Teaching: Teaching Like Jesus
By using the teaching style of Jesus as a model, we'll surely grow in our effectiveness of instructing others about Jesus Himself.
Much has been written on the topic of teaching well. Tips from experts are valuable and should be consulted. Books on the subject should be read to sharpen one's skills. And as the old adage goes, practice makes perfect. But when it's all said and done, even the Gospel informs how we teach.
Do you teach like Jesus?
Much can be learned from studying how Jesus taught. Here are a few points on how Christ taught others while He was on the earth. By modeling His teaching style, we'll surely grow in our effectiveness of instructing others about Jesus Himself.
Jesus told stories.
We call them parables now. They were purposeful, illustrative stories which helped people understand difficult things. The Parable of the Lost Coin, Lost Sheep, and Lost Son of Luke 15, for instance, talk of God's pursuit for His lost children. Why can't we do the same? Use movies, music, and real-life events to illustrate your points. In doing so, you are teaching as Jesus taught.
Jesus always told the truth.
He was never compromising. He wasn't rude about it (though some found him very off-putting). But He said hard things. He was never concerned with popularity, public opinion, or the polls. We should never stray from the truth when teaching teenagers.
Jesus used teachable moments.
His teaching wasn't always staged. Sometimes it was spontaneous. An event took place, or an action was noticed, and Jesus used it as an example. Some of your best teaching won't happen in the classroom—it will happen on a ride home, on a trip, or in a counseling session. Keep your eyes open for these moments and take full advantage of them. (See the conversation Jesus had with the woman at the well in John 4.)
Jesus used humor.
If you want to teach like Jesus, you should not feel obligated to be dry, boring, and humorless. Think about it! A man swallowing a camel? A beam in your eye? Can anything good come out of Nazareth? The Bible is filled with humor. Your teaching can be too.
This is by no means an exhaustive list. As an exercise to grow in your teaching, sit down and take notes on a few other ways Jesus taught. How can you incorporate these methods? Maybe include your team or a trusted mentor in the exercise. Then, next time you sit down to craft a lesson, include 2-3 of the elements you come up with in each.
Who better to teach like than Jesus, the master teacher.