Christian Religious Studies - Junior Secondary 2 - Parables of the Kingdom

TERM: 2^ND TERM

WEEK: 4

CLASS: Junior Secondary School 2

AGE: 13 years

DURATION: 40 minutes

DATE:

SUBJECT: Christian Religious Knowledge

TOPIC: Parables of the kingdom

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

1.) Give an account of the parable of the sower and of the wheat and tares

2.) Give the interpretation of the parables

3.) Enumerate the moral lessons from both parables

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 OF THE KINGDOM

The Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23)

In this parable, Jesus describes a sower who went out to sow seeds. As he scattered the seeds, they fell on different types of ground:

• The Path: Some seeds fell along the path, and birds came and ate them up.
• Rocky Ground: Some fell on rocky ground where there wasn't much soil. They sprang up quickly but withered away because they had no roots.
• Thorns: Other seeds fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants.
• Good Soil: Finally, some seeds fell on good soil and produced a crop, yielding thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times what was sown.

Later, Jesus explains the meaning of the parable to His disciples. The seeds represent the word of God, and the different types of soil symbolize the various responses of people to that word:

• Path: Represents those who hear the message but do not understand it, allowing the evil one to snatch it away.
• Rocky Ground: Represents those who receive the word with joy but fall away when faced with trouble or persecution because they lack deep roots.
• Thorns: Represents those who hear the word but are choked by the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches.
• Good Soil: Represents those who hear the word, understand it, and produce fruit through perseverance.

The Parable of the Wheat and Tares (Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43)

In this parable, Jesus tells the story of a farmer who sows good seed in his field. However, while everyone was asleep, an enemy came and sowed tares (weeds) among the wheat. When the plants began to grow, the servants noticed the tares and asked the farmer if they should pull them up. The farmer replied that they should let both grow together until the harvest. At that time, the harvesters would gather the tares first to be burned and then gather the wheat into the barn.

Later, Jesus explains that the farmer is the Son of Man, the field is the world, the good seeds represent the children of the kingdom, and the tares represent the children of the evil one. The harvest signifies the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels who will separate the wicked from the righteous.

Interpretation of the Parables

• The Parable of the Sower: This parable illustrates the different ways people respond to the message of the Gospel. It emphasizes that the condition of a person’s heart determines how well they receive and act upon God’s word.
• The Parable of the Wheat and Tares: This parable reveals the coexistence of good and evil in the world. It teaches that, while evil may be present among the good, ultimate judgment and separation will come at the end of the age. It also assures believers that God is aware of the situation and will take action at the appropriate time.

Moral Lessons from Both Parables

• Receptiveness to God’s Word: The Parable of the Sower encourages self-examination of how one receives and responds to God’s word. It challenges individuals to cultivate a heart that is receptive, understanding, and fruitful.
• Persistence and Growth: The different outcomes of the seeds highlight the importance of perseverance in faith. Those who remain steadfast in their faith will ultimately bear fruit.
• Good and Evil Coexist: The Parable of the Wheat and Tares reminds believers that good and evil will coexist in the world until the end of time. It encourages patience and trust in God’s timing for ultimate justice.
• Judgment and Reward: Both parables convey that there will be a time of reckoning. The faithful will be rewarded, while the unfaithful will face judgment, emphasizing the importance of living according to God’s principles.
• Importance of Community: The wheat and tares metaphor underscores the significance of community, reminding believers to support one another in their spiritual journeys, even amidst challenges and distractions.

EVALUATION:

1. Describe the four types of soil mentioned in the Parable of the Sower and explain what each type represents in relation to people's responses to the Gospel.
2. In the Parable of the Wheat and Tares, what is the significance of allowing both wheat and tares to grow together until the harvest, and what does this teach us about the presence of good and evil in the world?
3. Reflect on your own life and identify which type of soil you relate to most from the Parable of the Sower. What steps can you take to cultivate a more receptive heart towards God’s word?
4. What is the role of the harvesters in the Parable of the Wheat and Tares, and what does this symbolize about God’s judgment at the end of the age?
5. How do the moral lessons from both parables emphasize the importance of community and support among believers in their spiritual journeys? Provide examples of how this can be practiced in a modern context.

CLASSWORK: As in evaluation

CONCLUSION: The teacher marks their books and commends them positively