Christian Religious Studies - Junior Secondary 3 - Fellowship in the early church

TERM: 1^ST TERM

WEEK: 3

CLASS: Junior Secondary School 3

AGE: 14 years

DURATION: 40 minutes

DATE:

SUBJECT: Christian Religious Knowledge

TOPIC: Fellowship in the early church

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

1.) Give an account of fellowship and togetherness in the early church

2.) Discuss the moral lessons of the fellowship and togetherness common in the early church

INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNIQUES: Identification, explanation, questions and answers, demonstration, story-telling, videos from source

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS: Recommended Christian Religious Knowledge textbooks for Junior Secondary School 3

INSTRUCTIONAL PROCEDURES:

NOTE

FELLOWSHIP IN THE EARLY CHURCH (Acts 2:41-47)

Following the events of Pentecost, when around 3,000 people were baptized and joined the community of believers, the early church established a strong sense of fellowship and unity. Acts 2:41-47 describes this unique togetherness among the early Christians. They devoted themselves to the apostles' teachings, learning about Jesus and His message, and to fellowship, sharing a close bond in faith.

The believers regularly broke bread together, which included sharing meals and observing the Lord’s Supper, and they prayed as a community, maintaining a deep sense of spiritual connection. Awe filled everyone as they witnessed the apostles performing miracles and signs, further affirming their faith.

This community of believers shared all they had with one another, selling their possessions and distributing the proceeds according to each person's need, so no one lacked anything. They met daily in the temple courts and in each other’s homes, where they ate together with glad and sincere hearts. Their lifestyle and generosity attracted the goodwill of the people around them, and the Lord continued to add to their numbers daily, growing the church as new people were saved.

MORAL LESSONS FROM THE FELLOWSHIP AND TOGETHERNESS SEEN IN THE EARLY CHURCH

1. Unity in Faith – The early church exemplifies the importance of coming together in faith, creating a strong, supportive community focused on shared beliefs and spiritual growth.
2. Generosity and Selflessness – The believers willingly shared their possessions and resources, teaching the value of generosity and putting the needs of others above personal gain.
3. Caring for One Another – By providing for those in need, the early church modeled compassion and a commitment to look after each member, ensuring no one was left in lack.
4. Consistency in Worship and Prayer – The regular gathering for prayer, worship, and learning demonstrates the importance of staying connected to God and each other through consistent spiritual practices.
5. Joy and Gratitude – The believers shared meals with glad and sincere hearts, showing that joy and gratitude are essential qualities for a harmonious and fulfilling community life.
6. Positive Influence and Growth – The early church’s lifestyle attracted others, highlighting how living out positive values and genuine fellowship can inspire and draw others to faith.
7. Commitment to Learning and Teaching – Their dedication to the apostles' teachings illustrates the value of continual learning, spiritual education, and teaching others in order to strengthen faith and understanding

EVALUATION:

1. How did the early church demonstrate unity, and what practices helped them maintain their togetherness in faith?
2. In what ways did the early Christians show generosity, and what impact did this have on the community?
3. Why was caring for one another a central part of the early church's fellowship, and how did this affect those in need?
4. How did the early believers’ consistency in worship, prayer, and learning contribute to their spiritual growth and sense of community?
5. What lessons can be drawn from the joy and gratitude shared by the early Christians, and how did this attitude impact their relationships with others?

CLASSWORK: As in evaluation

CONCLUSION: The teacher marks their books and commends them positively