Christian Religious Studies - Junior Secondary 2 - Parables illustrating maturity and responsibility

TERM: 2^ND TERM

WEEK: 8

CLASS: Junior Secondary School 2

AGE: 13 years

DURATION: 40 minutes

DATE:

SUBJECT: Christian Religious Knowledge

TOPIC: Parables illustrating maturity and responsibility

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

1.) Give an account of the parable of talents and the parable of wise and foolish virgins

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 MATURITY AND RESPONSIBILITY

The Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30)
In this parable, Jesus tells the story of a wealthy man who, before going on a journey, entrusts his property to his servants. He gives one servant five talents, another two talents, and a third one talent, each according to their ability. The servant with five talents immediately invests and doubles his money, as does the servant with two talents. However, the servant with one talent, out of fear, hides his master's money in the ground. When the master returns, he praises the first two servants for their productivity and rewards them, inviting them to share in his joy. The third servant, however, is rebuked for his laziness and fear, and his talent is taken from him and given to the one with ten talents. The master warns that to those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance, while those who fail to use what they are given will lose even what they have.

The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13)
This parable describes ten virgins waiting for a bridegroom to arrive. They each bring lamps, but only five of them are wise enough to bring extra oil, while the other five are foolish and bring only the oil in their lamps. As they wait, they all fall asleep, but at midnight, a cry announces the arrival of the bridegroom. The wise virgins, with their extra oil, quickly prepare their lamps, while the foolish ones realize their lamps are going out and ask to borrow oil from the others. The wise virgins, unable to share their oil, advise the foolish virgins to buy more oil. While the foolish virgins are away, the bridegroom arrives, and the prepared virgins join him for the wedding banquet, while the door is shut on the others. When the foolish virgins return and ask to enter, the bridegroom replies that he does not know them. Jesus concludes the parable with a warning to stay alert, as no one knows the day or hour of His return.

Moral Lessons from Both Parables

From the Parable of the Talents:

1. Stewardship and Accountability: God has entrusted everyone with talents, resources, and opportunities, expecting responsible use and fruitful results.
2. Diligence and Initiative: Faithful servants take action to improve upon what they have been given, showing that productive effort is part of good stewardship.
3. Consequences of Fear and Laziness: The third servant’s failure due to fear and inactivity is a reminder of the consequences of failing to utilize God-given potential.
4. Reward and Judgment: The parable emphasizes that faithful service will be rewarded, while neglect or misuse of gifts will lead to judgment and loss.
5. Growth through Use: When talents are used effectively, they grow and bring more opportunities and responsibilities.

From the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins:

1. Importance of Preparedness: This parable underscores the importance of spiritual readiness and planning for the future.
2. Self-Reliance in Faith: Each person must cultivate their own spiritual resources; faith, like oil, cannot be borrowed from others.
3. Watchfulness: Jesus emphasizes the need for vigilance and awareness of the uncertain timing of His return.
4. The Cost of Negligence: The foolish virgins’ lack of preparation led to their exclusion, warning that neglect in spiritual life has serious consequences.
5. Responsibility for One’s Own Salvation: Just as the wise virgins took responsibility to ensure they were ready, each individual is responsible for their spiritual state

EVALUATION:

1. In the Parable of the Talents, what was the master’s response to the servant who hid his talent, and what lesson does this teach about using one’s abilities?
2. How do the actions of the wise virgins in the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins illustrate the importance of personal responsibility in one’s spiritual life?
3. What are the consequences of fear and inactivity as seen in the actions of the third servant in the Parable of the Talents?
4. Explain the significance of preparedness as illustrated in the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins. Why couldn’t the wise virgins share their oil with the foolish ones?
5. How does the Parable of the Talents emphasize the concept of stewardship and accountability, and what rewards are promised to faithful servants?

CLASSWORK: As in evaluation

CONCLUSION: The teacher marks their books and commends them positively