The Urantia Book Fellowship

 

How Jesus Taught
by David Kantor

Contents of this study:

  1. He received a comprehensive intellectual and spiritual education during his early life.
  2. He prepared for his public ministry by engaging in personal ministry and travel.
  3. Cosmic background for his career of ministry.
  4. Specific techniques and approaches used by Jesus.
  5. How can we particpate in Jesus' mission?
  1. He received a comprehensive intellectual and spiritual education during his early life
    1. 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]
    2. 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]
    3. His home life was structured around an established system of parental involvement in children's education. [123:2.5]
    4. He took care of plants, drew maps, studied the stars, and became fluent in three languages. [123:2.7]
    5. He was exposed to many truth seekers because his family possessed a rare copy of the scriptures. [123:3.1]
    6. 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]
    7. He received his moral and spiritual training at home, his theological and intellectual education from the Chazan at the Nazareth synagogue. [123:5.8]
    8. 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]
    9. He studied mathematics. [123:6.3]
    10. He studied music. [123:6.5]
    11. He interacted with religious leaders--the scribes and teachers in the temple.[125:4.1 through next three sections]
    12. 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]
    13. He developed a variety of vocational skills. [126:1.1]
      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].

  2. He prepared for his public ministry by engaging in personal ministry and travel
    1. 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]
    2. Caravan trip to the Caspian region and the Urmia lectures. [134:2.1 through end of section 6]
    3. 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]
    4. He spent time with God and critically evaluated his situation and opportunities. [134:7.1 through end of section], [134:8.1 through end of section]
    5. Review Midwayer's comments about his perfected character, "The Acme of Religious Living." [100:7.1 through end of section]

  3. Cosmic background for his career of ministry
    1. Review background of his bestowal. [120:1.1 through end of Paper 120]
    2. Review the basics of the Nebadon educational system. [37:6.1 through end of section]
    3. Review the basic objectives of Jesus' ministry. [140:8.18 through end of section]
    4. 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]

  4. Specific techniques and approaches used by Jesus
    1. 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]
    2. His usual technique of social contact was to draw people out and into talking with him by asking questions. [132:4.2]
    3. He used parables constructed around patterns and relationships in nature -- the vine and the branches, the mustard seed, the good shepherd.
    4. 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.
    5. He taught "as he passed by . . ." [171:7.1 through end of section]
    6. 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]
    7. 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]
    8. 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]
    9. His teaching was "thrillingly dynamic," he "went about doing good." [141:3.6]
    10. 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]
    11. "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]
    12. 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]
    13. 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]
    14. He refused to use power to manipulate situations for spiritual purposes. [136:8.8]
    15. 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.
  5. How can we participate in Jesus' mission?
    1. 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]
    2. 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]

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