Discovering the Journey to Jesus: Wise Men and Shepherds Christian Religious Studies JSS 2 First Term Lesson Notes Week 2
Lesson Plan Presentation
Subject: Christian Religious Studies
Class: JSS 2
Term: First Term
Week: 2
Age: 12-13 years
Topic: The Birth of Jesus Christ
Sub-topic: The Visit of the Wise Men and Shepherds
Duration: 80 minutes
THE BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST
Behavioral Objectives:
By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:
- Describe the events surrounding the visit of the wise men to baby Jesus.
- Explain the significance of the gifts presented by the wise men.
- Describe the visit of the shepherds and its importance.
- Relate the lessons from these visits to their daily lives.
Keywords:
- Magi
- Shepherds
- Frankincense
- Myrrh
- Bethlehem
Set Induction:
Begin by asking the students if they have ever received a special gift and how it made them feel. Relate this to the gifts given to Jesus by the wise men.
Entry Behaviour:
Students are familiar with the Christmas story but may not know the details of the wise men’s visit or its significance.
Learning Resources and Materials:
- Bible (Matthew 2:1-12, Luke 2:8-20)
- Pictures of the nativity scene
- Flashcards with keywords
- Chart showing the significance of the gifts
Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge:
Ask students to recall the story of Jesus’ birth that they learned in previous years. Discuss briefly what they remember.
The Passion: Jesus’ Triumphant Entry and Cleaning of the Temple
Birth of Jesus in Bethlehem Manger
Embedded Core Skills:
- Critical thinking
- Communication
- Ethical values
Reference Books:
- Lagos State Scheme of Work
- New International Version (NIV) Bible
- Christian Religious Studies textbooks
Instructional Materials:
- Pictures of the wise men and shepherds
- Bible verses printed on cards
- A map of Bethlehem
Content
The Visit of the Wise Men (Magi)
When Jesus was born, wise men from the East saw a star that signified the birth of a new king. They followed the star to Jerusalem and asked King Herod where the king of the Jews was born. Herod was troubled and asked the Jewish priests and scribes. They told him that the prophets said the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. Herod told the wise men to find the child and report back so he could also pay homage, though his real intent was harmful. The wise men continued to Bethlehem, guided by the star, and found Jesus. They worshipped Him and gave Him gifts of gold (symbolizing royalty), frankincense (symbolizing priesthood), and myrrh (symbolizing His future death). They did not return to Herod because they were warned by God in a dream.
The Visit of the Shepherds
The birth of Jesus was also announced to shepherds in the fields by an angel. They were told not to be afraid because the angel brought good news of great joy for all people. The shepherds went quickly to find Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus lying in a manger. After visiting, they returned to their fields, praising God for what they had witnessed. This shows that God values ordinary people.
Evaluation
15 Fill-in-the-Blank Questions:
- The wise men followed a ________ to find Jesus.
a) moon
b) star
c) cloud
d) wind - The gifts the wise men gave Jesus were gold, frankincense, and ________.
a) myrtle
b) mint
c) myrrh
d) milk - Gold symbolized Jesus’ ________.
a) wisdom
b) royalty
c) wealth
d) strength - The wise men were from the ________.
a) North
b) South
c) East
d) West - The angel announced Jesus’ birth to the ________.
a) soldiers
b) farmers
c) shepherds
d) fishermen - The shepherds found Jesus lying in a ________.
a) cradle
b) manger
c) bed
d) basket - The wise men were also called ________.
a) kings
b) prophets
c) Magi
d) priests - Herod asked the wise men to ________ after finding Jesus.
a) worship Him
b) bring gifts
c) return to him
d) tell others - Frankincense represents Jesus’ ________ work.
a) kingly
b) priestly
c) prophetic
d) teaching - Myrrh signified Jesus’ ________.
a) birth
b) teachings
c) death
d) miracles - The shepherds were visited by a ________ to announce Jesus’ birth.
a) prophet
b) priest
c) king
d) angel - The wise men did not return to Herod because ________.
a) they forgot
b) they were warned in a dream
c) they were tired
d) they got lost - The shepherds were told that Jesus would bring great ________ to all people.
a) sorrow
b) joy
c) fear
d) wealth - Jesus was born in ________ of Judea.
a) Nazareth
b) Bethlehem
c) Jerusalem
d) Capernaum - The visit of the shepherds shows that God values ________ people.
a) wealthy
b) powerful
c) ordinary
d) educated
Class Activity Discussion
15 FAQs with Answers:
- Q: Why did the wise men follow a star?
A: The star signified the birth of a new king. - Q: What were the three gifts given to Jesus by the wise men?
A: Gold, frankincense, and myrrh. - Q: What does gold symbolize?
A: Gold symbolizes royalty. - Q: Who were the wise men?
A: They were Magi from the East. - Q: What did Herod want to do to baby Jesus?
A: He wanted to harm Him. - Q: Who announced Jesus’ birth to the shepherds?
A: An angel. - Q: What is the significance of the shepherds’ visit?
A: It shows that God values ordinary people. - Q: Why did the wise men not return to Herod?
A: God warned them in a dream. - Q: What does frankincense represent?
A: It represents Jesus’ priestly work. - Q: Where was Jesus found by the shepherds?
A: In a manger. - Q: What does myrrh signify?
A: It signifies Jesus’ death. - Q: How did the shepherds react after seeing Jesus?
A: They praised and glorified God. - Q: Who told Herod about the birth of a new king?
A: The wise men. - Q: What did the angel tell the shepherds?
A: That Jesus’ birth would bring great joy to all people. - Q: Where was Jesus born?
A: In Bethlehem of Judea.
Presentation
Step 1: The teacher revises the previous topic, which was “The Prophets’ Foretelling of the Messiah.”
Step 2: The teacher introduces the new topic, “The Birth of Jesus Christ,” focusing on the visits of the wise men and shepherds.
Step 3: The teacher allows the pupils to share what they know about these visits. The teacher corrects and guides them as necessary.
Teacher’s Activities:
- Engage students in a discussion about their understanding of the Christmas story.
- Guide the students through the story of the wise men and shepherds.
- Correct any misconceptions and provide detailed explanations.
Learners’ Activities:
- Listen attentively to the teacher’s explanation.
- Participate in the discussion by sharing what they know.
- Ask questions to clarify their understanding.
Assessment:
- The teacher asks the students to summarize the significance of the wise men’s gifts.
- The teacher requests students to explain why the shepherds’ visit was important.
Evaluation Questions
- What did the wise men follow to find Jesus?
- Mention the three gifts given to Jesus.
- What does gold symbolize?
- Where was Jesus born?
- Who announced Jesus’ birth to the shepherds?
- Why did the wise men not return to Herod?
- What does frankincense represent?
- Who wanted to harm baby Jesus?
- Where did the shepherds find Jesus?
- What does myrrh signify?
- Explain the visit of the shepherds
- mention the three gifts that the wise men gave to Jesus Christ
- Who wanted to kill baby Jesus
- To pardon means to _______
- Mention two people that forgave someone in the bible
- To whom did Jesus say to that go and sin no more, your sins are forgiven
- Mention two ways of letting go of what others have done to us in the past
- What did the three men tell Herod
Conclusion:
The teacher wraps up the lesson by summarizing the key points and ensuring that students have correctly copied the notes. The teacher goes around the classroom to check and make any necessary corrections.