FELLOWSHIP IN THE EARLY CHURCH

SUBJECT :

CHRISTIAN RELIGIOUS STUDIES

TOPIC :

FELLOWSHIP IN THE EARLY CHURCH

CLASS  :

JSS 3 / BASIC 9

TERM :

FIRST TERM

WEEK :

Week 4

REFERENCE MATERIALS :  .

• ONLINE MATERIALS
• SCHEME OF WORK
• TEXTBOOKS
• THE HOLY BIBLE

PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE :

The pupils have previous knowledge of

 PETER’S FIRST SPEECH ON PENTECOST DAY AND ITS EFFECT (Acts 2:14-41)

BEHAVIOURAL OBJECTIVES :  At the end of the lesson, the pupils should be able to

• Explain  meaning of fraud
• Say the reasons why people commit fraud
• Mention the people that were caught up in fraud by the apostles in the new testament
• list the punishment for telling lies
• Say who were caught in the act of cheating and lying in the early church?
• List five examples of fraud seen in our society.

CONTENT :

WEEK 4 

DATE: …………………………….

TOPIC: FELLOWSHIP IN THE EARLY CHURCH

CONTENTS:  1.TOGETHERNESS IN THE EARLY CHURCH. ACTS 2:41-47.

2. FRAUD IN THE CHURCH. ACTS 5:1-11.

SUB-TOPIC 1: TOGETHERNESS IN THE EARLY CHURCH

TOGETHERNESS IN THE EARLY CHURCH. ACTS 2:41-47.

The early Church was a community of believers who were committed to living in harmony with one another. This is evident from the fact that they shared everything they had in common. They also met together regularly for worship and prayer. This togetherness was not just an outward display of unity, but it was also a source of strength and encouragement for them.

Despite the challenges they faced, the early Christians persevered because they knew that they were not alone. They had each other to lean on and pray for one another. This togetherness was a key part of their witness to the world, and it is something we can all learn from today.

When we are committed to living in fellowship with one another, we will be able to weather any storm that comes our way. We will also be a powerful witness to the world of the love of God. So let us all resolved to live in greater togetherness with one another from today onwards.

At the ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven, the number of the disciples including women was about one hundred and twenty (120) .After Peter’s speech on the day of Pentecost about three thousand souls were baptized and added to the Church. Also after the prayer of Peter and John for the crippled man at the beautiful gate who got healed during the hour of prayer, about five thousand men were converted and added to the church.

The converts all stayed in Jerusalem with the disciples. They formed the early Church. There was a sense of togetherness and belonging among members of the early Church. They were of one heart and one mind, they did everything in common.

The Characteristics of the early Church can be summarized as follows:

1. They devoted themselves to the Apostles’ teaching and fellowship.
2. They lived communal life; they had everything common.
3. They broke Bread together. This means they took Holy Communion together.
4. The rich and others sold their properties and possessions and brought all the money to the apostles’ feet.
5. They worshipped in the temple daily. 
6. They distributed food and clothing to all the members, as any had need.
7. They prayed Together.
8. They were always praising God.
9. They ate food with glad and generous hearts.
10. Everybody worked for the good of others in order to build a strong Church .

EVALUATION:

1. The early church practiced ——– type of living.
2. Mention four forms of togetherness seen in the life of members of the early church.

SUB-TOPIC 2: FRAUD IN THE CHURCH

Fraud is a form of cheating or stealing that results from dishonesty. It is a way of denying others their share from the Church, State or Nation through deceit and corruption. In our present day ,people in churches and society engage in widespread fraud to enrich themselves. Some people who collect tithes for the Church or taxes for the Nation, keep part of the money collected for their personal use. Such acts are fraudulent. Just as fraud (corruption) is today, so it was in the early Church.

FRAUD IN THE CHURCH. 2 Corinthians 11:13-15

The early church was a fellowship of believers who were committed to living out their faith together. This commitment was evident in the way they shared their possessions and cared for one another. It was also evident in the way they welcomed outsiders into their community.

However, not all members of the early church were committed to this fellowship. Some, like the false apostles in 2 Corinthians 11:13-15, saw the church as a place to exploit others for their own gain.

The false apostles were not content with simply living off the generosity of the church. They also deception and trickery to take advantage of the believers.

Paul warned the Corinthians to beware of these false apostles. He cautioned them not to be taken in by their smooth words and empty promises.

Some members of the early Church were not honest.  Ananias and Sapphira were bad people. The two agreed to sell their property and bring the money to a common fund but after they had sold the property, they surrendered part of the money and kept back the rest for their own use. The husband came first and lied to Peter that he had brought the entire money. Peter made it known to him that he had told a lie not to him but to the Holy Spirit. Immediately Ananias fell down and died. Some people came in, carried him away and buried him.

After a while his wife Sapphira came in and also lied that she and her husband had brought the entire amount. Immediately, she also fell down and died and was buried beside her husband. A great fear came upon all the members of the early Church.

EVALUATION:

1. What is Fraud?
2. Who were caught in the act of cheating and lying in the early church?
3. List five examples of fraud seen in our society.

WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT

Read the next topic and give a brief account what led to murmuring in the early church.

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PRESENTATION 

The topic is presented step by step

Step 1:

The class teacher revises the previous topics

Step 2.

He introduces the new topic

Step 3:

The class teacher allows the pupils to give their own examples and he corrects them when the needs arise

CONCLUSION :

The class teacher wraps up or conclude the lesson by giving out short note to summarize the topic that he or she has just taught.

The class teacher also goes round to make sure that the notes are well copied or well written. He or she does the necessary corrections when the need arises.