We already mentioned two principles from Jesus:
* Principle #1 - Jesus invited others to talk
* Principle #2 - Jesus' Teaching Connected with Life
Today we will look at another principle from Jesus:
Principle #3 - Jesus engaged his listeners.
How can you "break the ice" with a youth who is a total stranger
and guide the discussion from an awkward silence into a
meaningful conversation?
Jesus often got people talking with his first question
and then was able to guide the discussion so that it
developed into a meaningful conversation
about a life-changing topic!
He met people where they were--whether they were drawing water,
fishing, collecting taxes, watching him from a treetop, or
worshipping God in the Temple in Jerusalem.
But Jesus was never content to leave them where they were.
His objective was always a changed life!
Remember the Woman at the well...
A simple request for a drink led to a meaningful discussion on
"living water" that transformed a village.
Zacheus was simply hoping to get a glimpse of Jesus
but instead got to talk to him at his own dinner table
in a conversation that not only changed his life,
but reached out to the lives of many sinners!
Christ's first words to Nicodemus, a religious scholar,
were a conundrum, a puzzle that left him searching.
And that search seemingly reached its conclusion
when Nicodemus took a bold step of faith,
along with Joseph of Arimathea,
and asked for the body of Christ after the Crucifixion.
The gospels are filled with the stories of people
who encountered Christ and then
their personal stories would be forever changed!
In encounter after encounter... Jesus not only broke the ice,
but he left a lasting impact
on the lives of the people he spoke with!
Sometimes Jesus used questions to break the ice.
But on other occasions he use everyday objects,
shared experiences, stories, and even crises
to break the ice and open up the way
to life changing spiritual discussions.
He asked people to share their opinions,
challenged their assumptions,
and asked them to find solutions.
He constantly invited others to join him in experiences
and used those common experiences
to bring out life changing spiritual truths.
Fresh experiences often served as living parables.
It's easy to relate to the feelings, thoughts, and experiences
when you have just experienced them.
Then it is only a short little jump
to deeper truths and understanding.
The "here and now" becomes a springboard
to the distant future,
to choices and consequences.
A small controlled simulation
becomes a safe crucible
to test the consequences of real life decisions.
In the same way today,
games, challenges, and contrived situations
can generate discussions and expose
the same deep set beliefs, attitudes, and values
as real life situations and events.
How you play the game
is a reflection of who you are
and how you deal with life!
But in all things Jesus always had a purpose.
He broke the ice,
and later his own body would be broken,
so that broken lives could be mended.
Learn how you also can "break the ice"
and make a lasting impact in the lives of youth!
I've specially prepared 52 of my best icebreakers of all time!
(That's a full year of icebreakers - one a week!)
And like Christ's encounters with strangers
they are icebreakers with a purpose.
Each one includes debriefs and meaningful discussion questions
that engage youths to deal with real life issues.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Friday, July 24, 2009
How to be a Creative Teacher (like JESUS) - Principle #2
We already mentioned one principle from Jesus:
* Principle #1 - Jesus invited others to talk
Today we will look at another principle from Jesus:
Principle #2 - Jesus' Teaching Connected with Life
Jesus’ parables, “earthly stories with heavenly meaning,” made spiritual truth clear by relating it to the everyday experiences of life. “The kingdom of God . . . is like a mustard seed” (Luke 13:19). People could relate to the stories because they were drawn from real life. He used a coin to teach about taxes (Mark 12:16-17). He used the stones of magnificent buildings to explain the intensity of the end of the age (Mark 13:1-4).
The greatest engagement is to be actively involved in life. Involve rather than inform. Suppose you had climbed a mountain and wanted to convey to your students the exhilaration of reaching the top and the relief at discovering that the grueling work was really worth the effort. Would it be better to tell them about your climb or take them to the top of the mountain with you? Taking them to the top would take more time than saying: “The results are worth the climb.” But which would impact their lives more deeply? It’s the same with Bible study: the more youth do for themselves, the more meaningful their learning becomes.
Jesus taught by first being an example, and then by encouraging others to follow his example. He served by washing His disciples’ feet (John 13:1-7). He emphasized baptism by being baptized (Mt 3:13-17). He sent the disciples out in pairs to proclaim the kingdom of God. (Lk 10:1-12) He challenged His followers to share His gospel with the world (Mt 28: 18-20).
When spiritual truths connect with real life, lives are changed and we are a little closer to teaching as Jesus taught.
* Principle #1 - Jesus invited others to talk
Today we will look at another principle from Jesus:
Principle #2 - Jesus' Teaching Connected with Life
Jesus’ parables, “earthly stories with heavenly meaning,” made spiritual truth clear by relating it to the everyday experiences of life. “The kingdom of God . . . is like a mustard seed” (Luke 13:19). People could relate to the stories because they were drawn from real life. He used a coin to teach about taxes (Mark 12:16-17). He used the stones of magnificent buildings to explain the intensity of the end of the age (Mark 13:1-4).
The greatest engagement is to be actively involved in life. Involve rather than inform. Suppose you had climbed a mountain and wanted to convey to your students the exhilaration of reaching the top and the relief at discovering that the grueling work was really worth the effort. Would it be better to tell them about your climb or take them to the top of the mountain with you? Taking them to the top would take more time than saying: “The results are worth the climb.” But which would impact their lives more deeply? It’s the same with Bible study: the more youth do for themselves, the more meaningful their learning becomes.
Jesus taught by first being an example, and then by encouraging others to follow his example. He served by washing His disciples’ feet (John 13:1-7). He emphasized baptism by being baptized (Mt 3:13-17). He sent the disciples out in pairs to proclaim the kingdom of God. (Lk 10:1-12) He challenged His followers to share His gospel with the world (Mt 28: 18-20).
When spiritual truths connect with real life, lives are changed and we are a little closer to teaching as Jesus taught.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
How to be a Creative Teacher (like JESUS) - Principle #1
Let's begin with a look at Jesus - The Most Creative Teacher!
Principle #1 - Jesus invited others to talk
Jesus interacted with his learners. He built relationships with them based upon two-way communication. Interestingly he would sometimes begin discussion by asking the disciples a general question about what other people thought about things and then he would bring it to a more personal level. One example can be found in Matthew 6:13 and the following verses. Jesus invited talking in this situation by moving from GENERAL TO PERSONAL discussion, perhaps because people find it easier to begin talking about other people's opinions.
In Matthew 16:13 Jesus asks: "Who do men say that I am?"
Later he made it much more personal when he asked "Who do you say
I am?" (Matthew 16:15) It was at this point that Peter made one of the greatest confessions of faith - "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God."
Jesus often asked questions that invited others to talk. Sometimes Jesus used questions to help people draw conclusions, such as when He spoke with the rich ruler about eternal life (Luke 18:18-29). At other times Jesus used questions to correct faulty thinking, as when He talked with religious leaders about authority (Matthew 21:23-27). Often Jesus did not answer His own questions but used them to lead His listeners toward truth.
Principle #1 - Jesus invited others to talk
Jesus interacted with his learners. He built relationships with them based upon two-way communication. Interestingly he would sometimes begin discussion by asking the disciples a general question about what other people thought about things and then he would bring it to a more personal level. One example can be found in Matthew 6:13 and the following verses. Jesus invited talking in this situation by moving from GENERAL TO PERSONAL discussion, perhaps because people find it easier to begin talking about other people's opinions.
In Matthew 16:13 Jesus asks: "Who do men say that I am?"
Later he made it much more personal when he asked "Who do you say
I am?" (Matthew 16:15) It was at this point that Peter made one of the greatest confessions of faith - "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God."
Jesus often asked questions that invited others to talk. Sometimes Jesus used questions to help people draw conclusions, such as when He spoke with the rich ruler about eternal life (Luke 18:18-29). At other times Jesus used questions to correct faulty thinking, as when He talked with religious leaders about authority (Matthew 21:23-27). Often Jesus did not answer His own questions but used them to lead His listeners toward truth.
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