In the preceding articles we discussed objectives, outlined a plan for incidental teaching of the patient, and presented content that could be adapted to the needs of the individual patient. What methods can be used in implementing this plan? We are told that "Christ's method alone will give true success in reaching the people."-The Ministry of Healing, p. 143. It behooves us then to study Christ's method. The following outline will help the student to analyze and utilize the methods used by Jesus.
I. Christ was well prepared for teaching.
1. Christ studied.
a. He gathered knowledge from the Word of God and from the mysteries of nature. MH 52b. It was by the word of God that He exercised power. MH 122
2. Christ prayed.
a. He spent a great deal of time in prayer preparing for teaching. MH 30, 52, 509b. "He went up into a mountain apart to pray" (Matt. 14:23).
3. Christ lived abundantly.
a. In His industrious life there were no idle moments. DA 72b. His diversified illustrations show wide interest.
4. Christ was consecrated to His work.
a. He lived to bless others. DA 70b. "I must work the works of him that sent me" (John 9:4).
5. Christ spoke with authority.
II. Christ met His students on their level.
1. Learning is more efficient and longer lasting when the conditions for it are real and lifelike.
2. Christ illustrated the unknown by the known. A student grows from where he is, and not from some artificial starting point.
3. He talked of particular needs.
a. He met men in their necessities. MH 25b. Woman at the well in Samaria (John 4: 7-29).
4. He used illustrations the people could understand.
a. Parable of the lost sheep (Luke 15:4-7).b. "When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather" (Matt. 16:2).
III. Christ was specific in His teaching.
When certain results are desired, teaching must be direct.
1. Christ set down specific principles.
a. "Ye shall know them by their fruits" (Matt. 7:16).b. "Judge not, that ye be not judged" (Matt. 7:1).
2. He gave specific knowledge.
a. Signs of His coming (Matt. 24).b. "After this manner . . . pray ye" (Matt. 6:9).
3. He pointed out specific weaknesses.
4. His illustrations were direct, appropriate, and practical.
a. "New wine into old bottles" (Matt. 9:17).b. Houses built on rock and sand (Matt. 7: 24-27).
5. He recognized the need for physical health.
a. "Come . . . and rest a while" (Mark 6:31).b. Peter's wife's mother (Matt. 8:14, 15).
IV. Christ invited confidence and participation.
1. Christ was tactful and sympathetic.
2. He mingled with the people. MH 143
3. He directed His teaching to the needs of the individual. He made the people feel the completeness of His identification with their interests and happiness.
4. He went to the people, instead of waiting for them to come to Him.
a. "Let us go into the next towns" (Mark 1: 38).b. "He went round about the villages, teaching" (Mark 6:6).
5. His method of encouraging participation.
a. He used resources and services of others in His miracles, e.g., feeding the 5,000 (Matt. 14:19).
b. Blind man told to wash in pool of Siloam (John 9:7). 6. He asked questions to arouse interest.
c. "The baptism of John, whence was it?" (Matt. 21:25).
d. "What thinkest thou, Simon?" (Matt. 17: 25).
V. Christ inspired people with hope.
1. He encouraged rather than discouraged. Security and success are the soil and climate for growth.
a. Christ sought to inspire with hope the roughest and most unpromising. MH 26
b. To the woman taken in adultery, He said, "Where are those thine accusers? . . . Go, and sin no more" (John8:10, 11).
2. Christ honored faith and weildoing.
a. Healing centurion's servant (Matt. 8:5-10).
b. Parable of good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37).
3. Christ radiated health and spiritual life. MH 51
a. He had a freshness and a power such as men had never known before. MH 52
b. His life was characterized by positiveness and energy. DA 73
4. His actions supported what He spoke.
a. In answer to their questions, John's disciples were told to watch (Matt. 11:4).
b. All were happier for His presence. DA 74
5. Christ was tolerant of all—He knew no racial discrimination.
a. He healed the daughter of a Syrophoenician woman (Mark 7:24-30).
b. Endeavored to break down the partition between Jews and Gentiles. DA 193
VI. Christ did not force doctrine.
a. The mind cannot be trained like a muscle. Some time must be spent preparing learners to learn.
b. The soil must be prepared for spiritual sowing. COL 63
c. Christ taught elementary truths to woman of Samaria (John 4:24).
VII. Christ used opportunity to teach His message.
Not all growth is a steady continuous process, and different learners grow at different rates.
a. Lesson from the widow's mite (Mark 12:4144).
b. Lesson from large catch of fish (Luke 5:10).
"The Christian nurse, while administering treatment for the restoration of health, will pleasantly and successfully draw the mind of the patient to Christ, the healer of the soul as well as of the body. The thoughts presented, here a little and there a little, will have their influence."—The Ministry of Healing, p. 223.
