Methods of the Master Teacher
Jesus was an extraordinary teacher. He used various instructional methods to impart his message to his disciples, his enemies, and the multitudes. All Christian Moms, Dads, and homeschool parents should pay attention to his effective techniques. One of Jesus' favorite techniques was the question and answer method.
Rhetorical Questions in Pairs
Jesus frequently asked rhetorical questions of his audience that were direct and penetrating. Often posed in pairs, Jesus' queries were designed to make his listeners think deeply about human problems. For instance, speaking to his disciples Jesus asks, " What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Matt 16:26).
Questions Designed to Startle
Sometimes Jesus' questions were quite startling. For instance, after offering forgiveness to a paralytic, Jesus asserts his authority to the teachers of the law who were present by asking, "Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk?' (Matt 9:5). Afterward, Jesus commanded the paralytic to stand, and the man picked up his mat and went home.
Questions to Ellicit a Response
Jesus' questions always required his listeners to make a choice, especially when they concerned himself. For instance, when he was with his disciples on the way to Caesarea Philippi, Jesus asks, "Who do you say that I am?... But what about you? Who do you say that I am?" Peter's bold answer, "You are the Christ: was a pivotal moment, and set the stage for the final and culminating phase of Jesus' ministry: the Cross (Mar 8:27, 29).
Questions Answered With a Question
Jesus frequently engaged in open discussion with his disciples, and he often answered their questions with questions of his own. For example, when Philip asks Jesus to show him the Father, Jesus replied, "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? ...Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me?" (John 14: 8-10).
Summary
In short, Jesus employed numerous teaching methods during his public ministry. One of his favorite and most effective modes of instruction was the question and answer method. As parents, we would do well to imitate Jesus' effective teaching techniques during our interactions with our children.
Jesus was an extraordinary teacher. He used various instructional methods to impart his message to his disciples, his enemies, and the multitudes. All Christian Moms, Dads, and homeschool parents should pay attention to his effective techniques. One of Jesus' favorite techniques was the question and answer method.
Rhetorical Questions in Pairs
Jesus frequently asked rhetorical questions of his audience that were direct and penetrating. Often posed in pairs, Jesus' queries were designed to make his listeners think deeply about human problems. For instance, speaking to his disciples Jesus asks, " What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Matt 16:26).
Questions Designed to Startle
Sometimes Jesus' questions were quite startling. For instance, after offering forgiveness to a paralytic, Jesus asserts his authority to the teachers of the law who were present by asking, "Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk?' (Matt 9:5). Afterward, Jesus commanded the paralytic to stand, and the man picked up his mat and went home.
Questions to Ellicit a Response
Jesus' questions always required his listeners to make a choice, especially when they concerned himself. For instance, when he was with his disciples on the way to Caesarea Philippi, Jesus asks, "Who do you say that I am?... But what about you? Who do you say that I am?" Peter's bold answer, "You are the Christ: was a pivotal moment, and set the stage for the final and culminating phase of Jesus' ministry: the Cross (Mar 8:27, 29).
Questions Answered With a Question
Jesus frequently engaged in open discussion with his disciples, and he often answered their questions with questions of his own. For example, when Philip asks Jesus to show him the Father, Jesus replied, "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? ...Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me?" (John 14: 8-10).
Summary
In short, Jesus employed numerous teaching methods during his public ministry. One of his favorite and most effective modes of instruction was the question and answer method. As parents, we would do well to imitate Jesus' effective teaching techniques during our interactions with our children.I'm indebted to Jesus the Messiah by Robert H. Stein for this material. A more thorough in-depth look at Jesus' methods of instruction can be found in Stein's book,
The Method and Message of Jesus' Teachings.
The Method and Message of Jesus' Teachings.
Related: "Were the Parables Meant to be Understood? Four Views" by Chrysalis
Up Next—Bible Study: The Book of Enoch
Do you use a careful line of questioning during important conversations? Photos: amanky & ccsdteacher (Flickr)
16 Comments:
This rather flies in the face of the modern perception of organised religion, where someone just dictates to you what is right and wrong. Jesus wasn't just dictating, he wanted people to understand why and reason their own way to the truth.
Sometimes I think I ask TOO much of people. It's not trying to be nosy, just honestly trying to understand what the other person is saying. I'm trying to grasp where they've been.
Personally, I LOVE that Jesus made people think. I often wonder if not giving the answers forced people to come back to Him. I know I seek Him when I don't understand. So the questions got them thinking deeper, pricking their souls and consciences. Then, since the answers to such deep questions were so important, it caused them to follow after Him to truly understand.
That was amazing. I love that aspect. I do not use good questions often but I do want to. I am studying Jesus in Matthew right now and He just amazes me. Good stuff.
Much love,
Angela
e-mom, This book by Stein, I'm interested in. These teaching methods are a great idea to study. They've got to be good methods because...well, Jesus used them! Thanks for the insight and information.
Buffy: Well said. Jesus engaged people's hearts by probing beyond the rational mind. What a Master. What a Savior!
Tami: Good for you for "interviewing" people. People love to be asked... because most of us like talking about no. 1! As you know, women especially need to be "heard."
I often wonder if not giving the answers forced people to come back to Him. Your comment reminds me that Scripture is full of riddles... which do make people delve further. Jesus used many standard rabbinical teaching techniques, but he went far beyond. A fascinating study isn't it?
Angela: Good stuff! It's helpful to keep in mind that the Gospel of Matthew was addressed to the Jews. It's full of OT references, and structured to include several "discourses" (including the Sermon on the Mount). Enjoy your study.
Peculiar: Amen. Any parent or teacher would benefit from reading the Stein books, especially the second one I referenced. It's heady but worth it. :~D
Very insightful. Yes, I do use a lot of Q & A as I work with my kids. Sometimes I'll make them look up the answer themselves, if it's accessible, or look with them. Anything to get them to actually engage and be required to do some original thinking instead of just getting regurgitated information!
e-mom, thanks for this. This is one of the things that has really grabbed me as I've been seeking to discern how best to instruct my boys. I noticed in the old testament God's instructions to the Israeli parents often included something like, "And when your children ask you..." I saw that He wanted us to teach our kids in such a way that caused them to ask questions. And now with this post I see that in Jesus' example some of those question inducing teachings come from questions themselves.
It really is amazing how perfect God's way is. I so often wish He'd just give me an answer, but most of the time He asks me more questions. He draws something out of me I don't even realize is there.
O Lord help me as I seek to teach your word and your ways to my kids!
Sheila
I responded to your comment on my blog today, e-mom. GIRL, you made me sweat!
unofrtuantly I verbally vomit more than I care to admit.. i'm trying though to improve my techniques of listening and showing interest in others! Call it ahdd for mama's!
Oh I wish I could be so wise!!!!!
FYI, this method of teaching was not necessarily initiated by Jesus, nor was it unique to Him during His earthly ministry. Socrates was famous for it for years before Jesus came on the scene, and it is still used today, particularly in universities and graduate schools (it's called the "Socratic method").
I point this out simply to emphasize that Jesus Himself utilized "the things of this world," that which was good and useful. We should always be conscious of this lest we be tempted to say things like, "Oh, that's worldly," or "Oh, that's a pagan idea." The whole earth is full of God's glory; sometimes, the world will accidentally pick up the vibrations; it's our task, in the power of the Spirit, to discern what is of God and what isn't.
Grace and Peace,
Raffi Shahinian
Parables of a Prodigal World
Jennifer: Good for you for teaching your kids well. (You were trained as a teacher, right?) They're certainly getting a superior education under your tutelage.
Sheila: Thank you for your wonderful comment. You are so tender and open to the ways of the Lord. God bless you!
Tami: Lol, thanks for stopping by to let me know. :~D
Amy: ADHD for Moms... now that's a new one! But how appropriate. Someone once said God gave us two ears and one mouth for a reason. We're supposed to listen twice as much as we speak!
Connie Marie: Ah, but you ARE!
Raffi: Thanks for your insights. And it's nice to meet you.
Yes, Jesus was an educated man, and would have been exposed to the Socratic method, and other rabbinical teaching techniques. Scholars agree that Jesus took "the things of the world" several steps beyond the norm--which is why he drew enormous crowds and was so effective as a teacher.
No doubt it was the Spirit at work in and through him that made his message and methods so unique and powerful.
Grace and peace to you. :~D
I would love to get better at this! I know when I can ask a question it is more effective than just telling my kids what to do and the question causes them to think out the answer more for themselves.
Tara: Absolutely! Thanks for stopping by. :~D
Thanks for sending me the link! We sure can learn a lot from Jesus' teachings.
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