How Would Jesus Teach?
That is what I am wondering today. If Jesus was a public school teacher, how would He teach? How would He respond to students that don't want to learn? What sort of reaction would He have to disrespect? ...to profanity? ...to disobedience? ...to cell phones in class?
He taught those who came to Him (Matt 5:1). It wasn't a captive audience. When He taught something that was hard, many would leave and stop being His students (John 6:60-66). Those who stayed and disagreed with Him were simply there to try to trip Him up. When they couldn't frustrate His teachings, they simply plotted to kill Him. When they finally carried out their plan; He did not fight back; He did not resist. So, when I look at His life, it is hard to know what He would do, because the situation is so different.
The question then remains, "How would Jesus teach?"
Some days, I stray away from that question to a different question... Would Jesus Teach?
I know He was a teacher. I know He was the Great Teacher! But, would He teach at a public school? Would He daily expound on truth, without ever giving THE Truth? If you consider the gospels and look at His interactions with people, nearly every time you can read of how He expertly steers the conversation from some abstract to a personal confrontation with the Truth of the gospel.
I can't do that at school. I am not allowed. Living in constant suppression can be strenuous.
What do you think? How Would Jesus Teach? Would Jesus Teach?
I'm a teacher, too, and I don't know you. I somehow came across your blog, and I agree with lots of the things your write about. You seem to be a lot like me. I hate that I can't talk about God and Jesus at school. But I got this book, The Soul of Education, and it talks about how to be a Christian teacher in a public school. It's pretty good. You ACT like Jesus, and focus on finding the soul in kids, rather than ever really specifically referring to anything Christian. We're taught to act how Jesus does, so that people will come to know Him. So if you do that at school, you might never have to mention His name, but be converting students all the while. Check out the book. :)
ReplyDeleteP.S. I don't think Jesus would teach. He wouldn't have the time. His only goal is to spread the Word. He wouldn't care about teaching Geometry or Shakespeare or anything else.
That book sounds really interesting. I haven't heard of it before.
ReplyDeleteI am always trying to remind myself to be a salt when you can't be a light, but some days I just keep thinking... "What am I doing?!?"
I will have to check that book out. I suppose I can find it on Amazon somewhere.
Thanks for commenting!
I'm sooo with Tookey on this. It reminds me of an old saying that goes something like "Share the gospel every moment of every day. Use words when necessary." It's much harder to SHOW Jesus through our actions with students, and I think we grow much more spiritually that way.
ReplyDeleteThat quote is usually attributed to St. Francis of Assisi, though there is some doubt as to whether or not he actually said it.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/article_print.html?id=83449
Well I think you already answered the question yourself. Jesus was a teacher. The simple answer is yes, He would teach, but then it gets complicated with salary and benefits and the political correctness that is involved in public school systems. If you're looking for a semi-simple answer to a question that translates Jesus into our times and puts Him in the situation of teaching, then "Tookey" is right in that He would reach the kids by keeping the Christ-like attitude and reaching them subtly through your character and lifestyle. You don't necessarily need to say: "I believe in the B.I.B.L.E. Yes, that's the book for me!" for them to get that you are a light in their world. Let them witness it first.
ReplyDelete