Contextual Education

The teachings of Jesus are often contextual. They don’t exist in a vacuum. We examine our attitudes in relation to the teachings of Jesus best when we place them in a particular context . The context is the “package” round which we wrap our experiences within a specific time, place, and set of circumstances. For instance, when considering Jesus’ narative about the Prodigal Son, the teaching is about forgiveness. Forgiveness takes on a meaning for us best when we consider a specific time, place, or circumstance when we were in need of forgiveness. Perhaps the circumstance was when we were in need of forgiving a friend but hesitated or you want to forgiveness from your spouse for lying about where you were or you’re feeling resentment toward your boss because she assigned a different person for a task you wanted to achieve. In all these cases, the circumstances in need of forgiveness is the context in which you examine the meaning of Jesus’ teaching in the parable. Dialogue insists that no one answer by any one person is best. Instead the study of the parable and the ensuing give a take of discourse provides you with input by which to “see” what Jesus is about and what you should be about. Dialogue is the key to understanding