Newsletter Vol.1, #40—September 25, 2005

 

Matthew 6: 25"Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? ESV

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(Written by a former child) A message every adult should read, because children are watching you and doing as you do, not as you say.)

When You Thought I Wasn’t Looking

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you feed a stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make my favorite cake for me and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I heard you say a prayer, and I knew there was a God I could always talk to and I learned to trust in God.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give of your time and money to help people who had nothing and I learned that those who have something should give to those who don't.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it and I learned we have to take care of what we are given.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw how you handled your re­sponsibilities, even when you didn't feel good and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw tears come from your eyes and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it's all right to cry.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw that you cared and I wanted to be everything that I could be.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I learned most of life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I looked at you and wanted to say, "Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking."

(A Newspaper Clipping submitted by Floyd Davis)

The Teaching Methods of Jesus (I)

Jimmy Tuten, Jr. Tallmadge, Ohio

Mankind has had no more valuable and noble task than that of teaching. All cultures 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 (John 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 (v.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.                                                                                          (to be continued)