How Jesus Taught

by David Kantor

Contents of this study

o He received a comprehensive intellectual and

spiritual education during his early life.

o He prepared for his public ministry by

engaging in personal ministry and travel.

o Cosmic background for his career of ministry.

o Specific techniques and approaches used by

Jesus.

o How can we particpate in Jesus' mission?

He received a comprehensive intellectual and spiritual education during his

early life

o He asked questions. His parents answered his constant questions

during his childhood -- "he was one continuous question mark."
[123:2.3] Later he continued to ask "many embarrassing questions
concerning both science and religion . . ." [123:6.6]

o He established an active prayer life. After his regular prayers he would

always have "just a little talk with my Father in heaven." [123:3.6]

o His home life was structured around an established system of parental

involvement in children's education. [123:2.5]

o He took care of plants, drew maps, studied the stars, and became fluent
in three languages. [123:2.7]

o He was exposed to many truth seekers because his family possessed a

rare copy of the scriptures. [123:3.1]

o He early learned about prudent financial management by

administering the funds derived from the sale of doves. [123:4.4] He
 later took over responsiblity for managing the family's affairs upon the
death of Joseph. [126:2.2]

o He received his moral and spiritual training at home, his theological

and intellectual education from the Chazan at the Nazareth synagogue.
[123:5.8]

o He attended to the development of social skills. He spent a lot of time

mingling with people and getting to know them. [123:5.6], [129:1.9]

o He studied mathematics. [123:6.3]

o He studied music. [123:6.5]

o He interacted with religious leaders--the scribes and teachers in the

temple.[125:4.1 through next three sections]

o He took advanced courses in reading and was deeply involved in the

intellectual and spiritual education of his younger brothers and sisters.
[126:1.3], [126:3.3]

o He developed a variety of vocational skills. [126:1.1]

A good summary of the real achievements of his early

education may be found at [127:6.12 through the end of the
section].

He prepared for his public ministry by engaging in personal ministry and travel

o Tour of the Roman world and his personal ministry to more than 500
individuals. [Paper 130] See also comments about his personal ministry
during this trip. [132:4.1 through end of section]

o Caravan trip to the Caspian region and the Urmia lectures.

[134:2.1 through end of section 6]

o At Antioch, he lived for over two months, "working, observing,

studying, visiting, ministering, . . . learning how man lives, how he
thinks, feels and reacts to the environment of human existence."
[134:7.3]

o He spent time with God and critically evaluated his situation and
opportunities. [134:7.1 through end of section], [134:8.1through end of
section]
 o Review Midwayer's comments about his perfected character, "The
Acme of Religious Living." [100:7.1 through end of section]

Cosmic background for his career of ministry

o Review background of his bestowal. [120:1.1 through end of Paper 120]

o Review the basics of the Nebadon educational system. [37:6.1 through

end of section]

o Review the basic objectives of Jesus' ministry. [140:8.18 through end of

section]

o Review the objectives he had in training his disciples and apostles.

[141:7.3 through end of section], also see "Four Months of Training."
[137:7.1 through end of section]

Specific techniques and approaches used by Jesus

o Review Jesus' "Instructions for Teachers and Believers" -- "In teaching

the gospel of the kingdom you are simply teaching friendship with
God." [159:3.1 through end of section]

o His usual technique of social contact was to draw people out and into
talking with him by asking questions. [132:4.2]

o He used parables constructed around patterns and relationships in

nature -- the vine and the branches, the mustard seed, the good
shepherd.

o He used symbols, particularly those which were associated with

religious ceremonies in the minds of his hearers -- the light of the
world, the living water, the bread of life.

o He taught "as he passed by . . ." [171:7.1 through end of section]

o His teaching was appropriate to the context in which he found himself;

he did not overteach [137:7.14] Regarding overteaching, see comments
about the approach used by the Prince's staff. [66:6.6]

o He built on what his listener already understood, enhancing and

uplifting their ideals. See his interaction with Gadiah and the story of
Jonah. [130:1.2]
 o He did not attack the errors in his listener's beliefs; he was adept at
enhancing the truth in scriptures or philosophies, wherever he found it.
[132:0.4]

o His teaching was "thrillingly dynamic," he "went about doing good."

[141:3.6]

o He didn't "grow weary" in his teaching; when he failed to reach the

minds of all the apostles by means of one illustration, he would restate
his message and attempt to use some other illustration. [141:4.3]

o "Again and again he warned his apostles against the formulation of

creeds and the establishment of traditions as a means of guiding and
controlling believers..." [141:5.4]

o First bring people into the kingdom; make sure they know God as their
Father. After this it may then be appropriate to discuss matters related
to the progressive advancement of the soul . [141:6.4]

o He wasn't concerned about the association of his gospel with other

teachings. When John forbade a stranger from teaching in the name of
Jesus, Jesus said, "Forbid him not. . . how can you expect that all who
believe this gospel will be subject to your direction?"
[159:2.1]

o He refused to use power to manipulate situations for spiritual

purposes. [136:8.8]

o He took his message to the people. He did not create a rarefied

religious context or a movement into which he then tried to bring
followers. He went to people where they were. When one approach
failed, he tried another.

How can we participate in Jesus' mission?

o By taking up his unfinished business of actualizing the kingdom of

heaven in our world. Review "Christianity's Problem," and "The
Future." [195:9.1 through end of Paper 195]

o Review his last words of admonition prior to departing from our world
at the end of his bestowal -- ". . . you shall begin the new proclamation
of the gospel of the kingdom . . . Love men with the love wherewith I
have loved you and serve your fellow mortals even as I have served
you . . . By the fruits of your lives impel souls to believe . . . Remember
 all I have taught you and the life I lived among you . . . My love
overshadows you, my spirit will dwell with you, and my peace shall
abide upon you . . ." [193:5.2]

See also, "What Does The Urantia Book Have to Say About its Dissemination?"

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