Christian Religious Studies - Junior Secondary 3 - The Christian missionary journey

TERM: 2^ND TERM

WEEK: 2

CLASS: Junior Secondary School 3

AGE: 14 years

DURATION: 40 minutes

DATE:

SUBJECT: Christian Religious Knowledge

TOPIC: The Christian missionary journey

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

1.) Give an account of the first missionary journey of Paul

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

THE CHRISTIAN MISSIONARY JOURNEY

The First Missionary Journey of Paul (Acts 13:1-14:28)

Paul’s first missionary journey marks the beginning of his extensive evangelistic work throughout the Roman Empire. This journey, described in Acts 13-14, took place around 47-48 AD and was a key moment in the spread of Christianity among the Gentiles.

1. The Call and Sending Out (Acts 13:1-3): The church in Antioch, a major Christian center, was led by prophets and teachers. Among them were Paul (Saul) and Barnabas. While they were fasting and praying, the Holy Spirit directed the church to set apart Paul and Barnabas for the work of missions. The church, in obedience, fasted, prayed, laid hands on them, and sent them off on their mission. This moment marked the formal commissioning of Paul and Barnabas as missionaries.
2. Cyprus (Acts 13:4-12): The first leg of their journey took Paul and Barnabas to the island of Cyprus. They preached the gospel in the synagogues, and many people were receptive. However, they encountered opposition from a Jewish sorcerer named Elymas, who tried to turn the Roman proconsul, Sergius Paulus, away from the faith. Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, rebuked Elymas and struck him blind for a time. This miracle led to the conversion of Sergius Paulus, marking the success of their efforts in Cyprus.
3. Pamphylia and Pisidian Antioch (Acts 13:13-52): The missionaries then sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, where John Mark left them and returned to Jerusalem. They continued their journey to Pisidian Antioch, where Paul delivered his first recorded sermon to a Jewish audience in the synagogue. He outlined the history of Israel and connected it to the life and resurrection of Jesus as the fulfillment of God’s promises. His message was well-received by Gentiles, but it also caused opposition from some Jewish leaders, who incited persecution against Paul and Barnabas. Despite this, many Gentiles believed, and the apostles moved on, shaking the dust off their feet as a sign of judgment.
4. Iconium (Acts 14:1-7): In Iconium, Paul and Barnabas preached with such power that a large number of both Jews and Gentiles believed. However, they faced opposition from some Jews who stirred up trouble, leading to a plot to stone them. They fled to Lystra and Derbe to continue their mission.
5. Lystra and Derbe (Acts 14:8-20): In Lystra, Paul healed a man who had been lame from birth, which led the crowds to believe that Paul and Barnabas were gods, calling them "Zeus" and "Hermes." Paul and Barnabas were horrified by this and insisted they were mere men. Soon after, Jews from Antioch and Iconium arrived and stirred up the crowds, resulting in Paul being stoned and left for dead. However, he miraculously recovered and returned to the city to continue his work.
6. Return to Antioch (Acts 14:21-28): After preaching in Derbe, Paul and Barnabas retraced their steps, strengthening the disciples and appointing elders in the churches they had established. They then returned to Antioch, where they reported to the church all that God had done, particularly how He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. This journey laid the foundation for the spread of the gospel beyond Jewish communities and into the Gentile world.

(b) Moral Lessons from Paul’s First Missionary Journey

1. Obedience to God’s Calling:
   Paul and Barnabas were obedient to the Holy Spirit’s call, setting out on their journey despite the challenges they knew they would face. This teaches Christians the importance of obeying God’s calling, even when it leads to uncertain or difficult circumstances.
2. Boldness in the Face of Opposition:
   Throughout the journey, Paul and Barnabas faced severe opposition, including rejection, threats, and physical danger. Despite these challenges, they boldly proclaimed the gospel. This shows the importance of standing firm in faith and boldly sharing the message of Christ, even when faced with adversity.
3. The Power of the Holy Spirit:
   From the miracle performed in Cyprus to Paul’s healing of the lame man in Lystra, the Holy Spirit worked powerfully through the apostles. This reminds believers that the power to evangelize and perform God’s work comes from the Holy Spirit, not from human strength or ability.
4. Perseverance in the Face of Hardship:
   Despite being rejected, stoned, and facing various hardships, Paul and Barnabas did not give up. They kept moving forward in their mission. The lesson here is that Christians should persevere in their faith and mission, no matter the obstacles that arise.
5. Inclusive Nature of the Gospel:
   Paul’s message emphasized that the gospel was for all people, not just the Jews. The success of the mission among the Gentiles teaches that the gospel is meant for everyone, regardless of background, ethnicity, or social standing. It is a message of hope and salvation for the entire world.
6. Teamwork and Fellowship:
   Paul and Barnabas worked together as a team, supporting each other and sharing the responsibilities of the mission. This emphasizes the importance of fellowship and working together in ministry to accomplish God’s work.
7. Rejoicing in the Results and Trusting God for the Outcome:
   After facing hardships, Paul and Barnabas rejoiced in the fruit of their labor—new believers and churches being established. The lesson here is to trust God with the results of our efforts and to celebrate His work through us, even when we may not see immediate success.
8. The Importance of Discipleship and Establishing Leadership:
   In each city, Paul and Barnabas took time to strengthen the believers and appoint elders. This underscores the importance of building up and discipling new believers, as well as providing spiritual leadership in the church for long-term growth and stability.

EVALUATION:

1. How did Paul and Barnabas demonstrate obedience to God’s calling, and what challenges did they face as a result of their obedience during their first missionary journey?
2. In what ways did Paul and Barnabas handle opposition and persecution, and what lessons can we learn about standing firm in our faith when facing resistance in today’s world?
3. How did the miracles performed by Paul and Barnabas demonstrate the power of the Holy Spirit, and how can we rely on the Holy Spirit in our own efforts to spread the gospel?
4. What role did teamwork and fellowship play in the success of Paul and Barnabas’ mission, and how can the church today foster stronger partnerships in ministry?
5. How did the inclusion of Gentiles in the gospel message during this journey challenge the early church’s understanding of its mission, and what does this teach us about the inclusive nature of the gospel for all people today?

CLASSWORK: As in evaluation

CONCLUSION: The teacher marks their books and commends them positively