Jesus said: “Whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” Matthew 12:50  TOPIC: Jesus called us his brothers and sisters.  BACKGROUND: It is impossible to imagine what it was like growing up in the same household as Jesus. Cross reference Mark 3:31-35; […]

Jesus said: “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” Matthew 16:13  TOPIC: Jesus often referred to himself as the Son of Man.  BACKGROUND: Jesus was in the area of Caesarea Philippi when he asked his disciples this question. Peter spoke up and said Jesus was the Christ, the […]

Jesus said: “Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” Luke 24:26  TOPIC: Jesus rightly claimed to be the Messiah.  BACKGROUND: These words were spoken after Jesus’ resurrection on the road to Emmaus. Jesus was about to explain why he had come to earth. […]

Jesus said: “And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.” John 17:5  TOPIC: Jesus existed long before he was born.  BACKGROUND: These words were spoken in the Upper Room on Maundy Thursday. They are part of his High Priestly […]

Jesus said: “Don’t you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable?” Mark 4:13 TOPIC: Jesus spoke in parables.  BACKGROUND: Jesus often used parables to explain a point. The teaching method most often used by Jesus was the parable. Nearly a third of all Jesus’ teaching was done […]

Jesus said: “Show me the coin used for paying the tax. . . .  Whose image is this? And whose inscription?” Matthew 22:19,20 TOPIC: Jesus used object lessons.  BACKGROUND: Jesus often connected his lessons to familiar objects.  Anyone who has studied education knows that a person retains information better when […]

Jesus said: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast.” Matthew 13:33 TOPIC: Jesus used similes.  BACKGROUND: Similes help us make comparisons. There is another method of teaching used by Jesus much like the metaphor. That is the simile. A simile bridges the gap between the human and the divine; between […]

 Jesus said: “I am the gate for the sheep.” John 10:7 TOPIC: Jesus used metaphors.  BACKGROUND: Metaphors lead us from the known to the unknown. Imagine for a moment what it was like for Jesus to stand before thousands of people, (or sometimes just the Twelve,) trying to explain what […]

Jesus said: “When you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.” Matthew 6:3 TOPIC: Jesus used hyperbole. BACKGROUND: Jesus often shocked the people with his exaggerations. Jesus used several different ways to teach. As a master teacher, he knew the […]

Jesus said: “My teaching is not my own. It comes from the one who sent me.” John 7:16  TOPIC: As true man Jesus learned the Scripture. As true God he wrote the Scripture.  BACKGROUND: Jesus amazed the teachers in Jerusalem.  Mark 1:22 says, “The people were amazed at his teaching, […]