The Final Installment, Part 4:
“Why debate?” The question comes again. Many of debate’s benefits are very practical. It teaches you critical thinking. In addition, you gain the ability to communicate effectively and the confidence to speak.
During the time I debated, I also gained the important ability to research, often on my own. Furthermore, participating in tournaments provided opportunities to network and build relationships with other people. Writing skills were also strengthened through debate.
My hope is that even if you may never participate in debate, you’ll recognize the importance of good communication skills. It’s a life-long pursuit that’s worth a few bumps in the road.
So my challenge to you, the reader, is that you build good communication skills by learning to speak in front of others.
While I won’t always be competing in debate, I will carry the skills I have gained from the activity throughout my life. Unlike activities such as chess club, basketball, or soccer (no offense meant to sports fans) that teach skills someone may not be able to apply later in life, debate teaches skills applicable to many areas of life.
I’ve had fun with debate and times where I wished I wasn’t participating, but looking back it’s clear that debate was more than worthwhile.
So…“why debate?” My journey in debate has reaffirmed why I have been involved for so many years in the activity. The first and foremost reason is this… to glorify God in all that I do by being an effective communicator for Christ.
Go back with me to the five percent statistic I mentioned before. Only five percent of Americans are ready and willing to speak on a public platform. If I were one of those, my ability to make an impact for Christ would be much greater. That’s the real reason to debate – Soli Deo Gloria – to the glory of God alone.
1 Corinthians 10:31 – “Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (NASB)
