Christian Religious Studies - Junior Secondary 3 - The journey from Antioch to Derbe

TERM: 2^ND TERM

WEEK: 3

CLASS: Junior Secondary School 3

AGE: 14 years

DURATION: 40 minutes

DATE:

SUBJECT: Christian Religious Knowledge

TOPIC: The journey from Antioch to Derbe

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

1.) Give an account of Paul’s journey from Antioch to Derbe

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 JOURNEY FROM ANTIOCH TO DERBE

Paul’s Journey from Antioch to Derbe (Acts 13:13-14:20)

Paul’s journey from Antioch to Derbe was part of his first missionary journey. It began after he and Barnabas were sent out by the church in Antioch, following the Holy Spirit’s instruction (Acts 13:1-3). This journey took them through various cities, where they faced challenges, preached the gospel, and established churches.

Here’s a detailed account of Paul’s journey from Antioch to Derbe:

1. Departure from Antioch to Perga (Acts 13:13):
   • Antioch (Pisidia) was the starting point of the journey. Paul and Barnabas sailed from there to Seleucia and then onto the island of Cyprus, where they preached in synagogues. After their work in Cyprus, they sailed to the mainland and arrived at Perga in Pamphylia (Acts 13:13-14). Here, John Mark (the cousin of Barnabas) left them and returned to Jerusalem, a decision that would later cause tension between Paul and Barnabas (Acts 15:36-40).
   • They didn’t stay long in Perga but continued their journey into Pisidian Antioch.
2. Pisidian Antioch (Acts 13:14-52):
   • In Pisidian Antioch, Paul and Barnabas entered the synagogue and preached to the Jewish congregation. Paul delivered a powerful sermon summarizing Israel’s history, emphasizing that Jesus is the promised Messiah who fulfilled the prophecies. His message caused a stir, attracting both Jews and Gentiles. However, some Jews were jealous and stirred up persecution against them.
   • Despite opposition, many Gentiles believed, and Paul and Barnabas were forced to leave the city when persecution escalated. They shook the dust off their feet as a symbolic gesture of judgment on the city (Acts 13:51).
3. Iconium (Acts 14:1-7):
   • From Pisidian Antioch, Paul and Barnabas traveled to Iconium, where they preached in the synagogue. Their preaching resulted in many conversions among Jews and Gentiles, but once again, opposition arose. A plot to stone them was formed by unbelieving Jews, so Paul and Barnabas fled to the nearby cities of Lystra and Derbe.
   • Even though they faced opposition, they continued preaching the gospel wherever they went, knowing the importance of their mission.
4. Lystra (Acts 14:8-20):
   • In Lystra, Paul healed a man who had been lame from birth. The miracle caused the crowds to believe that Paul and Barnabas were gods—Paul was called Hermes, and Barnabas was called Zeus. However, Paul and Barnabas vehemently rejected this idea, declaring that they were mere men, urging the people to turn to the living God.
   • Soon after, Jews from Antioch and Iconium arrived, stirred up the crowds, and persuaded them to stone Paul. Paul was dragged out of the city, left for dead, but miraculously survived. Despite the danger, Paul returned to the city to encourage the believers.
5. Derbe (Acts 14:21-23):
   • From Lystra, Paul and Barnabas went to Derbe, where they preached and made many disciples. Afterward, they retraced their steps back through Lystra, Iconium, and Pisidian Antioch, strengthening the believers and appointing elders in every church.
   • This journey reinforced the idea of strong leadership for the newly formed Christian communities, and Paul’s work in Derbe helped establish a foundation for further growth in the region.
6. Return to Antioch (Acts 14:24-28):
   • After their time in Derbe, Paul and Barnabas returned to Antioch in Syria, where they reported to the church about the great things God had done on their journey, particularly how He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.
   • Their return marked the end of the first missionary journey, which had resulted in the establishment of churches and a significant number of Gentile converts.

(b) Moral Lessons from Paul’s Journey from Antioch to Derbe

1. Perseverance in the Face of Persecution:
   • Throughout the journey, Paul and Barnabas faced opposition, rejection, and even physical danger, yet they did not allow these obstacles to stop them. In Lystra, Paul was stoned and left for dead, but he got up and continued the mission. This teaches Christians to persevere in the face of opposition, knowing that challenges and persecution are part of the Christian journey. We are called to be persistent in spreading the gospel, even when the road is difficult.
2. Obedience to God’s Call:
   • Paul and Barnabas were obedient to the Holy Spirit’s call to go and make disciples, even though they faced great hardship. Their faithfulness to God's calling despite the risks demonstrates the importance of being obedient to God’s will, no matter the personal cost. Christians are called to trust God’s guidance and be willing to step out in faith, even when the path ahead is uncertain.
3. The Importance of Teamwork in Ministry:
   • Paul and Barnabas worked together throughout their journey, supporting one another and complementing each other’s strengths. Their partnership in ministry was essential for the success of the mission. This highlights the importance of teamwork and collaboration in ministry. The church today can learn from their example of mutual support and shared responsibility in spreading the gospel.
4. God’s Power to Transform Lives:
   • The healing of the lame man in Lystra demonstrates God's power to bring physical and spiritual healing. It also shows how miracles can be a powerful testimony to the gospel and lead others to faith. Christians are reminded that God is capable of transforming lives in extraordinary ways, and He works through His people to show His love and power to the world.
5. Faithfulness in Leadership:
   • In Derbe and other cities, Paul and Barnabas appointed elders to lead the new churches. This act of establishing strong, local leadership is crucial for the long-term success and health of the Christian community. The moral lesson here is the importance of developing and empowering leaders within the church to continue the work of ministry and ensure that the gospel remains firmly rooted in the community.
6. Embracing God’s Global Mission:
   • The spread of the gospel to Gentiles, as seen in Derbe and other cities, illustrates that the gospel is for all people, not just for the Jews. God’s plan for salvation is global and inclusive, calling all nations to be reconciled to Him. The lesson for the church today is to embrace the Great Commission and reach out to all people, regardless of their background or ethnicity.

EVALUATION:

1. How did Paul and Barnabas demonstrate perseverance in the face of persecution, and what can we learn from their example when facing challenges in our own Christian walk?
2. In what ways did Paul and Barnabas’ obedience to the Holy Spirit's call influence the spread of the gospel, and how can we apply this level of obedience in our own lives?
3. What role did teamwork play in the success of Paul and Barnabas' mission, and why is collaboration essential for the growth of the church and its ministry today?
4. How did the miracle of healing in Lystra contribute to the spread of the gospel, and how can we recognize and utilize God’s power in our own ministry efforts?
5. What is the significance of appointing leaders in the newly established churches, and how does this practice contribute to the long-term sustainability and health of the church community?

CLASSWORK: As in evaluation

CONCLUSION: The teacher marks their books and commends them positively