THE ANSWER LIES WITHIN THE QUESTION

“[Jesus] was equally adept in teaching by either asking or answering questions. As a rule, to those he taught the most, he said the least.” [UB 132:4.2]

Thought Adjuster:“Successful pedagogues challenge their students to sharpen their thinking processes. They also coach them in the practical application of their intellectual knowledge by assigning them homework deemed within their level of competency—never doing it for them, but monitoring it closely to fill in the blanks in their understanding. There is no better way to stimulate an interlocutor's resourcefulness than to ask pointed questions and wait for his feedback.

Teachers should come up with thought-provoking questions to open new mental horizons for the students. Once it captivates their attention, the process becomes interactive, and, based on mutual trust, students are empowered to disclose deep-seated personal issues in need of remedial enlightenment.

Teachers, like therapists, may challenge their interlocutors to dig deeper within by answering their questions with more of the same, nudging them toward uncovering the solutions on their merit through the investment of their God-given brainpower—refraining from spoon-feeding them the answer.

As the saying goes,“A man may well bring a horse to the water, but cannot make it drink” —especially if the horse is not thirsty. A prerequisite for learning is the student's eagerness which makes his mind receptive. By nature, question marks are the (-) poles that magnetically attract the (+) complementary answers.

A teacher can set the process in motion by formulating an appropriate curriculum after establishing an accurate psychological profile of the student to prioritize his needs to learn. They then form a co-creative partnership where the teacher acts as a consultant, keeping at bay complacency and idleness that only maintain the status quo of stagnation—eventually leading to retardation.

The last point I would like to make is that the best educators teach by example—which has far more impact than a merely academic presentation. Jesus’ most memorable teachings were delivered in the innovative manner of how he responded to puzzling situations—always taking the higher road. It is what earned him the admirative respect and gratitude of his peers.”