Christian Religious Studies - Junior Secondary 2 - The crucifixion of Jesus

TERM: 3^RD TERM

WEEK: 6

CLASS: Junior Secondary School 2

AGE: 13 years

DURATION: 40 minutes

DATE:

SUBJECT: Christian Religious Knowledge

TOPIC: The Crucifixion of Jesus

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

1.) Give an account of the Crucifixion of Jesus

2.) State the significance of the Crucifixion of Jesus

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 CRUCIFIXION OF JESUS

Account of the Crucifixion of Jesus

The crucifixion of Jesus is one of the central events in the New Testament and is recorded in all four Gospels: Matthew 27:32-56, Mark 15:21-41, Luke 23:26-49, and John 19:17-37.

After being condemned by Pontius Pilate, Jesus was led to Golgotha, the place of the skull, where He was crucified alongside two criminals. The soldiers mocked Him, offering Him vinegar to drink, and they divided His garments among themselves, fulfilling the prophecy from Psalm 22:18. Above His head, they placed a sign that read, "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews," in three languages: Hebrew, Latin, and Greek, further mocking His claim to kingship.

During the crucifixion, Jesus endured immense physical and emotional suffering. He was offered vinegar mixed with gall, but He refused to drink it. While on the cross, He uttered seven final statements, including the words of forgiveness, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing" (Luke 23:34), and the cry of abandonment, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46).

The crucifixion lasted several hours, during which darkness fell over the land. At the moment of His death, the temple curtain was torn in two, signifying a new access to God through Jesus' sacrifice. Jesus' last words were, "It is finished" (John 19:30), indicating the completion of His mission. He then yielded His spirit, dying as the ultimate sacrifice for humanity's sins.

After His death, a Roman centurion recognized Jesus' innocence and declared, "Truly this was the Son of God" (Matthew 27:54). Jesus’ body was taken down from the cross by Joseph of Arimathea, wrapped in linen, and placed in a tomb, marking the conclusion of His earthly life.

Significance of the Crucifixion of Jesus

The crucifixion of Jesus holds profound theological and spiritual significance for Christians, encompassing several key themes:

1. Atonement for Sin: Jesus' crucifixion is central to the concept of atonement, as it represents the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of humanity. According to Christian doctrine, through His death, believers are offered forgiveness and reconciliation with God (Romans 5:8).
2. Fulfillment of Prophecy: The events surrounding the crucifixion fulfill numerous Old Testament prophecies regarding the suffering servant, such as those found in Isaiah 53. This establishes Jesus as the promised Messiah and affirms the continuity of God's redemptive plan throughout Scripture.
3. Demonstration of Love and Humility: Jesus' willingness to endure crucifixion exemplifies God's love for humanity. Philippians 2:8 highlights His humility, stating that He became obedient to death, even death on a cross, demonstrating the depths of His sacrificial love.
4. Victory over Sin and Death: The crucifixion is seen as a pivotal moment in the defeat of sin and death. By willingly dying, Jesus paved the way for His resurrection, which promises believers victory over sin and eternal life (1 Corinthians 15:55-57).
5. New Covenant: Jesus' death instituted a new covenant between God and humanity, based on grace and faith rather than the Law. This covenant signifies a transformative relationship with God, allowing believers to approach Him with confidence (Hebrews 10:19-22).

EVALUATION:

1. What events led to the crucifixion of Jesus, and how do the Gospel accounts differ in their descriptions of these events?
2. Analyze the significance of the phrase "It is finished" as spoken by Jesus during His crucifixion. What theological implications does this statement have?
3. Discuss the symbolism of the torn temple curtain at the moment of Jesus' death. How does this event relate to the concept of access to God in Christian theology?
4. In what ways does the crucifixion of Jesus fulfill Old Testament prophecies? Provide specific examples from the Gospels that illustrate this fulfillment.
5. Evaluate the role of Jesus' crucifixion in establishing the New Covenant between God and humanity. How does this New Covenant differ from the Old Covenant, and what are its implications for believers today

CLASSWORK: As in evaluation

CONCLUSION: The teacher marks their books and commends them positively