Christian Religious Studies - Junior Secondary 3 - Further spread of the church

TERM: 2^ND TERM

WEEK: 8

CLASS: Junior Secondary School 3

AGE: 14 years

DURATION: 40 minutes

DATE:

SUBJECT: Christian Religious Knowledge

TOPIC: Further spread of the church

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

1.) Give an account of the imprisonment of Paul and Silas

2.) Give an account of Paul’s encounter at Athens

3.) Discuss the moral lessons from both accounts

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

FURTHER SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL

The Imprisonment of Paul and Silas (Acts 16:16-40)

Paul and Silas were imprisoned in Philippi after casting out a spirit of divination from a slave girl. The girl’s owners, who profited from her fortune-telling, were angry when she was freed from the demon and could no longer bring in money. They seized Paul and Silas, dragged them before the authorities, and falsely accused them of disturbing the peace and advocating unlawful practices.

The magistrates had Paul and Silas stripped, beaten with rods, and thrown into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them securely. Despite the harsh treatment, Paul and Silas prayed and sang hymns to God around midnight, while the other prisoners listened. Suddenly, there was a violent earthquake that shook the prison, causing all the doors to open and the chains of the prisoners to fall off.

The jailer, fearing that the prisoners had escaped, was about to kill himself, but Paul stopped him, assuring him that they were all still there. The jailer, moved by this act of mercy, asked what he must do to be saved. Paul and Silas shared the gospel with him, and he and his household were baptized. The next day, the magistrates sent word to release Paul and Silas, but they refused, insisting that the authorities come themselves and publicly release them due to their Roman citizenship. When the magistrates came and apologized, Paul and Silas left the prison and encouraged the believers in Philippi before departing.

Paul’s Encounter at Athens (Acts 17:16-34)

While in Athens, Paul was distressed by the sight of the city full of idols. He engaged in discussions with the Jews and the God-fearing Greeks in the synagogue, as well as with the philosophers in the marketplace. Some Epicurean and Stoic philosophers took issue with Paul’s teaching, calling him a “babbler” and accusing him of advocating strange gods because he preached about Jesus and the resurrection.

They brought Paul to the Areopagus, a prominent court in Athens, where he was invited to explain his teachings. Paul took the opportunity to address the Athenians, acknowledging their religiosity but pointing out that they had an altar dedicated to an “unknown god.” He explained that the God who created the universe is not confined to temples or made by human hands. He preached to them about repentance, the resurrection, and the coming judgment by the man God had appointed, Jesus Christ.

Some of the philosophers mocked him, while others were curious and wanted to hear more. A few people, including Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, and a woman named Damaris, became believers.

Moral Lessons from Both Accounts

The Imprisonment of Paul and Silas:

• Courage in the Face of Adversity: Paul and Silas showed great courage when faced with wrongful imprisonment and suffering. They remained steadfast in their faith, using their time in prison to pray and praise God. Their example teaches believers to remain strong in faith regardless of circumstances.
• Power of Prayer and Praise: Even in difficult situations, Paul and Silas turned to God in prayer and worship. Their example demonstrates that in times of suffering, prayer and worship are powerful tools that can bring peace and divine intervention.
• God’s Sovereignty and Mercy: The miraculous earthquake that freed the prisoners shows God’s sovereignty over all circumstances. Moreover, the mercy shown to the jailer and his conversion underscores the theme of salvation being available to all people, no matter their past actions.
• Importance of Justice and Integrity: When Paul and Silas were unjustly treated, they invoked their Roman citizenship to demand proper treatment. This shows that Christians should not be afraid to stand up for their rights when necessary while maintaining integrity.

Paul’s Encounter at Athens:

• Engaging with Culture: Paul’s ability to engage with the philosophers of Athens shows the importance of understanding and engaging with the culture around you. He used the people’s interest in idols and their altar to the unknown god as a bridge to share the gospel.
• Boldness in Sharing the Gospel: Despite the intellectual and philosophical atmosphere of Athens, Paul boldly proclaimed the truth of the gospel. This demonstrates that Christians should share their faith with conviction, regardless of the opposition or the intellectual environment.
• Respectful Dialogue: Paul’s approach was respectful and thoughtful. He acknowledged the Athenians’ religiosity before introducing them to the true God. This teaches that while sharing the gospel, it is important to approach others with respect and understanding, especially in diverse cultural settings.
• Importance of the Resurrection: Paul’s emphasis on the resurrection of Jesus Christ as the cornerstone of the Christian faith reminds us that the resurrection is central to the gospel message and the hope of eternal life.

EVALUATION:

1. How did Paul and Silas demonstrate courage and faith during their imprisonment in Philippi?
2. What role did prayer and praise play in the miraculous events that occurred in the Philippian jail?
3. In what ways did Paul engage with the philosophers in Athens, and what can we learn from his approach to sharing the gospel in a different cultural context?
4. What does the conversion of the Philippian jailer teach us about the power of mercy and the impact of the gospel on individuals and families?
5. How did Paul’s message at the Areopagus emphasize the centrality of the resurrection, and why is this doctrine foundational to the Christian faith?

CLASSWORK: As in evaluation

CONCLUSION: The teacher marks their books and commends them positively