Lesson Plan: Life After Jesus of Nazareth, the Early Church, and God's Saving Plan
Academic Subject: Religion
Year Level: 8
Duration: 30 Minutes
Learning Objectives
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
- Explain the significance of Jesus' resurrection and its impact on the early church.
- Identify key events and figures in the early church after Jesus' ascension.
- Discuss the concept of God's saving plan as depicted in early Christianity.
Lesson Outline
Introduction (5 minutes)
- Greeting and Warm-Up Activity: Start with a simple question: “What does life after Jesus look like?” Allow students to share their thoughts.
- Purpose of the Lesson: Explain that today’s lesson will explore the early church after Jesus’ resurrection and the overarching theme of God's saving plan.
Main Content (20 minutes)
1. The Resurrection and Its Impact (5 minutes)
- Discuss the significance of Jesus' resurrection (John 20:1-18).
- Highlight how the resurrection affirmed Jesus’ divinity and hope for eternal life.
- Illustrate how claims of resurrection led to the formation of a new community of believers.
2. The Early Church (10 minutes)
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Key Events:
- Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4): Discuss the coming of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the church.
- The spread of Christianity: Mention key figures such as Peter and Paul who were instrumental in spreading the teachings of Jesus.
- Early Christian practices: Share information on community worship, breaking of bread, and prayer (Acts 2:42-47).
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Challenges Faced:
- Persecution: Talk about the early Christians facing opposition and how they maintained faith.
- The role of the apostles in community building.
3. God’s Saving Plan (5 minutes)
- Discuss the concept of salvation in Christianity through Jesus’ death and resurrection.
- Share how early Christian teachings emphasized God’s love and the promise of salvation for all humanity (John 3:16).
- Encourage students to reflect on how the early church understood and lived out this saving plan.
Conclusion (5 minutes)
- Recap the major points discussed in the lesson.
- Engage students with a closing question: “How do you think the early church acts as a model for us today?”
Homework Assignment
Task
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Research Assignment:
- Choose one of the key figures from the early church (Peter, Paul, or Stephen).
- Write a short paragraph (100-150 words) summarising their contributions and experiences during the early church period.
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Reflection Questions: Answer the following in approximately 200 words:
- How do you think the early church's responses to challenges reflect the teachings of Jesus?
- In what ways can we apply lessons from the early church in our faith today?
Correct Answers (for teacher reference)
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Research Assignment:
- Student essays will vary but should include key contributions relevant to the figure chosen, such as Peter’s leadership and evangelism, Paul’s missionary journeys and letters, or Stephen’s martyrdom and impact on Christian witness.
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Reflection Questions:
- Answers should show an understanding of Christian teachings and apply examples from the lesson. Students might discuss faith, community, and resilience despite opposition, linking modern church practices or personal experiences.
Recommended Resources
- The Bible (specifically the New Testament)
- Early Christian writings and accounts of the apostles
- Online educational religious resources
This lesson plan aims to facilitate an engaging and informative discussion about the early church and God’s intervention in the lives of believers after Jesus' time, while encouraging critical thinking and reflection on contemporary faith practices.