The Teaching of JesusSample

Intro to Parables: In Front of the Text

Although teaching in parables isn’t so common in Western cultures, using analogies is typical in every society. Let’s see if we can consider the value of this kind of communication today.

Using Analogies in Relationships

One of the ways that analogies can be used to power affect is in marriage communication. Some marriage renewal programs have couples use analogies to improve communication. One of the spouses is told to explain a problem to their spouse from their point of view. The other spouse is instructed to explain what they heard—to try to describe the feelings that their spouse expressed to them. However, they are told to use an analogy to do so.

Instead of responding to a spouse communicating a problem or concern with:

• “Yeah, ok.”
• “I heard you.”
• “I get it.”
• “I know.”
• “You’ve said that before already.”

… the spouse can respond with something like this:

• “From what I heard you say, the way I react makes you feel like an accused defendant undergoing severe cross examination.”

These analogical devices for communication can be very effective and don’t require someone to have highly trained or developed analytic skills. And yet, they can communicate a point clearly and concisely. Jesus was well aware of that—and used this method of communication often.