Sabbath, April 23, 2005

“He was the only perfect educator in our world.” –Education, p. 237.

OBJECTIVES

• To understand the qualifications needed in order to be able to teach.
• To realize that every place can be appropriate for teaching.
• To understand that the results of our teaching depend to a great extent on the way it is done and on our example.
• To understand what Christian education consists of.

EDUCATION AND PURPOSE OF TEACHING

1. What does true education involve, according to the Spirit of Prophecy?

“True education means more than the pursual of a certain course of study. It means more than a preparation for the life that now is. It has to do with the whole being, and with the whole period of existence possible to man. It is the harmonious development of the physical, the mental, and the spiritual powers. It prepares the student for the joy of service in this world and for the higher joy of wider service in the world to come.” –Education, p. 13.

2. What should be the main purpose of education?
2 Timothy 3: 16 (second part), 17
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

“The world does not so much need men of great intellect as of noble character. It needs men in whom ability is controlled by steadfast principle. “Character building is the most important work ever entrusted to human beings; and never before was its diligent study so important as now. Never was any previous generation called to meet issues so momentous; never before were young men and young women confronted by perils so great as confront them today.” – Education, p. 225.

OUR SAVIOUR’S TEACHING METHODS

3. What methods did our Saviour use in order to make his teaching interesting and attractive?
Matthew 13:1-3
The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side. And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore. And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;

“Christ’s manner of teaching was beautiful and attractive, and it was ever characterized by simplicity. He unfolded the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven through the use of figures and symbols with which his hearers were familiar; and the common people heard him gladly, for they could comprehend his words. There were no high-sounding words used…

“Jesus illustrated the glories of the kingdom of God by the use of the experiences and occurrences of earth.
“This is the way in which He would have us present His truth to others. The power of speech is of great value, and the voice should be cultivated for the blessing of those with whom we come in contact.” –Counsels to Parents, Teachers and Students, p. 240.

4. What characterized Jesus’ manner of teaching?
Matthew 7: 29
For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

“Christ’s teaching was simplicity itself. He taught as one having authority… Jesus uttered the truth in a plain, direct manner, giving vital force and impressiveness to all His utterances.

“…He did not disdain the repetition of old and familiar truths in prophecies if they would serve His purpose to inculcate ideas.” –Evangelism, pp. 55, 56.

SUBJECT AND PLACE

5. What was one of Christ’s main subjects?
Matthew 5:8
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
John 17: 17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

“…Holiness of heart and purity of life was the great subject of the teachings of Christ.” –Testimonies, vol. 2, p. 445.

“Jesus had nothing to do with the various subjects of dissension among the Jews. It was His work to present the truth. His words shed a flood of light upon the teachings of patriarchs and prophets, and the Scriptures came to men as a new revelation. Never before had His hearers perceived such a depth of meaning in the word of God.” –The Desire of Ages, p. 253.

“Jesus brought into His teaching none of the science of men. His teaching is full of grand, ennobling, saving truth, to which man’s highest ambitions and proudest inventions can bear no comparison…” –Fundamentals of Christian Education, p. 408.

6. In what places did Jesus teach?
Matthew 5:1, 2
And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
Matthew 4:23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.
Luke 13: 26 Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.
Luke 19:47 And he taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the chief of the people sought to destroy him,
Matthew 11:1 And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities.
Mark 4:1, 2 And he began again to teach by the sea side: and there was gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he entered into a ship, and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land. And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine,

“He went from place to place, that those in the highways and byways might hear the words of truth. By the sea, on the mountain side, in the streets of the city, in the synagogue, His voice was heard explaining the Scriptures.” –Gospel Workers, p. 43.

EXAMPLE SPEAKS LOUDER THAN WORDS

7. Why was Jesus’ teaching so effective? What are his words to us?
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

“…Here Christ stands revealed as the master teacher; …He alone has perfect understanding of the human soul.
“Christ alone had experience in all the sorrows and temptations that befall human beings…

“What He taught, He lived… what He taught, He was. His words were the expression, not only of His own life experience, but of His own character. Not only did He teach the truth, but He was the truth. It was this that gave His teaching power.” –Education, pp. 78, 79.

8. What should every teacher of God’s word be able to say?
1 Corinthians 11:1
Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
Philippians 3:17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

“Hard and dark as the world is, the influence of a really consistent example will be a power for good.” –Testimonies, vol. 4, p. 286.

“If the daily walk of those who profess the truth were a living example of the life of Christ, a light would shine forth from them which would lead others to the Redeemer. In heaven alone will be fully estimated the blessed results, in the salvation of others, of a consistent, harmonious, godly life.” –Testimonies, vol. 2, pp. 683, 684.

FOR MEDITATION AND FURTHER STUDY

• Let us make a list of subjects necessary for us to study for our own personal benefit and that of others.
• What are my methods of teaching?
• Am I interested in becoming more and more Christ-like?
• Am I aware that my life style and attitude are a constant lesson to others?
• Let us take time to study the book Education and draw personal lessons from it.