Christian Religious Studies - Senior Secondary 3 - Communal living in the early Church

Communal living in the early Church

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TERM: 1ST TERM

WEEK: 7

CLASS: Senior Secondary School 2
AGE: 16 years
DURATION: 40 minutes (2 periods)
DATE:
SUBJECT: Christian Religious Knowledge
TOPIC: Communal Living in the Early Church

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

  1. Explain the election of Matthias as Judas Iscariot’s successor (Acts 1:15–26)
  2. Identify the characteristics of the early Christian community (Acts 2:41–47, 4:32–37)
  3. Highlight the differences between the Hellenistic and Hebrew Jews
  4. Explain the problems that arose in the early Christian community (Acts 5:1–11, 6:1)
  5. Suggest solutions to the problems faced by the early Church
  6. Relate the early Church’s challenges to modern issues of discrimination

INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNIQUES: Explanation, discussion, Bible reading, storytelling, questions and answers, comparison, group work

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS: Bible, CRK textbook for SS2, chart comparing Hellenists and Hebrews, character cards, story illustrations of Ananias and Sapphira

INSTRUCTIONAL PROCEDURES:

PERIOD 1 and 2
PRESENTATION

STEP

TEACHER’S ACTIVITY

STUDENT’S ACTIVITY

STEP 1: Review

Teacher revises the previous lesson on “The Sovereignty of God.”

Learners answer review questions.

STEP 2: Introduction

Teacher introduces the topic by asking students what they know about how early Christians lived.

Learners respond and relate to modern church life.

STEP 3: Explanation

Teacher explains:

a) Election of Matthias (Acts 1:15–26)

b) Characteristics of early Christians (Acts 2:41–47, 4:32–37)

c) Differences between Hellenistic and Hebrew Jews

d) Problems (Acts 5:1–11, 6:1) – e.g., dishonesty, discrimination

e) Solutions – Appointing deacons (Acts 6:1–6)

f) Link to modern discrimination issues

Learners read Bible passages, discuss, compare groups (Hellenists vs Hebrews), and answer questions.

STEP 4: NOTE TAKING

Teacher writes out the summary note for students.

Learners copy into their notebooks.

 

NOTE

COMMUNAL LIVING IN THE EARLY CHURCH
A. Election of Matthias

  • After Judas' death, Peter led the disciples in choosing Matthias to replace him (Acts 1:15–26) through prayer and casting lots.

B. Characteristics of Early Christian Community

  • Shared everything in common
  • Continued in apostles’ doctrine and fellowship
  • Broke bread together
  • Prayed regularly (Acts 2:41–47, 4:32–37)

C. Differences: Hellenistic vs Hebrew Jews

  • Hellenistic Jews: Greek-speaking, more influenced by Greek culture
  • Hebrew Jews: Aramaic-speaking, more traditional in Jewish practices

D. Problems in Early Church

  • Dishonesty: Ananias and Sapphira lied (Acts 5:1–11)
  • Discrimination: Widows of Hellenists were neglected (Acts 6:1)

E. Solutions to Problems

  • Apostles appointed 7 men (deacons) to serve and maintain fairness (Acts 6:1–6)

F. Contemporary Relevance

  • Christians must avoid favoritism and promote unity in diversity.

 

EVALUATION:

  1. Who replaced Judas Iscariot among the apostles?
  2. List four characteristics of the early Christian community.
  3. Differentiate between Hellenistic and Hebrew Jews.
  4. What problem did the early Church face regarding discrimination?
  5. How did the Church solve the issue?
  6. What lesson can we learn about fairness from the early Church?

CLASSWORK: As in evaluation

CONCLUSION: Teacher marks classwork, gives feedback, and encourages students to build unity in school, home, and church.