Center for Creative Ministry A research organization and research center for Seventh-day Adventist pastors and their congregations
Teaching Disciples: Part 1
Graphic recording artist Belinda Jackson, through her consulting firm Picture It Possible, strives to remove learning barriers. She believes that utilizing graphic renderings of words and data anchors the brain and helps it form pathways to better accomplish the goal(s) represented. People can more easily transition from idea to action.
Although Jackson’s approach to conveying business concepts is innovative, the idea of visualized storytelling is beginning to appear across many learning environments.
For example, The Bible Project produces animated videos that make the Bible approachable and transformative, tying together its stories into one unified story that reveals Jesus.
And Jesus knew the power of visualization.
Throughout the gospels we see that Jesus ceaselessly painted pictures with parables. It should have been easy enough for the disciples to grasp the messages, but because of their preconceived and erroneous beliefs about the role of the Messiah, they blinded themselves to Jesus’ parables and requested clarification from the Master Storyteller (Mark 4:33-34).
Imagine Jesus’ exasperation when He replied, “Don’t you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable?” (Mark 4:10-13 NIV)
Even the miracles He performed did not alter their perception of the Messiah.
We are told in Mark 8:31-33 that Jesus spoke plainly about His fast-approaching death, and yet the disciples did not believe Him!
It could be said that they just weren’t listening.
Maybe they were just visual learners.
Maybe they just needed to see Jesus standing beside Moses and Elijah while hearing God’s voice proclaim, “This is my Son, Whom I love. Listen to Him!”
What a preview of the Second Coming! Not only did they witness Jesus standing with someone who died in faith (Moses) and a faithful follower who never tasted death (Elijah), but they heard God clearly instruct them to follow Jesus!
Unfortunately, shortly after the Transfiguration, they still didn’t understand Jesus’ second prediction regarding His impending death (Mark 9:30).
Eventually, most of them would come to understand the truth after Christ exited the grave, but still some (like Thomas) doubted until they saw Him face-to-face.
“Jesus said to him, ‘Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed’ (John 20:29 NKJV).”
We have the benefit of the fulfilled prophecies and eyewitness accounts recorded within the Bible. Will we listen to God’s Word?
For Reflection
Connecting: Think of the Second Coming. What are the first visual thoughts that come to mind?
Sharing: What will the dead in Christ look like at the Second Coming?
- They will be raised in their pre-death bodily form
- It will be a figurative raising as it’s only the souls that will rise
- The bits of DNA that are left will come together somehow
- They will be in their new, perfected bodies
- Bright light
- Other:
Applying: Consider how you can turn Bible stories into a visual medium. If you feel comfortable doing so, try presenting a visual medium of your favorite Bible story to a small group of people. You may check out The Bible Project and Pastor Ivor Myers’ Photo-Theology.
Valuing: How does seeing how the disciples’ struggle to grasp God’s truth – despite walking with Jesus – give you hope and comfort, or inspire you?
~ Stefani Leeper
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