Learning to teach as Jesus taught — A parent’s point of view
By Neil J. Flinders, The Ensign, September 1974; Like Jesus, we teach what we are, and that’s about all. That is why Jesus was the master teacher — He taught character.
- Jesus loved those whom He taught.
- He loved both his friends and His enemies.
- He responded to those who were rejected by the world.
- He regarded with love and understanding even those who rejected Him.
- Likewise, we should accept children whose behavior is contrary to our desires.
- We must care enough about the needs of others to teach them.
- Our relationships with others should be guided by the following:
- Who are they?
- Where did they come from?
- What are they destined to become?
- Jesus taught with His whole soul.
- He used His countenance to convey His feelings.
- He smiled, wept, reflected compassion, mercy, and concern.
- He expressed spiritual energy through His mind and body.
- He taught spirit to spirit.
- As parents teaching children, we must be imbued with the Spirit, pure, and self-disciplined.
- Christ-like parents show tender care, soft love, disappointment, suffering, uplifting forgiveness, grief, genuine interest, and satisfaction.
- Jesus prayed for and with those whom He taught.
- The power of spiritual motivation is available from the Father if we seek it. Jesus set the example in this regard.
- Jesus was a master at leading men to use their agency to seek divine influences.
- We should use prayer to invite divine influences into our homes and into the lives of our children.
- Few family problems are beyond solution if we seek divine help, as did Jesus.
- We should talk to the Father about our children as much as we talk to our children about the Father.
- Jesus used contrast and comparison when He taught.
- Jesus used clearly defined ‘right-versus-wrong’ and ‘choose the right’ illustrations as He taught.
- He created situations for His followers to choose and select.
- He increased their vision by using comparisons as He taught.
- The Book of Mormon is full of good versus evil, right versus wrong, war versus peace, joy versus pain.
- An example is “…though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”
- Parents can find this approach very useful in enhancing their children’s moral growth.
- Jesus sought to influence the individual’s desire and disposition.
- His emphasis was helping people do the right things for the right reasons.
- He sought to influence desires and dispositions, not just actions.
- He taught spiritually, heart to heart.
- Education today is now tipped toward intellectual conditioning.
- He helped right feelings develop in the heart, and right actions followed.
- Children need to know that we are pleased when they display a positive attitude or desire.
- Jesus showed the way, pointed out, offered to view, or guided.
- Teachers were expected to possess the traits or inclinations they were teaching.
- Jesus even stated that He was the Way! He said, “Come unto me, that ye might feel and see…”
- Nowadays, teachers are viewed as dispensers of information, not models for behavior.
- Parents need to live as they expect their children to live. We are what we teach.
- Jesus taught with real examples and personal illustrations.
- He used real-life situations: lilies of the field, temporal wealth, water from a well, fishing all night long.
- Parents should use natural circumstances and experiences to teach children correct principles.
- Jesus taught the children and then let the children teach their parents.
- Refer to 3 Nephi 26:14.
- Children are good teachers because they tend to use the teaching techniques of Jesus.
- They reduce things to simplicity and clarity,
- We should ponder the phrase, “…except ye become as a little child.”
- The gift of the Holy Ghost is a teaching tool.
- Jesus promised His disciples that they would have the Comforter as a constant companion.
- The Spirit can assist us in choosing and using the teaching powers of the Savior.
- With sincere effort on our part, we will be able to teach as Jesus taught.
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