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METHODS.DOC
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THE METHODS
Jesus' Principles
Before dealing with Jesus' specific methods of teaching, it
would be well to present some principles of teaching that he
used.
First of all, he was God-centered and individual-focused.
The curriculum was the Word of God. The Word (or Law) was not to
be used to break people, but to help people. A prime example was
Jesus' teaching on keeping the Sabbath:
And it came to pass on the second sabbath after the
first, that he went through the corn fields; and his
disciples plucked the ears of corn, and did eat,
rubbing them in their hands. And certain of the
Pharisees said unto them, Why do ye that which is not
lawful to do on the sabbath days? And Jesus answering
them said, Have ye not read so much as this, what David
did, when himself was an hungred, and they which were
with him; How he went into the house of God, and did
take and eat the shewbread, and gave also to them that
were with him; which it is not lawful to eat but for
the priests alone? And he said unto them, That the Son
of man is Lord also of the sabbath. And it came to
pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the
synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right
hand was withered. And the scribes and Pharisees
watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day;
that they might find an accusation against him. But he
knew their thoughts, and said to the man which had the
withered hand, Rise up, and stand forth in the midst.
And he arose and stood forth. Then said Jesus unto
them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the
sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life,
or to destroy it? And looking round about upon them
all, he said unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And
he did so: and his hand was restored whole as the
other. (Luke 6:1-10).
Jesus taught and demonstrated that people were to be made
whole. They were to be conformed more and more into the image of
God. Jesus did not reject sinners and imperfect saints, but took
the "long look," seeing their potential and who they would
become.
Jesus began where people were. He started with their
interests and needs, and using language and customs familiar to
them, moved them from the known to the unknown--from the natural
to the spiritual.
He aimed at decision. He used logic, emotion and biblical
content to enlighten and arouse the conscience.
He walked in the Holy Spirit.
He secured the learner's self-activity. He commanded his
disciples to DO his works. (Generally, we retain 90 percent of
what we hear, see and do. We retain 30 percent of what we hear
and see. We retain only 5-10 percent of what we hear).
Jesus' Methods
One method that Jesus apparently did not use is writing.
This would seem strange if not for the fact that others DID write
for him. During his lifetime, he was involved in inscribing
truth on human hearts rather than in books--discipling was his
best method.
He taught by being a role model. (This was covered in the
first part of this composition).
He taught with authority:
And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these
sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine
(teaching): For he taught them as one having authority,
and not as the scribes. (Matthew 7:28-29).
If we are sure of ourselves and our message, we will speak boldly
and clearly. We who would teach the great truths of Christ must
know Christ personally. We must know the scriptures. Then we
must speak without apology, for we have a moral obligation to
proclaim the truth. If so much false doctrine is being taught
dogmatically, cannot we teach the truth boldly?
Christ healed the sick because of his compassion. However,
healing the sick is also a method of teaching. Jesus once healed
a paralytic and at the same time taught that he (Jesus) had the
authority to forgive sins:
And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken
with a palsy: and they sought means to bring him in,
and to lay him before him. And when they could not
find by what way they might bring him in because of the
multitude, they went upon the housetop, and let him
down through the tiling with his couch into the midst
before Jesus. And when he saw their faith, he said
unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee. And the
scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who
is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive
sins, but God alone? But when Jesus perceived their
thoughts, he answering said unto them, What reason ye
in your hearts? Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be
forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk? But that
ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth
to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,)
I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go
into thine house. And immediately he rose up before
them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to
his own house, glorifying God. And they were all
amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with
fear, saying, We have seen strange things to day. (Luke
5:18-26).
When people see a sick person healed, God is made more real and
the love and power of God is taught.
What about today? Does divine healing detract from the
central truth of salvation as some would allege? F. F. Bosworth
answers from experience:
Instead of the "ministry of healing" diverting from the
more important matter of salvation for the soul, we
have seen more happy conversions in a single week than
we ever saw in a whole year of evangelistic work during
the thirteen years before the Lord led us to preach
this part of the Gospel in a bolder and more public
way. ....
In our last revival preceding the writing of this book,
conducted in Ottawa, Canada, during the seven weeks of the
meeting, six thousand came for healing, and about twelve
thousand for salvation. [F. F. Bosworth, CHRIST THE HEALER
8th ed. (Old Tappan, NJ: Fleming H. Revell Co., 1973), p.
71].
Miracles also had teaching value. Jesus' raising the dead
taught that he had power over death. For examples of Jesus
raising dead people, see: (1) the son of the widow of Nain (Luke
7:11-17); (2) the daughter of Jairus (Luke 8:41-42, 49-56); and
(3) Lazarus (John 11:1-44). His casting out demons taught that
he had power over demons (see Matthew 8:16). Jesus' stilling the
storm taught that he had power over creation (Luke 8:22-25). In
short, Jesus taught that he was Lord of demons, disease, death
and the deep (creation).
Jesus made use of the lecture. A famous example is the
Sermon on the Mount, which would be better named the TEACHING ON
THE MOUNT (Matthew 5-7). Generally, the lecture is good for
teaching a large number of people. However it is weak in that
the audience will probably retain less.
Another teaching method of Jesus was that of question and
answer. This method gains and holds the listener's attention.
It also involves the listener and provokes thought.
Jesus also used discussion, usually on a one-to-one basis,
but sometimes in small groups. This conversational method of
teaching is good because it is tailored to the needs of
individuals. The ideal teacher to pupil ratio is one-to-one. If
a small group is involved, the members should all have about the
same training and interests.
Another method Jesus used was that of observation. The
disciples observed him as he taught, prayed, healed, performed
miracles, answered critics, etc.
An excellent method of teaching that Jesus employed was
learning by doing. Two examples are his sending the
twelve to perform the works of God (Matthew 10:1-42) and his
sending the seventy to do the same thing (Luke 10:1-20).
The use of parables was an effective way of teaching. Jesus
took a familiar story from the natural world or current events
and taught a new spiritual truth. Even if the truth did not
immediately "soak in," the story, along with the encoded truth,
would be preserved in the minds of the hearers so that the truth
might be grasped later. On the other hand, truth could be
withheld from truth-rejectors and this would become an act of
mercy to them on judgment day--Jesus taught that one would be
judged according to the amount of light that he had.
Jesus probably used music as a teaching method. He
certainly learned scriptures by chanting or singing them in the
synagogue. The gospels record Jesus quoting 38 scriptures from
21 Old Testament books. Singing and chanting causes a much
higher retention rate than mere reading. One scientific study
indicated that the greatest retention was by smell association,
followed by singing. Today, the Holy Spirit has led those who
minister in music to return to singing the scriptures.
Jesus used the sense of smell to help teach forgiveness of
sins at the house of Simon the Pharisee (Luke 7:36-50). While
Jesus was visiting Simon, a formerly sinful woman showed her
gratitude to Jesus by washing his feet with her tears, drying
them with her hair, and pouring perfume on them. From that time
on, Simon must have been reminded of Jesus' lesson on forgiveness
every time he smelled perfume. The Old Testament worshipers were
treated to the smell of incense. The coupling of the good with
the pleasant is a proper association. The coupling of the good
with the beautiful is also a proper association.
Jesus also used the sense of taste to teach. For example,
Jesus fed the 5,000 (Matthew 14:15-21). Since the multitude
could not easily buy food, Jesus manifested his compassion by
feeding them. They learned through firsthand experience that God
is concerned that people should have enough food. The experience
"left a good taste in their mouths" about God and his concern.
We use the sense of taste to good advantage when we give
treats to children on special occasions, and when we invite
people to dinner. People are more receptive to the gospel when
they have eaten.
Missionary Alva Walker related how that he would shoot a
hippopotamus to feed Africans. One hippopotamus would yield
about a ton of meat that tasted like pork. After eating, the
people would listen to the gospel after being convinced that this
missionary really loved them!
Jesus spoke to great philosophic problems. For example,
people have a desire to learn about life after death, and about
the resurrection. There is a natural set to learn when these
problems are discussed. People pay attention when life's
greatest questions are answered.
Jesus spoke about the future. People have a universal
desire to know about what is going to happen in the future. When
Jesus prophesied about the future, he immediately had their
attention. People remembered his prophecies and the truth they
contained.
Dialogue was also used as a method of teaching. For
example, his conversation with the Pharisees riveted the
attention of those nearby. The polemic or apologetic nature of
dialogue captures and holds the attention of those involved and
those listening. (Apologetics is the art of defending and
proving Christianity. One attempts to persuade others to become
Christians through logic and other moral means. Polemics is a
"war-like" attempt to win others to Christianity. An effort is
made to destroy others' false religious beliefs. It is not a
literal war or "conversion with the sword.")
Jesus won leaders, e.g., Nicodemus. When we win leaders to
Christ, we multiply our influence on society. We will reach more
people for Christ by reaching key people who will be able to
reach more than we could alone. Denominational ministries on
university campuses are putting this principle into practice.
Jesus used symbolic act and drama as teaching methods. The
incident of the Canaanite woman serves as a good example:
Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of
Tyre and Sidon. And, behold, a woman of Canaan came
out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying,
Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my
daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. But he
answered her not a word. And his disciples came and
besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth
after us. But he answered and said, I am not sent but
unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Then came
she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. But he
answered and said, It is not meet to take the
children's bread, and to cast it to dogs. And she
said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which
fall from their masters' table. Then Jesus answered
and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it
unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made
whole from that very hour. (Matthew 15:21-28).
The Canaanite woman approached Jesus, asking him to cast a demon
our of her daughter. Jesus' disciples began to manifest their
Jewish prejudice against her. Jesus took up the play,
"insulting" her and ACTING as though he held the typical Jewish
prejudice against Canaanites. He finally showed the disciples
their error by saying to the persistent woman, "You are a woman
of great faith! What you want will be done for you." (Matthew
15:28, Today's English Version). At that moment her daughter was
instantly healed, stamping indelibly in the minds of the
disciples that GOD LOVES EVERYONE EQUALLY. Other examples are
Jesus' baptism in water, the Lord's Supper, the triumphal entry
and Jesus driving money changers from the Temple.
Jesus used the spectacular as a teaching method. A prime
example is his transfiguration:
And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John
his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain
apart, And was transfigured before them: and his face
did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the
light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and
Elias [Elijah] talking with him. Then answered Peter,
and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be
here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles;
one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.
While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed
them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said,
This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear
ye him. And when the disciples heard it, they fell on
their face, and were sore afraid. And Jesus came and
touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid. And
when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man,
save Jesus only. And as they came down from the
mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision
to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the
dead. (Matthew 17:1-9).1
Associated with the transfiguration is the supremacy of Jesus
over Moses (the Law), and Elijah (the Prophets)--etched into the
disciples memories by this spectacular experience. A more modern
example of the spectacular method of teaching occurred when Aimee
Simple McPherson rode a motorcycle down the aisle of Angelus
Temple in Los Angeles while dressed in a policeman's uniform,
stopped at the front, held up her hand and cried, "Stop! You're
racing toward destruction!" Even if every sinner were not
converted that night, each would remember the message! (A word
of caution is in order here. Using the spectacular bypasses the
will of the observer--he will remember the incident whether or
not he chooses to. Use it sparingly and only for important
truths).
Jesus used group dynamics to teach. He harnessed the
positive peer pressure of his group of twelve to help them learn
scriptural principles and to help facilitate character training.
Jesus also used object lessons. He used a child to teach
humility:
At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying,
Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And
Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in
the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you,
Except ye be converted, and become as little children,
ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little
child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
(Matthew 18:1-4).
Children trust their parents completely. They humble themselves
before their parents and other authority figures. They are quick
to forgive others and do not hold grudges.
He used footwashing to teach service and humility. He
performed the task of a slave to his disciples. Slaves would
wash the feet of guests who were tired from walking to refresh
the travelers:
Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew
that his hour was come that he should depart out of
this world unto the Father, having loved his own which
were in the world, he loved them unto the end. And
supper being ended, the devil having now put into the
heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him;
Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into
his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to
God; He riseth from supper, and laid aside his
garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After
that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash
the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel
wherewith he was girded. Then cometh he to Simon
Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash
my feet? Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do
thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.
Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet.
Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no
part with me. Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my
feet only, but also my hands and my head. Jesus saith
to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his
feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but
not all. For he knew who should betray him; therefore
said he, Ye are not all clean. So after he had washed
their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set
down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done
to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well;
for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have
washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's
feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should
do as I have done to you. (John 13:1-15).
He even washed Judas' feet--the one he knew would betray him.
He used a Roman Denarius to teach paying taxes:
Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they
might entangle him in his talk. And they sent out unto
him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master,
we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God
in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou
regardest not the person of men. Tell us therefore,
What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto
Caesar, or not? But Jesus perceived their wickedness,
and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? Shew me the
tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. And
he saith unto them, Whose is this image and
superscription? They say unto him, Caesar's. Then
saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the
things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that
are God's. When they had heard these words, they
marvelled, and left him, and went their way. (Matthew
22:15-22).
The principle still remains--we should all pay the proper amount
of taxes.
The persecution of Jesus demonstrated his character. HE
SHONE THE BRIGHTEST AGAINST THE BACKGROUND OF UNJUST PERSECUTION.
The cross was the culmination of his persecution:
And when they were come to the place, which is called
Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors,
one on the right hand, and the other on the left. Then
said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not
what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast
lots. (Luke 23:33-34).
Jesus taught his love for all of us by undergoing persecution and
death. He also forgave his persecutors and killers while he was
dying on the cross--the ultimate demonstration of the love of
God. By forgiving those who murdered him, he taught us to
forgive all people for all harmful acts--even those who do us the
greatest harm. Jesus performed the highest heroic act of love
and illustrated the supreme teaching method by giving his life
for us.
God taught us through the raising of Jesus from the dead (1)
that Jesus is who he claimed to be, the Son of God; (2) that we
could be saved and eventually raised from the dead; and (3) that
God is holy, loving, wise and powerful.
Some day we may be called upon to suffer and possibly die as
Jesus did in order that others may be drawn to Christ and be
saved. But like our Lord, on the resurrection day, we too shall
be raised from the dead!