Christian Religious Studies - Junior Secondary 1 - Call to repentance: Paul and David

TERM: 3^RD TERM

WEEK: 8

CLASS: Junior Secondary School 1

AGE: 12 years

DURATION: 40 minutes

DATE:

SUBJECT: Christian Religious Knowledge

TOPIC: Call to repentance: Paul and David

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES: At the end of the lesson, the learners should be able to

1.) Give an account of Paul’s repentance

2.) Give an account of the Ninevites’ repentance

3.) State the moral lessons in both accounts

INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNIQUES: Identification, explanation, questions and answers, demonstration, story-telling, videos from source

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS: Recommended Christian Religious Knowledge textbooks for Junior Secondary School 1

INSTRUCTIONAL PROCEDURES:

NOTE

CALL TO REPENTANCE

Paul’s Repentance

The account of Paul’s repentance is primarily found in the New Testament, particularly in the Book of Acts (Acts 9:1-19). Initially known as Saul of Tarsus, Paul was a zealous Pharisee who persecuted early Christians, believing he was upholding the Jewish faith. His transformation began on the road to Damascus, where he encountered a blinding light and heard the voice of Jesus asking, “Saul, why are you persecuting me?” This experience led to his temporary blindness.

After three days, God sent Ananias to restore Paul’s sight. Upon regaining his vision, Paul was baptized, marking his repentance and commitment to following Jesus. He became a fervent advocate for Christianity, spreading the Gospel and establishing churches throughout the Roman Empire. His life exemplifies a profound transformation from a persecutor of Christians to one of the faith's most influential apostles.

The Ninevites’ Repentance

The account of the Ninevites’ repentance is found in the Book of Jonah (Jonah 3:1-10). Jonah, a prophet of God, was initially reluctant to preach to Nineveh, a city known for its wickedness. After a series of events, including being swallowed by a great fish, Jonah finally obeyed God and delivered a warning to the Ninevites, proclaiming that their city would be overthrown in forty days due to their evil ways.

To Jonah’s surprise, the Ninevites believed God’s message, declared a fast, and donned sackcloth as a sign of their repentance. Even the king of Nineveh issued a decree calling for the entire city to turn from their wickedness and seek God’s mercy. Their sincere repentance led God to relent and spare the city from destruction, demonstrating His compassion and willingness to forgive.

Moral Lessons

• Transformation and New Beginnings: Both accounts illustrate that true repentance can lead to profound transformation. Paul’s drastic change from persecutor to apostle shows that no one is beyond redemption. The Ninevites’ collective change of heart emphasizes the possibility of change regardless of past actions.
• Importance of Obedience: Paul’s obedience to God’s calling after his encounter with Jesus serves as a reminder that responding to God’s instructions is vital for fulfilling His purpose. The Ninevites’ swift response to Jonah’s message highlights the significance of heeding warnings and acting accordingly.
• God’s Mercy and Forgiveness: Both narratives emphasize God’s readiness to forgive those who sincerely repent. Paul’s acceptance into the Christian community and God’s mercy towards the Ninevites reveal that God desires a relationship with all people, offering grace to those who seek it.
• Impact of Repentance on Community: The Ninevites’ repentance illustrates that collective actions can lead to communal restoration. Similarly, Paul’s ministry had a ripple effect, influencing many individuals and communities in spreading the Gospel.

EVALUATION:   

1. Describe the transformation that Paul underwent after his encounter on the road to Damascus. What were the key events that marked this change?
2. How did the Ninevites respond to Jonah’s warning, and what actions did they take to demonstrate their repentance?
3. Compare and contrast the motivations behind Paul’s initial actions as a persecutor of Christians and the Ninevites’ response to their wickedness. What does this reveal about human nature and the potential for change?
4. In what ways do the accounts of Paul’s and the Ninevites’ repentance illustrate the concept of God’s mercy? Provide examples from each story that highlight this theme.
5. What moral lessons can be drawn from the accounts of repentance of Paul and the Ninevites, and how can these lessons be applied to contemporary issues of forgiveness and redemption in today’s society?

CLASSWORK: As in evaluation

CONCLUSION: The teacher marks their books and commends them positively