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). d 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”. d 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. d (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
