Key Text: Matthew 13:1-9
Jesus spent much of his time teaching. He is known for the teaching of large crowds but he is also seen teaching smaller groups or one on one. He gives the big sermon but also the small instruction. We aren’t all called to teach large groups, this is a specific gift, but we are all called to help instruct and help others learn more about their faith.
Q. How do you learn best? Do you know what your learning style is?
Eyes – as we watch a mentor or see something done.
Hands – as we give things a go and make mistakes.
Ears – as we listen to what’s said.
As learners we are told that we retain only 5% of what we are told (ears) but over 50% of what we are shown (eyes) and 90% when we do what we are taught.
Q. Can you give an example of someone who has taught you well? What was it that they did that worked well for you?
“That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. Such large crowds gathered around Him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Whoever has ears, let them hear .”
What jumps out at you?
What questions do you have?
Q. Which soil / ground have you been most like in the last 10 years and which ground are you more like in the last 6 months? Feel free to interpret each of these as you wish.
E.g. “Cris – Personally shallow soil connects with me at the moment. 6 months ago I was doing some reading and was really challenged by a part of scripture but due to a busy diary and everything going on I have failed to go back and allow what God was saying to change and shape me. It was powerful stuff but I have not given the time to allow it to take root”.
Q. Jesus knew that some people were ready to hear what he had to say and others weren’t. Heed to know that there were other spiritual powers stopping people from hearing. How might this change the way you speak about Jesus to those around you?
Q. There are numbers of different ways we can teach. The religious people were full of “should’s and oughts”, implying that living a life of faith was easy. Jesus spoke in parables to help people explore faith and reflect for themselves. How can you take this style yourself in helping others learn?
Q. How confident are you in talking about faith, God and what this means to you with others? Have you grown more or less confident? What is your fear?
Q. Jesus was a Scripture teacher, we aren’t all called to teach in this way but we are all to lovingly instruct one another. Is this something you could become more confident in?
Can you look for an opportunity to share a Christian teaching with someone that will bless them and help them this week? It might be about finding peace. It might be about worrying less. It might be about seeing themselves differently. Try to share something in a compassionate and loving way that will bring life to the other person.
Heavenly Father.
Anoint my mind to reflect on your teaching.
Anoint and soften my heart to be changed by it.
Anoint my lips to speak your words.
Anoint my hands to demonstrate your teaching and not just speak it.
Amen.