Musing – How Did the Greatest Teacher Teach Us Teachers?

Hebraic Musing – How Did the Greatest Teacher Teach Us Teachers?

I picked up an Elmer Towns book “What every Sunday School Teacher should Know” and opened by chance to chapter 11, of 24, entitled “Students Learn when they Talk.”  That makes sense to me because student participation has always been my goal in Bible studies.  How can we talk or witness in and to the outside world if we don’t practice talking about the Bible amongst our peers in church?  Glancing at more chapter titles, I quickly recognized that Jesus used many of the same principles that the author recommended that Sunday School teachers should use.  Here are examples from selected chapters:

4. Students Learn Differently – Jesus’ apostles came from many different backgrounds and He had different approaches and situational lessons for each.

6. Effective Teaching Begins on Your Knees – How many times did Jesus go off to talk to His Father before proceeding for the day?

7. Your Actions Speak Louder Than Words – How many public miracles did Jesus perform; touching people with needs; giving time and eventually His life to complete His mission?

8. One Thing Is Really Important – Jesus was focused on one message in His three years of ministry – getting people to recognize Him as “the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.”

9. You Can’t Lead Your Class Until You Know Where You’re Going – Jesus knew what He had to accomplish before He could leave.  And He knew the cost!  And He paid the price!

11. Students Learn when they Talk (and when they ask questions) – Jesus asked Peter a question and “Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’" Matt 16:16   And "How is it that John's disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees are fasting, but yours are not?" Mark 2:18

12. Sometimes Teaching is Lecturing –We remember Jesus’ famous “Sermon on the Mount”!

13. Students Like a Good Story – No wonder Jesus used so many parables!  And the OT contains a lot of interesting and memorable stories about real people.

14. Students Learn by Looking – “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”  Matt 6:26  And "Look at the fig tree…”  Luke 21:29

15. Students Learn Best by Doing – “he sent them out two by two and gave them authority…” Mark 6:7

16. Teaching Builds on What Students Already Know – His apostles already knew the OT well!

18. In One Minute You Can Influence a Life – Phillip brought Nathaniel to Jesus.  Almost immediately Nathaniel said "Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel." From John 1:47-49

24. Growing a Class Comes Through Friendship Evangelism – His apostles were friends, and even as Judas was betraying Him, Jesus addressed him as “Friend”.  "Friend, do what you came for." Matt 26:50  And we enjoy singing ♫  What a friend we have in Jesus… ♫

Jesus is, was and will always be the GREAT TEACHER.  How has He taught us to teach?

 Points to ponder

Is Sunday School the only time teaching takes place?

Are we teaching when sharing Jesus with our neighbors?

How do each of these approaches to teaching apply when witnessing?

“Preach the Word; be prepared…” 2 Tim 4:2  (and use words if necessary)

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                               September 19, 2017

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage”   Weekly “Hebraic Musings”