Jesus, The Master Teacher Sunday Morning Introduction and Background Class #11 Jesus, The Master Teacher

Teaching: Jesus’ Main Work In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. – Jn 1:1 There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man. – Jn 1:9 No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him. – Jn 1:18

Teaching: Jesus’ Main Work The first account I composed, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach, - Acts 1:1

Teaching: Jesus’ Main Work Teacher / Master (didaskalos) – used of Jesus 46 times Rabbi / Rabboni – used of Jesus 15 times Taught / Teach / Teaching (didasko) – used 49 times of Jesus’ actions Teaching / Doctrine (didache) – used 11 times of what Jesus taught

Jesus’ Teaching Was “Amazing” He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying, ... When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes. – Mt. 5:2 – 7:28-29

More “Amazement” He began to teach in the synagogue; and the many listeners were astonished, saying, "Where did this man get these things, and what is this wisdom given to Him...? – Mark 6:2

More “Amazement” The officers answered, "Never has a man spoken the way this man speaks.“ – John 7:46

Why Study How Jesus Taught? To learn about Jesus (to be “amazed” ourselves) To be better teachers ourselves "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, ... teaching them to observe all that I commanded you – Matt. 28:19-20

Why Jesus Was the Master Teacher He Knew His Subject He could teach with authority He taught His message by modeling it

Why Jesus Was the Master Teacher He Loved His Subject and His Students So that the world may know that I love the Father, I do exactly as the Father commanded Me. – Jn. 14:31 "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. – Jn. 15:13 He felt compassion for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and He began to teach them many things. – Mk. 6:34

Why Jesus Was the Master Teacher He Was Zealous or Enthused About His Work “Zeal for Your house will consume me." - John 2:17 Jesus *said to them, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work. – Jn. 4:34 "We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work. – Jn. 9:4

Why Jesus Was the Master Teacher He Knew The Needs of His People ...For He knew all men, and because He did not need anyone to testify concerning man, for He Himself knew what was in man. – Jn. 2:24-25 "For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." – Lk. 19:10 (Jesus Knew His Mission)

Why Jesus Was the Master Teacher He Used Successful Teaching Methods He made effective use of praise ... Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled at him, and turned and said to the crowd that was following Him, "I say to you, not even in Israel have I found such great faith." – Lk. 7:9

Why Jesus Was the Master Teacher He Used Successful Teaching Methods He effectively used questions ... He was asking His disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?“ And they said, "Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?“ – Mt. 16:13-15

Why Jesus Was the Master Teacher He Used Successful Teaching Methods He used visual aids - took a child up in his arms -- Mark 9:36 He may have used graphics (text or pictures, etc) -- John 8:6, 8 He used conversations – woman at the well – John 4

Why Jesus Was the Master Teacher He Used Successful Teaching Methods He used figures of speech Simile: “The kingdom of heaven is like...” Metaphor: “I am the Light of the World” Metonymy: “Go and tell that fox” (Herod) Hyperbole: Pluck out eye; cut off hand, if needed

Why Jesus Was the Master Teacher He Used Successful Teaching Methods He used Parables (parabole): to place beside; to cast along side A story that places one thing beside another for the purpose of teaching “An earthly story with a heavenly meaning” About 30 parables by Jesus recorded

Why Jesus Was the Master Teacher He Used Successful Teaching Methods Four purposes of parables: Make clear spiritual concepts to truth seekers To conceal the truth from others – Mt. 13:13-16, Mk. 4:11-12, Lk. 8:10 Cause persons to concede the truth – Mt. 21:33-45 (Parable of the Landowner) Facilitate remembering the truths taught

Why Jesus Was the Master Teacher He Used Successful Teaching Methods Three principles for interpreting the parables: Study each parable in it’s context. Look for the main truth the parable teaches. Don’t try to make each part of a parable mean something symbolic; remember a symbol can differ between parables.

Why Jesus Was the Master Teacher “About one-fourth of all the spoken words of Jesus recorded by Mark are parables...and in Luke, nearly half” – H.H. Horne

The Bottom Line: Jesus was the Master Teacher But He wanted his learners to be teachers as well