____________________________________________________ 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 31, 2005 ____________________________________________________ Contents: 1) The Teaching Methods of Jesus (4) (Jimmy Tuten, Jr.) 2) Don't Put a Question Mark Where God Put a Period (Steve Klein) ____________________________________________________ -1- The Teaching Methods of Jesus (4) by Jimmy Tuten, Jr. This is a continuation and conclusion of the series of articles on the teaching methods employed by Jesus. Since all teachers are involved in one method or the other, it is profitable to give attention to the Lord's method of teaching. After making a study like this, we should all strive to apply what we have learned. Dabbling haphazardly at teaching is a practice that needs to cease. All teachers, no matter how good they are, need improvement. One way to learn is to observe what others have done. The methods of Jesus demand our attention. The Use Of Repetition Jesus frequently used repetition in His teaching. No doubt the difficulty of changing the thinking and habits of people led to his use of this method. Jesus used similar expressions, illustrations and thoughts in many of his teaching situations. He often spoke of such matters as faith, love, the kingdom, and suffering. Jesus knew that a repetition by the mind is the rethinking of a thought, and that it perfects and confirms knowledge. It renders knowledge ready and useful. He used repetition skillfully. The New Testament stresses the importance of good repetition in teaching. Peter said: "wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth. Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance" (2 Pet. 1:12-13). He said again, "this second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: that ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour" (2 Pet. 3:1-2). We should learn to make effective use of repetition. Deliberate repetition emphasizes important points. It gives continuity to our thoughts. Careless repetition, on the other hand, renders a clumsy atmosphere to the classroom situation. Even though improper repetition can be annoying, we should strive to effectively repeat matters worth repeating. The Lord demonstrated the value of this method. The Use Of Scripture When it came to the use of Scripture, Jesus was truly the "Master Teacher." From a human standpoint his Jewish education in connection with the home, the school and the synagogue provided him with an unusual Old Testament background. Even at the age of twelve he asked and answered questions which astounded adults. The Scriptures state that "after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers" (Lk. 2:46-47). The entire teaching experience of Jesus was permeated with Old Testament Scripture. His teaching was rooted in Old Testament concepts. Some of the things we notice about the Lord's use of Scripture would fill an article itself. For example, he was always respectful and reverent in his attitude toward Scripture (Matt. 5:17-19). When it came to traditions and commands, Jesus always obeyed the commands (Matt. 15:19). He always spoke with authority. His authority in contrast to the authority of Moses on the divorce issue is summed up in the words, "and I say unto you" (Matt. 19:9). The Pharisees had no doubt what Jesus meant. At the conclusion of a similar occasion the Scriptures state: "and it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes" (Matt. 7:28-29). Our teaching should be rooted and grounded in Scripture. Jesus could speak with authority because he was divine (Matt. 3:16-17). We are not divine, but we too, can speak with authority when we use the Scripture. Titus was told to "speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority" (Tit. 2:15). Our proper use of Scripture makes our teaching authoritative. By speaking where the Bible speaks, we can speak with all authority. We are Bible class teachers. Our teaching should be Bible centered. Teachers should hold to the pattern of sound words (2 Tim. 1:13). They should strive to hold fast the "faithful word" (Tit. 1:9). We need teachers who are "sound in the faith" (Tit. 1:13). This should be our first goal. Problem & Solution Method On different occasions Jesus would take a problem and have those involved work its solution out. This is a good method of teaching because it involves the pupil in doing something which requires activity. Real thinking begins with a problem of some kind. To see how effectively Jesus used this method one needs only to observe that the Sermon on the Mount is full of paradoxical problems and situations. The same thing is true with the beatitudes. When John was in prison, he had a problem regarding Christ: "art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?" (Matt. 11:3). Rather than answer the problem directly, Jesus said, "Go and show John again those things which ye do hear and see" (Matt. 11:4). He left it with John to work out the solution. Today we are confronted with problems such as "are you and your little bunch the only ones going to heaven?" This is a loaded question and should not be answered in a direct manner. This is a good problem to have thought out. People should be encouraged to think for themselves with reference to various problems. This will produce quick interest and attention. Sometimes the teacher can present a problem with the solution to be worked out by the pupils. Take the matter of salvation. We are saved by the blood of Jesus. "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace" (Eph. 1:7). We are also saved by baptism. "The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us..." (1 Pet. 3:21). Present the problem of salvation by the blood of Jesus Vs. salvation by baptism and let the pupils find the solution. This method has great potential. Attention Method The attention of a pupil has a way of drifting in and out of focus. For this reason teaching has been defined as "the art of getting attention." No one can study the teaching methods of Jesus Christ without focusing on his use of attention. Jesus gained attention through contact: a question, a story, a parable or a paradox. He sustained that interest by going rapidly to the matter at hand. In this way he was able to go from the thing arousing the interest to the spiritual truth he intended to teach. He held interest by developing his lesson and filling it with vitality and enthusiasm. From the standpoint of getting into the lesson quickly and developing it rapidly, we can profit from the example of Jesus. Conclusion There are other methods employed by Jesus through his teaching. Those covered in this brief series are sufficient to provide a curriculum of study for the thoughtful teacher. The methods of Jesus demonstrate that he is the supreme teacher of all time. His authority, his method, his simplicity, his inspiring power, all mark him as the world's greatest teacher. His method of teaching should be studied by all who aspire to teach. -- Via Truth Magazine, XVIII:12, pp. 12-13, January 24, 1974 ____________________________________________________ -2- Don't Put a Question Mark Where God Put a Period by Steve Klein God placed man in the Garden of Eden with the following rule: "Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die" (Genesis 2:16-17). When the serpent came to tempt Eve, he said, "Has God indeed said, 'You shall not eat of the fruit of every tree of the garden?'" Notice what is at the end of that sentence. Satan put a question mark where God had put a period. Because of Satan's influence, first Eve and then Adam wound up violating God's rule, treating it as a question in their minds instead of a command. Men often make the same error today -- we put question marks where God put periods. Here are some examples: * In His word, God said, "in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day" (Exodus 20:11). Men ask, "Do we really know how long it took to make the earth?" "Could God have used evolution over millions of years to create life as we know it?" * God said, "Wine is a mocker, Strong drink is a brawler, And whoever is led astray by it is not wise" (Proverbs 20:1). And, "Do not look on the wine when it is red, When it sparkles in the cup, When it swirls around smoothly" (Proverbs 23:31). Men ask, "What's wrong with taking a drink now and then?" * God said, "Baptism doth also now save us" (1 Peter 3:21, KJV). Men ask, "Do I have to be baptized to be saved?" * God said for us to "consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching" (Hebrews 10:24-25). Men ask, "Do I have to go to church?" * God said, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord" (Colossians 3:16). Men ask, "Can we play instruments of music in worship?" The mistake of putting a question mark where God put a period is as old as the Garden of Eden. Let's resolve that we are not going to make that mistake. If God has said it, let's believe and obey it, no questions asked! -- Via The Bulletin of the Church of Christ at New Georgia, May 8, 2005 ____________________________________________________ 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 ____________________________________________________