Class: Basic 3
Term: 1st Term
Week: 4
Age: 8 years
Duration: 40 minutes
Subject: Christian Religious Knowledge
Curriculum Theme:
Previous Lesson: The Importance of a Saviour
Topic: The Promise of the Comforter
Content/Learning Area: Meaning of Promise and Comforter, Jesus’ promise of the Holy Spirit, The Person of the Holy Spirit.
Performance Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
- Cognitive Domain:
- Define the terms ‘Promise’ and ‘Comforter’.
- Mention Jesus Christ’s promise to His disciples.
- Explain who the Holy Spirit is.
- Affective Domain:
- Show reverence for the teachings about the Holy Spirit.
- Express curiosity about the role of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers.
- Participate actively and respectfully in discussions.
- Psychomotor Domain:
- Recite the definition of ‘Promise’ and ‘Comforter’.
- Point to pictures depicting believers worshipping and praying.
- Social Domain:
- Share their understanding of the Holy Spirit in a group setting.
- Listen attentively to the explanations provided by the teacher and peers.
Instructional Materials
To deliver this lesson, the teacher will use the following materials:
- Bible
- Pictures of believers worshipping and praying
Reference Materials
The following resources were used in planning this lesson:
- Nigerian 9 – Years Basic Education Curriculum
- Abuja Educational Resource Centre Scheme of Work
- NAPPS National Unified Scheme of Work
- What is the Holy Spirit?: (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Spirit_in_Christianity)
- John 14:26 – Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit: (https://enterthebible.org/passage/john-1426-jesus-promises-the-holy-spirit)
Rationale for the Lesson
Understanding the promise of the Comforter is foundational to grasping the role of the Holy Spirit in Christian life. This lesson introduces pupils to this key concept, fostering an early appreciation for the divine help promised by Jesus.
Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge
Pupils have been taught about the ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven in the previous lesson.
Lesson Content
The Promise of the Comforter
Promise means a declaration or assurance that one will do something or that a particular thing will happen. The term ‘Promise’ in this context refers to a declaration or assurance given by Jesus Christ that something specific would happen.
A ‘Comforter‘ is someone who provides solace, support, guidance, and help in times of need or difficulty. In the context of Jesus’ promise, the Comforter is the Holy Spirit.
Jesus’ Promise of the Holy Spirit
At the event of His ascension into heaven, Jesus instructed His disciples not to depart from Jerusalem but to wait for the promise of the Father, which He said they had heard from Him. He told them that John baptized with water, but they would be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from then. Jesus explained that it was necessary for Him to go away so that the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, would come to them. He promised that when the Holy Spirit came, He would empower them to be His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
The Person of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Holy Trinity, co-equal and co-eternal with God the Father and God the Son (Jesus Christ). He is not merely a force but a divine Person with intellect, emotions, and will. Jesus referred to the Holy Spirit as the Comforter, the Spirit of truth, and the one who would be sent in His name. The Holy Spirit’s roles include guiding believers into all truth, testifying about Jesus, reminding the disciples of everything Jesus had taught them, and empowering them to live out their faith boldly.
Teaching Methods
To deliver this lesson, the teacher will adopt the following methods: Identification, Explanation, Playway Method, Question and Answer, Demonstration, Storytelling.
Instructional Procedures
| Content Development | Time | Teaching Skills | Teacher’s Activity | Pupils’ Activity | Learning Point |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1: Introduction | 5 minutes | Set Induction | The teacher revises the previous lesson on the death and resurrection of Christ. Introduces the new topic by explaining the meaning of ‘Promise’ as a declaration or assurance of a future event and ‘Comforter’ as someone who provides consolation and help. | Pupils pay attention to the teacher’s explanation and recall information from the previous lesson. | Understanding the basic meaning of ‘Promise’ and ‘Comforter’ in preparation for the lesson. |
| Step 2: Jesus’ Promise | 10 minutes | Explanation, Storytelling | The teacher explains Jesus’ promise to His disciples at the ascension, emphasizing the instruction to wait in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit. The teacher narrates how Jesus said the Holy Spirit’s coming was contingent on His departure and the purpose of the Holy Spirit empowering them as witnesses. | Pupils listen attentively to the teacher’s explanation and the story of Jesus’ promise. They may ask clarifying questions. | Learning about Jesus’ specific promise of the Holy Spirit to His disciples before His ascension. |
| Step 3: The Holy Spirit | 15 minutes | Explanation, Question and Answer, Demonstration (using pictures) | The teacher explains the person of the Holy Spirit as the third person in the Trinity, the Comforter who guides believers into truth. Using pictures of believers worshipping and praying, the teacher illustrates the presence and work of the Holy Spirit. The teacher asks questions to gauge pupils’ understanding. | Pupils listen to the explanation about the Holy Spirit, answer the teacher’s questions, and observe the pictures. They participate in discussions. | Understanding the identity and some of the key roles of the Holy Spirit as the promised Comforter. |
| Step 4: Note Taking | 5 minutes | Summarization | The teacher writes a short summary of the key points on the board: definition of Promise and Comforter, Jesus’ promise of the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit as the third person of the Trinity who guides and comforts. | Pupils copy the notes from the board into their notebooks. | Reinforcing learning through written records of the main concepts. |
| Step 5: Evaluation | 3 minutes | Question and Answer | The teacher asks the following questions:
|
Pupils answer the teacher’s questions based on what they have learned during the lesson. | Assessing pupils’ understanding of the key terms and concepts taught in the lesson. |
| Step 6: Conclusion | 2 minutes | Positive Reinforcement | The teacher commends the pupils for their participation and effort during the lesson. | Pupils receive positive feedback from the teacher. | Encouraging a positive attitude towards learning. |
Lesson Keywords
- Promise – A declaration or assurance that one will do something or that a particular thing will happen.
- Comforter – Someone who provides consolation, support, and guidance.
- Holy Spirit – The third person in the Trinity, sent by Jesus to be with believers.
- Ascension – The event when Jesus Christ rose into heaven after His resurrection.
- Disciples – The followers of Jesus Christ during His earthly ministry.
Lesson Evaluation
Pupils’ understanding will be assessed through:
- Their responses to the teacher’s questions during the lesson.
- Their written answers to the evaluation questions.
- Observation of their participation in discussions.
Assignment/Homework
Answer the following questions:
- In your own words, explain what Jesus promised His disciples before He ascended to heaven.
- Name one important role of the Holy Spirit that you learned today.
Differentiation
For slower learners:
- Provide simplified definitions of ‘Promise’ and ‘Comforter’.
- Offer more one-on-one guidance during explanations.
- Use visual aids extensively to illustrate the concepts.
For advanced learners:
- Encourage them to research other names and roles of the Holy Spirit.
- Ask them to explain why it was necessary for Jesus to leave for the Holy Spirit to come.
For visual/auditory/kinesthetic learners:
- Visual: Use pictures and illustrations to depict the Holy Spirit’s work (e.g., guiding, comforting).
- Auditory: Clearly explain the concepts and encourage verbal repetition of key definitions.
- Kinesthetic: Use actions or gestures to represent the ideas of promising, comforting, and guiding.
Note for Teachers
Ensure that the pupils understand the concept of the Trinity at their level before delving into the person of the Holy Spirit. Emphasize the positive and supportive role of the Holy Spirit as the Comforter. Be sensitive to different religious backgrounds in the classroom.