Christian Religious Studies - Junior Secondary 2 - The passion of Christ

TERM: 3^RD TERM

WEEK: 1

CLASS: Junior Secondary School 2

AGE: 13 years

DURATION: 40 minutes

DATE:

SUBJECT: Christian Religious Knowledge

TOPIC: The Passion of Christ

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

1.) Give an account of the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem

2.) Give reasons why Palm Sunday is celebrated

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.

THE PASSION OF CHRIST

The Triumphant Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem (Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-10, Luke 19:28-44, John 12:12-19)

The Triumphant Entry, celebrated on Palm Sunday, marks the occasion when Jesus entered Jerusalem just days before His crucifixion. As Jesus and His disciples approached Jerusalem, He sent two of them ahead to a nearby village to find a donkey and its colt, instructing them to untie and bring the animals to Him. He explained that if anyone asked why they were taking the animals, they were to reply that "the Lord needs them." This fulfilled the prophecy from Zechariah 9:9, which foretold that the Messiah would come "humble and riding on a donkey."

When Jesus mounted the donkey and began His journey into Jerusalem, large crowds gathered, laying their cloaks and palm branches on the road to honor Him. They joyfully praised God, shouting “Hosanna to the Son of David!” and “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” These expressions of praise symbolized the people's recognition of Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah and their hope for deliverance. However, as He neared the city, Jesus wept over Jerusalem, knowing that many of the same people praising Him would later turn against Him. This entry into Jerusalem was both a moment of celebration and foreshadowed His coming sacrifice.

Reasons Why Palm Sunday is Celebrated

Palm Sunday, the Sunday before Easter, commemorates Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem and marks the beginning of Holy Week. Here are some key reasons it is celebrated:

• Honoring Jesus as the Messiah: Palm Sunday celebrates Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem as the Messiah, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies. The crowd’s cries of “Hosanna” and their spreading of palm branches symbolize their acknowledgment of His kingship.
• Symbol of Peace and Humility: Jesus rode a donkey instead of a horse, symbolizing His role as the Prince of Peace rather than a military leader. Palm Sunday reminds Christians of Jesus’ humility and peaceful mission.
• Preparation for Holy Week: Palm Sunday marks the start of Holy Week, a time for Christians to reflect on Jesus’ final days, His sacrifice on the cross, and His resurrection. The celebration serves as a reminder of the upcoming events leading to Easter Sunday.
• Expression of Hope and Salvation: The joyous atmosphere of Palm Sunday, with shouts of "Hosanna," expresses hope for salvation. It invites believers to welcome Jesus into their lives, just as the people of Jerusalem welcomed Him.
• Encouragement to Reflect on Faith: Palm Sunday reminds believers of the importance of staying true to their faith. The crowd that praised Jesus on Palm Sunday later called for His crucifixion, prompting reflection on loyalty to Jesus, especially during times of hardship.

EVALUATION:

1. What specific instructions did Jesus give to His disciples regarding the donkey and its colt, and how do these instructions fulfill the prophecy in Zechariah 9:9?
2. What actions did the crowd take to honor Jesus during His entry into Jerusalem, and what significance do these actions have in the context of His messianic identity?
3. In what ways does the Triumphant Entry reflect both celebration and sorrow, particularly in relation to Jesus’ emotional response as He approached Jerusalem?
4. How does the manner in which Jesus entered Jerusalem (riding on a donkey) contrast with traditional expectations of a king, and what message does this convey about His mission?
5. What are the key reasons for celebrating Palm Sunday, and how do these reasons serve as a reminder for Christians in their faith journey?

CLASSWORK: As in evaluation

CONCLUSION: The teacher marks their books and commends them positively