: choosing the right doorway into the same message.
If you’re still asking, “what does contextualization mean in practice?”—It means engaging with your neighbors’ language and way of thinking, all while keeping the gospel central.
In a gospel contextualization blog by 9Marks, the author talks about how Paul lives like those he is ministering to. This connects him closely to the culture, and builds a bridge to share Christ’s message.
Paul’s letters were also contextualized for their audience. He addressed local issues—idol meat in Corinth, law and grace in Galatia, unity and joy in Philippi—showing the contextualization of the gospel for real cities and real congregations.
Early Church and Historical Cultural Adaptations
The early church lived this out, too. In Acts 15:7-11, leaders refused to put ceremonial burdens on Gentile believers. The result? The message moved across borders with grace, and diverse communities found a home in the family of God.
As the church grew, many tongues carried one gospel—an early picture of gospel contextualization that still guides us today.
Missionary Hudson Taylor emulated these biblical examples in his work overseas in the 1800s. He entered into a new context with a true spirit of learning, even adopting the traditional style of clothing worn in the region and studying the local language.
Hudson Taylor’s heart for contextualization and thoughtful care for the culture of East Asia propelled ministry forward in the years thereafter.
There are so many ways we may unknowingly bring our own cultural backgrounds and assumptions as we minister in other cultures. And as Christians, it can be especially challenging when we know we have a life-altering message to share.
But we can’t skip the step of learning about the people we’re attempting to reach. These are people with unique experiences and cultural backgrounds, people made and loved by God.
Today’s Gospel Framing
Today, one part of biblical contextualization is translating Scripture and videos into heart languages. It is also listening carefully to local stories and symbols, and discerning what to affirm, correct and transform.
Josh Newell, executive director of Jesus Film Project, says this: “The global mission field is full of audiences that have distinct cares and beliefs – and global proclaimers of Jesus need to not only understand those cares and beliefs but speak in such a way that introduces the King in ways audiences can hear.”
As Western Christian, we should take a posture of humility and prayer. It’s the contextualization of the gospel done with wisdom—where the message rules the method. Newell says, “It takes time and discernment, but the love demonstrated by understanding an audience and speaking directly to them is the way of Jesus.”
StoryRunners is a ministry of Cru that equipcs Christians to shape and use oral Bible stories to help launch churches amonth those who have no access to the Bible.
In this day and age, it’s not difficult to notice that everyone has a smart phone in their pocket. We need digital ways to reach people. At Jesus Film Project, we offer digital resources to reach people with the story of Jesus. Check out the video below to learn more.
One of our mission trip leaders recalls a time she was visiting a country with a highly atheist spiritual climate. People were uninterested in hearing about the gospel, and certainly wouldn’t attend an outreach in a church building. So alongside local ministers, the team hosted an event in a local coffee shop, a space that felt like neutral ground.
The team was able to make meaningful connections and even meet up with some of the attendees in the days following the event for spiritual conversations. Strategies like these have proven effective in places around the globe.
Jesus Film Project Contextualized Resources
- Films that answer key questions about Christianity from other religious backgrounds
- Animated films to connect with the next generation
- Films designed to show Christ’s care for women
- Short films made friendly for social media
Theological Foundations for Contextualization
From Genesis to Revelation, Scripture celebrates the breadth of human culture and language. The nations are invited to praise the Lord. Families across the earth are promised blessing. The final chorus includes every tribe and tongue.
Diversity isn’t a barrier but a setting where grace takes root. That’s why biblical contextualization honors what is good in local life while calling every culture under the lordship of Jesus. For more learning, the Gospel Coalition has an interesting blog about the theology of contextualization.
What does contextualization mean theologically? Put simply, God’s mission embraces difference while proclaiming one Savior, Jesus Christ.
The incarnation sets our posture. Jesus entered a particular culture—first-century Jewish life—with love. He spoke a real language, lived within real customs and then reframed those customs in light of the kingdom.
In ministry today, we follow that path. We listen, we learn and we speak in forms that match native patterns of meaning. At Jesus Film Project, we aim to help people encounter Jesus in their heart language and style. This is a living example of gospel contextualization that builds trust and understanding.
The Holy Spirit Leads Us
The Holy Spirit leads this process. At Pentecost, the works of God were heard in many tongues. The Spirit helps the church recognize both the gifts and the gaps within a culture. He highlights the presence of common grace in music, art and story. He also reveals what stands in conflict with Scripture.
This discernment requires prayer, unity and community testing. Done well, the contextualization of the gospel is Spirit-empowered—anchored in truth and attentive to people.
Practical Contextualization
Practically, this means translating and adapting the gospel message without diluting doctrine.
- It means clarifying truth so ears can grasp and hearts can trust.
- It means partnering with local believers and asking good questions.
- It means providing resources that present Jesus in accessible, culturally aware formats—tools designed for biblical contextualization that keep the gospel intact.
These foundations carry key implications.
- Christ’s lordship extends to every people and place.
- The Bible’s authority guides our methods, shaping how we interpret and practice culture.
- The church is called to incarnational witness—presence, service and communication that make sense locally and hold globally.
That’s contextualizing the gospel as a way of life, not a one-off tactic.
Two Dangers to Guard Against
- Syncretism blends beliefs in ways that undermine essential truth. It basically is combining the gospel with another philosophy. GFA Missions blog gives excellent examples of syncretism in the real world. These include:
- A missionary in Taiwan explained that the gospel can easily be reduced to simply asking and receiving from God. Because the dominant religion there centers on power, people often blend that mindset with the gospel, resulting in a view of God that resembles a kind of spiritual Santa Claus.
- A believer in Austria shared that the culture places the highest value on love. When this mindset blends with the gospel, it can result in accepting sinful lifestyles and behaviors, leaving young Christians unchallenged to pursue holiness.
- Cultural imperialism imposes foreign forms and ignores local meaning. This is a phenomenon where dominant cultures impose their values, practices, and forms upon other societies, often disregarding or actively suppressing local meanings, traditions, and contexts.
This process appears in many forms, such as adopting foreign media or following Western education and economic systems. The main problem is the power imbalance—dominant cultures often hold economic or political control. This leads to the loss of local knowledge and traditions. Over time, cultural diversity fades, and communities struggle to preserve their unique identities.
We must be intentional in guarding against these two dangers as we seek to make the gospel relevant to other cultures. Strong Scripture and Spirit-led wisdom can help to protect us.
We test methods against the Bible and look for fruit in transformed lives. We lift up Jesus above all symbols or styles. This is biblical contextualization that holds the center while welcoming difference.
Missional Impact of Contextualization
So, why does this matter on the ground? Because biblical contextualization removes needless barriers and invites real engagement. When we practice the contextualization of the gospel with care, people hear that the good news is actually good for them—today, in their community, for their family and future.
Evangelism becomes more effective when the message feels relatable. Familiar terms and metaphors unlock meaning. Storytelling and visual media speak powerfully in oral cultures.
Honor-shame contexts need to see how Jesus restores dignity. Fear-power settings need to hear how Christ conquers and protects. This is gospel contextualization in action—meeting the deepest values and pains with the same Savior.
Today, the 10/40 window is one of the hardest-to-reach areas in the world. But it is also home to the most unreached people on the globe. Understanding biblical contextualization will help missionaries to reach into the 10/40 window.
JESUS Film Project Ministry Examples
Consider a river town where conversations happen near trade and fishing. Local teams use the JESUS film in the heart language, host small groups led by respected elders and frame questions around stewardship and family honor.
In a fast-paced city, mobile screenings and chats explore identity, belonging and purpose, with translators refining idioms to match local usage.
In both cases, contextualizing the gospel doesn’t rewrite God’s Word. It aligns presentation and application with real needs. Over time, discipleship grows, outreach becomes local and homes see real transformation.
Practical Steps for Contextualizing the Gospel
Maybe you’re ready to start but still wonder, “what does contextualization mean for my team?” Here are steps you can take to practice the contextualization of the gospel with wisdom and care. These are simple, grounded actions that keep Scripture central while making space for local voice and experience.
Listen Well
Begin by listening. Spend time learning how people speak at home and at work. Notice what they celebrate and which stories shape identity. Ask friendly worldview questions:
- How do they see God, humanity, suffering and hope?
- What symbols and idioms carry trust?
- Which media formats invite attention—short videos, community radio, market gatherings?
This is the early work of biblical contextualization: paying attention to language and life so you can start contextualizing the gospel with clarity.
Keep the Gospel Central
As you adapt, keep the main points of the gospel central to your ministry. God’s holiness, human sin, Jesus’ incarnation, death and resurrection and the call to repent and believe—these don’t flex.
Build illustrations and applications from local stories and proverbs. If harmony matters, highlight reconciliation in Christ’s family. If justice is central, teach Jesus’ righteous kingdom. Test wording with trusted local believers. Adjust metaphors that confuse. This is gospel contextualization that speaks clearly and truthfully without compromise.
Guard against syncretism. Distinguish helpful bridges from harmful compromises. Let the Bible interpret culture, not the other way around. Ensure there’s a path from first hearing to discipleship—Scripture reading, prayer, fellowship, obedience and service. The goal of contextualizing the gospel is changed lives, not simply cultural fit.
Use Good Resources
Use tools designed for this work. Jesus Film Project offers a library of films translated for diverse languages and cultures. You can search for films by language.
The JESUS film follows Luke’s Gospel with accuracy and is available in many languages for heart-level hearing. Short films and clips are strong conversation starters, especially for oral learners and visual audiences.
These resources help you practice biblical contextualization—bridging the gap between message and understanding.
Pair films with wise facilitation. Select versions that match local dialects. Host screenings followed by small-group discussions. Invite questions and personal reflections.
Empower local believers to guide conversations—they’ll bridge nuance with biblical clarity.
Choose times and places that fit community rhythms. When ministry feels natural and respectful, the contextualization of the gospel bears fruit.
Measure and refine. Track which stories connect and where confusion persists. Note responses over time, then adjust while staying anchored in Scripture. Pray, seek counsel and remain humble. Done this way, biblical contextualization becomes an ongoing practice—clear, compelling and faithful.
Conclusion: Embracing Contextualization in Ministry
Our world is moving fast. Languages, neighborhoods and generations are shifting. In the midst of it, biblical contextualization helps the church speak timeless truth with fresh mercy.
If someone asks you again, “what does contextualization mean?” you can say: it’s the careful, prayerful work of presenting the same gospel in forms people understand. That’s gospel contextualization, and it’s as relevant as ever.
This posture matters especially in cross-cultural teams. Assumptions about authority, family and faith differ. Listening builds trust. Local leaders offer insight. Bridges form when biblical themes meet daily challenges—honor, justice, belonging, hope. The heart of contextualizing the gospel is humility and patience. We guard against syncretism, respect dignity and keep the authority of Scripture central.
Collaboration strengthens the work. Pastors, filmmakers, translators, educators and volunteers test ideas together, refine with feedback and build resources that fit. This is how the contextualization of the gospel becomes durable—iterative, relational and rooted in community.
Practical Steps for Assessing the Culture
If you’re ready to take a next step, start simple.
- Listen before planning.
- Conduct community assessments.
- Engage local neighbours as partners.
- Evaluate tools for cultural relevance and doctrinal soundness.
- Train teams to notice nuance.
- Use resources already tailored for diverse audiences.
- Invite feedback and measure impact by changed lives, not just attendance.
This is biblical contextualization you can practice today—a faithful way of contextualizing the gospel while keeping Jesus at the center.
As you plan, embrace gospel contextualization with clarity and compassion. Keep Scripture central. Stay attentive to the people you serve. And trust God to draw hearts as the message of Jesus is heard in a voice that feels like home.
