Christian Religious Studies - Junior Secondary 2 - Parables illustrating concern for others

TERM: 2^ND TERM

WEEK: 7

CLASS: Junior Secondary School 2

AGE: 13 years

DURATION: 40 minutes

DATE:

SUBJECT: Christian Religious Knowledge

TOPIC: Parables illustrating concern for others

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

1.) Give an account of the parable of the good Samaritan and the rich man and Lazarus

2.) 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 ILLUSTRATING CONCERN FOR OTHERS

Account of the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)

In this parable, a lawyer asks Jesus how to inherit eternal life. Jesus responds by asking what the law says, and the lawyer answers, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind, and love your neighbor as yourself.” Seeking clarification, the lawyer then asks, “Who is my neighbor?”

In response, Jesus tells the story of a man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho who is attacked by robbers, beaten, and left half-dead. A priest passes by and sees him but chooses to walk on the other side of the road, as does a Levite who also sees the injured man and continues without helping. Finally, a Samaritan—a group often despised by Jews—sees the man, has compassion, and takes care of him. The Samaritan tends to his wounds, places him on his donkey, and brings him to an inn, paying the innkeeper to look after him and promising to cover any additional expenses.

Jesus concludes by asking which of the three was a neighbor to the injured man, to which the lawyer responds, “The one who showed mercy.” Jesus then tells him, “Go and do likewise.”

Account of the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31)

In this parable, Jesus tells the story of a rich man who lives in luxury, ignoring the needs of a poor man named Lazarus who sits at his gate, covered in sores and longing for scraps from the rich man's table. Eventually, both men die. Lazarus is carried by angels to Abraham’s side (a place of comfort in the afterlife), while the rich man ends up in Hades, a place of torment.

From Hades, the rich man looks up and sees Lazarus with Abraham. He calls out for mercy, asking Abraham to send Lazarus to dip his finger in water to cool his tongue. However, Abraham reminds him that during his lifetime, he had good things while Lazarus suffered, and now the roles are reversed. Additionally, there is a great chasm preventing anyone from crossing between the two realms. The rich man then begs Abraham to send Lazarus to warn his brothers, so they won’t end up in torment as well. Abraham replies that they have Moses and the Prophets to guide them, and if they won’t listen to them, they wouldn’t listen even if someone rose from the dead.

Moral Lessons from Both Parables

1. Compassion and Mercy: The Good Samaritan teaches the importance of compassion, showing that true love for others extends beyond societal or religious boundaries. The Samaritan’s actions highlight that being a “neighbor” means showing kindness to anyone in need.
2. Responsibility to Help Others: Both parables emphasize our responsibility to help those who are suffering or in need. The priest, Levite, and rich man ignored those around them, resulting in condemnation. The parables remind us not to neglect others, especially when we have the means to help.
3. Love Beyond Prejudice: The Samaritan’s actions illustrate the importance of setting aside prejudice and stereotypes, as he helped a Jew despite the enmity between Jews and Samaritans. Jesus teaches that compassion should overcome cultural or social divisions.
4. Materialism vs. Eternal Values: The Rich Man and Lazarus parable serves as a warning against materialism, showing that wealth and comfort in life don’t guarantee eternal security. It calls for prioritizing spiritual and eternal values over material possessions.
5. Accountability and Consequences: The rich man’s fate in the afterlife illustrates the idea of accountability. Our actions—or lack of action—towards others carry consequences, and ignoring the needs of others can lead to regret and judgment.
6. Listening to God’s Word: Abraham’s response to the rich man underscores the importance of heeding God’s word, as revealed through scripture, rather than seeking additional signs. It reinforces the call to live faithfully, guided by God’s teachings, to secure eternal life.

EVALUATION:

1. What was the lawyer’s initial question to Jesus, and how did Jesus respond to it?
2. What actions did the priest, the Levite, and the Samaritan each take when they saw the injured man on the road?
3. Why was it significant that a Samaritan helped the injured man rather than a priest or a Levite?
4. What lesson did Jesus aim to teach the lawyer with the parable, and how did the lawyer respond to Jesus' final question?
5. What does this parable suggest about the concept of 'neighbor,' and how should it influence our behavior towards others?

CLASSWORK: As in evaluation

CONCLUSION: The teacher marks their books and commends them positively