Tuesday October 29th, 2019 Luke 18:9-14
He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous? (verse 9)
Many of us have a tendency to judge our own behaviour less harshly than we judge the behaviour of others. If we are lucky, a parent, friend, teacher, preacher or boss will help us to reconsider our skewed standards. How well we receive the message and whether or not we actually change our judgmental attitude has everything to do with how the message is given and who delivers it.
When I was a parent and teacher of school-aged children, I needed to deliver such messages. I learned quickly that a direct confrontational style rarely led to a desired change of behaviour. Instead, I adopted the more indirect method of redemptive storytelling as a strategy for transforming behaviour. Results were mixed.
My redemptive stories might have been inspired by Jesus’ parables, but they certainly weren’t on a par with his. There’s a richness of meaning to Jesus’ parables that we discover by re-reading and re-hearing them. There’s always something new to be learned. Jesus guides us to self-recognition, and then on to an understanding that changes of attitude and awareness are called for so that we can get with the kingdom of God program.
Transform us to be workers for your kingdom, Lord. Amen. — CKA
Contributed by Transforming behaviour
Many of us have a tendency to judge our own behaviour less harshly than we judge the behaviour of others. If we are lucky, a parent, friend, teacher, preacher or boss will help us to reconsider our skewed standards. How well we receive the message and whether or not we actually change our judgmental attitude has everything to do with how the message is given and who delivers it.
When I was a parent and teacher of school-aged children, I needed to deliver such messages. I learned quickly that a direct confrontational style rarely led to a desired change of behaviour. Instead, I adopted the more indirect method of redemptive storytelling as a strategy for transforming behaviour. Results were mixed.
My redemptive stories might have been inspired by Jesus' parables, but they certainly weren't on a par with his. There's a richness of meaning to Jesus' parables that we discover by re-reading and re-hearing them. There's always something new to be learned. Jesus guides us to self-recognition, and then on to an understanding that changes of attitude and awareness are called for so that we can get with the kingdom of God program.
