Lesson 4 Jesus Teachings
John 7:46 No one ever spoke the way this man does. Matthew 4:23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.
How Jesus Taught 1. With Authority (Mark 1:22, Matt. 7:29, Luke 4:32): - When speaking for God, the prophets of the OT began with, This is what the Lord says. - When Jesus spoke, he claimed his own authority. - I tell you. - Note in the Sermon on the Mount how he even says, You have heard it said OT quote, but I tell you (Matt. 5:22, 28, 32, 39, 44).
How Jesus Taught - The Holy Spirit rested on Jesus and Jesus did not teach anything that was not in accordance with God the Father. - I do nothing on my own authority, but speak only what the Father has taught me. (John 8:28).
How Jesus Taught 2. Scriptural Arguments: - In other cases Jesus founded what he said on scripture (OT), whereas the scribes were known to base what they said on the traditional teachings of the elders.
How Jesus Taught 3. Parables: - These are what many people first think of when they think of Jesus teachings, but there are a number of common misconceptions people have about parables.
4 Common Misconceptions regarding Jesus Parables a) Parables were a common teaching tool in Jesus time. Reality Jesus was unique in his use of parables. (There is no record of anyone else using them around Jesus time).
4 Common Misconceptions regarding Jesus Parables b) Parables were taken from everyday life examples. Reality b) Parables often depicted the absurd. i.e. Scattering seed like the Sower. Younger Prodigal Son asking for his inheritance before his dad s death, dad giving it, dad running to see his son when he came back. The Good Samaritan. Comparing God to an unjust judge who we need to pester if we want our prayers answered.
4 Common Misconceptions regarding Jesus Parables b) Parables were like sermon illustrations. Reality b) Jesus used parables to give new teachings, not illustrate points and his parables were often the whole sermon.
4 Common Misconceptions regarding Jesus Parables c) Jesus used parables so that he could be more easily understood. Reality c) Jesus used parables to often purposefully make himself more difficult to understand. (Matthew 13:10-16).
How Jesus Taught 4. Exaggeration (hyperbole): - Matt. 5:29-30, Luke 14:26 5. Humor: - Matt. 7:3-5, 19:24, 23:24 6. Repetition: - Matt. 5:11-12 & Luke 6:27-28 - Matt. 5:38 & Luke 6:29-31 - Matt. 5:43-48 & Luke 6:32-35
How Jesus Taught 7. Object Lessons: - He called a child to him to discuss childlike faith. (Matt. 18:1-5). - Jesus spoke about unselfish giving as he watched a widow give all she had. (Mark 12:41-44).
How Jesus Taught - Jesus told Simon and Andrew that he was going to make them fishers of men while they were fishing. (Matt. 4:18-20). - Jesus, most likely, told the parable of the sower near a farmer s field. (Luke 8:4-15).
How Jesus Taught 8. Questions & Answers: - Jesus often used questions to stimulate his listener s thinking. - What can a man give in exchange for his life? (Matthew 16:26). - After the Parable of the Good Samaritan: Which of these three do you think was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of robbers? (Luke 10:36).
WHAT Jesus Taught 1. Moral & Theological Subjects. Jesus taught and acted out what he taught. Jesus taught on a wide range of topics such as sexual morality (Matt. 5:27-32), love (Matt. 5:43-48), prayer, forgiveness (Matt. 6:5-15), the nature of God (John 4:21-24), God s plan (John 12:27-36), etc.
What Jesus Taught 2. Jesus teachings centered on himself. (Unique). The Seven I am Statements in John - I am the Bread of Life (6:35, 51). - I am the light of the World (8:13, 9:5). - I am the gate (10:7-9). - I am the good shepherd (10:11). - I am the resurrection and the life (11:25). - I am the way, the truth and the life (14:6). - I am the true vine (15:1-5).
What Jesus Taught 3. Kingdom of God (Jews & Gentiles). - The kingdom of God is God s reign. - There have been different views on understanding exactly what the Kingdom is and how it is manifested in history.
The Kingdom of God - It can refer to God s present reign over us individually and also to God s future reign over the world Matthew 6:33, 13:31-32. - The Jews will have a part in God s kingdom, but they must enter it on the basis of faith in Jesus as the Messiah the same as the Gentiles (Matt. 21:43, John 8:24, Romans 11:25-27).
The Kingdom of God -The kingdom was present in the ministry of Jesus on earth (Matthew 12:28). -The kingdom is now present in God s reign over His people (Romans 14:17). -The kingdom will be present in a display of future greatness when Jesus comes again (Matthew 16:27-28).
What Jesus Taught 4. How to get into the Kingdom. We must be born again (John 3:3). We must repent (turn from our sins and obey Jesus). We must put our faith in Christ alone for the deliverance from sin (Mark 8:34-35). We must surrender all that we have and are to Jesus and allow him to have control of our lives.