"Parables" that I Used in School

Parables …

Parables are narratives used to typify moral or spiritual truth. Knowing that man would not understand Him if He used heavenly terminology, Jesus used parables when He preached on this earth. For example, He used the word "Shepherd" to represent God or Himself and "Sheep" to represent His people. "Shepherd" and "Sheep" were significant in those days since rearing sheep was one of the more common livelihoods that the people engaged in. The people understood what was it like to tend and care for their sheep and the pain and anxiety suffered that if a sheep was lost. Through that, they comprehended the Love of God.

********************

Counseling students …

Counseling students is something that teachers have to do occasionally. Sometimes, students do not really understand the thinking of adults and our explanation because we talked in ways that are not related to them. So, I tried to use terms that concern students when I talk to them.

Below are some counseling cases that I used "parables". Some of the names used are fictitious so as not to invade the privacy of these students.

********************

Real People and Real Feelings …

There was a quarrel between two groups in my NPCC ECA one day. The junior squad underwent a tough physical training (PT) conducted by the senior squad members that morning. Usually, the junior squad would take the PT without complains but that morning they approached me and protested. The senior squad was confused and felt betrayed by what they had done. In the end, they quarreled among themselves.

What the senior squad did not understand was that later in that day five members from the junior squad were to participate in a shooting competition. They were worried that the tough PT and some physical punishments would affect their chances. Already signs were showing, 2 to 3 members suffered minor muscular strains.

I explained to the senior squad in this way :

I likened their PT lesson to a NORMAL classroom situation and the juniors' concern to a HORNET. The teacher and the students were sure that the lesson would benefit them and were eager to learn. In flew into the classroom, a Hornet, disturbing the class and its lessons. At that point I asked the seniors, what the teacher should do, "carry on with the lesson?" or "get rid of the Hornet?".

The seniors answered, "get rid of the Hornet." There and then, they understood the whole situation.

********************

Mary was a Secondary One student who was not well received by one of the boys, Jerry in her class. For some reasons, she felt small in front of Jerry and often felt insulted by his comments of her.

When Mary talked to me one day, she was already emotionally downcast because earlier on she had another confrontation with Jerry. I wanted to tell her to face people bravely and not be easily swayed by the comments made by them. Silently I prayed in my heart for wisdom… it was a delicate situation at that time.

I likened her to a wall and insults made by people, balls. I told her walls are strong and upright and when balls hit them, they bounced back at the person who throws them. I encouraged her to be a wall to withstand "balls" and not be easily affected. She understood.

Mary felt better after that and later wrote me a note thanking me and telling me that she will be a wall in the future and not only that, encourage her friends to be walls too! Guess what? Jerry and Mary become friends later. All Thanks be to God!

********************

I was trying to encourage my Library Student Committee to promote the library more aggressively. I told them to create a movement that would raise the awareness of the student population. I elaborated further by using an artificial flower on the table that we used.

I waved my hand violently near the flower and because of air current, the flower moved. Then, I told the committee that they were the heartbeat of the library, the hand and the student population, the flower. Unless, they moved, the student population would not be aware of the school library. They understood my point then.

********************

These were some of the "parables" that I used in school. Many a time, these came out of my mouth without much preparation and thinking and it often amazed me about the wonders of God and how He chose to use me. I have to rely on God for all these illustrations. I expect new parables from God to help my students … just because His mercies are new every morning!

All Glory be to God!

********************