Jesus: The Teacher
Bible Study
The Critical Questions... And More
Three Pre-Easter Bible Studies
Object:
But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. Truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.
Lesson Objective: At the end of this lesson, each of the participants will have a greater understanding of Jesus as a teacher and see the significant differences in his teaching compared with others.
Prayer Focus: Pray that each one in the group will understand a little better the teachings of Jesus and how they apply to his or her life.
Lesson
A little girl had finished her first week of school. She came home and announced to her mom, "I'm not going back. I'm wasting my time there. I can't read, I can't write, and they won't let me talk!" Were your school experiences similar? Do you remember being in school? Did you have a favorite teacher? Most people probably can recall a teacher that made a difference. As you consider that teacher today, ask yourself, "What made him or her special?" "What qualities did he or she possess?" The old axiom about teaching, "Those who can, do; those who can't, teach," isn't true. Teachers, if they have one thing, it's class!
In Matthew 16:13, Jesus asks his disciples, "Who do you say I am?" The answer to that question makes all the difference. In the next seven weeks, we'll see different traits of Jesus. We climax this series with a look at him as Savior. Today, we see Jesus, the Teacher.
His teaching carried authority
Jesus was a teacher unlike any that preceded or followed him. When he taught, people were affected and lives were touched. In Matthew 7:28-29, after Jesus had been teaching the people, it was said, "The crowds were amazed at his teaching because he taught us as one who had authority, not as their teachers of the law." In Matthew 13:53-58, the people were amazed at his teaching and asked, "Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?"
Jesus' teaching was different than anything the people had ever heard. He taught with "authority." He had a "ring of truth" to his teaching. It wasn't like he was regurgitating a memorized list or rehashing previous thoughts about a particular subject. When Jesus taught, the people could see that he knew and lived that which he spoke.
You can tell the difference. When the science professor addressed the class on space exploration, it was obvious that he understood the subject. When the guest speaker, John Glenn, came to address that same class on space exploration, the subject came alive. Why? One speaker knew of the subject, but the other knew the subject.
Jesus was not teaching about the kingdom of God, he was teaching the kingdom of God. The people could tell that this was no ordinary rabbi.
When Jesus taught, he taught with a particular end in mind. He set out to explain the nature of the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 13). He wanted to demonstrate forgiveness (Matthew 18). He sought to establish what greatness was in God's sight (Matthew 18). In each of these instances, Jesus had a point in mind and wanted to bring it home. He did not try to sound eloquent or learned. He wanted to communicate truth.
Often, though, he did use parables. What are parables? They are stories that usually have a singular point. Jesus used them a lot. The kingdom of heaven is like ... a man planting seeds ... a net ... a treasure ... a mustard seed.
Why is this important? The parable reveals what Jesus thinks really matters. One of the most frequently asked questions in the classroom is, "Is this going to be on the test?" Students want to know what is going to be tested. What is it that matters? There is a lot of material, so what is it that is most important? You don't have to wonder with Jesus. He tells you what is important.
His teaching was to ordinary folks
Jesus spoke the language of the people. He didn't talk over them. He didn't use the "rabbinical language" of the teachers of the law. He spoke using images with which ordinary folks could identify. "A man plants seed...." "Two women at a mill...." "A father has two sons...." "Consider the lilies...." These were the experiences of the common man. It isn't surprising that crowds came to hear him.
What is so significant about that? Jesus spoke so you and I could identify with him. He didn't ask me to come up to him. He came to me to elevate me to his level.
Needing to be understood is tremendously important. Nothing is more frustrating than trying to communicate something and not having people understand you. Jesus taught in a way that people could and wanted to understand.
His teaching upset the norm
What Jesus taught was as radical as the way he taught. He didn't teach what others did. They said, "Love those who love you," but Jesus said, "Love your enemies." They said, "Do good to those who are good to you," but Jesus said, "Do good to those who persecute you." They said, "Retaliation is okay," but Jesus said, "Turn the other cheek." They taught deliverance from the bondage of Roman persecution, but he taught deliverance from the bondage of sin.
What he taught was the most radical part of who he was. His teachings were astonishing. The nature of his teaching is still hard today. People ask all the time, "How can I do that?" "How do you live like Jesus said to live?" It isn't easy, but we must make strides in that direction. It is time for Christians to love and not hate. It is time for Christians to care and not condemn. It is time for Christians to be holy and not hardened. It is time for Christians to take a stand for right! If not us, then who? If not now, then when?
Conclusion
I've had many excellent teachers in my lifetime. The common thread that unites them all is love for the student. They are genuinely concerned for the well-being of their charges. You have a teacher like that in Jesus Christ. What is his grading scale? Pass or fail.
Suggested Songs And Hymns
"Jesus Is The Sweetest Name I Know"
"Break Thou The Bread Of Life"
"Standing On The Promises"
Thought/Discussion Questions
1. Recall a favorite teacher from your school days. What is it that made him or her special? As you look at how Jesus taught, what qualities do you see in him?
2. Jesus taught as one who "had authority." What does that mean? Why was his teaching more "authoritative" than that of the rabbis? How does that affect your view of his teaching?
3. Jesus' teaching was radical in his day and time. Why was that so? How did that affect the religious leaders? The crowds? The Romans?
4. What words or images do you come up with to describe the teaching of Jesus?
Lesson Objective: At the end of this lesson, each of the participants will have a greater understanding of Jesus as a teacher and see the significant differences in his teaching compared with others.
Prayer Focus: Pray that each one in the group will understand a little better the teachings of Jesus and how they apply to his or her life.
Lesson
A little girl had finished her first week of school. She came home and announced to her mom, "I'm not going back. I'm wasting my time there. I can't read, I can't write, and they won't let me talk!" Were your school experiences similar? Do you remember being in school? Did you have a favorite teacher? Most people probably can recall a teacher that made a difference. As you consider that teacher today, ask yourself, "What made him or her special?" "What qualities did he or she possess?" The old axiom about teaching, "Those who can, do; those who can't, teach," isn't true. Teachers, if they have one thing, it's class!
In Matthew 16:13, Jesus asks his disciples, "Who do you say I am?" The answer to that question makes all the difference. In the next seven weeks, we'll see different traits of Jesus. We climax this series with a look at him as Savior. Today, we see Jesus, the Teacher.
His teaching carried authority
Jesus was a teacher unlike any that preceded or followed him. When he taught, people were affected and lives were touched. In Matthew 7:28-29, after Jesus had been teaching the people, it was said, "The crowds were amazed at his teaching because he taught us as one who had authority, not as their teachers of the law." In Matthew 13:53-58, the people were amazed at his teaching and asked, "Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?"
Jesus' teaching was different than anything the people had ever heard. He taught with "authority." He had a "ring of truth" to his teaching. It wasn't like he was regurgitating a memorized list or rehashing previous thoughts about a particular subject. When Jesus taught, the people could see that he knew and lived that which he spoke.
You can tell the difference. When the science professor addressed the class on space exploration, it was obvious that he understood the subject. When the guest speaker, John Glenn, came to address that same class on space exploration, the subject came alive. Why? One speaker knew of the subject, but the other knew the subject.
Jesus was not teaching about the kingdom of God, he was teaching the kingdom of God. The people could tell that this was no ordinary rabbi.
When Jesus taught, he taught with a particular end in mind. He set out to explain the nature of the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 13). He wanted to demonstrate forgiveness (Matthew 18). He sought to establish what greatness was in God's sight (Matthew 18). In each of these instances, Jesus had a point in mind and wanted to bring it home. He did not try to sound eloquent or learned. He wanted to communicate truth.
Often, though, he did use parables. What are parables? They are stories that usually have a singular point. Jesus used them a lot. The kingdom of heaven is like ... a man planting seeds ... a net ... a treasure ... a mustard seed.
Why is this important? The parable reveals what Jesus thinks really matters. One of the most frequently asked questions in the classroom is, "Is this going to be on the test?" Students want to know what is going to be tested. What is it that matters? There is a lot of material, so what is it that is most important? You don't have to wonder with Jesus. He tells you what is important.
His teaching was to ordinary folks
Jesus spoke the language of the people. He didn't talk over them. He didn't use the "rabbinical language" of the teachers of the law. He spoke using images with which ordinary folks could identify. "A man plants seed...." "Two women at a mill...." "A father has two sons...." "Consider the lilies...." These were the experiences of the common man. It isn't surprising that crowds came to hear him.
What is so significant about that? Jesus spoke so you and I could identify with him. He didn't ask me to come up to him. He came to me to elevate me to his level.
Needing to be understood is tremendously important. Nothing is more frustrating than trying to communicate something and not having people understand you. Jesus taught in a way that people could and wanted to understand.
His teaching upset the norm
What Jesus taught was as radical as the way he taught. He didn't teach what others did. They said, "Love those who love you," but Jesus said, "Love your enemies." They said, "Do good to those who are good to you," but Jesus said, "Do good to those who persecute you." They said, "Retaliation is okay," but Jesus said, "Turn the other cheek." They taught deliverance from the bondage of Roman persecution, but he taught deliverance from the bondage of sin.
What he taught was the most radical part of who he was. His teachings were astonishing. The nature of his teaching is still hard today. People ask all the time, "How can I do that?" "How do you live like Jesus said to live?" It isn't easy, but we must make strides in that direction. It is time for Christians to love and not hate. It is time for Christians to care and not condemn. It is time for Christians to be holy and not hardened. It is time for Christians to take a stand for right! If not us, then who? If not now, then when?
Conclusion
I've had many excellent teachers in my lifetime. The common thread that unites them all is love for the student. They are genuinely concerned for the well-being of their charges. You have a teacher like that in Jesus Christ. What is his grading scale? Pass or fail.
Suggested Songs And Hymns
"Jesus Is The Sweetest Name I Know"
"Break Thou The Bread Of Life"
"Standing On The Promises"
Thought/Discussion Questions
1. Recall a favorite teacher from your school days. What is it that made him or her special? As you look at how Jesus taught, what qualities do you see in him?
2. Jesus taught as one who "had authority." What does that mean? Why was his teaching more "authoritative" than that of the rabbis? How does that affect your view of his teaching?
3. Jesus' teaching was radical in his day and time. Why was that so? How did that affect the religious leaders? The crowds? The Romans?
4. What words or images do you come up with to describe the teaching of Jesus?
