SECOND TERM JS 2 (BASIC 8) CHRISTIAN RELIGIOUS STUDIES SCHEME OF WORK
NAME:……………………………………………………………………..CLASS:…..…………………………
SECOND TERM: E-LEARNING NOTES
JS 2 (BASIC 8)
SUBJECT: CHRISTIAN RELIGIOUS STUDIES
SCHEME OF WORK
WEEK TOPIC
- Revision of First Term work.
- Mission of the Disciples: (a) Fishers of men. Matt. 4: 18-22; LK 5: 1-11;
(b) The preaching of the Gospel and healing of the sick. Matt 10: 1-15
- Mission of the Disciples: (c) The Mission of the twelve apostles and the seventy
disciples. Matt. 10: 1-15; MK6:7-13 LK 9: 1-16; 10: 1-24. (d) Outcome of the mission
of the twelve and seventy disciples Mk 12; LK 10:17-20.
- Jesus Teachings on the Mount/The demand of the Kingdom: The Beatitudes.
Matt. 5:1-12. (b) Christians as salt and light of the world. Matt. 5:13-16.
- Jesus teachings on the mount/the demand of the Kingdom: (c) Forgiveness.
Matt.6:14-15. (d) Revenge. Matt. 5: 38-42.
- Jesus’ Teachings on Mount/The demand of the Kingdom: (e) Fasting and prayer.
Matt6:5-13. (f) Love of money. Matt. 6:19-34; (g) Worrying (anxiety); matt. 6:25-35
- Jesus teaching Parables
a. meaning of parable – why Jesus taught in parables. Matt 13:34-35.
b. parables about the kingdom i. parable of the sower. Matt 13:1-9,18-23.
ii. Parable of the wheat and tares. Matt 13:24-30, 36-43.
iii. Parable illustrating God’s love : The prodigal son. Luke 15:11-32.
Lost sheep. Luke 15:3-7 Lost coin. Luke:15:8-10.
- Jesus teaching in Parables
c. Parable about our attitude to earthly possessions: i. the rich fool –
Luke 12:13-21. ii. The rich man and Lazarus. Luke 16:19-31.
d. Maturity and Responsibility: i. the ten virgins. Matt 25:1-13. ii. The Talents.
Matt 25:14-30.
e. Unforgiving servant Matt 18:21-35
- The Miracles of Jesus:
a. Nature Miracles of Jesus i. turning water into wine – John 2:1-11.
ii. Calming the storm – Matt 8:23-27; Mark 4: 35-41. iii. Feeding of the 5,000 –
Matt 14:13-21. Mark 14:13-21. Mark 6:30-44. Luke 9: 10-17. iv. Feeding of the
4,000 – Mark 8:1-6.
b. Walking on the water. Matt 14:22-33
- The Miracle of Jesus
c. Healing Miracles of Jesus i. the centurion servant – Matt 8:5-13.
Luke 7:1-10. ii. The paralytic – Matt 9:1-8. Mark 2:1-12. iii. The demoniac of
Gadarene – Mark 5:1-20
d. Power over death i. raising of the widow’s son at Nain ii. Raising of Lazarus at
Bethany – John 11:1-45.
11 & 12. Revision & Examination[mediator_tech]
WEEK 1
Date:…………………………
Activity: Revision of first term work
WEEK 2
Date:…………………………….
Topic: MISSION OF THE DISCIPLES
BIBLICAL REFERENCES: MATTHEW 4:18-22. LUKE 5:1-11. MATTHEW 10:1-15.
SUB-TOPIC: i. FISHERS OF MEN
ii. THE PREACHING OF THE GOSPEL AND HEALING OF THE SICK
FISHERS OF MEN
Christ our Saviour came to this world to bridge the gap created by man when he sinned in the Garden of Eden. In this quest, he can not do it all alone and so He decided to involve human through the call of the Disciples to fulfil His Ministry. They were the ones that started with Christ and still faced with the responsibility to continue from where He stopped.
Jesus started His call from the Sea of Galilee when He saw two bothers fishing – Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother. They were fisher men but Christ called them to fish for men, which means that they were now to evangelise and bring men to God.
These are the names of the Disciples of Christ: Simon, who is called Peter, Andrew his brother, James the son of Zebedee, John his brother, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew the publican, James the son of Alphaeus, Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus, Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot – who also betrayed him.
THE PREACHING OF THE GOSPEL AND HEALING OF THE SICK
Preaching means reaching out to the sinners, telling them about the love of Jesus, how He died for them and ready to accept them back not considering their level of waywardness.
Jesus trained His disciples by explaining the scriptures and some parables of the kingdom to them in private. He sent them on practical trial to preach and perform healing in His name. The Disciples went and returned with joy.
JESUS WITH THE TWELVE DISCIPLES
MORAL LESSON
- The Disciples followed Christ at His clarion call, so we should not delay our salvation as Christ calls out to us.
- The Disciples obeyed Christ to carry out His Vision of winning souls. It is the responsibility of all Christians today to tell others about Christ – the message of Salvation.
EVALUATION
- What did Jesus say he would make the Disciples when He called them?
- In what place were the first four disciples called?
- Mention their names (first four).
WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT
- Write out the names of the twelve disciples.
WEEK 3
Date:…………………………….
Topic: MISSION OF THE DISCIPLES
BIBLICAL REFERENCES: MATTHEW 10:1-15. LUKE 10:17-20
SUB-TOPIC:
THE MISSION OF THE TWELVE APOSTLES
THE MISSION OF THE SEVENTY DISCIPLES
OUTCOME OF THE MISSION OF THE TWELVE AND THE SEVENTY[mediator_tech]
CONTENT
THE MISSION OF THE TWELVE APOSTLES
Jesus sent his twelve disciples out for winning soul for God as a trial for their training. He charged them not to carry anything for the journey, no bread, bag, money, but to go with a shirt, a pair of sandals and one staff.
The disciples were charged by Christ not to extend their mission to the Gentile (foreigners) and Samaritans (half Jew and half foreigners) but to limit their activities to the Jews.
They were to stay in any town they got to until their departure. Christ told them they should leave any town that did not receive them, shaking off its dust from their feet as a testimony against its inhabitants. The twelve went out and preached repentance, cast out demons and healed the sick.
THE MISSION OF THE SEVENTY DISCPLES
Shortly after the mission of the twelve, seventy disciples were sent out by Christ because more souls needed to be saved but there were few labourers. Jesus reminded them “the harvest is plenteous, but the labourers are few”. He told them that He was sending them out as sheep in the midst of wolves.
He never failed to instruct them not to carry any purse, sandals, bag and not to salute anybody on the road. They were to stay in any house they were received and eat whatever they were given there, preaching and healing the sick. They should not go from house to house but leave any town that did not receive them, after shaking off its dust from their feet and telling them that the kingdom of God had come near them.
Jesus said it would be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah than any town that rejected them. Jesus then pronounced woes (Judgment) on the chief cities in Galilee – Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum where most mighty works were performed because they did not repent.
OUTCOME OF THE MISSION OF THE TWELVE AND THE SEVENTY
When the seventy returned and reported that even the demons were subject to them in Jesus Name, Christ told them that He saw Satan falling from heaven like lightening.
He also told them that he had given them power over serpents, scorpions and the power of the enemy. After this, he thanked God for hiding these things from the wise but revealing them to the babes. He added that the Father had given everything to Him, that no one knew the son except the Father and no one knew the Father except the son.
Finally, he told the seventy that they should be happy of what they saw because Prophets and kings had wanted to see them but they could not.
THE COMMISSIONING OF THE 12 DISCIPLES
SIGNIFICANCE
Jesus sent out the twelve because the Nation of Israel was made up of twelve tribes and the seventy because Moses chose seventy elders to help in his administration in the desert.
MORAL INSTRUCTION
- When Jesus sent out the twelve on a mission non objected. Therefore you should not refuse to any duty given to you in the church or school.
- Jesus told the twelve not to carry food with them because God would provide for them. Therefore, you should not be afraid to be a minister of the Gospel or Missionary because God will ensure your needs are provided.
- Its Christ’s ultimate command to all Christians to preach the gospel, so we must be involved.
- We must help the missionaries in prayers, financially and also showing our care whenever they are around.
WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT
- Why did it seem the number twelve and seventy were importance to Jesus?
- Why did Jesus call the disciples?
- Mention two significance of the mission of the disciples?
- What was the instruction given to the seventy?
- ‘Fishers of men’ means what?
WEEK 4
Date:……………………………….
Topic: JESUS TEACHING ON THE MOUNT/THE DEMAND OF THE KINGDOM
BIBLE REFERENCES: MATTHEW 5:1-12. MATTHEW 5:13-16. MATTHEW 6:14-15
SUB TOPIC:
THE BEATITUDES
CHRISTIANS AS SALT AND LIGHT OF THE WORLD
CONTENT:
THE BEATITUDES
Beatitudes means a state of total happiness, blessedness, success and prosperity. In the book of Matthew, there are nine beatitudes stated by Christ while He taught on the mount as each began with the word “blessed”. It simply signifies the reward for faithful followers of Christ who obeys His commandment. The nine beatitudes are as follows:[mediator_tech]
- Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
- Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
- Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
- Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
- Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
- Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
- Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God.
- Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
- Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account (for my sake).
- Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so men persecuted the Prophets who were before you.
CHRISTIANS AS SALT AND LIGHT OF THE WORLD
All over the world, salt is known as a preservative. It prevents the foods from decaying, adds value to its taste and used as seasoning ingredient. In the same way, we are to preserve the society some social ills, evil practices and decadence through their belief, attitudes and character.
The light shines to give directions on path. As Christians, we should shine a godly light to direct others from sin to Christ as they see the works of our heavenly Father in us and give praises to God.
CHRIST TEACHING ON THE MOUNT
ASSESSMENT
- What is Beatitude?
- Mention five Beatitudes.
- Mention four usefulness of salt to human living.
- How can you be salt to your generation?
WEEK 5
Date:……………………….
Topic: JESUS TEACHING ON THE MOUNT/THE DEMAND OF THE KINGDOM
BIBLE REFERENCES: MATTHEW 5:1-12. MATTHEW 5:13-16. MATTHEW 6:14-15
SUB TOPIC:
FORGIVENESS AND REVENGE
CONTENT
FORGIVENESS AND REVENGE
The Law of Moses stated, “An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth”, which means when someone misplaces your property, he MUST get you another or be made sure to lose the same thing at the same value. Those who are interested in stealing are made to pay for the exact material missed. This was the law given through Moses but Christ came and abolished this law i.e. He officially end this Law.
Our Saviour a loving and caring Father felt and saw the need for peaceful coexistence between human and their neighbour and so decided to eliminate this long live law. Christ’s Law teaches perseverance, brotherly love and peace with men when offended or victimized not retaliate nor strike back.
SIGNIFICANCE
- Christ will never forsake those who obey His commandments.
- His blessings abound all the way for obedient Christians.
- Christian’s lives are like book before the eyes of the earthen.
- We must strive to live righteously to bring others to Christ.
- We should be able to tolerate, bear and endure wrongs done to us from others.
CHRIST TEACHING ON THE MOUNT
ASSESSMENT
- How can Christians act like light in the world?
- As Christians what should be our attitude to the visually impaired on the way?
- How many times are we to forgive in a day?
WEEK 6
Date:……………….
Topic: JESUS TEACHING ON THE MOUNT/THE DEMAND OF THE KINGDOM
BIBLE REFERENCES: MATTHEW 6:5-13. MATTHEW 6:19-34. MATTHEW 6:25-34
SUB TOPIC:
FASTING AND PRAYER
LOVE OF MONEY
WORRY AND ANXIETY
CONTENT
FASTING AND PRAYER
During fasting, Christians are not to frown, look dejected or pale which makes way for questions from neighbours; rather a happy countenance should be seen and our body kept clean. People who fast looking dejected, miserable are referred to as hypocrites before God.[mediator_tech]
Prayer as a means of communicating with God provides us the opportunity of presenting our request with faith of being answered. Prayers in faith backed up with fasting makes efficient and speedy answer. When we pray, we should not use our prayer as a demonstration of our holiness and thereby attract the attention of men and their praises. Quiet prayers in faith attract God’s attention and blessing. Christ gave his disciples a prayer pattern that signifies our prayer is to start with adoration to God “Our Father who hath in Heaven Hallowed be thy Name”.
LOVE OF MONEY
Money is a legal tender. It is a medium by which value is placed on goods and services for exchange purposes.
A legal tender should be made to replace our eternal value and eternity because it’s only useful here on earth. Christ reminded us the commandment that says “thou shall not have any other god except Me”, because many have made money their god and they have been slave to its power.
We are to store our treasures in heaven where moth and rust cannot destroy nor robbers break in not on earth where all evil are present.
WORRY AND ANXIETY
For human to survive there is need to work but when worry and anxiety is involved, it becomes a problem to our health. Christ said we should not worry about the food we eat, cloth to put on and other necessities of life, rather as we work, we pray and believe God for blessings and breakthrough.
The birds, flowers, and grass are good examples for us as God takes care of them without their need to work, toil or worry. The Bible note it that even King Solomon was not best arrayed as flowers taken care by God.[mediator_tech]
Therefore, Christians are to work as best they could and trust in God through prayers that all shall be well. The concern of heaven should be the paramount thing on our heart and as we do this, God will meet all our needs.
MORAL INSTRUCTION
- As Christians, when it is good to fast but it should be done without being noticed by others.
- We should develop the habit of communing with God through prayer.
- Money should never be our god. It should serve us not we serving it.
- Those who love money and are always desiring of getting more often fall into temptation and sin.
- Worry and anxiety cannot add a cubit or centimetre to us but only adds sickness, pains of lack and eventually may leads to premature death.
CHRIST TEACHING ON THE MOUNT
WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT
- What is Prayer?
- What is the effect of fasting with a frowned face and dejected look?
- Since we are not to worry or be anxious, there is no need of studying? Yes/No
- Briefly explain what you will tell your Neighbor who has just lost his job.
WEEK 7
Date:………………………….
Topic: JESUS’ TEACHING IN PARABLES
BIBLE REFERENCES: MATTHEW 13:34-35. 1-9, 18-23. 13:24-30, 36-43. LUKE 15:11-32. 15:3-7. 15:8-10.
SUB TOPIC:
MEANING OF PARABLE
- WHY JESUS TAUGHT IN PARABLES
PARABLES ABOUT THE KINGDOM
- PARABLE OF THE SOWER
- PARABLE OF THE WHEAT AND TARES
PARABLE ILLUSTRATING GOD’S LOVE
- THE PRODIGAL SON
- THE LOST SHEEP
- THE LOST COIN
CONTENT
MEANING OF PARABLE
Parable is simply an earthly story with a heavenly meaning.
It is a way Christ adopted to teach from the known to the unknown in an interesting way so that his audience could understand. The aim of every parable is to make learning easier for learners.
It is an effective method of revealing truth to the spiritual and ready mind at the same time, concealing it from others who are not interested.
WHY JESUS TAUGHT IN PARABLES
Most of Christ’s teachings were in parables. Jesus taught in parables so that as we are familiar with the story, we might through this understand clearly and obey Him.
PARABLES ABOUT THE KINGDOM
PARABLE OF THE SOWER
Christ gave a parable about a Sower who sowed on different grounds which yielded different results.
Explaining the parables, Jesus said that the seed is the word of God. The Sower is the Preacher or Minister.
The seeds that fall along the path are those who heard the word of but do not understand it and so Satan takes it away from their hearts.
Those that fall on the rocky ground are those who hear the word of God but fall away because of persecution.
Those that fall among thorns are those that hear the word but the lust for pleasure makes them to fall away.
Those that fall on good ground are the people that hear the word, grow to maturity and become productive.
PARABLE OF THE WHEAT AND TARES
A man sowed good seeds in his farm and at night, the enemy came and sowed weeds (unwanted poisonous seeds). His servant saw this and wanted to act immediately to remove the weeds but the master said he should leave both to grow so that he won’t destroy the good seeds and when both has grown during harvest both will be separated.
He who sows the good seeds is the son of man.
The field is the world.
The good seeds are the sons of the kingdom.
The weeds are the sons of the evil one.
The enemy is the devil.
The harvest is the end of the world.
The reapers are the Angels.
PARABLE ILLUSTRATING GOD’S LOVE
THE PRODIGAL SON
A man had two sons. The younger asked of his share of property that he needs it while the father was still alive. After much persuasion from the father not to, he was given and left to a far country. After lavishly spending all these money, he became poor and had to work and eat with pigs.
He came back to his senses and came back home regretting and apologising. The father welcomed him hosting a big party with neighbours to celebrate his ones lost and dead son.[mediator_tech]
This parable was to show how God loves sinners and ready to receive them when they repent. The lost son signifies the sinners while the jealous brother is the scribes and Pharisees.
THE LOST SHEEP
The Pharisees and Scribes criticized Jesus for mixing with tax collectors and sinners. Jesus replied by telling them the parable of the lost sheep.
Jesus said who among them will have one hundred sheep lost one, won’t leave the ninety and nine to look for the lost one and after seeing it call his neighbors to rejoice with him. Jesus was referring to the joy in heaven over a saved sinner.
THE LOST COIN
Jesus gave them another parable that states that a woman who had ten silver coins but lost one of them would lit a lamp, search the entire house and when she find it call the neighbors to rejoice with her for her lost but found coin. Jesus was also referring to the joy in heaven over a sinner who repented.
MORAL INSTRUCTIONS
- We should learn to have sympathy for the lost.
- There is hope for a willing sinner that will repent.
- Strategies should be made to save the lost from sins.
- We should not be frustrated when we don’t see immediate result of our preaching.
- Sinners should be assured of the love of Christ for their salvation and acceptance.
WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT
- What is a Parable?
- Why did Jesus teach in Parables?
- What made Jesus to tell the Parable of the lost coin?
- Mention the characters in the Parable of the Prodigal son.
- How does the Parable of the lost sheep relate to sinners today
WEEK 8
Date:……………………………
Topic: JESUS’ TEACHING IN PARABLES
BIBLE REFERENCES: MATTHEW 13:34-35. 1-9, 18-23. 13:24-30, 36-43. LUKE 15:11-32. 15:3-7. 15:8-10.
SUB TOPIC:
PARABLE ABOUT OUR ATTITUDE TO EARTHLY POSSESSIONS
THE RICH FOOL
THE RICH MAN AND LAZARUS
MATURITY AND RESPONSIBILITY
THE TEN VIRGINS
THE TALENTS
UNFORGIVING STEWARD
CONTENT
PARABLE ABOUT OUR ATTITUDE TO EARTHLY POSSESSIONS
THE RICH FOOL
Most people think that the most important thing in life is money. They will never share their wealth with anybody not to talk of giving to the Church of God. Jesus condemned this evil through these parables.
A man told Jesus to ask his brother to share with him the property their father left for them. Jesus asked him if anybody appointed him a judge over his family affairs and because of this Christ gave them a parable.
A certain rich man had a bumper harvest and said to himself that his problem was storage because he is going to enjoy to the fullest. But God told him that he was a fool because that very night, he is going to die and those things he had possessed, another person will take.
SIGNIFICANCE
The parable is warning us against greed.
In whatever situation we are rich or poor, we should never boast or feel proudly fulfilled without praising God that has given us.
THE RICH MAN AND LAZARUS
The rich man has a big mansion where he held feast everyday with family and friend while Lazarus was a poor wounded man sitting at his gate always without help or food to eat, begging to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table, but the rich man’s dog will come and lick the his sores.
When both of them died, the rich man was carried to hell while Lazarus was in at Abraham’s bosom in heaven. The rich man pleaded that Lazarus be sent to dip his finger in water to quench his thirst but father Abraham replied him that his request would not be answered because of the great pit in between them and that while he was on earth he enjoyed all the good things and now the table has turned in favour of Lazarus.
He made another request for his family still alive and he was told if they can’t believe Moses and the Prophets they have, they won’t believe anyone that rise from the dead.
SIGNIFICANCE
This parable shows clearly the fearful consequence of social injustice.
It also teaches us that we are stewards of God with the responsibility of proper use of God’s property. We are use the wealth to help the poor and the needy.
MATURITY AND RESPONSIBILITY
Maturity is behaving sensibly like an adult. It is the ability to solve problem in a meaningful and appealing way. When we behave maturely, we have behaved in the right way.
THE TEN VIRGINS
Jesus said the ten bridesmaids light their lamps waiting for the bridegroom. Five were wise (the kept extra oil) while five were foolish in that they had non for extra. When they heard about the bridegroom’s arrival there was no oil remaining for their lamp. They asked the wise but were disappointed on hearing that they needed to go and buy for sufficiency.
When they left, the bridegroom arrived and those who were ready went in with him and the door was shut against them.
SIGNIFICANCE
This parable signifies that we need proper preparations for academic projects, assignments and examination.
We should be in readiness for the second coming of the bridegroom – Jesus Christ our Saviour.
THE TALENTS
A certain business man called his servants when he was about to travel and gave them talents to trade with according to their abilities.
He gave the first, five talents.
He gave the second, two talents.
He gave the third, one talent.
On his return after a long stay, he called them to give account.
The first traded and gained five more, the second had a profit of two talents but the third said he hid it in the ground and so did not make any profit. The master collected from the first two their profits and promised them promotion. He called the third for his profits but was surprised when the servant told him how wicked he is, expecting to reap from where he has not sown. The master rebuked him and banished him into outer darkness where men weep and gnash their teeth.
SIGNIFICANCE
The first two made use of their talents for the master, while the third was unprofitable.
We must make use of our talents for the master so that He might reward us when he comes. If any decide to be unprofitable, eternity in hell is awaiting such.[mediator_tech]
UNFORGIVING STEWARD
This parable came up as a result of Peter’s question about forgiving his brother only seven times in a day when offended. Jesus told him it should be seventy times seven a total of four hundred and ninety (490) times, which simply means unlimited.
A king called his servants to settle his accounts with them and one of his servants was brought to him, owing ten thousand talents. The king ordered his family and property to be sold since the debts was too much, even when he was asking for more time to pay back. He was pardoned by the king and his debts cancelled.
Shortly after he was forgiven, he saw a fellow servant that owed him only hundred denarii – one talent. He held him on the throat to pay his money as he debtor fell to the ground begging. He would not listen but shut him in prison.
Other servant told their master about this and he was sent for, delivered to the tormentors until he should pay all his debts.
SIGNIFICANCE
Offence is of the inevitable situation in life. We should learn to forgive even when it comes with injury or scar on us.
Our heart should be open for forgiveness, so that our heavenly Father will also forgive us our trespasses. Matthew 18:35
WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT
- Another name for Parable is ___?
- Why is the rich man with bumper harvest considered a fool?
- The rich man in Lazarus story went to hell. Why?
- On what account did Jesus give the parable of the unforgiving servant?
- Mention two categories of Christ’s miracles.
WEEK 9
Date:………………………….
Topic: THE MIRACLES OF JESUS
BIBLE REFERENCE: JOHN 2:1-11. MATTHEW 8:23-27. MATTHEW 14:13-21. MARK 8:1-6.
MATTHEW 14:22-33
SUB TOPIC:
NATURE MIRACLES OF JESUS
TURNING WATER INTO WINE
CALMING THE STORM
FEEDING OF THE FIVE THOUSAND
FEEDING OF THE FOUR THOUSAND
WALKING ON THE WATER
CONTENT
Miracles are unnatural occurrences that won’t be possible without supernatural intervention. At times, people survived from fatal accidents on road, air or even sea stating “My life was saved by a miracle”. Miracles are happenings that defy the law of nature at most times.
Christ’s miracles are divided into four groups. These are nature, healing, exorcing and raising the dead miracles.
NATURE MIRACLES OF JESUS
TURNING WATER INTO WINE
Jesus attended a wedding at Cana of Galilee with his mother and disciples. Things to eat and drink were provided but as the population increased, there was shortage of wine. His mother came to him for help. He answered his mother “O woman what have you to do with me?” He said this noting that his time has not yet come. Mary – his mother told the servants to do whatever he asked them.
Christ told them to fill the six stone jars (each can hold twenty or thirty gallons of water) available, blessed it and ordered it to be served. When served, the steward commented on why the best wine was kept late till the end of the ceremony.
SIGNIFICANCE
This was the first miracle Christ performed in John’s gospel. Jesus performed this miracle to teach caring for the needy.
CALMING THE STORM
As Jesus and His disciples were on the Sea of Galilee to the other side, a great storm arose while Christ was sleeping in the boat. His disciples woke Him and asked if He cares at all. Jesus ordered the wind to stop and immediately the sea became calm. His disciples were amazed as they asked themselves, what sort of man Jesus was, as the sea obeyed Him.
SIGNIFICANCE
Jesus has the power to control even natural occurrences and nature itself.
FEEDING OF THE FIVE THOUSAND
Jesus saw the need to rest and so told his disciples to accompany him to a quiet place to rest but was surprised to meet people waiting for them on the other side. He had compassion on them as they looked like sheep without shepherd. He taught them till late in the afternoon and felt they should be fed. The disciples said they would need two hundred denarii worth of bread because they had only five loaves of bread and two fish.
Jesus ordered the people to sit in groups after which he blessed the available food. The food went round and the disciples at the request of Jesus gathered twelve basket remains.
FEEDING OF THE FOUR THOUSAND
On another account, Jesus ministered to a bug crowd of four thousand for three days. He felt the need of feeding them at the end of the third day, so they won’t faint on the way home. He blessed the available seven loaves of bread and a few fish. The people were all fed and there were seven baskets leftover.
SIGNIFICANCE
Our Lord Jesus is a compassionate God even when he was tired, he still ministered to the needy.
WALKING ON THE WATER
After the feeding of the five thousand, Jesus ordered his disciples to cross the sea to Bethsaida while he disperse the people and prayed. He decided to walk on the water to join the disciple in the boat, though it was getting dark.
While he walked on the sea, the disciples thought it was a ghost, he declared himself and Peter ask Christ to permit him join him on the water. Christ gave his consent as Peter joined him and enjoyed the walking but began to sink when he started doubting because of the strong wind that arose. He cried out to Jesus and he was saved.
The strong wind seized immediately Jesus stepped into the boat and his disciples marvelled but believed on him the more.
SIGNIFICANCE
The laws of nature bows to Christ which made him walk on the sea.
Peter experienced the supernatural because of his faith but began to sink as he started fearing.
MORAL LESSONS
- Obedient faith and absolute trust in God is a major requirement for miracle.
- You must learn to show compassion for the needy.
- Christ is always there to save us when we are in danger.
- There should be compassion for the sinners which will make us reach out to them.
- There no situation that Christ cannot intervene.
WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT
- The first miracle of Christ at Cana was____?
- In what way did Christ demonstrate his care?
- Mention a significance of turning water into wine.
- How many remains were gathered after the feeding of the five thousand?
- Write briefly on how you have cared for a needy.
WEEK 10
Date:………………………..
Topic: THE MIRACLES OF JESUS
BIBLE REFERENCE: MATTHEW 8:5-13. MATTHEW 9:1-8. MARK 5: 1-20. LUKE 7: 1-17. JOHN 11:1-45
SUB TOPIC:
HEALING MIRACLES
THE CENTURION’S SERVANT
THE PARALYTIC
THE DEMONIAC OF GADARENE
RAISING MIRACLES / POWER OVER DEATH
RAISING OF THE WIDOW’S SON AT NAIN
RAISING OF LAZARUS AT BETHANY
CONTENT
HEALING MIRACLES
THE CENTURION’S SERVANT
Christ’s healing miracles shows that he brought salvation and healing to all who could believe in faith. His healing miracles brought joy to the lives of people and smiles on their faces.[mediator_tech]
The Roman government’s army unit in Capernaum consisted of one hundred soldiers under a Roman officer called the Centurion. A certain centurion had a servant who was very sick near to death. The centurion heard of Jesus presence in Capernaum and sent the elders of the Jews to ask Jesus t come and heal his sick servant. They told Jesus how good the man was and how he built the synagogue for them.
While Jesus was on the way to the centurion’s house, he sent a message to Jesus to just speak a word of command as he was a soldier and knowing the effect of command. Jesus marvelled at this and declared that He has not seen such a faith in Israel. The friends of the centurion found the servant recovered when they got home.
THE PARALYTIC
When Jesus was in Capernaum, four men carried a paralytic to him, but the crowd was much. This made the men that carried the paralytic man remove the roof, lowered the man and he received his healing as Christ appreciated their firm friendly faith and decreed “My son, your sins are forgiven thee”.
THE DEMONAIC OF GADARENE
A demoniac means a mad person. Christ and his disciples went to Gadarene and saw a man possessed with evil spirit, living in the tomb bound in chains. Jesus asked him his name and he said it was Legion. A legion means six thousand soldiers, which signifies they were many in him.
He cried out to Christ for help while the evil spirit in him begged Jesus not to send them to a place of torment – abyss. Jesus granted both request as he sent the evil spirit into the herd of swine feeding near on a steep near the river that numbered about two thousand.
The herdsmen saw this, ran to the town to proclaim it and begged Jesus to leave their town.
RAISING MIRACLES / POWER OVER DEATH
THE WIDOW’S SON AT NAIN
After the previous day’s healing of the centurion servant, Jesus left Capernaum for Nain. As He approached the city gate, He saw some people carrying out a dead man, who was the only child of his mother. Jesus had pity for her and told her not to cry. He then put his hand on the coffin and ordered “Young man, I say unto thee arise”. Immediately the dead man sat up and began to walk.
RAISING OF LAZARUS AT BETHANY
Lazarus lived in Bethany a village near Jerusalem with his two sisters Mary and Martha who were women disciples of Christ.
Christ was informed about his friend Lazarus’ sickness. He delayed for two days before visiting him. Meanwhile he knew that Lazarus had died as he told his disciples that Lazarus has fallen asleep.
On the fourth day, Mary and Martha heard that Jesus was near. Martha met Jesus and cried to him that it was his delay that caused her brother’s death. Christ told her that He is the resurrection and life. Anyone who believes on Him though he die, he shall live again and those that live will never die (talking about the spiritual death).
Christ commanded the stone to be rolled away that was used as coverage to the tomb entrance and thanked God the Father after which he said with a loud voice “Lazarus, come forth”.[mediator_tech]
Lazarus came out, the people removed the bandage that covered him and everyone rejoiced, glorifying God.
SIGNIFICANCE
- Miracles are at times on unmerited mercy, through Christ’s blood.
- Christ is a merciful, loving saviour.
- Miracles sort in faith (the paralytic) are answered speedily.
- Sinners receive miracles though miracles are meant for believers who ask in faith.
- Even when hope seems lost, we should still seek miracles in faith (the widow’s son).
ASSESSMENT
- What was the distinctive effort of the four men that led to their friend’s healing?
- What was the role of the four men?
- What is miracle?
- What do you understand by nature miracles?
WEEK ELEVEN & TWELVE: REVISION AND EXAMINATION