I really did not have insight about the transformative relationship change between
the old and the new paradigms of teaching. However, I believe that the shift to include
an instructor and a student with a cooperative relationship for the motivation and
development of each student in the learning process is necessary (James, Martinez, &
Herbers, 2015).
The narrative/ parable of Jesus’s teaching strategies, for me begins from His very
birth. The Bible states that Jesus was the Word (MEV, John 1: 1). Additionally, Jesus
was sent to earth by being a seed implanted inside a womb and being birthed into earth
(MEV, Matt. 1: 16). e Jesus was born into a family and was taught to do the things
within the earthly family until it was time for Him to be taught in the teachings of
ministry by philosopher and doctors (MEV, Luke 2: 46).
Eventually Jesus grew and matured, He received the promotion of favor with
God and with man. Lastly, Jesus taught others with authority even if it separated Him
from brothers and His mother (MEV, Luke 8: 21). Before Jesus was resurrected, He was
actually a facilitator of and taught His disciples and even followers who were often
were active participants.
Jesus educated others in different contexts (house or boat). He provided different
experiences of healing to others (bathing in dirty water to be clean or fingers in ears to
hear). He allowed individuals to reflect and be active participants when they wanted to
be healed. Jesus also evaluated individuals to determine what changed after His
instruction (they walked and were made clean).
Like the disciples and followers of Jesus, I had to mature as a result of several
dramatic events to learn a “new way” of life. Thankfully, I also relied on the fact that I
would capture other individuals in His net (MEV, Matt. 4: 19). As I have matured, I
now understand what it means to have compassion to actively engage on a personable
level as I listen to individuals (Bernstein, Franz, & Chew, 2020).
In the same way Jesus grew and matured and taught others, I taught my sons
and other children from narratives /parables using “Biblical child – terminology”. e I felt
the timing was important that they understood at a younger age that we were birthed
here on this earth after coming from the Father (MEV, Jer. 1: 5). I teach children to use
this and other narratives/parables in their relationships. I explained the same way that
Jesus had individuals follow Him and listen to the truth is the same way they need to
be reminded of Him during uncomfortable moments. I often use critical thinking to
actively engage my sons and other children to visualize Jesus’s one role as the big
brother/instructor and we are the active participants (James et al., 2015). We are put
here to do what Jesus did and even greater works (MEV, John 14: 12) by demonstrating
His servanthood (MEV, John 13: 5) and leading others to be fishers of men (MEV,
Matt. 4: 19).
In the parable, Jesus was teaching the disciples that the greatest leader is the one
that serves others. That is one of the strategies and ways of education I use. Even
though there is a class setting, a deeper analyzation and evaluation of situations is
offered for each child. It also helps to put myself in the narrative as well as the child. It
allows development of case studies for each individual’s narrative so that each
individuals’ specific needs are met. It also allows children to give positive input to
other’s that may need additional insight and not humiliation (Bernstein et al., 2020).
I am aware that the interactions I had with authority figures made a significant
impact on my progress within and outside of the educational system. I also realize that
because of negative circumstances, it was important for me to be around authority
figures who established good rapport (Bernstein, Frantz, & Chew, 2020) and that’s my
desire for the children I service. Do you use narratives as one of your teaching
strategies?
References
Bernstein, D. A., Frantz, S., & Chew, S. e (2020). Teaching psychology: A step – by –
step guide
(3rd ed.). Routledge.
James, G., Martinez, E., & Herbers, S. (2015). What Can Jesus Teach Us About Student
Engagement? Journal of Catholic Education, 19(1), 129 – 154.
doi: 10.15365/joce.1901062015
Modern Evangelism Version (2014). Jubilee Breakthrough Bible. Military
