PEOPLE of some cultures gesture more freely than those from other backgrounds. Yet, practically everyone talks with changes of facial expression and some form of gesturing. This is true both in personal conversation and in public speaking.

Gestures were natural to Jesus and his early disciples. On one occasion, someone reported to Jesus that his mother and his brothers wanted to speak with him. Jesus replied: “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” Then the Bible adds: “Extending his hand toward his disciples, he said: ‘Look! My mother and my brothers!’” (Matt. 12:48, 49) Among other references, the Bible shows at Acts 12:17 and 13:16 that the apostles Peter and Paul also made spontaneous use of gestures.

Ideas and feelings are communicated not only with the voice but also by means of gestures and facial expressions. Failure to use these well may convey an impression of indifference on the part of the one speaking. But when these means of communication are tastefully blended, the effectiveness of speech is greatly enhanced. Even when you speak over the telephone, if you make appropriate use of gestures and facial expressions, your voice will more readily convey the importance of your message as well as your personal feelings about what you are saying. Thus, whether you are speaking extemporaneously or are reading, whether your audience is looking at you or at their own copies of the Bible, gestures and facial expressions are of value.

Your gestures and your facial expressions should not be taken from a book. You never had to study how to laugh or how to be indignant. Gestures should also express feelings that are within you. The more spontaneous your gestures, the better.

Gestures fall into two general categories: descriptive and emphatic. Descriptive gestures express action or show dimension and location. In the school, when you are working on the use of gestures, do not be content with just one or two. Try to gesture in a natural way throughout your talk. If you are having difficulty in doing this, you may find it helpful to look for words that show direction, distance, size, location, or relative positions. In many cases, however, all that you need to do is to get absorbed in your talk, not worrying about the impression you are making, but saying and doing things as you would in daily life. When a person is relaxed, gestures come naturally.

Emphatic gestures express feeling and conviction. They punctuate, vitalize, and reinforce ideas. Emphatic gestures are important. But beware! Emphatic gestures can easily become mannerisms. If you use the same gesture again and again, it may begin to draw attention to itself instead of enhancing your talk. If your school overseer indicates that you have this problem, try limiting yourself solely to descriptive gestures for a time. After a while, begin to use emphatic gestures once more.

In determining the extent to which you should use emphatic gestures and the sort of gestures that are appropriate, consider the feelings of those to whom you are speaking. Pointing at the audience may make them feel uncomfortable. If a male in some cultures were to make certain gestures, such as putting his hand over his mouth to express surprise, this would be viewed as effeminate. In some parts of the world, it is considered immodest for women to gesture freely with the hands. So in those places, sisters especially need to make good use of facial expressions. And before a small group, sweeping gestures may be viewed as comical in almost any part of the world.

As you gain experience and become more at ease in speaking, any emphatic gestures that you do use will express your inner feelings naturally, demonstrating your conviction and sincerity. They will add meaning to your speech.

The Expression on Your Face. More than any other bodily feature, your face often expresses how you really feel. Your eyes, the shape of your mouth, the inclination of your head all play a part. Without a word being spoken, your face can convey indifference, disgust, perplexity, amazement, or delight. When such facial expressions accompany the spoken word, they add visual and emotional impact. The Creator has placed a large concentration of muscles in your face​—over 30 in all. Nearly half of these come into play when you smile.

Whether you are on the platform or are participating in the field ministry, you are endeavoring to share with people a message that is pleasant, one that can make their hearts rejoice. A warm smile confirms that. On the other hand, if your face is devoid of expression, this may raise questions about your sincerity.

More than that, a smile tells others that you have a kindly feeling toward them. That is especially important in these days when people are often afraid of strangers. Your smile can help people to relax and to be more receptive to what you say.

OUR eyes communicate attitudes and emotions. They may indicate surprise or fear. They may convey compassion or love. At times, they may betray doubt or give evidence of grief. Concerning his countrymen, who had suffered much, an elderly man said: “We speak with our eyes.”

Others may draw conclusions about us and about what we say on the basis of where we focus our eyes. In many cultures, people tend to trust an individual who maintains friendly eye contact with them. Conversely, they may doubt the sincerity or competence of a person who looks at his feet or at some object rather than at the one to whom he is talking. Some other cultures view any intensive eye contact as rude, aggressive, or challenging. This is especially the case when speaking with members of the opposite sex or to a chief or other titled person. And in some areas, if a younger person were to make direct eye contact when speaking to an older person, this would be viewed as disrespectful.

However, where it is not offensive, looking an individual in the eye when making an important statement can add emphasis to what is said. It may be viewed as evidence of conviction on the part of the speaker. Notice how Jesus responded when his disciples expressed great surprise and said: “Who really can be saved?” The Bible reports: “Looking them in the face, Jesus said to them: ‘With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’” (Matt. 19:25, 26) The Scriptures also show that the apostle Paul keenly observed the reactions of those in his audience. On one occasion a man lame from birth was present when Paul spoke. Acts 14:9, 10 states: “This man was listening to Paul speak, who, on looking at him intently and seeing he had faith to be made well, said with a loud voice: ‘Stand up erect on your feet.’”

Suggestions for the Field Ministry. When you share in the field ministry, be friendly and warm as you approach people. Where appropriate, use thought-provoking questions to start a conversation on something that may be of mutual interest. As you do this, endeavor to establish eye contact​—or at least to look the person in the face in a respectful and kindly way. A warm smile on the face of one whose eyes convey inner joy is very appealing. Such an expression may tell the individual much about what sort of person you are and help him to feel more relaxed as you converse.

Observing the expression in the person’s eyes, where appropriate, may give you indications as to how to deal with a situation. If the person is angry or if he is really not interested, you may be able to see it. If he does not understand you, you may realize that. If he is getting impatient, you will usually be able to tell. If he is keenly interested, this too will be evident. The expression in his eyes may alert you to the need to adjust your pace, to make added effort to involve him in the conversation, to terminate the discussion or, possibly, to follow through with a demonstration of how to study the Bible.

Whether you are engaging in public witnessing or conducting a home Bible study, endeavor to maintain respectful eye contact with the one with whom you are speaking. Do not stare at him, however, as that can be embarrassing. (2 Ki. 8:11) But in a natural, friendly manner, frequently look the other person in the face. In many lands, this conveys a feeling of sincere interest. Of course, when you are reading from the Bible or some other publication, your eyes will be focused on the printed page. But to emphasize a point, you may want to look directly at the person, though doing so briefly. If you look up at intervals, this will also enable you to observe his reaction to what is being read.

If shyness makes visual contact difficult for you at first, do not give up. With practice, appropriate visual contact will become natural, and it may add to your effectiveness in communicating with others.

When Giving a Discourse. The Bible tells us that before Jesus began his Sermon on the Mount, “he lifted up his eyes upon his disciples.” (Luke 6:20) Learn from his example. If you are going to speak