Christian Religious Studies - Junior Secondary 2 - Jesus and His family

TERM: 1^ST TERM

WEEK: 4

CLASS: Junior Secondary School 2

AGE: 13 years

DURATION: 40 minutes

DATE:

SUBJECT: Christian Religious Knowledge

TOPIC: Jesus and His family

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

1.) Mention the names of Jesus’ brothers

2.) Discuss Jesus’ early life; Obeying His parents- Luke 2:41-52 and attending synagogue school

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

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS: Recommended Christian Religious Knowledge textbooks for Junior Secondary School 2

INSTRUCTIONAL PROCEDURES:

NOTE.

JESUS AND HIS FAMILY

Names of Jesus' Brothers

According to the New Testament, specifically in the Gospels of Matthew and Mark, Jesus had four brothers named James, Joseph (also referred to as Joses), Simon, and Judas (often referred to as Jude). These names are mentioned in Matthew 13:55 and Mark 6:3, where it is stated:

• James: Often considered a leader in the early Christian church and traditionally thought to be the author of the Epistle of James.
• Joseph (Joses): Less is known about him, but he is included in the list of Jesus’ brothers.
• Simon: Another brother mentioned, though not much is detailed about his life.
• Judas (Jude): Traditionally thought to be the author of the Epistle of Jude in the New Testament.

Jesus’ Early Life: Obeying His Parents (Luke 2:41-52) and Attending Synagogue School

In Luke 2:41-52, we find an account of Jesus’ early life that highlights His obedience to His parents and His early engagement with religious teachings:

• Obeying His Parents: The passage describes how Jesus' family would travel to Jerusalem every year for the Feast of Passover. At the age of twelve, after attending the festival, Jesus stayed behind in the temple without His parents’ knowledge. When Mary and Joseph realized He was missing, they returned to Jerusalem to find Him. After three days of searching, they found Him in the temple, discussing matters with teachers. Jesus expressed His deep understanding of His mission, stating, “Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” (Luke 2:49). Despite this, He returned with them to Nazareth and continued to obey them, demonstrating His respect for parental authority.
• Attending Synagogue School: While the text does not specifically mention Jesus attending a formal school, it implies that His engagement with the religious teachers in the temple showcases His education in Jewish law and scriptures. At a young age, He exhibited wisdom and understanding beyond what would be expected of a typical twelve-year-old. This experience indicates that Jesus was exposed to the teachings of the Jewish faith and the practices of His culture, which were integral to His development and later ministry.

EVALUATION:

1. What are the names of Jesus’ brothers as recorded in Matthew 13:55 and Mark 6:3? Discuss the significance of each brother in the early Christian context.
2. In Luke 2:41-52, how does Jesus’ interaction with His parents demonstrate His understanding of familial authority and His mission? What lessons can be drawn from this account regarding the relationship between children and parents?
3. What does Luke 2:41-52 reveal about Jesus’ education in Jewish law and culture? How does His discussion with the teachers in the temple at a young age highlight His early wisdom and understanding?
4. How did the annual pilgrimage to Jerusalem for the Feast of Passover contribute to Jesus’ religious education and understanding of His identity as the Messiah?
5. How do the references to Jesus' brothers in the Gospels reflect the dynamics of His family life? Discuss the impact of their names and roles on the early Christian community and their relevance in the context of Jesus’ ministry.

CLASSWORK: As in evaluation

CONCLUSION: The teacher marks their books and commends them positively