Written by Jibrael Jos
As a teacher myself I used to look at the teaching style of Jesus to draw inspiration. Most of the content below is based on my reading of books and resources and I don’t claim any scholarship in the matter. Content was prepared while teaching Catechism in Our Lady of Sacred Heart, Harlur Road.
This year I was teaching students of class 7. The course plan was planned around Gospel according to Mark. Jesus is portrayed as man of Action and Authority by St Mark but it made me wonder how effective was Jesus as a Teacher. Once the 16 chapters were over, I did a session on Jesus’s style of teaching. This article is based on the same.
Jesus used an indirect form of communication. He asked lot of questions. He used metaphors, analogies, aphorisms and similes. At times he used shocking examples so that audience gets the message and does not forget. Jesus was a story teller and knew how to get the attention of his audience. He used parables which were stories with a deeper meaning which the audience had to think about and digest it with time. He made people “think” for a change.
Examples Set 1
· Parables (around 40 of them): Prodigal Son, Good Samaritan
· Metaphors: Kingdom of God value is like a man who found a pearl
· Similies:
"The Lord is my shepherd"
“The day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.”
"I am the bread of life."
“I am the way and the truth and the light.”
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field.”
"You are the salt of the earth."
· Questions
"Whose likeness and inscription is this?" They said, "Caesar's." Then he said to them, "Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."
· Shocking Extreme Example:
And if someone takes you to court to sue you for your shirt, let him have your coat as well.
So if your right eye causes you to sin, take it out and throw it away!
· Figurative Labels: Peter Rock; Pharisees Brood of Vipers
· Aphorisms
"Man shall not live on bread alone."
"No prophet is acceptable in his own country."
"Where your treasure is, there also will your heart be."
"If the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a pit."
"What shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world, but loses his life."
"Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you season it?"
· Riddles:
“For those who have more will be given
And those who have nothing,
Even what they have will be taken away”
Mark 4:25
Teaching style included use of pauses which made people think. At times he talks in riddles but he does explain in detail too. A passionate teacher who taught with intensity. Whenever he got a chance he would teach. While walking, in a boat, during a meal, to large crowds, one to one. Jesus connected with audience with things they would see in daily life like fishing, farming, family etc. He compared God with a Father, Vineyard Owner, Shepherd etc
Example Set 2
· Explaining in Detail: Explaining Parable of Sower
· Teaching in Boat: Luke 5:3
· Teaching while Walking: with two disciples on the way to Emmaus
· Discussing One to One: with Nicodemus (John 3:1–21)
Jesus crafted memorable lines because he realized not many were taking notes in his class. So he must have prepared these verses so that they remain embedded in their minds. He used repetitions to make the point sink in.
Example Set 3
· Memorable Lines:
“Ask, and you will receive;
seek, and you will find;
knock, and the door will be opened to you”
Mathew 7:7
“Judge not, and you will not be judged;
condemn not, and you will not be condemned;
forgive, and you will be forgiven;
give, and it will be given to you.”
Luke 6:37-38.
· Repetition : about his death and resurrection over and over again (Mark 8:31; 9:31; 10:33–34),
Jesus led by example and definitely was a man who practice what he preached. He followed his preaching along with significant action. He never used PowerPoint presentation but he did use visual illustrations. He questioned people in authority on one side but still suggested that people pay taxes. He cleared all the business happening in the synagogue even at the cost of antagonizing the priest and religious. Jesus cared about the people around him and he dealt people with compassion and was not quick to judge but keen that people repent.
Example Set 4
· Significant Action: Washing feet of disciples, Picking children up, riding a donkey
· Visual Illustration: Widow dropping two coins, Washing feet of disciples
· Compassion: Healing the sick
· Not quick to judge: John 7:53
How was Jesus as a person, did he listen to his parents, did he lose his temper, did he get frustrated, did he cry, did he pray, did he listen, did he speak, create poetry and short stories, did he sing hymns …. well yes. But there is a lot we don’t know for instance did he dance, I wonder. Once I asked in class why did Jesus have to pray if he was God! I got a flurry of answers and one child in class answered that he is talking to his Father in heaven (what a simple yet wonderful answer).
Example Set 5
· Righteous Anger: In the temple, Mark 11:15-19
· Crying: Garden of Gethsemene, When Lazarus died
· Listening to parents: Wedding at Cana
· Praying: 19 occurrences in Gospel [5]: Garden of Gethsemene, On the cross, Before Raising Lazarus
· Listening: Mark 5:34
· Singing: After Last Supper, Mark 14:26
Authors Note: This is an article in progress and I am learning as years move on last edit in Jan 2020 my third year of teaching catechism.
References/Further Reading
1. Bible: Gospels
2. Jesus A very short introduction by Richard Backhaum
3. New Testament
4. New Jerome Bible Commentary, Raymond Brown, Jospeh Fitzmyer, Roland Murphy
5. Haley’s Bible Handbook
6. Jesus of Nazareth, Joseph Ratzinger
