Christian Religious Studies - Junior Secondary 3 - Selection of deacons (equitable distribution)

TERM: 1^ST TERM

WEEK: 6

CLASS: Junior Secondary School 3

AGE: 14 years

DURATION: 40 minutes

DATE:

SUBJECT: Christian Religious Knowledge

TOPIC: Selection of deacons (equitable distribution)

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

1.) Give an account of how the first set of deacons were selected

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:

NOTE

SELECTION OF DEACONS(equitable distribution)– Acts 6:1-7

In Acts 6:1-7, the early church faced a practical problem involving the equitable distribution of resources. As the number of believers increased, the Greek-speaking widows (Hellenists) were being neglected in the daily distribution of food, while the Hebrew-speaking widows were being adequately cared for. This led to murmuring among the Greek-speaking members.

To address this issue, the apostles recognized the need for a solution that would allow them to continue focusing on prayer and the ministry of the Word while ensuring that the daily needs of the church were met. They proposed that seven men be selected from among the believers to oversee the distribution of food and serve the community. These men were to be of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit, and wise.

The congregation was in agreement with this proposal, and they selected seven men, including Stephen, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus. The apostles then prayed for these men, laid hands on them, and officially appointed them as deacons. This allowed the apostles to remain focused on their primary calling while ensuring that the needs of all members were addressed in an equitable manner.

The selection of deacons resulted in the church experiencing continued growth. The Word of God spread, and many more people were added to the faith. This organizational decision helped maintain the unity of the church and ensured that both the spiritual and practical needs of the community were met.

Moral Lessons

1. Equitable Treatment and Fairness – The early church addressed the issue of unequal treatment, ensuring that all members, regardless of their background or language, were treated fairly. This teaches the importance of equity and fairness in meeting the needs of all members in a community.
2. Delegation and Shared Responsibility – The apostles delegated the responsibility of food distribution to seven men, allowing them to focus on prayer and ministry. This teaches the value of delegation and the importance of trusting others to share leadership responsibilities within a community.
3. Integrity and Spiritual Qualifications – The men chosen as deacons were required to have a good reputation, be full of the Holy Spirit, and be wise. This shows the importance of integrity and spiritual qualifications when selecting leaders in the church.
4. Unity in Decision-Making – The congregation was involved in the decision-making process, and the solution was accepted by the entire community. This highlights the importance of unity in decision-making and collective involvement in the life of the church.
5. Effective Organization for Growth – By establishing the office of deacons to handle practical needs, the church was able to focus on spiritual growth and outreach. This shows the importance of organization and structure within a community to support both spiritual and practical needs.
6. Addressing Practical Needs is Essential – The appointment of deacons to manage practical concerns such as food distribution emphasizes that addressing the tangible needs of the community is vital to maintaining harmony and health in the church.
7. Growth Through Service – The church's growth was directly linked to the equitable distribution of resources and the appointment of leaders to serve. This teaches that service and care for others often result in spiritual and numerical growth.

EVALUATION:

1. How did the apostles address the issue of unequal treatment in the early church, and what role did equity play in resolving the problem?
2. What does the delegation of responsibilities to deacons teach us about the importance of sharing leadership roles within a community?
3. Why were integrity, spiritual qualifications, and wisdom essential when selecting the seven deacons, and how does this relate to leadership in the church?
4. How did the involvement of the congregation in the decision-making process contribute to unity and harmony in the church?
5. What is the significance of addressing practical needs (like food distribution) in a church community, and how did this help support the spiritual growth and outreach of the early church?

CLASSWORK: As in evaluation

CONCLUSION: The teacher marks their books and commends them positively