16 Mar JESUS CHRIST, the Master Teacher

Mr. Clement Barnabas an Executive Engineer with Indian Railways has been involved with UESI for 34 years lives in Trichy with his wife Prof. Dr Shanthi and son Naveen, a medical student in Thiruvarur, TN. His passion is mentoring young people in the Lord as well as teaching, preaching and writing.

Dr. Edward Watke Jr says, “Christ is an example as a teacher. Christ was in fact known as a teacher, not a preacher. Christ was the Master Teacher and as such He gives us wisdom towards being a very good teacher”.

During His time on earth, several people addressed Jesus Christ as teacher. A few are mentioned here.

• Disciples – Teacher. (Mark 4:38)
• Sadducees – Teacher. (Matthew 22:24)
• A Young lawyer – Teacher. (Luke 10:25)
• Pharisees – Teacher, we know that You are true, and teach the way of God in truth (Matt 22:16)
• Nichodemus – Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher from God. (John 3:2)
• Jesus Christ Himself – If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet. . . (John 13:14)

In the Bible, Christ was addressed as a teacher 45 times. Not even once, was He called a preacher. Any term equivalent to teaching was found to be attributed 61 times to Jesus Christ. In KJV, the word Master is used 66 times – 54 of those instances are a Greek word that could be translated as teacher.

According to John Stot, in The Incomparable Christ, everybody who knows something about Christianity is at least familiar with Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. People knew Jesus practiced what He taught.

Generations of people, both Christians and people from other faiths, have been challenged and are inspired by Jesus’ combination of sermons and example; word and deed; by His endurance and self-control; His love for enemies and His total freedom from the spirit of revenge.

Leo Tolstoy described how in a time of personal crisis, he read and re-read the Sermon on the Mount and suddenly understood what the whole church for 1800 years had misunderstood. According to him, it is impossible to believe in Christ and at the same time to do those things that are incompatible with the law of love. If only Christ’s commands were obeyed literally, “all men will be brothers (and sisters too) and everyone will be at peace with others.”

Mahatma Gandhi, as a young man in London read the Baghavad Gita and the Sermon on the Mount. He said “Though I cannot claim to be a Christian in the sectarian sense, the example of Jesus’ sufferings is a factor in the composition of my undying faith in non-violence which rules all my actions.”

Martin Luther King frequently acknowledged his debt to the Sermon on the Mount. “Hate multiplies hate in a descending spiral of destruction. Hate is just as injurious to the person who hates as to his victim. Love is the only force capable of transforming our enemy into a friend. Meet hate with love. Then our victory will be a double victory.”

In fact, Jesus Christ was recognised by the whole world, as a great teacher.

TEACHING METHODOLOGY
Jesus Christ adopted different teaching methods and was very effective. A few are given below (Courtesy: The Lord Jesus Christ as the Great Teacher – Revival in the Home Ministries, 2000)

Christ’s use of objects
Example – eye gate, child (Mt. 18:1-4)
Christ used objects to attract attention since one cannot teach without attention. Christ used objects as a means of teaching specific truths.

Christ’s use of dramatics and role playing
Example – driving money changers from temple, baptism, Lord’s supper.
Dramatising carries the idea of re-enacting a scene. We think of it as a reproduction of a historical event or the portrayal of a current setting. Thought, imagination, feeling and volition are brought into role playing. Interests are stimulated in the mind of the pupil. Sympathies are aroused – principle of learning by doing is utilised. The play spirit appeals to all ages and should be used from time to time in the teaching format. I hear, I forget; I see, I remember; I do, I understand is a famous Chinese proverb that emphasizes the need for learning by doing or role playing.

Christ’s use of story telling
Example –Jesus Christ used 61 parables in all the gospels. Jesus spoke of persons in 34 of these parables; about animals in 4; about plants in 7; and about other things in 16.
The word parable is used 50 times in NT, which means thrown along side – to throw light on one not so familiar. Taken from nature or common life leads thought or truth capable of transforming the spiritual life of a man. Parables are valuable since they appeal to the imagination; secure attention; possibly present the entire lesson; and one can deal with something concrete.

Christ’s masterful use of questions
Example – Luke 2:49 – Why are you searching for me? John 2:4, John 3:12, John 5:44, 47; Mark 2:25,26.
Questions make one think; secure attention; secure information; and express an emotion. Questions are designed to awaken conscience; elicit or build faith; clarify a situation and to rebuke criticism.

Christ’s use of points of contact
Jesus walked where His presence could be noted. Jesus used His eyes for observation; opened conversation; asked questions; invited companionship. Jesus utilised the power of a name; understood various characters; and gave compliments that are due for others.

PRINCIPLES FOR EFFECTIVE TEACHING FROM THE LIFE OF JESUS CHRIST

Principles for Effective Teaching that can be adopted from the life of Jesus Christ are given below:

1. AUTHORITY IN COMMUNICATION
There is a huge difference in the way Jesus taught and others did. When He taught, His words came out with power and authority. There was a huge response and tremendous impact resulting in transformation. In a few cases, the change has been instant. But in many cases, the change happened after His death and resurrection. Results are the same. It is because He spoke with conviction. Frequently He mentioned from the Torah, Kethubim and Nabiim. He could counter the allegations and false teachings, misunderstandings and false interpretations. A few self-check questions for us:

• Are we thorough in whatever we teach and have we mastered our subjects?
• Can students consider us as an authority in our subjects?
• Are we able to give an answer for those who are curious

2. CLARITY IN COMMUNICATION
Jesus was simple in His communication. He related with their daily life-style and used anecdotes, parables, etc. He moved from the known to the unknown, visible to the invisible. He spoke in a language which His listeners can understand. His communication cycle was complete. A few reality checks: –

• Are we reaching students through our teaching?
• Is our communication complete?
• Do we take efforts to obtain feedback and ensure that the content is getting covered and the same is getting communicated?

3. ETERNITY IN CONTENT
Jesus never spoke anything for the present or temporal in nature. His teachings, His actions and His reactions were focussed on eternal principles. He always had eternity in mind. The big picture of the whole universe was part of His vision and plan. Let us review ourselves in the following lines: –

• When we deal with, relate to and teach students, do we realise that it has an eternal implication?
• Are we considering the big picture of each student in our minds – as we teach?
• Relationships are eternal – do we communicate it

Jesus never spoke anything for the present or temporal in nature. His teachings, His actions and His reactions were focussed on eternal principles.

4. INTEGRITY IN CONTENT
Jesus Christ declared that He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. All His teachings consisted of truths and only truths. Nobody could find mistakes in Him, His life style and His teachings. Even Pilate stated, ‘I have not found any fault with him.’ How about our condition: –
Do we practice honesty, integrity and truthfulness in our life style – as a teacher?
Can students trust our integrity?

5. CHARITY IN CHARACTER
Jesus taught with much love and compassion. His teachings and dealings, relationships and responses – all are marked with love. He rebuked, scolded but with real love. He practiced the concept of both tough love and tender love. How are we?

• Do we carry out things with true and genuine love?
• Do we have the spirit of forgiveness

6. EXEMPLARY IN CHARACTER
Jesus Christ is the perfect role model for all of us. He practiced what He preached. Until the children go to school, parents are their heroes. Once they start going to school, teachers are their heroes. Let us examine ourselves:

• Can students consider us as a real role model?
• Are students inspired / motivated seeing us?

May the Master Teacher help us to emulate His wonderful role model in our lives and in our profession. Happy Teachers Day, all the time!