Christian Religious Studies - Junior Secondary 3 - The Jerusalem Council

TERM: 2^ND TERM

WEEK: 6

CLASS: Junior Secondary School 3

AGE: 14 years

DURATION: 40 minutes

DATE:

SUBJECT: Christian Religious Knowledge

TOPIC: The Jerusalem Council

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

1.) State the meaning of the Jerusalem council

2.) Explain the importance of the Jerusalem council

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 JERUSALEM COUNCIL

The Jerusalem Council refers to a pivotal meeting of Christian leaders that took place around AD 49, as recorded in Acts 15. The council was convened to address a significant dispute in the early church regarding whether Gentile converts to Christianity needed to follow Jewish laws, particularly circumcision, to be fully accepted as Christians. The council was attended by key apostles, including Peter, Paul, Barnabas, and James. The meeting aimed to reach a unified decision on how Gentile believers should be treated in relation to Jewish customs and the requirements for salvation.

Importance of the Jerusalem Council

The Jerusalem Council was of critical importance for several reasons:

• Resolution of doctrinal controversy: The council resolved the contentious issue of whether Gentile converts needed to follow the Mosaic Law (including circumcision) to be saved. This was a foundational moment for the church, clarifying that salvation was by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, and not by adherence to the law. This decision emphasized the inclusivity of the gospel.
• Unity within the early church: The council helped prevent a major division between Jewish and Gentile Christians, ensuring that the church remained united in its mission. It demonstrated that the early church could come together to discuss and resolve issues in a spirit of cooperation and respect for differing perspectives.
• Expansion of the mission: By removing the requirement for Gentile converts to be circumcised, the Jerusalem Council made it easier for the gospel to spread to Gentile populations without unnecessary barriers. This helped facilitate the missionary journeys of Paul and others, who could now preach to Gentiles without the stipulation of conversion to Judaism.
• Establishment of Christian doctrine: The decision of the council set an important doctrinal precedent for future church councils. It reinforced the principle that salvation is based on faith in Christ alone, and not on observing specific rituals or laws, thereby shaping Christian theology for generations.

EVALUATION:

1. What was the main doctrinal issue addressed by the Jerusalem Council, and how did its resolution impact the relationship between Jewish and Gentile Christians?
2. How did the decision of the Jerusalem Council contribute to the unity of the early church, and what role did the different apostles and church leaders play in this process?
3. In what ways did the Jerusalem Council help facilitate the expansion of the Christian mission, particularly to Gentiles, and what were the implications for Paul's missionary work?
4. What theological principle regarding salvation was affirmed by the Jerusalem Council, and how did this shape the future direction of Christian doctrine?
5. How did the outcome of the Jerusalem Council demonstrate the church’s ability to handle internal disputes, and what can contemporary churches learn from this model of conflict resolution?Top of Form

CLASSWORK: As in evaluation

CONCLUSION: The teacher marks their books and commends them positively