Jesus was the perfect teacher - a Master
Teacher. Why not use His methods of training his disciples when
teaching your children at home. Here’s how…
1. The Master Teacher is prepared. Jesus frequently took time off to
pray and listen to God, the Father. He obviously studied and understood
God’s word even though he had no “approved schooling.” 2 Tim 2:15 says,
"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly divinding the word of truth."
Some of us have had a godly upbringing, others not. Those of us raised
in a totally heathen background, like myself, have to study a lot
harder to learn God’s word so that we can pass it on to our children;
but, even those who have been raised in godly homes, must take time to
prepare by daily feeding on the Word and fellowshipping with the Father
in prayer. Be prepared everyday, not only with your lesson plans, but
spiritually also.
2. The Master Teacher teaches each subject as it relates to God's Word.
For example, in Mark 7:1-13, Jesus was rebuked by the pharisees for
eating without going through ceremonial washings. Using scripture from
Isaiah, Jesus taught them how they were in error. Every subject we
teach should be taught in the context of God’s Word, whether it be
science or history or math. Even if the subject is not mentioned in the
scriptures, such as adding or subtracting, we can use God's word to
teach our children how to utilize this knowledge for His purposes.
3. The Master Teacher expounds on that which his students do not understand. Mark 4:34 says, “... and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.”
Expound means to explain or interpret. Don’t assume your children
understand everything they are taught. It’s not whether they get an A
or B on a test (which is largely a measure of how well they can
memorize), the real test is - do they understand it enough to use it?
As them questions. Have them narrate back what they have read or create
something which demonstrates their understanding of the topic.
4. The Master Teacher makes an application to real life. Jesus applied
his teaching to real life situations. For example, in Luke 11 & 12,
Jesus taught the disciples how to pray. He then applied it to a real
life situation of a man in need of bread at midnight and a son asking
his father for bread or fish. He made it practical to their needs
showing them how to get their prayers answered.
Our teaching will only become real to our children if we show them how
the subject matter is relevant to their lives. If your find yourself
teaching something that is not relevant - ask yourself if it will help
your child to serve God’s purpose for his life. If not, don’t teach the
topic, at least at this time. It may be something he never needs to
study or something he will need to study later from someone else. Don’t
lock yourself into a set curriculum just because someone else says
that’s what your children should learn.
5. The Master Teacher lets his students watch him work and serve him on
the job. Jesus took his disciples with him wherever he went. They went
with him to eat with publicans and sinners. They watched him teach the
multitudes on the mount. They helped him feed the 5000. They served him
by getting a donkey, obtaining a ship, and retrieving money from a
fishes mouth.
Take every opportunity to let your children watch you work: reading,
sewing, cooking, building, repairing the car, using math, helping the
needy, studying the Word, and witnessing. Then, let them serve you as
you work.
6. The Master Teacher gives his students hands-on experience. After
Jesus had taught his disciples, He sent them out to heal the sick,
raise the dead, and cast out demons while He was still on earth to
watch. The disciples put into practice what they had learned so far and
then reported back to the Master Teacher for further instructions.
Statistics show that:
10% of what a child hears is retained
30% what a child sees is retained
50% what a child sees & hears is retained
70% what a child sees, hears, and says is retained
90% what a child sees, hears, says and does is retained
Give your children every opportunity to use what he learns. When
studying history, let him use what he has learned in a report or an art
project. When studying consumer finances, have him start his own
checking account and learn to balance his checkbook while you are still
around. Use these projects as assessments of what he has learned rather
than the traditional true-false, fill-in-the-blank, and multiple choice
test.
7. The Master Teacher reviews the material and builds on
previously learned material. Jesus taught the same things over and over
again by using various methods: parables, examples, lectures, and
illustrations. He knew that Isaiah 28:10 said, "For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little."
Use a variety of teaching methods in your homeschool to go over the
material again and again until mastered. Use as many of the five
senses as possible. Once your children have mastered the topic, then go
on to the next topic. You don't have to do every page in every
textboook; however, you may have to require your child to practice some
topics more than the textbook requires. As the parent/teacher, you'll
see what your child has mastered or not. Trust yourself to know when to
move on to the next topic.
8. The Master Teacher keeps control by telling his students what to
expect ahead of time and by maintaining discipline. Jesus told his
disciples that one of them would betray him and of his death and
resurrection. Jesus disciplined his disciples for not doing something
about the storm. (Mark 4:40) As homeschooling parents, we must maintain
control in our "classroom." Tell your children what you expect and
enforce consequences for not following the rules.
9. The Master Teacher sends them out (or graduates them) prepared.
Jesus did not send his disciples out by themselves until after they
were prepared. Not only did he mentor them while he was alive, but he
told them not to continue until they were anointed of God. (Luke 24:49,
"And, behold, I send the promise of
my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be
endued with power from on high.") As parents, we, too, must make sure our children are prepared in body, soul, and spirit.
10. Finally, the Master Teacher equips his students to teach
others. Jesus taught his disciples, who then passed on what they
learned to the next generation. “And
the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same
commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also."
(2 Tim. 2:2) Our job is not done until our children pass on to others
what they have learned. That is when we can truly say they have been
well educated by a Master Teacher.
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