### Lesson Plan for Christian Religious Studies: Junior Secondary 2
**Topic:** The Passion - The Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem (Mark 11:1-11)
#### Learning Objectives:
- Understand the events leading up to and including Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem.
- Recognize the significance of this event in the context of Christian faith.
- Reflect on the themes of humility, prophecy, and kingship as depicted in the passage.
#### Required Materials:
- Bible (New Testament)
- Whiteboard and markers
- Printouts of Mark 11:1-11
- Projector and laptop (optional)
- Art supplies (colored pencils, paper, etc.)
#### Lesson Duration:
- 45 minutes to 1 hour
### Lesson Outline:
#### Introduction (10 minutes)
1. **Greeting and Prayer:**
- Open the lesson with a short prayer asking for understanding and illumination of the scripture.
2. **Review:**
- Briefly recap the previous lesson, which might have covered earlier events in Jesus’ ministry, to provide continuity.
- Introduce the topic: "The Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem."
3. **Hook:**
- Ask students what they imagine when they think of a "triumphal entry." Let them think about parades or grand entrances they have experienced or seen.
#### Body (25 minutes)
1. **Reading the Scripture:**
- Distribute printouts of Mark 11:1-11.
- Have a few students read the passage aloud, breaking it into manageable sections.
2. **Discussion:**
- **Contextual Understanding:**
- Discuss the cultural and historical context of the event.
- Who were the key characters? (Jesus, disciples, people of Jerusalem)
- What was the significance of Jerusalem at the time?
- **Symbolism of the Donkey:**
- Explain why Jesus riding on a donkey was significant. Refer to the prophecy in Zechariah 9:9.
- Compare it to royalty typically riding horses.
- **Crowd's Reaction:**
- Talk about the crowd's actions (spreading cloaks, waving palm branches, shouting "Hosanna").
- Explore the meaning behind "Hosanna" and how it reflects the people's expectations.
3. **Themes Exploration:**
- **Humility:**
- Highlight Jesus’ choice of riding a donkey as a symbol of peace and humility.
- **Prophecy:**
- Discuss the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies.
- **Kingship:**
- Reflect on Jesus being recognized as a king and what type of king he represents.
#### Activity (15 minutes)
1. **Group Work:**
- Divide students into small groups. Assign each group a specific theme (Humility, Prophecy, Kingship).
- Have each group create a short presentation or poster illustrating their theme with quotes from the passage, drawings, and explanations.
2. **Sharing:**
- Each group presents their work to the class. Encourage other students to ask questions or add comments.
#### Conclusion (5 minutes)
1. **Summary:**
- Recap the key points of the lesson: the triumphant entry, its symbolism, and its significance.
2. **Reflection:**
- Have students reflect on what this event teaches them about Jesus and how they can apply these lessons in their lives.
3. **Closing Prayer:**
- End the lesson with a prayer thanking God for the day's learning and asking for strength to emulate the humility and kingship of Jesus in their daily lives.
#### Homework:
- Assign students to write a short paragraph about what they would do if they were part of the crowd on that day and why.
#### Assessment:
- Evaluate students based on their participation in the group activity and the insightfulness of their reflections during the discussion.
- Review their homework for understanding and personal application of the lesson.
### Additional Notes:
- Ensure inclusivity in discussions, allowing each student a chance to participate.
- Adapt the lesson to accommodate different learning styles (visual, auditory, kinesthetic).
This structure should help students grasp the significance of the Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem in a thoughtful and engaging manner.