Teachings of Jesus ⛪

The Coming of the Kingdom

• After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the Good News of God.

• He said, "The right time has come, and the Kingdom of God is near! Turn away from your sins and believe the Good News!"

• Jesus' message focused on repentance and faith in the Good News.

• His arrival marked the beginning of God's active reign breaking into the world.

• The message was urgent: now was the time to respond to God's invitation.

The Coming of the Kingdom Significance

• Announces the start of Jesus' public ministry and central theme: God's Kingdom is near.

• Stresses the urgency of repentance and belief.

• Highlights Jesus as the one who inaugurates God's reign on earth.

• Introduces the need for personal response to God's call.

• Sets the tone for all of Jesus’ teachings and miracles in Mark’s Gospel.

Jesus’ Attitude to the Sabbath

• Jesus and his disciples were walking through grainfields on the Sabbath; the disciples began to pick heads of grain.

• The Pharisees accused them, saying it was unlawful on the Sabbath.

• Jesus reminded them how David ate the sacred bread when in need, which was lawful only for priests.

• He said, "The Sabbath was made for the good of human beings; they were not made for the Sabbath."

• Jesus declared, "The Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath."

Jesus’ Attitude to the Sabbath Significance

• Shows Jesus' authority over religious laws and traditions.

• Emphasizes that God's laws are meant to benefit people, not burden them.

• Challenges the Pharisees’ rigid interpretation of the Sabbath.

• Reveals Jesus’ identity as "Son of Man" with divine authority.

• Reinforces the idea of compassion and human need taking precedence over ritual law.

The Parable of the Sower

• Jesus taught a large crowd by the lake, sitting in a boat while people listened from the shore.

• A farmer scattered seeds: some fell on the path (birds ate them), some on rocky ground (no deep roots), some among thorns (choked), and some on good soil (produced a rich harvest).

• Later, Jesus explained privately to the Twelve and others:

• The seed is the message; the different soils are the responses: hard hearts, shallow commitment, worldly distractions, and fruitful believers.

• Those who hear, accept, and bear fruit are like the good soil.

The Parable of the Sower Significance

• Explains why people respond differently to Jesus' message.

• Emphasizes the importance of truly hearing and accepting the Word.

• Warns about obstacles like persecution and worries that can prevent faith from growing.

• Encourages perseverance and faithful acceptance of the Gospel.

• Highlights that true discipleship produces visible, lasting results.

The Parable of the Lamp on a Stand

• Jesus said no one lights a lamp and hides it under a bowl or bed; instead, it is placed on a lampstand.

• Everything hidden will be brought into the open; every secret will be uncovered.

• He warned, "Listen, then, if you have ears!"

• The message is meant to be seen and heard openly, not hidden.

The Parable of the Lamp on a Stand Significance

• Stresses that the Good News must be shared openly.

• Encourages boldness and clarity in spreading Jesus’ teachings.

• Warns that hidden or secret things will eventually be revealed.

• Emphasizes personal responsibility to act on what is heard.

• Highlights that understanding and responding to Jesus’ teaching is crucial for salvation.

The Parable of the Growing Seed

• Jesus said the Kingdom of God is like a man who scatters seed on the ground.

• The man sleeps and rises day and night, and the seed grows, though he does not know how.

• The earth produces crops by itself: first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain.

• When the crop is ready, the farmer harvests it with a sickle.

• The growth happens mysteriously and inevitably.

The Parable of the Growing Seed Significance

• Teaches that the Kingdom of God grows according to God's power, not human effort.

• Highlights the mysterious and natural process of spiritual growth.

• Emphasizes patience and trust in God's timing.

• Reminds disciples that success is ultimately God's work, not theirs.

• Encourages perseverance in spreading the Gospel even when results aren't immediate.

The Parable of the Mustard Seed

• Jesus compared the Kingdom of God to a mustard seed, the smallest of all seeds when planted.

• Yet when grown, it becomes the largest of garden plants, with branches big enough for birds to shelter.

• The tiny seed grows into something much greater than its initial appearance.

• Shows the unexpected and disproportionate growth of God's Kingdom.

The Parable of the Mustard Seed Significance

• Shows that the Kingdom of God starts small but grows enormously.

• Encourages faith that God can use small beginnings for great outcomes.

• Highlights the surprising and welcoming nature of the Kingdom.

• Reinforces that God's power transforms even what seems insignificant.

• Challenges assumptions about what greatness looks like in God's eyes.

Jesus and the Children

• People were bringing children to Jesus so he could bless them, but the disciples scolded them.

• Jesus became angry, told them to let the children come to him, and not to stop them.

• He said, "The Kingdom of God belongs to such as these."

• Jesus stated that anyone who does not receive the Kingdom like a child will never enter it.

• He took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them, and blessed them.

Jesus and the Children Significance

• Highlights children's importance and value in God's Kingdom.

• Teaches that humility, trust, and openness are essential for entering the Kingdom.

• Shows Jesus’ compassion and care for society's most vulnerable.

• Challenges adult pride and self-sufficiency in spiritual matters.

• Reinforces the need for simple, genuine faith.

Entry into the Kingdom

• A man ran up and knelt before Jesus, asking, "Good Teacher, what must I do to receive eternal life?"

• Jesus reminded him of the commandments, which the man said he had kept.

• Jesus loved him and said, "You lack one thing: go sell everything, give to the poor, and follow me."

• The man went away sad because he was very rich.

• Jesus said it is very hard for the rich to enter the Kingdom; easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter.

Entry into the Kingdom Significance

• Warns that wealth can be a major obstacle to entering God's Kingdom.

• Emphasizes complete commitment and sacrifice in following Jesus.

• Highlights that salvation is only possible with God’s help, not human achievement.

• Encourages radical generosity and detachment from material possessions.

• Shows Jesus' love and personal call to individuals to follow him.

The Greatest Command

• A teacher of the law asked Jesus which commandment was the greatest.

• Jesus replied: "The most important is: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.’"

• The second is: "Love your neighbor as yourself."

• Jesus said no commandment is greater than these two.

• The teacher agreed, and Jesus told him he was "not far from the Kingdom of God."

The Greatest Command Significance

• Summarizes the core of God's law: total love for God and others.

• Shows that love is the foundation of true obedience to God.

• Highlights the inseparable link between love for God and love for people.

• Reveals that right relationships with God and others bring one closer to the Kingdom.

• Emphasizes inner devotion over external ritualism.

Why did jesus use parables

• they were commonly used in jesus’ time

• they were simple stories and easy to understand

• they challenged people to find their meaning

• showed jesus understood the problems in people life

• they were interesting and held the listeners attention

Jesus’ teachings are still relevant agree

• Even though society may have changed, the meaning of Jesus’ teachings remains the same

• Jesus was the Son of God. He came to show us the way to his Father. If we follow his ways then we will enter the Kingdom of God.

• The key teachings of Jesus are to love God and love your neighbour. There is nothing more important than this.

Jesus’ teachings are still relevant disagree

• The teachings of Jesus are out of date, society has changed a lot in 2000 years

• Jesus didn’t teach us how to deal with modern problems or issues like abortion and euthanasia

• People also need to follow the teachings and laws of their church and state – these are more relevant

Possible to live a christian life today agree

• Distractions existed at the time of Jesus and yet people still managed to live a religious life

• It is a matter of resisting the temptations of modern life and showing a selfless love for God and others

• If other family members share their faith, a Christian will have continual support and encouragement

• Prayer can be a support as Christians try to do God’s will. If they fail at times, they can seek God’s forgiveness and grace

Possible to live a christian life today agree

• There can be pressure from non-Christian friends to do things which might be against a Christian’s beliefs

• Christians might lose the friendship of others who may decide to criticise and make fun of them

• To follow God’s will may mean making sacrifices on a personal level. It could lead to isolation, loneliness, discrimination, persecution and even death

• Christians live in a more secular society today, which is less religious and less supportive to those committed to doing God’s will