This text was copied and bound for Les Nixon's classes. Use freely, with
reference to Outback Patrol Institute, and Rev. Les Nixon.

Introduction to the Methods of "Jesus:The Master Teacher"
By Les Nixon, Outback Patrol Institute

Who is Jesus?

"When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law" (Matthew 7:28-29).

Who is this One who amazed the crowds, taught with authority and was utterly indifferent to the scribes and teachers of his day? He was Jesus Christ, the Lord. Authentic answers to questions about this One Jesus can only be found in the four Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and St. John.

The Gospels are actually a collection of the teachings of Jesus, written to affirm people's faith in Christ and to enable them to have eternal life. They also contain ideas on how Jesus taught. The Gospels then, are a catalogue of the methods of Jesus the Master Teacher, as well as how He fulfilled His Father's mandate when He came to pay for the sins of the world. It contains such interesting clues to Jesus' teaching methods that draw us to the Gospels.

Various other recorded material remains about Jesus, but this is the best. It's also the record God left for us. He placed His imprimatur upon it.

Gordon Moyes in Discovering Jesus observes from these four brief records of his short life, the most remarkable figure known to history stands larger than life. We know nothing of his appearance, he said, yet all races claim that he belonged to them. He had a great sense of humour and laughed, yet was known as a man of sorrows. He played with children and took babies in his arms, yet the most hard and cruel men withered beneath his glare.

He was known as a man of compassion and love, yet people quaked before his anger. He could outstare a Roman governor yet could touch the untouchable leper. He was a man of courage and strength yet the weakest in society felt safe with him. He was meek and lowly of heart yet he defied the strongest authorities of his day. He was a man of authority who made the greatest personal claims for himself yet his whole life spoke of humility and of utter concern for other people. His friendships with disreputable people were an open scandal yet he would spend hours alone in prayer.

He said the harshest things about religious leaders ever uttered, yet spoke the softest words of understanding for broken people. He called people to come and follow him and they left their all in obedience. He demands everything from us yet wants nothing that this world calls significant. He offers to us his all, forgives us for our sins and lays down his life for people who do not know him. His authority is such that many quake before him, yet he patiently knocks at the door and waits until people admit him.
He died two thousand years ago but is more alive in the hearts of people today than any other person.

Three references

J. I. Packer comments that his teachings will stand forever (Mark.13:31), and finally judge his hearers (John 12:48, Matt. 7:24-27). The importance of paying attention to Jesus teachings and methods cannot be overstressed. Packer goes on to show that Jesus' teaching had three regular points of reference.

First, to His Divine Father who sent Him and was now directing Him. (Matt. 11:25; 16:13; 21:37; 26:29; Luke 2:49; 22:29; John 3:35; 5:18; 8:26; 10:25 and 36-38).

Next was to people both individuals and crowds in their lostness (Matt. 9:36, Mark 10:21).

The third was to Himself as Son of Man, a messianic title (Matt. 16:13).

Packer further explains the theology of Jesus' teachings. He says it forms about, 1) The Kingdom of God (Isa. 2:14; Jer. 23:5), 2) The saving work of Jesus Christ (Luke 5:20; John 6:37) and, 3) The ethics of God's family (Matt. 5:43-48, 20:26-28, etc.). So, the first thing we see in the method of Jesus the Master Teacher is why He was easily understood? Mark 12:37 says that ... 'the common people heard him gladly'.

What Jesus' Teaching Contained.

A. It was his teaching Simplicity. To do so, Jesus applied educational techniques to reach the people. Dick Innes reports in I Hate Witnessing But I Love to Communicate, that unlike humans who tend to focus on things and not people, Jesus loved people and used things. To touch the hearts of men, Jesus expanded people's minds with ...

1.Symbolism:

Jesus used words with symbolic meaning: "Symbolism explains one thing by comparing it with something that looks like it."

Directing his hearers to birds, lilies, wind, grapes and figs, were all effective word pictures. A cup of cold water and hairs of a man's head, painted spiritual pictures. Audiences were as children in understanding spiritual truths, so Jesus gave them the milk of comprehension functions until they were ready for the strong meat. Here are sample symbols in God's Word:

1. Hammer to convict - Jeremiah 23:29
2. Fire to refine - Jeremiah 23:29
3. Mirror to reflect - James 1:23
4. Seed to multiply - I Peter 1:23
5. Laver to cleanse - Ephesians 5:26
6. Lamp to guide - Psalm 119:105
7. Rain-snow to refresh - Isaiah 55:10
8. Sword to cut - Hebrews 4:12; Ephesians 6:1
9. Bow for revenge - Habakuk 3:9
10. Gold to enrich - Psalm 119:7-10
11. Power to create - Romans 10:17; I Peter
12. Food to nourish
13. Milk for babies - I Peter 2:
14. Bread for hunger - Matthew 4:4
15. Meat for men - Hebrews 5:11-14
16. Honey for dessert - Psalm 19:10

2. Jesus was interested in events that were related to life

He told the disciples they were the 'salt of the earth' to explain that salt preserves the quality of that which would otherwise deteriorate; suggesting symbolism that men should be definite in their new faith. Australian Theologian Clifford Wilson says in this that Christians can influence the world and prevent the spread of corruption. He went on to say they were the "light of the world."He used two figures of light; one a city set on a hill; the other the more private enclosed in a home. By this he taught his disciples to both publicly and quietly display the light he handed on to them.

3. Jesus also employed contrast

Earthly and Heavenly, to look beyond the persecution of the day, of this life, to rejoice and be exceedingly glad. To show the comparative worthlessness of the things they might lose in the process. He gave pictures of moths, rust and thieves, to teach that persecution on earth was relatively unimportant when compared with things of eternity. This following item may illustrate contrast, or later, antithetic parallelism.

See what you think?

"Money will buy a house, but not a home; food, but not an appetite; clothing, but not beauty; medicine but not health; a bed, but not sleep; books, but not brains; luxury, but not culture; insurance, but not security; a church, but not salvation; loyalty, but not love; things, but not joy and happiness; a crucifix, but not a saviour; companions, but not real friends; glasses, but not vision; membership, but not fellowship; knowledge, but not wisdom"

4. Jesus taught values directly and indirectly

His teaching had another side to it continues Wilson; that heavenly gain was of greater importance than earthly wealth, but He still assured his followers that their earthly needs would also be provided for. His word pictures for this were quickly understood to mean what He intended; of God's provision of birds of the air, the clothing for the lily of the field. These could do little for themselves, but God in heaven cared for them. He said: "Shall He not much more clothe you, ye of little faith?" Storing treasure in heaven would also ensure provision on earth. His profound teaching was given in remarkably simple language. But it was His love for the people, and not love for the methods that touched them deeply, which makes His teaching stand out from all others.

As for teaching values, we can learn to do the same in a concise way:
"I will do more than belong; I will participate.
I will do more than care; I will help.
I will do more than believe; I will practice.
I will do more than be fair; I will be kind.
I will do more than forgive; I will love.
I will do more than earn; I will enrich.
I will do more than teach; I will serve.
I will do more than live; I will grow.
I will do more than be friendly;
I will be a friend.
... so, if A. was Jesus' Simplicity, ... then . . .

B. is that Jesus was a great story teller:

He told his stories in such a gripping manner, even when it attracted the anger of the Scribes and Pharisees-yet still galvanised them to his talk, and held their undivided attention. For professional help with the skill of story telling, read Clifford Warne's How to hold and audience, and Reading the Scripture Out Aloud, and other volumes from Australia's premier story teller. Available from Sydney's Anglican Information Office.

1. Jesus told stories within the comprehension of his hearers:
The very first essential in effective story telling is to ensure it is clearly understood and appreciated. See what this means when the priests sent Pharisees and followers of Herod to bait Jesus in Mark 12, according to Eugene Peterson in The Message. They hoped to catch him out when he said something incriminating. "Teacher, we know you have integrity, that you are indifferent to public opinion, don't pander to your students and teach the way of God accurately. Tell us: Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?"

He knew it was a trick question and said, "Why are you playing these games with me? Bring me a coin and let me look at it". They handed him one. "This engraving-who does it look like? And whose name is on it?' "Caesar," they said. Jesus said, "Give Caesar what is his, and give God what is his." Their mouths hung open, speechless.

2. His stories were concise:

Count the words in Jesus' stories and see how concise they were. In the Authorised Version, (the old King James), the story of the labourers in the vineyard takes 16 verses; of the pharisees and the publican, takes 6 verses; the llustration of the Good Shepherd, occupies only 8 verses; of the ten virgins waiting for the bridegroom, 13 verses; same with the story of the rich man and Lazarus. These are classic examples of the power of the short concise stories he told effectively.

Col Mackay's 'Between the Lines' in the Sydney Telegraph reported that, 'Someone somewhere actually makes a hobby of counting the strangest things. It was noted recently that the Bible tells the entire story of creation in 793 words. The Ten Commandments are told in just 294 words and the American Declaration of Independence contains 300 words.

Then we have the European Economic Community guidelines for importing caramel sweets which has 25,911 words!"

Another example of concise comments appears in this item called, 'Peculiar People': "A real Christian is an odd number. He feels supreme love for One whom he has never seen; he talks familiarly every day to Someone he cannot see, expects to go to Heaven on the virtue of Another; empties himself in order that he might be full. He is strongest when he is weakest, richest when he is poorest. He dies so he can live, forsakes in order to have, gives away so he can keep, sees the invisible, hears the inaudible and knows that which passes understanding."

So, we learn brevity from Jesus.

Author Max Lucado in When God Whispers Your Name, (Word 1994) reminds readers of Jesus consummate skill in brevity. He say His great sermon can be read in eight minutes. His best known story can be read in ninety seconds. He summarised prayer in five phrases. He silenced accusers with one challenge. He rescued a soul with one sentence. He summarised the Law in three verses and reduced all his teaching to one
command. He made his point and went home.

3. Jesus' teaching aroused interest:

They were gems of imagery, able to fire the imagination immediately. Read the story of the rich man and Lazarus. Here it is: "There was a certain rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day; and there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, who was laid at his gate, full of sores and desired to be fed with the crumbs falling from the rich man's table; moreover, the dogs came and licked his sores." That's 58 words in eight phrases. That's all.

These verses at the beginning of the story are a remarkable description and we immediately visualise the two leading characters.There was strong contrast, provoking sympathy for the wretched man whose sores were licked by dogs. Interest was immediately aroused.

The forms of imagery Jesus knew about and applied were called he Seven Doorways to the Mind by Victor Ketcham. They are visual, auditory, gustatory, olfactory, tactual, kinaesthetic and organic. They are all related to sensations aroused by painting visual pictures. Each are included in Jesus' story of the rich man and Lazarus.

We too can arouse interest and create desire, through verse story or a poem written and delivered neatly, as this one: I supposed I knew my Bible, reading piecemeal, hit or miss,
Now a bit of John or Matthew, now a snatch of Genesis. You who treat the crown of writings as you treat no other book, Just a paragraph disjointed, just a crude impatient look. Try a worthier procedure, try a broad and steady view; You will be in very rapture, when you read the Bible through.

4. Jesus spoke logically:

Clifford Wilson makes the point that the events in Jesus' story of the rich man and Lazarus follow each other clearly and in a logical pattern and reason. The rich man is described and his way of life displayed; then Lazarus is brought to our notice in effective contrast. The story goes on to tell of the death of each man and of their changed positions after death. The rich man who had so much on earth found himself in misery, while Lazarus the beggar was in Abraham's bosom. Hearers had no trouble in following the events and drawing the conclusion Jesus intended.

(a) Reason is also logical.

When an argument proceeds in a logical pattern, it is most likely reasonable too. However, be careful for apparent reason which is not authentic. Jesus teaching was wholly reasonable, but sometimes ours is not. As Kepler from the 16th century said, so must we remember . . . "When theory does not agree with observation, then theory must be discarded."

It's a good rule of thumb for reason and logic. Illustrations abound of logical sequence throughout the Bible. Not only in story telling, but in teaching conduct and lifestyle, in Romans 14 according to Pastor Michael Dennis. This is what this chapter says to him:

1. Don't argue - verse 1
2. Be tolerant - verse 3
3. Let other decide - verse 4
4. Be sure of yourself - verse 5
5. Give a good account - verse 12
6. Don't hinder others - verse 13
7. Keep a good name - verse 16
8. Aim for peace - verse 19
9. Edify others - verse 19
10. Careful with God's work - verse 20
11. Adjust your conduct - verse 21
12. Exercise discipline - verse 22
13. No double standards - verse 23

5. Jesus stories led to a climax:

Climaxes which were satisfying to the hearers. That also is effectively illustrated in this story of Lazarus. We are told . . . "If they will not hear Moses and the prophets neither will they be persuaded even if one rose from the dead." The lesson was that Lazarus the beggar enjoyed the blessing of God without effort on his own part, while the religious people lost it all despite their frantically religious zeal.

Nowadays, we would say it in our own language, and aim for the same goal:
Philosophy says; Think your way out;
Indulgence says; Drink your way out;
Science says; Invent your way out;
Industry says; Work your way out;
Communism says; Strike your way out;
Fascism says; Bluff your way out;
Militarism says; Fight your way out;
The world says: Entertain your way out; but . . .
Jesus Christ says: I am the Way out!

Another shows how to lead to a climax this way:

If I have the Word without the Spirit, I will dry up;
If I have the Spirit without the Word, I will blow up;
When I have the Word and the Spirit, I will grow up!

"Australian troops on a Pacific island in WWII came across an old native reading a Bible. The Australian criticised the poor islander for the Bible and remarked that we Australians don't believe that book any more. You should get up to date, old man, and throw that in the bin, where it belongs, and catch up with the rest of the world. The old man replied: "Before Bible came, me cannibal. Bible change me. What you want? Me change again? Throw away Bible and me eat you?"

Now, that's how to conquer double standards. And lead a conversation to a climax, don't you think?

6. Also, Jesus used poetry:

Poetry, you say? "I can't recall anything that Jesus wrote!" Poetry, yes, in the eastern sense; in character with their culture and the understanding of his eastern hearers. His poetry is easily remembered by them, as it was taken from their culture. This is broken down into several styles and types. They are . . .

A. Parallelism:
With parallelism, the truth to be conveyed is expressed in couplets, triplets or even in four-line verse. Rhyme is used at times. And rhythm. The style is of great value in impressing the lesson on the minds of the hearers in an easy to remember form. The actual words of the teacher are remembered in the form of verse. The words become relevant to the lesson itself by it's very form. They become simple statements more easily remembered than random statements and full of meaning.

Remember, we all use rhythm endlessly. Rhythm is built into our body life; heart beat, pulse, movement, walking, blinking, breathing. It's done in time on time. That's why it's easy to appreciate the rhythm and rhyme of music and verse . . . The poetic style of Jesus is not easily translated from eastern ideas in Aramaic and Hebrew and Greek into the English language as they are far apart in style, content and grammar. A little study clears up the confusion and opens a door of speaking skills we should learn.

Every poem you ever heard is lodged in your memory somewhere in rhyme, and will rise when needed, especially those lines we learned as a child, or wanted to remember as an adult; "Now I lay me down to sleep" is a simple example. "The Man from Snowy River" is another. Australians have a field day with our present day Prime Minister who is subject of derision.

A table grace says, 'For what we are eating, keep it safe from Mr. Keating!' Rhyme it is. Try the 23rd Psalm or I Cor. 13. Sometimes they include parallelism, as well as rhyme.

"When the Tibooburra meeting was almost over on one of my early '60's patrol days, a jaded and life-stained old ringer-stockman walked into the room. After some pleasant conversation, he asked if I'd play his favourite hymn. By the time we'd run through every known song in the old Sankey's 1200 favourites, as well as Redemption Songs, then the Methodist Hymn Book of the day, we'd almost given up finding his favourite hymn.

"Not Abide With Me", he said, they sing that at funerals!" "Truly" he apologised: "I just forget." Then I struck on one. I hummed it's lines, and picked out the melody on the accordion. Sure 'enuf, we'd hit pay dirt! It was his favourite hymn. But he'd forgotten what to call it and when he said it was "The Old Rusted Cross", we knew we were getting close. Didn't take him long to recall the words, until he sang himself hoarse. And it didn't take him long to rediscover the Saviour of "The Old Rugged Cross" and that night we heard him pray the sinner's prayer as simply as a child. So, thank God for a memory that won't forget the rhyme and rhythm of the old hymns."

Jesus used various types of parallelism, including . . .
a) Synonymous Parallelism; "He that is not with me is against me and he that gathereth not with me scatters abroad." In synonymous parallelism each line expresses the same truth but with different wording. Another example is in Matthew 13 in the Parable of the Sower concerning the wheat which fell by the wayside. There is emphasis on the lack of depth in the growth. "They had not much earth, they had no deepness of earth, they had no root," and in these three expressions the same truth is emphasised.

It is synonymous parallelism. Yet another example is where Jesus spoke of Himself as the door of the sheep. He said, "He leadeth them out ... and putteth forth his own sheep ... and he goeth before them." He emphasized the same truth three times, the first and the third statement especially being synonymous. We see repetition as an important place in teaching and in these examples of synonymous parallelism repetition was effectively used within the lesson itself. Continued on Page Two

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