Christian Religious Studies - Junior Secondary 2 - Parables illustrating God's love

TERM: 2^ND TERM

WEEK: 3

CLASS: Junior Secondary School 2

AGE: 13 years

DURATION: 40 minutes

DATE:

SUBJECT: Christian Religious Knowledge

TOPIC: Parables illustrating God’s love

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

1.) Give an account of the parable of the prodigal son

2.) Enumerate the moral lessons

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.

PARABLES ILLUSTRATING GOD’S LOVE

Account of the Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32)

In the Parable of the Prodigal Son, Jesus tells the story of a father who has two sons. The younger son, dissatisfied with his life at home, asks his father for his share of the inheritance. The father grants his request and the younger son leaves home, traveling to a distant country where he squanders his wealth on reckless living.

After a severe famine strikes the land, the younger son finds himself in dire poverty and decides to seek work. He takes a job feeding pigs, a humiliating position for a Jewish man. In his desperation, he wishes he could eat the pods that the pigs are eating but is not given any. Realizing the depth of his situation, he comes to his senses and decides to return to his father, hoping to work as a hired servant.

As he approaches home, his father sees him from a distance and is filled with compassion. The father runs to embrace his son, welcoming him back without hesitation. The son confesses his mistakes, saying he is no longer worthy to be called a son. However, the father orders the servants to bring the best robe, put a ring on his finger, and prepare a feast to celebrate the return of his son.

Meanwhile, the older son, who has remained obedient and worked hard for his father, hears the celebration and becomes angry. He confronts his father, expressing his feelings of injustice for not receiving similar recognition for his loyalty. The father responds by reminding the older son that he has always been with him and that everything the father has belongs to him. The father explains that they must celebrate because the younger son was lost and is now found.

Moral Lessons from the Parable of the Prodigal Son

1. God’s Unconditional Love and Forgiveness: The father's unconditional love for his son, despite his mistakes, reflects God's infinite mercy and willingness to forgive those who repent.
2. Repentance and Redemption: The younger son’s journey illustrates the importance of recognizing one’s wrongs, seeking forgiveness, and the joy that comes with returning to God after straying.
3. The Value of Grace: The parable emphasizes that grace is not earned through works or loyalty but is freely given by the father to his son, symbolizing God’s grace to all, regardless of their past.
4. Jealousy and Self-Righteousness: The older son’s reaction highlights the dangers of jealousy and self-righteousness, reminding believers to be compassionate and understanding rather than resentful towards others who receive grace.
5. The Importance of Family and Community: The celebration of the son’s return underscores the significance of familial relationships and the communal joy that accompanies reconciliation and restoration.

EVALUATION:

1. What motivated the younger son to leave his father’s house and squander his inheritance, and what does this reveal about human nature?
2. Describe the turning point for the younger son that led him to return home. What does this indicate about the process of repentance?
3. How did the father’s reaction to his son’s return exemplify the concept of unconditional love and forgiveness?
4. What were the key differences in the responses of the younger and older sons to the father’s actions, and what moral lessons can be drawn from their contrasting behaviors?
5. In what ways does the Parable of the Prodigal Son highlight the importance of community and familial relationships in the context of forgiveness and celebration?

CLASSWORK: As in evaluation

CONCLUSION: The teacher marks their books and commends them positively