As groups begin to gather around The Words of Jesus with the intention of reading them together, they will inevitably discover new ways to approach the work. And that is a very good thing. It is also a very good thing when they take the time to share with the rest of us what they are doing or have discovered.

Last week, a UMC pastor, who was preparing to introduce a group of his adult leaders and teachers to the Sayings Gospel format, hit upon what I think is a very insightful way to demonstrate some of the differences in the Sayings approach.

From the beginning we have known that there were distinct differences in intimacy and urgency between Jesus’ words of public instruction and those of private instruction. Accordingly, the pastor chose to begin the discussion by photocopying the Parable of the Sower as it is found in the Sayings of Public Teaching [I, 29, p. 80] and the same parable as it is found in the Sayings of Private Instruction. [II, 16, p. 119] In this way, the group could lay the two side by side and see immediately that while the story is the same, what He is doing with it is different in direct proportion to His involvement with those whom He is instructing.

Not only does this exercise have the power of “showing” instead of “telling,” but it also demonstrates the richness of insight that can come from parallel study across the various roles that Jesus assumed while He was here.

If there are other finds or discoveries or innivative methods out there, and if you are inclined to share, please do so. Your name or that of your group will not be posted unless you are willing to have us do so, but your contribution will be much appreciated by other groups and individuals.