Class: Primary 3
Term: 1st
Week: 7
Average Age: 8
Duration: 40 minutes
Subject: Christian Religious Knowledge
Curriculum Theme:
Previous Lesson: The work of the Holy Spirit
Topic: Teh Second Coming of Jesus Christ
Content/Learning Area: Understanding the Ascension, the Promise of Return, and the events surrounding the Second Coming of jesus Christ.
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Performance Objectives
By the end of the lesson,pupils should be able to:
Cognitive Domain:
- Define the term “Ascension.”
- Narrate the story of Jesus’ Ascension as recorded in the Bible.
- State the promise made regarding Jesus’ return.
- Describe the sequence of events that will occur during the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
Affective Domain:
- Express a sense of anticipation and hope regarding the Second Coming of Jesus.
- Show gratitude for the promises of god as revealed in the Bible.
Psychomotor Domain:
- Participate actively in retelling the story of the Ascension.
- Memorize the memory verse (Matthew 24:36) accurately.
Social Domain:
- Work cooperatively with peers during discussions and activities.
- Respectfully listen to and learn from the perspectives of others.
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Instructional Materials
to deliver this lesson, the teacher will use the following materials:
- Bible (specifically Acts 1:1-11, 1 Corinthians 15:23, Matthew 24:36)
- Charts or visual aids depicting the Ascension of Jesus
- Pictures or illustrations of the Second Coming (optional)
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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
- Relevant Textbooks
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Rationale for the Lesson
Understanding the Ascension and Second Coming reinforces faith in Jesus’ promises and encourages righteous living in anticipation of His return.
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Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge
Pupils should have a basic understanding of who Jesus Christ is and his role as the Son of God. They should also be familiar with the concept of heaven.
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Lesson Content
The Second Coming of Jesus Christ
The Second Coming of Jesus Christ is a central belief in Christianity, referring to the future return of Jesus to Earth. This event is prophesied in the Bible and is seen as a time of judgment, resurrection, and the establishment of God’s kingdom. Understanding the events surrounding the Second Coming helps Christians live with hope and purpose.
The Ascension of Jesus
The Ascension refers to Jesus Christ’s bodily ascent/going up into heaven, which occurred 40 days after His resurrection. It signifies the completion of His earthly ministry and His return to glory with God the Father. The Ascension is an important event because it marks the end of Jesus’ physical presence on Earth and the beginning of His reign in heaven.
The Promise of Return
During the Ascension, angels appeared to the disciples and assured them that Jesus would return in the same way He ascended – visibly and gloriously. This promise is a source of hope and encouragement for Christians, reminding them that Jesus will ultimately fulfill all His promises and establish His kingdom on Earth. The promise of return is a key element of Christian eschatology (the study of end times).
How Jesus Will Return
The Bible describes specific events that will accompany the Second Coming of Jesus:
- Descent from Heaven: Jesus will descend from heaven with a shout, the voice of an archangel, and the trumpet of God (1 Thessalonians 4:16). This will be a visible and audible event, signaling the beginning of the end times.
- Resurrection of the Dead in Christ: Those who have died believing in Jesus will be resurrected first (1 Thessalonians 4:16, 1 Corinthians 15:23). This is often referred to as the “first resurrection.”
- The Rapture: Believers who are alive at the time of Jesus’ return will be caught up together with the resurrected saints in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:17). This event is known as the Rapture.
Memory Verse
Matthew 24:36: “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” This verse emphasizes that the exact timing of Jesus’ return is known only to God.
Bible readings
- acts 1:1-11: Describes the Ascension of Jesus.
- 1 Corinthians 15:23: Speaks of the order of resurrection, with Christ as the first fruit.
- Matthew 24:36: Highlights the unknown timing of the Second Coming.
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Teaching Methods
To deliver this lesson, the teacher will adopt the following methods: Discussion, Storytelling, Explanation, Visual Aids, Question and Answer, Memorization.
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Instructional Procedures
To deliver this lesson, the teacher will adopt the following steps:
| Content Development | time | Teaching Skills | Teacher’s Activity | Pupils’ Activity | Learning point |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduction | 5 mins | Set Induction | The teacher introduces the lesson by presenting a chart of Jesus’ ascension and asks pupils what they know about it. | Pupils pay attention and share thier prior knowledge. | The Ascension is a notable event in Christian faith. |
| Step 2: Defining Ascension | 5 mins | Explanation | The teacher defines ascension: “Ascension means moving up.Therefore, the ascension of Jesus means the movement of Jesus from the earth into heaven.” | Pupils pay attention and ask clarifying questions. | Ascension refers to Jesus’ bodily ascent into heaven. |
| Step 3: Story of the Ascension | 10 mins | Storytelling | The teacher guides the pupils to read Acts 1:1-11 and retells the story of the ascension of Jesus in a simplified manner. | Pupils read the Bible passage and pay attention to the story. | jesus ascended into heaven after His resurrection. |
| Step 4: The Promise of Return | 5 mins | Explanation | The teacher retells the events during the ascension and explains that the disciples were sad to see Jesus leave them, and an angel appeared to tell them that He would return in the same way He left. | Pupils pay attention and participate by asking questions. | Jesus promised to return to Earth. |
| Step 5: How Jesus Would Return | 5 mins | Explanation & visual Aid | The teacher explains with the aid of charts how Jesus would return in the following order: 1. Jesus will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God.2. The dead in Christ will rise first. 3. Believers who are alive will be caught up together with the dead saints into the clouds to meet the Lord in the sky. | The pupils identify events in the chart and pay attention. | The Second Coming will involve specific events. |
| Step 6: Memory Verse | 5 mins | Memorization | The teacher writes the memory verse from matthew 24:36 on the board and guides the pupils to memorize it. | The pupils repeat after the teacher and memorize the verse. | The exact timing of Jesus’ return is unknown. |
| Note Taking | 2 mins | Note Copying | The Teacher writes the note on the board for the pupils. | The pupils copy the note on the board. | Critically important points about the Ascension and second Coming. |
| Evaluation | 3 mins | questioning | The teacher asks questions to assess pupils’ understanding of the lesson. | Pupils answer the questions. | Understanding of key concepts. |
| Conclusion | 2 mins | Instructional Closure | The teacher summarizes the lesson and commends the pupils positively for their participation. | Pupils listen attentively. | Reinforcement of learning. |
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Lesson keywords (Key terms used in the lesson)
Ascension – The act of moving up; in this context, Jesus’ ascent into heaven.
Second Coming – The future return of Jesus Christ to Earth.
Rapture – The event where believers will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air.
Resurrection – The rising from the dead.
Archangel – A chief angel.
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Lesson Evaluation
- What is ascension?
- Explain how Jesus would return.
- Narrate the story of the ascension of Jesus.
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Assignment/homework
Write a short paragraph about what you are looking forward to most about Jesus’ Second Coming.
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Differentiation
For slower learners: Provide simplified explanations and visual aids. Focus on the basic definition of ascension and the main events of the story.
For advanced learners: Encourage them to research and share additional details about the Second Coming from othre bible passages.
For visual learners: use charts, pictures, and videos to illustrate the Ascension and Second Coming.
For auditory learners: Read the Bible passages aloud and encourage discussion.
For kinesthetic learners: Act out the story of the Ascension or create a timeline of events leading up to the Second coming.
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Note for Teachers
Emphasize the hope and promise associated with the Second Coming, rather than focusing on fear or judgment.Use age-appropriate language and avoid complex theological concepts. Encourage pupils to ask questions and share their thoughts and feelings about the topic.