Christian Religious Studies - Junior Secondary 3 - Persecution of the early believers: (c) persecution of the church by Saul. Acts 8:1-3;9:1-6

TERM: 1^ST TERM

WEEK: 9

CLASS: Junior Secondary School 3

AGE: 14 years

DURATION: 40 minutes

DATE:

SUBJECT: Christian Religious Knowledge

TOPIC: Persecution of the early believers: (c) persecution of the church by Saul. Acts 8:1-3;9:1-6.

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

1.) Give an account of the persecution of the church by Saul

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:

Persecution of the Church by Saul (Acts 8:1-3; 9:1-6)

Acts 8:1-3: Saul Persecutes the Church

After the martyrdom of Stephen, a great persecution arose against the church in Jerusalem. Saul, who would later become the Apostle Paul, was one of the primary instigators of this persecution. Saul approved of Stephen’s death and made it his mission to destroy the early Christian movement. He began to ravage the church, going from house to house, dragging off men and women, and putting them in prison. The believers were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria, but this scattering led to the spread of the gospel beyond Jerusalem. Despite the persecution, the church grew and flourished in new areas.

Acts 9:1-6: Saul’s Conversion

Saul's persecution of the church continued with zeal. He went to the high priest in Jerusalem and obtained letters that authorized him to arrest any followers of Jesus in the synagogues of Damascus, intending to bring them back to Jerusalem for punishment.

However, as Saul was traveling on the road to Damascus, a dramatic event occurred. A light from heaven suddenly shone around him, and he fell to the ground. He heard a voice saying, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" Saul asked, "Who are you, Lord?" The voice responded, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do."

The men traveling with Saul stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes, he could not see anything. His companions led him by the hand into Damascus, where he was blinded for three days, neither eating nor drinking.

Acts 9:7-9: Saul's Transformation

In Damascus, a disciple named Ananias received a vision from God, instructing him to go to Saul, who was praying and waiting for guidance. Ananias was hesitant, knowing of Saul’s reputation for persecuting Christians. However, God reassured Ananias, revealing that Saul was chosen to be His instrument to carry the name of Jesus to the Gentiles and kings, and to the people of Israel.

Ananias obeyed God’s command, went to Saul, and restored his sight. Saul was baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit. This marked the beginning of Saul’s transformation from a fierce persecutor of the church to one of its most passionate advocates.

(b) Moral Lessons

1. God’s Ability to Transform Lives – Saul, once a fierce enemy of the church, was radically transformed into Paul, one of Christianity’s greatest apostles. This teaches us that no one is beyond God’s grace and transformation. Even the most hostile individuals can be changed by the power of God.
2. The Persistence of God’s Plan – Despite intense persecution, the church continued to grow and spread. This shows that God’s plan for His church cannot be thwarted by human opposition. Persecution may cause temporary setbacks, but it ultimately serves to advance God's purpose.
3. The Role of Personal Encounter with Christ – Saul’s encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus was a turning point in his life. This teaches the importance of a personal encounter with Christ in one’s spiritual journey. It is not enough to know about Jesus; one must experience Him personally to be transformed.
4. God’s Sovereignty Over Persecution – God used Saul’s persecution of the church to spread the gospel to new regions, demonstrating His sovereignty. Even in the midst of suffering and opposition, God works for good, bringing about His purposes in ways that may not be immediately apparent.
5. Obedience and Courage in Following God’s Call – Ananias demonstrated obedience and courage in going to Saul, even though he feared for his life. This teaches the importance of trusting God’s guidance and following His call, even when it leads us into difficult or fearful situations.
6. Forgiveness and Reconciliation – Saul, who had been responsible for the persecution of many Christians, was shown mercy and forgiveness by God. Ananias, too, was willing to forgive and restore Saul. This highlights the Christian principles of forgiveness and reconciliation, no matter how severe the past wrongs may be.
7. The Importance of Prayer and Waiting on God – During his time of blindness, Saul spent three days praying, awaiting guidance. This teaches the importance of prayer, humility, and waiting on God’s direction, especially during times of crisis or when facing challenges in life.
8. The Church’s Resilience Under Persecution – The early church faced severe opposition, yet it not only survived but flourished and spread throughout the regions. This demonstrates the resilience of the church when it is rooted in God’s strength and purpose, even in the face of adversity.

EVALUATION:

1. How does Saul’s transformation from a persecutor of the church to an advocate of Christ demonstrate the power of God's grace and forgiveness?
2. In what ways did the early church’s response to persecution show that God's plan cannot be thwarted by opposition or suffering?
3. What role did Saul’s personal encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus play in his transformation, and how can this be applied to the spiritual growth of believers today?
4. How did Ananias’ obedience to God’s call, despite his fears, serve as an example for Christians in responding to God’s commands, even in difficult situations?
5. What does Saul’s blindness and time of prayer teach us about the importance of waiting on God for guidance during times of crisis or when making life-changing decisions?

CLASSWORK: As in evaluation

CONCLUSION: The teacher marks their books and commends them positively