Lately, I’ve been pondering the way Jesus taught compared to how we tend to learn in our modern culture.
It’s a striking contrast.
We live in an age of information overload—where we can scroll, swipe, and gather endless facts and opinions in a matter of seconds. Our culture tends to value the quick fix, the “top ten steps,” the perfectly packaged soundbite or podcast. But when I look at how Jesus taught, it was radically different.
How Jesus Taught
Jesus didn’t stand in a lecture hall with PowerPoint slides and bullet points.
He taught in stories—parables that invited people to wonder, to dig deeper, and to search their own hearts.
“Jesus always spoke to the crowds in parables. He never spoke without using parables.” – Matthew 13:34 (NLT)
He walked alongside His disciples, turning everyday moments—like fishing trips and meals—into lessons about the Kingdom of God.
“Then he said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.’” – Matthew 4:19 (ESV)
He asked questions that pierced the heart, not just the mind.
“What do you want me to do for you?” – Mark 10:51 (NIV)
“Who do you say I am?” – Matthew 16:15 (NIV)
He gave His followers time and space to wrestle with His words, to experience them, and to live them out.
His teaching was never just about information.
It was always about transformation.
How We Tend to Learn Today
In contrast, our modern culture can so easily turn spiritual growth into a checklist to merely do the following:
- Read the latest book
- Attend a seminar
- Listen to a podcast
- Download the notes
And while these tools can be helpful, they often stop at the level of head knowledge.
We end up consuming truth, rather than living it.
We can know the words of Jesus and still miss the way of Jesus.
I admittedly often find myself gravitating towards the way I’ve been taught in classrooms and church pews and it’s hard to purge this out of me. I’ve also been one to binge on audiobooks at 2x the speed, or speed-read 2-5 books in a week for example. I think of how God’s people left Egypt but it was hard to remove Egypt from their inner being. Sigh…
Yet, this is why now when I intentionally gather with people, I love to lead them to hear and encounter the Lord and connect with each other.
Even if I’m just having coffee with a friend, if a topic comes up that one of us is stuck on, we will pause and ask Holy Spirit to teach us!
Shifting Towards His Ways
So how do we shift?
How do we move from learning like the world to learning like the One who is The Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6)?
Here’s what I’m sensing:
✅ Slow down. Let go of the need to rush to the next thing. Jesus never hurried His teaching.
✅ Ask questions. Instead of seeking the “right answers,” ask Jesus what He’s saying to you today.
✅ Engage your whole self. Let His words move from your head to your heart to your hands. Live them out.
✅ Invite community. Just as Jesus walked with His disciples, find a small group or trusted friend to journey with. (That is how this beautiful community got birthed…)
✅ Listen for His voice. Let the Holy Spirit be your teacher—whispering truth in the quiet places of your soul.
“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth.” – John 16:13 (NIV)
Reflection Questions for You to Ask Yourself:
- Am I just consuming information about Jesus, or am I really encountering Him?
- Where do I tend to seek quick fixes instead of letting truth sink deep?
- What rhythms in my life need to slow down so I can hear Him more clearly?
Reflection Questions to Ask Jesus:
- Jesus, how do You want to teach me today?
- What story or lesson are You writing into my everyday life right now?
- How can I let Your truth shape my heart, not just my head?
- Where are You inviting me to slow down and really hear You?
A Prayer to Live as a Disciple
Lord, I don’t want to just learn facts about You.
I want to know Your heart.
Slow me down when I get caught up in information.
Teach me to walk with You, to listen for Your voice, and to live from Your love.
Shape me to be a disciple—not just a student.
Amen.
What’s one area where you sense Jesus inviting you to learn His way?
I’d love to hear what He’s stirring in your heart.
PS. Yesterday, I remembered in our Freedom Coaching Circle, that during a sharing time, a woman said her friends are noticing a change in her. She has more joy and laughter since gathering with us. 🙂
While gathering on Zoom may not seem like the ultimate way to gather in community, we’ve been continually amazed at it’s impact. Women show up committed to each other, to lean in and encounter Jesus’ heart and pray for each other. It continues to be a game changer for us. Sure, we engage our minds but most importantly we engage and encourage each other’s hearts in the Lord.
Need an empowering community too?
PPS. Feeling stuck in hearing God’s voice?
Here are a few helps for you:
Digest the treasured yellow book
Connect with a coach
Merri Ellen Giesbrecht / www.merriellen.com
Following and Trusting : Encountering God Out of the Box 
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