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). f 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”. f 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. f (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
