Christianity #5: Following Jesus’ Teaching And Example Flashcards
Describe the Golden Rule (4)
- Jesus says that the basis of all human conduct should be treating others the way that we would like to be treated.
- Jesus points to the dignity of each person, regardless of their status in society, race, religion, nationality, or even whether we personally like them of not.
- Christian love means respecting and having the good of the other in our thoughts and actions, even when we don’t like the other person.
- Gospel of Matthew (7:12): “In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you”
How does Jesus use the parable of the Good Samaritan? (4)
- to point out clearly what he means by loving your neighbour.
- Historically, there was sectarianism between Jews and Samaritans.
- Jesus makes the Samaritan the central character in his parable because he would be the
last person the Jewish people would expect to help the man who had been robbed. - Of course, the ones whom you would have expected to help, walk on by.
Describe the Parable of the Prodigal Son (4)
- It is all about forgiveness and centres around three important figures: the Father, the dutiful son
and the prodigal son. - Forgiveness is key to the nature of God and is unconditional.
- The Father does not bring up the issues of the past but is just happy that his son has returned, for in his eyes he has been dead, and now is alive again. In addition, the elder son must learn to forgive just as the Father does.
- The message is that we must be unconditional in our forgiveness just as our heavenly Father is
Describe the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats (4)
- Jesus uses an image that would have been common to his listeners of separating out sheep and
goats. He uses this image to get them to think about how people should take care of others. - Christians refer to these as corporal works of mercy.
- The Christian cannot just talk a good game. It is about how we act.
- If God is our Father then EVERYONE is a brother and sister. We are called upon to care for them just as if they are Jesus!
Describe 4 of Jesus’ Teachings
- Jesus taught that we should love one another: ‘A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another’
- Jesus taught that we should work to build the kingdom of God and that even from small beginnings it can grow. Parable of the yeast/mustard seed explanation could be used to demonstrate this.
- the story of the sheep and goats show that on judgement day, God will be more concerned with how people have lived than whether they were religious
- Jesus taught to ‘turn the other cheek’ and to forego retaliation and revenge. Instead, hatred and violence should be met with love and forgiveness.
Christians might follow Jesus’ teaching and example by: (6)
- they might look for ways to love their neighbour. This could be through things like charitable work, or just showing loving kindness in their day-to-day interactions with people.
- they might make a point of forgiving people who do wrong to them.
- they might make a particular effort to reach out to people on the fringes of society, or who are seen as outcasts.
- they might challenge injustice where they find it, or those who are hypocritical or self-righteous in public life.
- they might be willing to put their own lives on the line for their faith in
Jesus. - Many Christians have died for their faith.
Following Jesus’ teaching and example and parables will make the world a better place. How? (4)
- if everyone followed the Golden Rule, then people would be treated better, and happiness would generally increase.
- If all people followed the teaching of the Good Samaritan, then there would be no more rivalry and animosity among peoples or nations as all people would see one another as neighbours, and even family. This would lead to peace in the home, in society and in the world.
- Following the teaching given us in the Prodigal Son would lead to greater forgiveness and reconciliation at all levels in society. Revenge and anger would be replaced by people moving forward together; learning from mistakes and improving.
- In the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats, Christians are encouraged to serve God by serving others, especially those who are most in need. Catholics can put this teaching into practice through participating in the work of local charities, such as the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, or
internationally, by supporting charities such as Mary’s Meals
Why do Christians follow Jesus’ teachings? (5)
- because of who Jesus was. As an incarnation of God, his words have tremendous authority, and Christians can be sure they will be right
- the incarnation also makes him the ultimate role model ― Christians want to be like Jesus
- because they believe that following his teachings will make the world a better place, for example, by encouraging kindness and discouraging materialism.
- they may believe that they will be judged on how well they have followed his teaching. The story of the Sheep and the Goats suggests this will decide what happened to them after they die.
- a Christian is a follower of ‘Christos’, so it has always been an essential part of the Christian faith.
Some people think that you cannot be expected to follow Jesus’ teaching and example today because: (5)
• It’s not realistic to expect ordinary people to be able to live like the Son of God.
• Humans are limited in what they can do for others — we can’t make a blind man see or walk on water.
• Jesus was meant to be without sin, so wasn’t subject to the same temptations as ordinary people.
• It’s too hard to be loving and kind to people who are hateful to us — it just goes against human nature.
• Many just wouldn’t be willing or able to give their life for their beliefs or
for other people because we naturally want to preserve our own lives.
Some people think that you can be expected to follow Jesus’ teachings and examples because: (4)
• Even though people don’t have Jesus’ miraculous powers, they can still look for practical ways to love their neighbour, for example, by helping the needy or caring for the sick.
• People like Martin Luther King Jr. show that it is possible to love your enemies as Jesus did.
• There are many Christians who are trying to live by ‘What would Jesus do?’ in their day-to-day lives, and encouraging fellow believers to do the same.
• It’s challenging, but not impossible, and still a goal worth aiming for as it would make the world a better place.
Some people say that Jesus’ teachings are still relevant in the 21st century because: (6)
• the teachings are universal and timeless, so they remain relevant today
• some may say that the world is need of Jesus’ teachings more than ever as it is full of suffering (war etc)
• Jesus told his followers to go into the world and make disciples from all nations, continuing to spread the teachings of Jesus is part of this so it remains important to Christians today
• Jesus’ parables are easy to understand and can be used as a metaphor for situations we face in the modern world, so the teachings remain relevant today
• if more people followed Jesus’ teachings today the world would be a better place, it would be filled with love, forgiveness and peace
• Jesus taught to reach out to outcasts, this would allow more people to feel included and valued in society
• for Christians following the teachings will help them to build the kingdom of God here on earth and help them to be welcomed into heaven/God’s presence when they die.
Some people say that Jesus’ teachings are not relevant in the 21st century because: (5)
• following Jesus’ teaching is hard in a world that sees the individual as most important. It doesn’t come naturally to put others first
• following Jesus’ teaching to, ‘Turn the other cheek’ makes you vulnerable, and you could end up being branded a coward. It also goes against human instinct and the widely accepted view that it is ok or even right to defend yourself
• Jesus himself warned his disciples that following him would be costly, and that they would need to take up their ‘cross’ by following him. Still today, some people put their lives at risk by being Christians
• there are many people who claim to be Christian yet they do not behave in a way that Jesus taught they should. This shows that some people do not really value the teachings of Jesus, or they interpret them to suit themselves
• people who are not religious are unlikely to see the relevance of the teachings as they do not live by them
Some people think the world would be a better place if you followed the teachings and example of Jesus because: (5)
• if everyone tried to love their neighbour as themselves the world would be more compassionate and fairer. Wealth and resources would be distributed more evenly and there would be less suffering as a result
• ensuring that people on the outskirts of society feel more valued and included is essential in creating a more equal and compassionate world
• Jesus’ humility and rejection of great power and wealth is a good example to follow in today’s world where materialism and consumerism has helped create inequality and threatens the worlds environment
• people like Martin Luther King Jr. show that it is possible to love your enemies as Jesus did. He lived according to the teachings of Jesus and helped develop a more equal and fair society
• following the teachings of Jesus would lead to a world without violence and discrimination.
Some people think the world would not be a better place if you followed the teachings and example of Jesus because: (3)
• the world is a competitive and ruthless place and people should look
out for themselves rather than consider the wellbeing of strangers
• ‘Turn the other cheek’ is an unrealistic teaching. It could allow violent and aggressive people to continue unchecked. People have to demonstrate that they can’t be dominated or there is a danger they could become lifelong victims
• the story of the prodigal son is inherently unfair. People who act out of duty should be recognised as behaving selflessly and as people who contribute to making the world a better place unlike the prodigal son who was rewarded for selfish behaviour.
