____________________________________________________ THE GOSPEL OBSERVER ____________________________________________________ "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19,20). ____________________________________________________ July 10, 2005 ____________________________________________________ Contents: 1) The Teaching Methods of Jesus (1) (Jimmy Tuten, Jr.) 2) News & Notes ____________________________________________________ -1- The Teaching Methods of Jesus (1) by Jimmy Tuten, Jr. Mankind has had no more valuable and noble task than that of teaching. All culture and nations have used this practice. The early Christians, the Greeks, the Hebrews, and ancient Egyptians all engaged in teaching. Obviously the procedure and end results were not always the same. Two elements that were involved were content and method. This was true regardless of the nature of the material taught. Just as all nations have not used the same content of education, so they have not all used the same methods. This and several articles to follow will deal with the methods of Jesus. Jesus shows how to teach better than all modern works on teaching. Sometimes we become so engrossed in human works on the subject that we lose sight of the fact that the New Testament furnishes us completely even in the field of teaching. The New Testament was not written to be a textbook of methodology. But contained within it are some of the best methods to be found anywhere. It is my intention to look into some of the procedures used by Jesus. The teacher and learner will therefore gain something that will be useful in their educational work. It should be kept in mind that there are certainly other methods equally as useful. Those used by Jesus flourished with Him. Most men agree that Jesus used certain prominent methods of teaching and that these are uniquely associated with Him. He was truly a "Master Teacher." We should seek to follow His example. Jesus, The Prepared Teacher Jesus Christ was always prepared to teach. Speaking from the standpoint of His humanity, thirty years of His life was spent in preparation for three years of work. As Farrar points out, "the education of a Jewish boy of the humble classes was almost solely scriptural and moral, and his parents were, as a rule his sole teachers" (Life of Christ, p. 138). In addition to the child Jesus being "filled with wisdom" (Lk. 2:40), it is said that He "increased in wisdom" (Lk. 2:52). Jesus developed and His development was unique. At every state His wisdom was complete for whatever occasion arose. This will be illustrated in articles that are to follow. Jesus, The Thoughtful Teacher The thoughtfulness of Jesus toward those whom He taught is demonstrated throughout His ministry. We see love expressed toward His disciples (Jno. 11:35), an expressed concern (Lk. 13:34), reproving when necessary (Lk. 9:41) and even an intimate association (Matt. 9:9). Notice one illustration of His thoughtfulness: In Matthew 9, a ruler came to Jesus and requested that He raise his dead daughter. "Jesus arose and followed him, and so did his disciples" (v. 19). On the way a woman who had been diseased for twelve years interrupted him by touching his garment. Instead of Jesus becoming vexed with the interruption, as any one of us would have been, He showed his concern for mankind by healing the woman (vv. 20-26). He had to stop, even on the way to raise the dead. While the poor father was filled with intense anxiety, and his followers full of eager anticipation; Jesus had time and thought for this supplicant. Jesus, The Frank Teacher In dealing with students, frankness is sometimes essential. There are some situations that simply cannot be overlooked. There are times when we must get to the point, when diplomacy is out of the question. Look at Mark 8:31-33. Shortly after Peter had acknowledged Jesus as the Christ, he began to rebuke Him because he was telling of His approaching suffering and death. Jesus turned about and looked on His disciples, "he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men." When we take into consideration the fact that the expression "Peter took him" literally means "took hold of him," i.e., to lead Jesus aside so as not to rebuke Him before the other disciples, it would appear that Jesus would not have been so frank. In this situation we probably would have thought of ourselves as more diplomatic. Not so with Jesus! He is frank with Peter. Jesus, The Energetic Teacher It is a known fact that one cannot kindle a fire in any other heart until it is burning within ones' own heart. Wholeheartedness is contagious. We have to give ourselves if we wish to gain others. To get something done we must be energetic. "Enthusiasm," it is said, "is the genius of sincerity, and truth accomplishes no victories without it." Jesus recognized this principle and his life was filled with enthusiasm for the cause which He represented. While a mere boy of twelve (Lk. 2:42), He challenged the religious doctors by saying, "wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?" (Lk. 2:49). His parents and religious leaders alike tasted of the energetic response to the Father's cause. Beginning with Luke nine, the journeys toward Jerusalem are described. Three times Jesus "steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem" (Lk. 9:51; 3:22; 17:11). This was at the close of the Lord's earthly life, just before the end. Jesus faced death in Jerusalem, yet He "steadfastly set his face." Now there are only the deepening opposition of the scribes and Pharisees and the lengthening shadow of the cross. Like Jesus, we should not shrink from the duty which our Father lays on us. The holy and noble tenacity of spirit expressed in the life of Christ is needed today wherever one is teaching. It was concerning Jesus that the disciple remembered that it was written, "the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up" (Jno. 2:17). Jesus, The Tactful Teacher Tactfulness can be overdone, but there are times when it is needed. It is needed when you must make a point without making an enemy. Abraham Lincoln defined "diplomacy" as "the knack of letting the other fellow have your way." Jesus was a Master at tactfulness. In John eight, for example, Jesus was faced with the problem of an adulterous woman. At the same time He knew that the scribes and Pharisees who were questioning Him were doing so with the intent of tempting Him so they might accuse Him. He pauses while writing on the ground. Then He says, "he that is without sin among you, let him cast a stone at her" (v. 7). This tactful approach to the problem left the accusers without an answer. They left one by one. Teachers need to know that sometimes tact is the best oil to use to keep the classroom machinery running smoothly. But, let's not forget that many people are so tactful that they never make contact with people. Jesus, The Spiritual-minded Teacher Jesus said, "blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled" (Matt. 5:6). Righteousness has to do with spiritual-mindedness: These are they who have a strong sense of God, who estimate themselves in His light, and so discover that their supreme need is spiritual mindedness. The Apostle Paul said, "to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace" (Rom. 8:6). Teachers need to learn that man does not live by bread alone; that his soul-hungering is of far greater importance than his body-hunger. The noble example of spiritual-mindedness should always be before the student. How can we expect spiritual-mindedness out of those whom we teach if it is not a part of our lives? We should foster the soul's longings for spirituality. They will put character (judged according to the Divine standard) in its proper place, and that is the first place. Spiritual-mindedness in the life of Jesus needs no Scriptural citations. It is apparent to all who know Him. Jesus appealed to this characteristic in His life when defending Himself before Caiaphas. He says, "I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing" (Jno. 18:20-21). Jesus, The Prayerful Teacher Jesus illustrates the importance and power of prayer. We have the records of His communion with God, communion that sprang from the depth of the greatest of all souls. Luke's gospel tells us that on the critical day when Jesus told His disciples once for all that the cross confronted him, he prayed; and "as he was praying, the fashion of his countenance was altered" (Lk. 9:29). Who knows for what Jesus looked tense, drawn, harassed and fearful, and that His face had revealed His inner struggle. But when He prayed the appearance of his face was altered. He received strength for anxiety and inward power adequate for whatever peril He faced. In a time when little that is outward tends to lead our thoughts straight to prayer, we need the strength that comes from it. No church has greater members than the teachers who teach their pupils to pray both by example and instruction. Fellowship with a holy God produces holiness among men. We need teachers of prayer, men and women mighty in prayer. Someone has well said, "prayer does not fit us for the greater works; prayer is the greater work. We think of prayer as a common sense exercise of our higher powers in order to prepare us for God's work." Prayer is a serious thing. It is the gymnasium of the teacher's soul. (To Be Continued Next Week) -- Via Truth Magazine, XVIII:4, p. 6-7, November 22, 1973 ____________________________________________________ "For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps" (1 Peter 2:21). ____________________________________________________ -2- News & Notes This Tuesday (7/12) James Shuff will be undergoing surgery in Atlanta for his liver transplant. Let those of us who are Christians pray that all will go well for him in every aspect of it. And let us also include some prayers for his parents, family, and friends. ____________________________________________________ MYRTLE STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST 1022 Myrtle Street Denham Springs, LA 70726 (225) 664-8208 Sunday: 9:15 AM, 10:00 AM, 4:00 PM Wednesday: 7:00 PM evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (225) 667-4520 e-mail: tedwards@onemain.com web site: http://home.onemain.com/~tedwards/go ____________________________________________________