The Teachings brought by 

Jesus Christ from God-the-Father came

to us in the form of Jesus’ conversations with His disciples and with
other people, His appeals to the Heavenly Father, descriptions of His
deeds and miracles He performed, which are recorded in the Gospels.
There are also writings of His disciples, which contain information
learned from Jesus, prophecies received from the Holy Spirit and God-
the-Father, as well as personal opinions of the authors. Such writings
are many, but not all of them were included in the New Testament.
However, there has been no complete and structured description of
Jesus’ Teachings that would discuss in an orderly manner all the most
important ideological issues. This was one of the reasons for
numerous disagreements between the followers of Jesus Christ and
for an abundance of striking perversions of His Teachings.
It is obvious that the work of making an integral compilation of
Jesus’ Teachings could have been successfully done only by a person
who had fulfilled everything taught by Jesus, who had encompassed
His Love and cognized God-the-Father. Only this can be a testimony
to the compiler’s competence.
He guides the process of their growth, grants them a certain degree of free
will — i.e. the possibility to make a choice in educational situations created
by Him, the possibility to choose their path.

He loves us as His children and constantly offers us new possibilities for

making right choices; we either accept them or reject them.

How Did Jesus Christ Teach?

by Terrie Lynn Bittner | Mar 27, 2009 | Jesus the Christ | 3 comments
The teaching mode of the Savior was varied. He used a number of different ways to teach the
people He encountered about God the Father.
 One of His favorite methods was to tell a story. These stories
are often called parables. Jesus  Christ used parables to reach people at a variety of levels. Those
who knew how to and were willing to listen with their hearts were able to pull deep meanings from
the stories. Others at least heard a good story. Jesus often used the story to hold his audience’s
attention. After the story was told, it was frequently explained. Other times he used them to keep
those who did not come with honest intent from learning things they would be held accountable for if
they understood. He could give the teachings that brought the most blessings only to those who
listened with their hearts.
10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?
11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the
kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. (Matthew 13)
Ad

Jesus Christ also taught through sermons, as do ministers today. He would gather those who came
to hear him, or sometimes just a select few, and teach them important truths using a variety of
methods-stories, sayings, instruction, and warnings or promises. This allowed him control over the
content of the lessons, and also allowed him to tailor the material to his listeners. He never tiptoed
around the truth during these sermons. He had only a short time to accomplish everything that
needed to be done, and he didn’t waste time with jokes, watered down gospel, or anything else that
might suggest his sermons was anything less than a matter of eternal life or death.
Jesus also taught spontaneously or arranged an informal teaching moment. For instance, when he
came upon the woman being stoned, he was able to teach a lesson in only one sentence, when he
suggested that the person who was without sin be the first to stone this woman for her own sin. The
men understood the message and went away, ashamed of themselves. However, Jesus wasn’t
finished teaching. He then spoke with the woman. He told her He didn’t judge her, giving her an
important message about her worth before God. Then He instructed her to give up her sins.
When Martha and Mary had Jesus as a guest in their home, Martha fussed in the kitchen, making a
special meal for their honored guest. She became frustrated because her sister, instead of helping,
sat at Jesus’ feet, being taught the gospel. Martha asked Jesus to intervene, and He most likely
startled her by suggesting that at this particular moment, Mary was choosing the better part. He
wasn’t undermining the need to feed people or care for the home. He was teaching a lesson about
choosing your priorities based on the moment. Jesus didn’t care about a fancy meal. He generally
lived simply. There would be many days in which Martha could make fancy meals for people, but
only a few in which she could sit quietly and learn from the Savior Himself.
These powerful lessons were delivered without planning, as the moment arose. He demonstrates to
us the importance of being ready to teach at a moment’s notice, taking advantage of what is going
on at a given moment.
Jesus’ most powerful teaching might be the lessons he taught by example. He made a point of living
the way He wants us to live. When He was asked why He would be baptized, when He was perfect,
He reminded them everyone was to be baptized. He never exempted Himself from the everyday
laws of the gospel.
When a group of children were brought to see the Savior at the end of a busy day, the apostles
wanted to send them away, because Jesus was tired. However, the Savior called them over and
spent important time talking to them and blessing them. He demonstrated through his actions that
children mattered, and that a parent or a teacher, no matter how tired or busy he might be, needed
to find the time to spend with the children, and most particularly to find time to teach them the
gospel.
Another way Jesus taught was through miracles. His miracles demonstrated He really was sent by
God, but they often taught a lesson, as well. He healed people no one else bothered to respect or
worry about. He healed lepers, who were kept away from others. He healed the blind, who, in those
days, were generally relegated to begging. He healed the poor and the rich alike.
Through these healings of people considered unimportant, He taught us how to treat others. He
helped us to understand our responsibility isn’t just to those in our social circle or economic class,
but to everyone. By doing so, He gave dignity and importance to those who are often overlooked.
One story that demonstrates this respect concerns one of several healings of a blind man. This man
was sitting by the side of the road, begging, when he learned Jesus was coming His way. He began
to call out to the Master. Others told him to stop. He was a mere beggar, not worthy, they thought, of
the Savior’s attention. Jesus, however, felt differently. He called the man to Him and asked Him what
He could do for the man. He spoke to the blind man respectfully. Then, after the man asked for his
sight, Jesus said the man’s own faith had made him whole. Think of the effect this had on those who
watched and listened. Those who had felt the man was unworthy to speak to the Master suddenly
learned this overlooked and underestimated man had faith so extraordinary it could bring about his
own healing. Did they begin to look at other overlooked and underestimated people differently
because of this? It was a great teaching moment that came through healing. Most of the healings we
learn of involve people no one else cared about.
A Mormon apostle, Jeffrey R. Holland, suggests the physical healings were also a metaphor for
spiritual healing, and that Jesus intended for us to also look for those who need spiritual healing for
their souls.
These teaching methods demonstrate many of the ways we can teach others in our own lives. Jesus
was the master teacher, and His stories are made available to us as an example to follow.

6 PREACHING METHODS JESUS USED THAT

YOU SHOULD TOO
factstrends - March 10, 2014 11 Comments
I think we can all agree that Jesus is the greatest preacher to ever walk the
face of the Earth. As pastors, if there is anyone we should emulate in our
preaching it is Jesus!

So how did Jesus teach?

Here are six of Jesus’ preaching methods that we can all learn from:

1. JESUS TOLD STORIES

Jesus told countless parables (Mark 4:34). He pulled spiritual truth from
everyday life. Not only did these stories make Jesus’ preaching more
memorable, they also connected in much more profound way.

Think about the parable of the Prodigal Son. Jesus could have proclaimed,
“God loves you so much that He will welcome you back to Him no matter how
far you have wandered away.” That is definitely true.
However, Jesus instead chooses to tell the story of a boy who disowned his
family, partied away his inheritance, came home to beg for mercy, but was
surprisingly welcomed with open arms by his father who waited daily for his
return. Which is more powerful? If you want to preach like Jesus, tell stories.
Lots of them. Use examples from everyday life to teach spiritual truth.

2. JESUS SHOCKED PEOPLE

Jesus often used hyperbole. He taught using outrageous examples,

exaggerations, or shocking statements that got people’s attention. These
statements were not all meant to be taken literally, but they definitely got the
point across.

For example, Jesus didn’t really mean we have to rip out our eyes and
amputate our hands for causing us to sin (Matthew 5:29-30), or else all
Christians would be blind amputees.

He also didn’t mean that the people he spoke to literally had logs in their eyes
(Matthew 7:3-5). Jesus was simply making a very clear point. Jesus said
things that shocked people and exaggerated the truth to emphasize His point.

If you want to preach like Jesus, Shock people. Exaggerate a little with your
questions. Say outrageous things that aren’t meant to be literal, but grab
attention and communicate the point clearly.

3. JESUS CRAFTED MEMORABLE SAYINGS

Jesus spoke poetically. He often used catchy sayings and plays on

words. This isn’t always apparent in English translations. However, in the
original language, Jesus made it much easier for his listeners to remember
what he said.

For example, Jesus memorably said, “Judge not, and you will not be judged;
condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be
forgiven; give, and it will be given to you.” (Luke 6:37-38a, ESV). Another
great example is the Golden Rule (Luke 6:31).

If you want to preach like Jesus, craft memorable statements. Make the main
point easy to remember. If your people remember the message, they will be
able to take it with them wherever they go.

4. JESUS ASKED QUESTIONS

Rather than tell everyone the answer right away, Jesus used the Socratic
Method. He led His audience to conclusions by asking a lot of questions. For
examples check out Matthew 16:26, or 22:20-21, or look at this resource.

Questions are a powerful teaching method, especially when teaching a hostile

crowd (like unbelievers). Questions stimulate critical thinking. Asking good
questions makes the audience hungry to find the answers.

If you want to preach like Jesus, ask a lot of questions. Do not reveal the
answer immediately. Help your audience use their own brains.

5. JESUS USED OBJECT LESSONS

Jesus often used object lessons to communicate to his audience. He washed

the feet of the disciples to teach servant leadership (John 13:3–17). He called
a little child to him to discuss childlike faith (Matthew 18:1–4). He described
unselfish giving after watching a widow drop two small coins into the temple
offering (Mark 12:41–44).

When he told the parable of the sower, there is a good chance he was
standing near a field. Visually communicated truth is far more powerful than
mere stated truth. If you want to preach like Jesus, use objects lessons. Block
out time in your sermon preparation to be creative. Think of ways to
communicate your message visually.
6. JESUS USED REPETITION

Jesus helped his audience learn His lessons by frequently repeating Himself.
He taught the same major themes again and again. For example, Jesus
spoke of his death and resurrection over and over again (Mark
8:31; 9:31; 10:33–34), and the disciples still didn’t get it.

Sometimes people need to hear something many times over before it fully
sinks in. In addition, teachings that get repeated get remembered. If you want
to preach like Jesus, repeat.

Find the main point of your message and say it again and again, and don’t be
afraid to preach on important subjects more than once a year.

If you want to be a better preacher, look no further than Jesus. Tell stories, be

shocking, craft memorable statements, use object lessons, and repeat.