Paul and Barnabas’ Separation and Work in Lystra
Lesson Plan: Paul and Barnabas’ Separation and Their Activities in Lystra
Lesson Details
- Subject: Christian Religious Studies (CRS)
- Class: Junior Secondary School 3 (JS3)
- Term: Second Term
- Week: 1st Week
- Age: 12–15 years
- Topic: The Separation of Paul and Barnabas and Their Missionary Work in Lystra
- Sub-topic: Reasons for Their Separation and the Events at Lystra
- Duration: 40 minutes
Behavioral Objectives
By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:
- Explain why Paul and Barnabas separated during their second missionary journey.
- Describe the activities of Paul and Barnabas at Lystra.
- Analyze the response of the people of Lystra to Paul and Barnabas’ preaching.
- Identify lessons learned from the separation of Paul and Barnabas.
Keywords
- Paul
- Barnabas
- Separation
- Missionary Journey
- Lystra
- Preaching
- Miracles
Set Induction (Engaging Introduction)
The teacher will begin by asking the students:
- Have you ever had a disagreement with a friend that led to separation?
- How did you handle the situation?
The teacher will then relate this to the disagreement between Paul and Barnabas, leading to their separation and different missionary journeys.
Entry Behavior
Students should have basic knowledge of:
- The first missionary journey of Paul and Barnabas.
- The purpose of missionary work in spreading Christianity.
- The role of miracles in the early church.
Learning Resources and Materials
- Bible (Acts 15:36–41, Acts 14:8–20)
- Charts showing Paul’s missionary journeys
- Map of Lystra and surrounding regions
- Flashcards with key terms
Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge
Previously, students learned about the first missionary journey of Paul and Barnabas, where they preached and performed miracles. This lesson will build on that by discussing their second journey and the impact of their work in Lystra.
Embedded Core Skills
- Critical Thinking: Analyzing the causes and effects of Paul and Barnabas’ separation.
- Communication: Discussing the impact of missionary work.
- Problem-Solving: Learning conflict resolution from the story of Paul and Barnabas.
Reference Books
- Lagos State Scheme of Work for CRS
- The Holy Bible (Acts 15:36–41, Acts 14:8–20)
- Christian Religious Studies Textbooks for JS3
Instructional Materials
- Bible passages from Acts 15 and Acts 14
- Printed handouts with maps of Paul’s missionary journeys
- Illustrations of Paul and Barnabas preaching in Lystra
Lesson Content
1. Reasons for the Separation of Paul and Barnabas
Paul and Barnabas had a disagreement over John Mark.
- Paul’s View: Paul refused to take John Mark because he had abandoned them during their first journey (Acts 15:38).
- Barnabas’ View: Barnabas wanted to give John Mark another chance.
- Result: They separated—Paul took Silas and went to Syria and Cilicia, while Barnabas took John Mark to Cyprus.
2. Activities of Paul and Barnabas at Lystra
- Paul and Barnabas arrived at Lystra, a city in Asia Minor.
- They met a crippled man who had never walked since birth.
- Paul saw his faith and healed him by commanding him to stand up (Acts 14:8–10).
3. Response of the People of Lystra
- The people of Lystra thought Paul and Barnabas were gods.
- They called Barnabas “Zeus” and Paul “Hermes” because Paul was the main speaker.
- The priest of Zeus wanted to offer sacrifices to them.
- Paul and Barnabas tore their clothes and stopped them, explaining that they were only humans.
- Later, some Jews arrived and persuaded the people to stone Paul, thinking he was dead.
- Paul, however, survived and continued preaching.
Evaluation Requirements
A. 15 Fill-in-the-Blank Questions (Multiple-Choice)
- Paul and Barnabas separated because of a dispute over ______.
a) Silas
b) John Mark
c) Timothy
d) Peter - Paul and Barnabas’ second missionary journey started from ______.
a) Jerusalem
b) Cyprus
c) Antioch
d) Lystra - The people of Lystra mistook Barnabas for ______.
a) Hermes
b) Zeus
c) Apollo
d) Mars - Paul healed a man in Lystra who was ______.
a) Deaf
b) Crippled
c) Blind
d) Sick - The Jews who opposed Paul at Lystra tried to ______ him.
a) Arrest
b) Stone
c) Praise
d) Expel
(10 more similar questions)
B. 15 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) with Answers
- Why did Paul and Barnabas separate?
- They disagreed over John Mark’s involvement in their journey.
- Who did Paul choose as his new missionary partner?
- Silas.
- Where did Barnabas go after the separation?
- He went to Cyprus with John Mark.
- What miracle did Paul perform at Lystra?
- He healed a crippled man.
- How did the people of Lystra react to the miracle?
- They thought Paul and Barnabas were gods.
(10 more similar questions)
C. 10 Evaluation Questions (Short Answer)
- Why did Paul refuse to take John Mark?
- What did the people of Lystra call Paul and Barnabas?
- How did Paul heal the crippled man?
- What was the reaction of the Jews who arrived in Lystra?
- What lesson can we learn from Paul’s perseverance?
(5 more similar questions)
Presentation Steps
- Revision: The teacher revisits the previous lesson on the first missionary journey.
- Introduction: The teacher asks engaging questions about disagreements.
- Discussion:
- The teacher explains the reasons for Paul and Barnabas’ separation.
- The teacher narrates Paul’s activities in Lystra.
- The teacher discusses the people’s reaction and the lesson from Paul’s experience.
- Correction & Guidance: The teacher clarifies misconceptions and gives feedback.
Teacher’s and Learners’ Activities
Teacher’s Activities
- Reads Acts 15:36–41 and Acts 14:8–20 with students.
- Explains the reasons for Paul and Barnabas’ separation.
- Guides students in analyzing Paul’s missionary work.
Learners’ Activities
- Read Bible passages aloud.
- Participate in group discussions.
- Answer evaluation questions.
Conclusion
- The teacher summarizes the lesson.
- The students answer oral questions.
- The teacher provides feedback and assigns homework.