Friday, August 28, 2015

Train Like Jesus

You don't have to have any advanced education or special skills to teach like Jesus. Jesus taught by simply talking with people, telling stories, and using examples from life that people already understood. You can do the same thing today in a Sunday School class or any other teaching situation.


Instructions


1. Engage your listeners and talk with them. Jesus was more than a talking head and you should be too.


2. Tell stories. We refer to the stories Jesus told as parables. You can use these Bible stories or use stories from your own life or from materials you have studied. Your stories should reflect the patterns and relationships in life that we all understand.


3. Use symbolism. Jesus used religious symbols like "the bread of life" that were familiar to his listeners. You can refer to symbols such as the cross of Christ or the Lord's Supper.


4. Teach at an appropriate level. A lesson for fourth graders would be vastly different than one for a group of college-educated adults. Jesus tailored his message around what the listeners already understood.


5. Build on what your listeners already believe. Jesus never attacked others for their beliefs. He used those beliefs as a basis to help them understand the truth he was teaching.


6. Restate your message whenever necessary. Jesus was patient when he taught. He rephrased his teaching or used another story to make sure his lesson was being understood.


7. Care about your students. To teach like Jesus you need to have a genuine love for your students. Jesus wanted his listeners to understand, to learn and to follow him.