An Overview of Teaching Methods
To show what methods of teaching Christ applied with the twelve and apply. Answer is reflected in the Attitude of Christ.
Teaching Methods of Jesus Christ
Master teacher. Jesus began his ministry as a teacher, and He remained until His ascension into heaven.
Teacher is one of the titles that Jesus used most frequently when he was ministering on Earth. As we examine any one of the Gospels, Luke 6:40, 7:40, 8:49, 9:38, 10:25, 11:45, 12:13, 18:18, 19:39, 20:21, 28, 39, 21:7, 22:11. Jesus called himself teacher. (John 13:13).
Even when prominent Jews failed to recognize Him as Messiah, they quickly acknowledged His special abilities as teacher. (Mark 12:24 and John 3:2.)
John 2:23-25 gives us information about Christ as a teacher, “Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which he did. But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man.”
From this passage we observe:
- Christ was focused
- He knew His audience
- He didn’t need man’s opinion about Him
- He understood His mission and He had discernment
Jesus is not referred to as a preacher in the Gospel accounts, even though He did preach as well as teach. “And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom. (Matt 4:23, 11:1)
Four different words are used in the Gospels for the term preaching. All four are translated by the same English Word, the English word “said” used in Luke 9:60 have the meaning “to tell toughly” and are only found in the Gospels. Preaching is translated with the sense of “telling the good news” in Matthew 11:5, Luke 1:19, 2:10, 3:18, 4:18, 43, 7:22, 8:1, 9:6, 16:16, 20:1.
Use of Everyday Items
Jesus teaching was always full of life and the reality of life. He communicated with people in the terms of their environment and thoughts, tying them to spiritual truth.
Matt 5:14, John 3:8, 4:34-35, 6:35, 7:37-38. Pay attention as you read these verses to how Jesus constantly makes use of everyday common items to draw His audience into or put upon the people some new teaching or spiritual truth.
Asking and Answering Questions
A common method of Jesus that He used often is still a viable method when teaching teens. This is where the teachers ask questions to make certain that he or she is fully understood by those the teacher is teaching. Student has opportunity to ask questions as well.
Uninterrupted discourse although easier, is readily forgotten as average teens can’t take it all in or carry it with them. Leaders are needed who will study this method of Christ and apply it in their ministry.
Early church: questions were one of the methods of communicating truth. These times of questions must be incorporated into our teaching strategy.
According to John 12:49-50 Christ also knew God’s agenda and this agenda was His. He was not seeking to do what He wanted but what the Father wanted for Him. Christ also used a listen first (Father to Son) and then speak (Son to man) method of instruction.
Simple Truths
We find in John 16:12-15 that Christ models the greatest principle concerning working with teens. Christ used parables and illustrations taken from the culture of those He was addressing. Christ packaged the truth so that the audience would understand the truth at hand, once it was understood, He would move to deeper truths. Christ was dependent upon the Holy Spirit as He ministered truths to those around Him.
A Variety of Methods Christ Used. (Page 316)
As seen in Matthew 17:24-27. Here Christ uses the question and answer method with Peter. Additionally Christ used a visual aid; a teachable moment, an assignment, and person application in helping Peter come to an understanding of the problem at hand.
- He asked questions (John 3:1-15)
- He recognized the personal worth of individuals (Luke 19:2-10).
- He used word pictures from everyday life. (Luke 13:19)
- He taught by examples (John 13:1-17)
- He knew Scripture (Luke 24:25-27)
- He showed genuine emotion (John 11:35-36).
- He prayed for His followers (John 17)
- He spent quality and quantity time with the twelve (Mark 1:17-20, 6:30-31)
- He made use of silence (Luke 23:9, John 8:3-11)
- He gave specific instructions (Matt 11:28-30)
Age of your Class
The age of the group is one of the most important concerns for your teaching. Early adolescents are 10-12 years, middle is 13-17, and late is 18-24. Each group has their own needs.
Early:
In an early age group (10-12), you will find a tendency to do things into two separate groups, guys separate from girls.
Middle:
Find them becoming interested in doing things together as a group. Kids hang out in groups. You will find kids that are interested in and those who are disinterested in the opposite sex but doing things together, if they are planned in an informal way. This age group is the most critical, and their thinking is greatly governed by the latest fashion, media, music, TV and what they read. Cliques will become more of a problem, so you can plan your lesson to work away from the cliques and toward a Christian goal. Much prayer will be needed to analyze this age group and to know how to meet their needs.
Late:
The late group (18-24) consists largely of college students. They have needs completely different from that of the others. You will now need to plan programs along more intellectual line with a logical aim behind everything that is said and done.
The needs of your Class
What are the needs of your group> Are you teaching your students how to be future leaders? Make a list of the needs of the individuals in your group. You must consider the individual needs of every student. A relationship must be formed so that you know what those needs are and you are in a position to help meet them.
The Enthusiasm of Your Students:
Evaluate the alertness/interest of the students, if there is a lag/ bored may change your presentation style. Take the age and needs of the group. Determine the needs of students can be accomplished in many ways@
- Class survey
- Small groups with adult leaders
- Relationships, building relationships.
Conditions of the Class:
Equipment:
Have the proper equipment is vital to success of group!
Time:
Adequate time to present the material using the method chosen. Something not finished in one class period will not hold interest if you have to finish at a later time.
Place:
Do you have enough room? If room is crowded, interest will be harder to hold. Is the room properly ventilated, lighted, and heated or cooled?
The Aim of the Class:
What is the purpose of your time together? Every meeting should always have a goal! The method and purpose should fit together perfectly.
The Spiritual Level of you Class:
Determine the maturity of your class to determine the needs. Do not try to teach on the same level with different maturity levels. You will not be meeting their immediate needs.
Conclusion:
As Spiritual Shepherds we would be wise to model the teaching methods of Christ with our teens. We should understand the working of the Holy Spirit in preparation and teaching process as we prepare and teach the Word of God, relating Biblical truth that will meet the needs of our students and equip them for victorious Christian Living.
