Class: Primary 3
Term: 1st Term
Week: 1
Age: 8 years
Duration: 40 minutes
Subject: Christian Religious Knowledge
Curriculum Theme:
Previous Lesson: NIL
Topic: Promise of the Saviour
Content/Learning Area: Meaning of Emmanuel, Prophets who foretold Christ’s birth, Isaiah’s prophecy of the Saviour
Performance Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
Cognitive Domain:
- Explain the meaning of Emmanuel.
- Identify prophets who foretold the birth of Jesus.
- Describe the prophecy of Isaiah about the birth of Jesus.
Affective Domain:
Psychomotor Domain:
- Participate in reading selected Bible verses and act out the story.
Social Domain:
- Cooperate with peers during group storytelling or dramatization.
Instructional Materials
To deliver this lesson, the teacher will use the following materials:
- Holy Bible
- Biblical drawings or printed images of prophets
- Flashcards with scripture references
- Chart showing names and roles of prophets
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
- Isaiah’s Prophecy of the Messiah’s Birth
- What does Emmanuel mean? – HeadTeacher.ng
Rationale for the Lesson
This lesson introduces pupils to one of the core foundations of Christian belief: the prophetic announcement and promise of a saviour. It fosters faith, awareness of Biblical prophecy, and appreciation for the fulfillment of God’s promises through Jesus Christ.
Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge
Pupils are already familiar with major Old Testament figures and events such as the entry into the Promised Land and the roles of prophets.
Lesson Content
Promise of the Saviour
The Promise of the Saviour refers to the message God gave through the prophets in the Old Testament that a special child—Jesus—would come to save people from sin. This promise gave people hope that God would send help.
Meaning of Emmanuel
Emmanuel is a name that means “God with us.” It shows that Jesus is not just a messenger, but God coming to live among people. The name was used to describe Jesus to show He is the promised Saviour who brings God’s presence to earth.
Prophets Who Foretold the Birth of Jesus
God used special messengers called prophets to tell people about the coming of Jesus. Two important prophets who spoke about the birth of Jesus are:
- Isaiah – He gave many detailed prophecies about the birth and names of the coming Saviour.
- Micah – He prophesied about the place where Jesus would be born (Bethlehem).
These prophets lived many years before Jesus was born, but their words came true.
Isaiah’s Prophecy About the Birth of Jesus
The prophet Isaiah gave several messages about the promised Saviour. These are recorded in the Bible:
- Isaiah 7:14 – Isaiah says a young woman (virgin) will give birth to a son called Emmanuel, meaning “God with us.”
- Matthew 1:18–23 – This passage tells us that Isaiah’s prophecy came true when Mary gave birth to Jesus.
- Isaiah 9:6 – Isaiah describes Jesus as a baby who will be called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
These verses show that Jesus is both God’s son and the promised saviour who will rule with peace and justice.
Memory Verse
“Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Emmanuel.” – Isaiah 7:14 (KJV)
Bible Readings
- Isaiah 7:14
- Isaiah 9:6
- Matthew 1:18–23
Teaching Methods
To deliver this lesson, the teacher will adopt the following methods:
Discussion, Storytelling, Explanation, Question-and-Answer, Use of Visual Aids, Role Play
Instructional Procedures
| Content Development | Time | Teaching Skills | Teacher’s Activity | Pupils’ Activity | Learning Point |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1: Introduction | 5 mins | Set Induction | Revises previous lesson and introduces the new topic by telling a short story about God’s promise to send help to His people | Pupils listen attentively and respond to questions | Linking past learning to new topic |
| Step 2: Meaning of Emmanuel | 5 mins | Explanation | Explains that Emmanuel means “God with us” using flashcards and Bible verse | Pupils repeat after teacher and discuss the meaning | Understanding the meaning of Emmanuel |
| Step 3: Prophets Who Foretold Jesus’ Birth | 8 mins | Identification and Discussion | Introduces Isaiah and Micah as prophets who gave messages about Jesus’ birth | Pupils identify the prophets and say what they remember | Recognizing key prophets and their role |
| Step 4: Isaiah’s Prophecy | 10 mins | Demonstration and Storytelling | Reads and explains Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 9:6, and Matthew 1:18–23 using Bible pictures | Pupils read along, listen, and role-play the story | Understanding prophecy and its fulfillment |
| Step 5: Note Taking | 4 mins | Writing and Reinforcement | Writes summary points on the board | Pupils copy notes into their books | Reinforcing learning through writing |
| Step 6: Evaluation | 5 mins | Questioning | Asks evaluation questions based on the lesson | Pupils answer verbally | Assessing pupil understanding |
| Step 7: Closure | 3 mins | Instructional, Cognitive | Recaps key points, encourages pupils, and gives positive feedback | Pupils listen and ask final questions | Summarizing learning and encouraging participation |
Lesson Keywords (Key terms used in the lesson)
Emmanuel – God with us
Prophet – A person sent by God to speak His message
Saviour – Someone who saves others, especially from sin
Isaiah – A prophet who foretold Jesus’ birth
Prophecy – A message about what will happen in the future
Lesson Evaluation
- What does Emmanuel mean?
- Name two prophets who foretold the birth of Jesus Christ.
- What did Isaiah say about the birth of Jesus in Isaiah 7:14?
- Which verse in the New Testament shows the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy?
- List two names used to describe Jesus in Isaiah 9:6.
Assignment/Homework
- Memorize and recite Isaiah 7:14
- Draw and label a picture of a prophet speaking to people
- Write out two things Isaiah said about Jesus
Differentiation
For slower learners: Use visual aids like pictures and repeated storytelling to explain key ideas.
For advanced learners: Let them locate the Bible verses themselves and read aloud to the class.
For visual/auditory/kinesthetic learners: Use images, reading aloud, and role-play to engage different learning styles.
Note for Teachers
Use excitement and encouragement when introducing the prophecies. Make the story come alive by connecting it to the pupils’ understanding of promises and trust. Avoid abstract language and reinforce understanding through visuals and dramatization.