Christian Religious Studies - Junior Secondary 3 - Persecution of the early believer: arrest of Peter and John. Acts 3:1-44; 4:5-31

TERM: 1^ST TERM

WEEK: 7

CLASS: Junior Secondary School 3

AGE: 14 years

DURATION: 40 minutes

DATE:

SUBJECT: Christian Religious Knowledge

TOPIC: Persecution of the early believer: arrest of Peter and John. Acts 3:1-44; 4:5-31.

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

1.) Give an account of the arrest of Peter and John

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

PERSECUTION OF THE EARLY BELIEVERS:

Arrest of Peter and John (Acts 3:1-44; 4:5-31)

Acts 3:1-10: The Healing of the Lame Beggar

The account begins with Peter and John going to the temple in Jerusalem at the time of prayer. At the temple gate called Beautiful, they encountered a man who had been lame from birth, begging for alms. Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, told him, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk!” Peter helped the man to his feet, and he was instantly healed, leaping and praising God. This miraculous healing caused a great crowd to gather, astonished by what they had witnessed.

Acts 3:11-26: Peter’s Speech

Seeing the crowd, Peter took the opportunity to address them, explaining that the healing was not by his own power or godliness, but by the power of Jesus Christ, whom they had crucified but whom God had raised from the dead. He called on the people to repent and turn to God for the forgiveness of their sins, promising that Jesus would return to restore all things.

Acts 4:1-3: Peter and John Arrested

As Peter and John were speaking to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple guard, and the Sadducees came upon them. They were greatly disturbed that Peter and John were teaching the people and proclaiming the resurrection of the dead in Jesus’ name. The temple authorities arrested them and put them in jail until the next day, because it was already evening.

Acts 4:4-12: Peter’s Bold Defense

Despite their arrest, Peter and John’s message had made a powerful impact, as about 5,000 men came to believe in Jesus. The following day, they were brought before the rulers, elders, and teachers of the law. Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, boldly proclaimed that the healing of the lame man was done in the name of Jesus Christ, the one whom they had crucified but whom God had raised from the dead. Peter declared that salvation could only be found in Jesus Christ.

Acts 4:13-22: The Command to Stop Speaking

The religious leaders were astonished at Peter and John’s courage and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, but they had been with Jesus. Unable to find a way to punish them because of the public miracle, they threatened Peter and John and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. Peter and John replied that they could not stop speaking about what they had seen and heard.

Acts 4:23-31: The Prayer for Boldness

After their release, Peter and John went back to the other believers and reported all that had happened. The believers prayed for boldness to continue proclaiming the word of God despite the threats. They asked for God’s help in healing and performing miraculous signs and wonders in Jesus’ name. The place where they were gathered was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

Moral Lessons

1. Boldness in Proclaiming the Gospel – Despite being arrested and threatened, Peter and John boldly proclaimed the message of Jesus Christ. This teaches believers the importance of standing firm in their faith and sharing the gospel, regardless of the consequences or opposition.
2. Dependence on God’s Power – The healing of the lame beggar was not by Peter and John’s own strength but by the power of Jesus Christ. This highlights the need for believers to depend on God’s power, not their own, when serving and witnessing.
3. The Importance of Repentance and Salvation – Peter’s call to repentance and belief in Jesus for forgiveness of sins is a central message of the Christian faith. It teaches the importance of repentance and turning to Christ for salvation.
4. Faith in the Face of Persecution – Even when threatened, Peter and John did not back down. Their courage in the face of persecution serves as an example for believers to remain faithful, even under pressure, trusting in God’s protection and provision.
5. Unity in Prayer and Support – The early believers gathered together to pray for boldness and strength. This demonstrates the power of communal prayer and mutual support among believers in facing challenges and persecution.
6. God’s Sovereignty in Adversity – The believers acknowledged God’s sovereignty in their prayers, recognizing that the rulers and authorities were part of God’s plan. This teaches that even in times of persecution and adversity, God is in control and His purposes will prevail.
7. The Role of the Holy Spirit – The Holy Spirit filled Peter and John, empowering them to speak boldly and perform miracles. This underscores the vital role of the Holy Spirit in the life and ministry of believers.
8. Persistence in Faith – Despite opposition, the apostles did not stop preaching the gospel. This persistence teaches that believers must continue in their faith and mission, no matter the obstacles or challenges they may face.

EVALUATION:

1. How did Peter and John demonstrate boldness in proclaiming the gospel despite the threats and persecution they faced?
2. What does the healing of the lame beggar teach about the importance of relying on God's power rather than human strength?
3. Why is repentance and belief in Jesus Christ central to the message Peter and John shared, and how does this apply to our understanding of salvation today?
4. What can we learn from Peter and John’s response to persecution, and how can believers today maintain faith in the face of opposition?
5. How did the early church demonstrate the power of communal prayer and support in facing challenges, and why is unity important in times of persecution?

CLASSWORK: As in evaluation

CONCLUSION: The teacher marks their books and commends them positively