Christian Religious Studies - Junior Secondary 1 - Call to repentance: John the Baptist; the prodigal son

TERM: 3^RD TERM

WEEK: 9

CLASS: Junior Secondary School 1

AGE: 12 years

DURATION: 40 minutes

DATE:

SUBJECT: Christian Religious Knowledge

TOPIC: Call to repentance: John the Baptist, the prodigal son

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

1.) Give an account of John the Baptist’s message of repentance

2.) Give an account of the prodigal’s son’s story of repentance

3.) State the moral lessons from the story of the prodigal son

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

JOHN THE BAPTIST

John the Baptist is a key figure in the New Testament known for his powerful message of repentance. He preached in the wilderness of Judea, calling people to prepare for the coming of the Messiah. His message emphasized the need for repentance, urging individuals to turn away from their sins and seek forgiveness from God. John baptized those who responded to his message in the Jordan River, symbolizing their commitment to change and their desire to cleanse themselves of past wrongdoing.

John's preaching was marked by a call to live righteous lives and produce “fruits worthy of repentance” (Matthew 3:8), indicating that true repentance involves a change in behavior and actions. He proclaimed the imminent arrival of Jesus, declaring Him as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29). John's baptism was a preparatory act for the coming of Christ, emphasizing the transformative power of repentance in establishing a relationship with God.

Account of the Prodigal Son’s Story of Repentance

The story of the Prodigal Son is a parable told by Jesus, found in Luke 15:11-32. In this parable, a younger son asks his father for his share of the inheritance and leaves home to spend it in a far country on reckless living. After squandering all his wealth, a severe famine strikes, and he finds himself in dire circumstances, working as a pig feeder and longing to eat the pods that the pigs were eating.

Realizing the gravity of his situation, the son comes to his senses and decides to return to his father, repenting for his actions. He plans to confess his sins, acknowledge that he is unworthy to be called a son, and request to be treated as a hired servant. As he approaches his home, his father sees him from a distance and runs to embrace him, demonstrating unconditional love and forgiveness. The father celebrates his return with a feast, symbolizing joy over the lost being found.

Moral Lessons from the Story of the Prodigal Son

• The Power of Repentance: The story emphasizes that genuine repentance involves recognizing one’s mistakes and taking the initiative to return to a place of grace and forgiveness. The son’s decision to return home signifies the importance of acknowledging wrongdoing and seeking reconciliation.
• Unconditional Love and Forgiveness: The father’s reaction upon seeing his son highlights the themes of unconditional love and forgiveness. It illustrates that no matter how far one strays, the love of a parent (or God) remains steadfast, ready to welcome back the repentant heart.
• Celebration of Restoration: The celebration that follows the son’s return signifies the joy in heaven over a sinner who repents. This teaches that every act of repentance is met with joy and acceptance, both from God and the community.
• The Danger of Self-Righteousness: The older son’s resentment towards the father’s celebration of the younger son’s return serves as a warning against self-righteousness. It reminds us that everyone has the capacity for error, and the focus should be on compassion rather than judgment.
• The Journey of Self-Discovery: The younger son’s journey illustrates that sometimes, one must go through trials and hardships to discover the value of home, family, and forgiveness. It teaches that personal growth often comes through difficult experiences and the willingness to change.

EVALUATION:   

1. Compare and contrast the themes of repentance in John the Baptist's message and the story of the Prodigal Son. How do both accounts illustrate the process of recognizing and turning away from sin?
2. In what ways do the characters of John the Baptist and the father in the Prodigal Son parable embody the principles of forgiveness and grace? Provide examples from both accounts.
3. Discuss the significance of baptism in John the Baptist's ministry and how it parallels the idea of restoration in the Prodigal Son's return home. What do both acts symbolize in the context of repentance?
4. How does the response of the father to the Prodigal Son reflect the themes of unconditional love and acceptance found in John the Baptist's call for repentance? What do these responses reveal about the nature of God?
5. Analyze the implications of "fruits worthy of repentance" as taught by John the Baptist in relation to the Prodigal Son's transformation after his return. How do both narratives emphasize the importance of changed behavior following repentance?

CLASSWORK: As in evaluation

CONCLUSION: The teacher marks their books and commends them positively