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

TERM: 2^ND TERM

WEEK: 9

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 the rich fool and faithful and unfaithful servants

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

Account of the Parable of the Rich Fool (Luke 12:16-21)
In this parable, Jesus tells the story of a wealthy man whose land yields an abundant harvest. Faced with the problem of insufficient storage, he decides to tear down his barns and build bigger ones to store all his grain and goods. Satisfied with his wealth, he tells himself he can now “eat, drink, and be merry” for years to come. However, God speaks to him that very night, calling him a fool and declaring that his life will be taken from him. Jesus concludes by warning that storing up earthly wealth without being “rich toward God” is ultimately futile.

Account of the Parable of the Faithful and Unfaithful Servants (Luke 12:35-48)
In this parable, Jesus describes a master who goes away to a wedding feast, leaving his servants to watch over his household. The faithful servant stays vigilant, eagerly awaiting the master’s return so that he can immediately open the door for him. When the master arrives and finds the servant attentive, he rewards the servant by putting him in charge of all his possessions. However, Jesus also describes the unfaithful servant who assumes the master is delayed, and so he mistreats others and lives irresponsibly. When the master returns unexpectedly, he punishes the unfaithful servant. Jesus warns that those given much responsibility will be held to a higher standard and must remain watchful and ready.

Moral Lessons from Both Parables

1. The Futility of Material Wealth (Rich Fool): The Rich Fool parable teaches that material wealth is temporary and cannot secure a person’s future. True richness is found in being "rich toward God," focusing on spiritual values rather than earthly possessions.
2. Responsibility in Stewardship (Faithful Servant): Both parables emphasize the importance of responsible stewardship over what God has entrusted to each person. The faithful servant’s diligence reflects an attitude of respect and accountability.
3. The Need for Readiness: Jesus highlights the importance of remaining spiritually vigilant, as no one knows when they will be called to account or when God will return.
4. Consequences of Self-Centeredness: In both parables, self-centered attitudes lead to negative consequences. The Rich Fool focused on his comfort and ignored God’s purpose, while the unfaithful servant disregarded his responsibilities to serve others.
5. Judgment According to Responsibility: In the Faithful and Unfaithful Servants parable, Jesus teaches that those who are entrusted with greater responsibility will be judged more strictly, encouraging self-awareness and dedication.

EVALUATION:

1. What was the rich man’s response to his abundant harvest, and why did God call him a “fool”?
2. In the Parable of the Rich Fool, what is meant by being “rich toward God”?
3. How does the faithful servant in the parable demonstrate vigilance and responsibility in the absence of his master?
4. According to the parables, what are the consequences of self-centeredness and failing to fulfill one's responsibilities?
5. How does Jesus illustrate the importance of being spiritually prepared, as shown in the parables of the Rich Fool and the Faithful and Unfaithful Servants?

CLASSWORK: As in evaluation

CONCLUSION: The teacher marks their books and commends them positively