Lessonplan for Junior Secondary 2 (equivalent to middle school grade in some systems) covering the topic "Jesus' Teaching on the Mount/The Demand of the Kingdom."
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### Lesson Plan: Jesus' Teaching on the Mount / The Demand of the Kingdom
#### Grade: Junior Secondary 2
#### Subject: Christian Religious Studies
#### Duration: 60 minutes
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#### Objectives:
By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:
1. Understand the key messages of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount.
2. Identify the key demands of the Kingdom of God as taught by Jesus.
3. Apply the teachings to their own lives.
4. Discuss how these teachings impact Christian living today.
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#### Materials Needed:
- Bibles (preferably the New International Version or similar)
- Whiteboard and markers
- Handouts with excerpts from Matthew 5-7
- PowerPoint slides (optional)
- Notebooks and pens for students
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#### Introduction (10 minutes)
1. **Opening Prayer:** Begin with a short prayer asking for understanding and wisdom.
2. **Warm-up Activity:** Ask students to share what they know about the Sermon on the Mount or any favorite teaching of Jesus.
3. **Set the Scene:** Briefly explain the context of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) and its significance.
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#### Teaching (30 minutes)
1. **Scripture Reading (10 minutes):**
- Distribute handouts or have students read from their Bibles Matthew 5:1-12 (The Beatitudes).
- Discuss the setting: Jesus seeing the crowds and going up on a mountainside to teach his disciples and the gathered crowd.
2. **Key Teachings (10 minutes):**
- **The Beatitudes:** Discuss each of the Beatitudes briefly, focusing on what each statement means for Christians.
- **Christian Living:** Highlight other key teachings such as "Salt and Light" (Matthew 5:13-16), "Love for Enemies" (Matthew 5:43-48), and "Judging Others" (Matthew 7:1-5).
3. **The Demands of the Kingdom (10 minutes):**
- **Righteousness:** Explain Jesus' call for a higher standard of righteousness (Matthew 5:20).
- **Spiritual Disciplines:** Discuss the importance of prayer, fasting, and giving as outlined in Matthew 6.
- **Golden Rule:** Emphasize the teaching "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" (Matthew 7:12).
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#### Activity (15 minutes)
1. **Group Discussion:**
- Break students into small groups and assign each group a specific teaching from the Sermon on the Mount to discuss. Questions might include:
- What does this teaching mean?
- Why is it important?
- How can we apply it in our daily lives?
2. **Sharing Insights:**
- Have each group share their insights with the class.
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#### Conclusion (5 minutes)
1. **Summary:**
- Recap the key points of Jesus' teachings and the demands of the Kingdom.
2. **Reflection:**
- Encourage students to reflect on how they can incorporate these teachings in their own lives.
3. **Closing Prayer:**
- Close with a prayer asking for strength and guidance to live according to Jesus' teachings.
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#### Assessment:
- Participation in discussions and group activities.
- A short reflective essay (homework) on one of the teachings and how the student plans to apply it in their life.
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#### Homework:
- Reading Assignment: Matthew 5-7, and write a one-page reflection on the Beatitudes.
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This lesson plan aims to engage students in learning and reflecting on Jesus' foundational teachings, fostering both understanding and practical application.