Teaching style and value.

[lforrest]

I have heard that Jesus' teaching style was/is similar to the style of his day. Use of parables was common, as it was important for people to come to an understanding themselves.

I for one love this style, as I believe it more effective. When we spoon feed to people what they should think they do not necessarily understand it as well. By teaching others through questions and parables they are forced to reconcile a teaching with their current understanding.

Then I wonder how teachers should teach. What is their role when the Spirit is to teach all things?

 

[Episkopos]

I have heard that Jesus' teaching style was/is similar to the style of his day. Use of parables was common, as it was important for people to come to an understanding themselves.

I for one love this style, as I believe it more effective. When we spoon feed to people what they should think they do not necessarily understand it as well. By teaching others through questions and parables they are forced to reconcile a teaching with their current understanding.

Then I wonder how teachers should teach. What is their role when the Spirit is to teach all things?

I agree. And when people interact...they remember twice as much. The church meetings of old were participatory. And Paul would "dialogos" (dialogue) his teachings to the church.

 

[Helen]

There is for sure a difference between the anointing upon a preacher and the anointing upon a teacher.

An un-anointed teacher can get dry and boring...yet when the anointing is doing the teaching through him...one could sit there for hours...
I too enjoy a interactive teaching ... I have seen it when the question time at the end of a teaching time , is even better than the actual teaching itself.

 

[Nancy]

There is for sure a difference between the anointing upon a preacher and the anointing upon a teacher.

An un-anointed teacher can get dry and boring...yet when the anointing is doing the teaching through him...one could sit there for hours...
I too enjoy a interactive teaching ... I have seen it when the question time at the end of a teaching time , is even better than the actual teaching itself.

Oh so true. I had a pastor once that was an awesome teacher but, boy did he drone on during service, lol. Loved our bible studies back then, everybody asked questions! I miss that and am waiting until January for all the new small groups start!

 

[Enoch111]

I have heard that Jesus' teaching style was/is similar to the style of his day. Use of parables was common, as it was important for people to come to an understanding themselves.

When we consider how Christ presented God's truths, we see that His method was truly divine and unlike that of human *beans*.

1. Brevity -- Jesus was always brief, never verbose

2. Simplicity -- Christ used ordinary words and ordinary parabolic images

3. Clarity -- there was no misunderstanding what He said

4. Paradoxical -- rich meant poor, death meant life, greatest meant least

5. Enigmatic -- many of the says of Christ are really enigmatic. Here is one example: For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together. (Mt 24:28)

6. Answering questions with question

 

[Enoch111]

Then I wonder how teachers should teach. What is their role when the Spirit is to teach all things?

Paul's writings are a good example. While the Holy Spirit is our divine Teacher, He uses Scripture to interpret Scripture, and Paul (and the other apostles) show us how.

ROMANS 10
1Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.

2For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.

3For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

4For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

5For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them. [QUOTATION]

6But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above [QUOTATION]

7Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) [QUOTATION]

8But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; [QUOTATION]

9That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

10For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

11For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. [QUOTATION]

12For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

13For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. [QUOTATION]

14How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

15And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! [QUOTATION]

16But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? [QUOTATION]

17So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

18But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world. [QUOTATION]

19But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you. [QUOTATION]

20But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me. [QUOTATION]

21But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people. [QUOTATION]

 

[lforrest]

4. Paradoxical -- rich meant poor, death meant life, greatest meant least

This aspect of Jesus' teachings I believe has more to do with duality between the spiritual and the physical.

Aspects of the spiritual God has established for his good pleasure to be contrary to the fallen world.
Or is that the way it has always been in heaven and things on earth are just backwards. Probably the latter.

 

[Heart2Soul]

I have heard that Jesus' teaching style was/is similar to the style of his day. Use of parables was common, as it was important for people to come to an understanding themselves.

I for one love this style, as I believe it more effective. When we spoon feed to people what they should think they do not necessarily understand it as well. By teaching others through questions and parables they are forced to reconcile a teaching with their current understanding.

Then I wonder how teachers should teach. What is their role when the Spirit is to teach all things?

This is an excellent perspective on how we should teach others! Thanks for sharing!

 

[Mayflower]

There is for sure a difference between the anointing upon a preacher and the anointing upon a teacher.

An un-anointed teacher can get dry and boring...yet when the anointing is doing the teaching through him...one could sit there for hours...
I too enjoy a interactive teaching ... I have seen it when the question time at the end of a teaching time , is even better than the actual teaching itself.

This is the anointing I desire. But right now I realize my anointing with the kids is assisting the teacher. And they still come to me with questions and for prayer and support. I am fine with this, but desire to be a good spirit-filled teacher to young children through parables and Bible stories. I just am a pushover and can't k-keep their attention well.

Holy Spirit, move in me and make me a bold teacher for You!

 

[Mayflower]

After all, we are to just be the vocal piece for the Holy Spirit. I do tend to walk in the flesh by over thinking things though, when I just need to relax and let God speak.

 

[Hidden In Him]

I have heard that Jesus' teaching style was/is similar to the style of his day. Use of parables was common, as it was important for people to come to an understanding themselves.

Raises a very interesting question. Jesus stated to the disciples that He spoke in parables because it was not given unto the masses (and especially the Pharisees and scribes) to understand His teachings plainly (Mark 4:11-12). This is because they were "without," or in other words distant from God. Perceiving the meaning of the parables accurately was difficult even for the disciples (Mark 4:13), and it forced them to draw closer to God in order to understand them.

I think this is the biggest advantage to why Jesus taught in parables. It forces us to draw closer to Him in order to perceive what's being said. Not sure I could ever use the method myself, but then teaching accurate interpretation of the parables is almost as challenging; those who have drawn nearer to Him are receptive, and those who haven't are not.

 

[lforrest]

This is an excellent perspective on how we should teach others! Thanks for sharing!

When we have and epiphany, what does it feel like? To me it feels like things just falling into place effortlessly. Its like when you complete a puzzle with the last piece and can finally see the whole picture.

We didn't make the picture it was already there.

 

[Nancy]

This is the anointing I desire. But right now I realize my anointing with the kids is assisting the teacher. And they still come to me with questions and for prayer and support. I am fine with this, but desire to be a good spirit-filled teacher to young children through parables and Bible stories. I just am a pushover and can't k-keep their attention well.

Holy Spirit, move in me and make me a bold teacher for You!

...and give Mayflower the total experience of your peace that DOES surpass all understanding. I pray His calm and peace will infuse her whole being and she will soon find her mind is The mind of Christ and He is a God of order and peace. Amen.

 

[Heart2Soul]

Raises a very interesting question. Jesus stated to the disciples that He spoke in parables because it was not given unto the masses (and especially the Pharisees and scribes) to understand His teachings plainly (Mark 4:11-12). This is because they were "without," or in other words distant from God. Perceiving the meaning of the parables accurately was difficult even for the disciples (Mark 4:13), and it forced them to draw closer to God in order to understand them.

I think this is the biggest advantage to why Jesus taught in parables. It forces us to draw closer to Him in order to perceive what's being said. Not sure I could ever use the method myself, but then teaching accurate interpretation of the parables is almost as challenging; those who have drawn nearer to Him are receptive, and those who haven't are not.

Good points HiH!

 

[Enoch111]

Perceiving the meaning of the parables accurately was difficult even for the disciples (Mark 4:13), and it forced them to draw closer to God in order to understand them.

It should also be noted that prior to the resurrection of Christ, there were many things which could not be clearly understood by the apostles (even the fact of His anticipated resurrection). Although they were justified, and could do many things through the authority of Christ, they had not received the gift of the Holy Spirit until after the resurrection.

But ever since Pentecost, all believers receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, and the Spirit leads us and guides us into all truth (including the meaning of parables). At the same time, you have a point, in that we need to ask the Lord to show us the meaning of "some things hard to be understood", which draws us closer to God.

 

[Enoch111]

There is for sure a difference between the anointing upon a preacher and the anointing upon a teacher.

Those are in fact two different spiritual gifts -- evangelists, pastors, and teachers are all different.

 

[Episkopos]

It should also be noted that prior to the resurrection of Christ, there were many things which could not be clearly understood by the apostles (even the fact of His anticipated resurrection). Although they were justified, and could do many things through the authority of Christ, they had not received the gift of the Holy Spirit until after the resurrection.

But ever since Pentecost, all believers receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, and the Spirit leads us and guides us into all truth (including the meaning of parables). At the same time, you have a point, in that we need to ask the Lord to show us the meaning of "some things hard to be understood", which draws us closer to God.

Why assume? Not many believers tarry before the Lord to be baptized in the Spirit. Not in these times. And there is much counterfeiting going on.

We live in a time of fast food and quick fixes. But God won't be rushed or manipulated.

We live in a consumer generation...but God is not a commodity to be peddled.

It is very sad state of affairs.

Depth is lacking. Reality is lacking. It is a very religious time. Superficiality is the name of the game. Your assuming goes right along with all of this.

 

[bbyrd009]

5. Enigmatic -- many of the says of Christ are really enigmatic. Here is one example: For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together. (Mt 24:28)

Joseph of Arimathea asked for Jesus' body, but he got His "carcass" instead!

 

[Enoch111]

Why assume?

Nothing in your post is related to what is being discussed. "consumer generation", "counterfeiting" and everything else an entirely different subject.

There is nothing "assumed". We know from Scripture that the apostles could not understand many things before the resurrection of Christ. After His resurrection and before His ascension, He taught them all things concerning Himself as written in the Hebrew Tanakh.

We also know from Scripture that the Holy Spirit is given to all who believe, and that He leads and guides Christians into all truth.

 

[Episkopos]

Nothing in your post is related to what is being discussed. "consumer generation", "counterfeiting" and everything else an entirely different subject.

There is nothing "assumed". We know from Scripture that the apostles could not understand many things before the resurrection of Christ. After His resurrection and before His ascension, He taught them all things concerning Himself as written in the Hebrew Tanakh.

We also know from Scripture that the Holy Spirit is given to all who believe, and that He leads and guides Christians into all truth.

Then let me be more specific.

If everyone has the same spirit....then how come no 2 believers can agree on anything?

Many are called and regenerated...given a new nature and given access to the truth. But very few people seek for the fullness of Christ and His grace....so few are chosen.

God has to vet us into the kingdom.

The sample of Christ is free...but the treasure in the field still costs everything.

So I would say that all the various opinions are proof that very few indeed have any deeper revelation. Everything remains on a first-step level...to which is added many various opinions.

What makes things worse is that human ego is involved to a great extent. So a person who uses their ego as a vehicle of truths...has not known the first step of holiness which is the death of the old man through the power of the cross.

So then counterfeiting becomes the primary issue. Mis-labeling carnal things as spiritual...etc.

You would think that more people would be interested (for their own sake) in getting to the bottom of these things.