How To Teach Like JesusSample

"The Power of an Object Lesson"

Taking the idea of a parable to another level, Jesus often took advantage of what was going on to teach his students important lessons. 

For one reason or another, Jesus and the disciples’ feet are not washed before their final meal together. Jesus takes advantage of this opportunity to teach them important lessons that will really stick with them. 

As Jesus washes the disciples' feet, he not only teaches them about service-oriented leadership and the importance of taking care of each other, he also provides a context that will help them understand how he has washed them clean on the cross. 

Using object lessons from everyday life can really help your instruction take on greater significance. Not only will the disciples have a greater understanding of purity and service from this experience, they’ll remember it every time someone washes their feet (or they wash someone else’s) for the rest of their lives. 

Another example we have of Jesus doing this is in Mark 12:41–44. Jesus is watching Israelites bring their financial offerings to the temple treasury, and when he sees a poor widow put in all she has, he recognizes this is a teaching opportunity. He calls the disciples over to him and points out her sacrifice as an example of true faithfulness.