Christian Religious Studies - Junior Secondary 3 - Fraud in the church

Fraud in the church

Get it on Google Play
Get it on the Apple App Store
  1. Home
  2. Comprehensive Lesson Plan and Notes
  3. Junior Secondary 3
  4. Fraud in the church

TERM: 1ST TERM

WEEK: 4

CLASS: Junior Secondary School 3

AGE: 14 years

DURATION: 40 minutes

DATE:

SUBJECT: Christian Religious Knowledge

TOPIC: Fraud in the church

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

1.) Give an account of the fraud in the early church

2.) Discuss the moral lessons from the account

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:

PRESENTATION

TEACHER’S ACTIVITY

PUPIL’S ACTIVITY

STEP 1

Review

The teacher revises the previous lesson

Learners pay attention

STEP 2

Introduction

She then introduces the new topic by giving an account of the fraud in the early church

Learners pay attention and participate

STEP 3

Explanation

She further discusses the moral lessons of the fraud in the church

Learners pay attention and participate

STEP 4

NOTE TAKING

The teacher writes a short note on the board for the learners to copy

The learners copy the note from the board

 

NOTE

FRAUD IN THE CHURCH (Acts 5:1-11)

In Acts 5:1-11, a couple named Ananias and Sapphira committed fraud within the early church community. At this time, many believers were selling their possessions and laying the proceeds at the apostles' feet for distribution, so that no one in the church community would lack anything. Ananias and Sapphira sold a piece of property but secretly kept back part of the money for themselves while pretending to donate the entire amount to the church.

When Ananias brought the money to the apostles, Peter, through the revelation of the Holy Spirit, confronted him, saying that he had lied not just to people but to God. Peter pointed out that Ananias was free to decide what to do with his property and money, but by lying about his actions, he had tested the Spirit of the Lord. As a result, Ananias fell down and died instantly, bringing great fear upon all who heard of the incident.

Later, Sapphira came in, unaware of what had happened to her husband. Peter questioned her about the amount they had received for the land, and she confirmed the false amount. Peter again rebuked her for conspiring to deceive the church and lie to God. Sapphira also fell down and died, and she was buried alongside her husband. This event left a profound impact on the early church, instilling a sense of reverence and fear for God’s holiness.

(b) Moral Lessons from the Account

  1. Honesty and Integrity – This account emphasizes the importance of being truthful, especially in matters involving God and the community. Dishonesty, particularly when it misrepresents one’s intentions or actions, is seen as a serious offense.
  2. Accountability to God – Ananias and Sapphira’s actions show that all actions are ultimately accountable to God, who knows the true intentions of the heart. The story underscores that we cannot deceive God, even if we deceive others.
  3. Consequences of Sin – The swift judgment on Ananias and Sapphira demonstrates that there are serious consequences for sin, especially when it disrupts the unity and purity of the faith community.
  4. Respect for Sacred Commitments – When offering gifts or making promises to God, it is important to follow through sincerely. Respecting one’s commitments to God and the community is crucial for maintaining trust and faithfulness.
  5. Fear and Reverence for God – The early church learned to approach God with a deeper reverence, recognizing His holiness. This sense of awe promotes a healthy respect for God’s standards and encourages believers to live uprightly.
  6. Integrity in Community – This account highlights the need for integrity within the church community, as the actions of individuals affect the entire body

 

EVALUATION:

  1. Why was honesty and integrity important in the early church community, and what did Ananias and Sapphira’s actions reveal about the consequences of dishonesty?
  2. How does the story of Ananias and Sapphira highlight the concept of accountability to God for one’s actions?
  3. What does this account teach about the potential consequences of sin within a faith community?
  4. Why is it important to respect and fulfill sacred commitments, especially those made to God and the church?
  5. How did the deaths of Ananias and Sapphira instill a sense of fear and reverence for God among the early believers, and why is this reverence essential in maintaining community integrity?

CLASSWORK: As in evaluation

CONCLUSION: The teacher marks their books and commends them positively