Saul’s repentance, baptism and conversion

Subject : Christian Religious Studies

Term :First Term

Week: Week 2

Class : Basic 6 / Primary 6

Previous lesson :

The pupils have previous knowledge of Saul’s early life and religion

Topic :  Saul’s repentance, baptism and conversion

Behavioural objectives :

At the end of the lesson,  pupils should be able to

• mention what happened to Saul on his way to Damascus
• say why Saul fell off his horse
• Narrate the discussion between Christ and Saul before his conversion
• Say the number of day that Saul was blind
• Mention the name of the person who prayed for Saul before he regained his sight

Instructional Materials :

• Wall charts
• Pictures
• Related Online Video
• Flash Cards
• The Holy Bible

Methods of Teaching :

• Class Discussion
• Group Discussion
• Asking Questions
• Explanation
• Role Modelling
• Role Delegation

Reference Materials :

• Scheme of Work
• Online Information
• Textbooks
• Workbooks
• 9 Year Basic Education Curriculum
• Workbooks
• The Holy Bible

Content :

Acts 9:1-19, 31.

Paul’s trip to Damascus

There was once a young Jewish man who was also a Roman citizen. His name was Saul. He lived in the days following Jesus’ ascension into heaven – the period when Jesus’ disciples were preaching the gospel in the power of the Holy Spirit. Saul hated Christians and the message of Christianity.

He was prepared to travel to different cities to find Christians and imprison them. So he went to the High Priest in Jerusalem and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus. He wanted permission to imprison all the Christians he could find in Damascus, and bring them back to Jerusalem. Saul did not realize that whatever he was doing to the Christians, he was also doing to Jesus who felt every pain that the Christians felt. Jesus still feels the pain that we feel today because we are his Body. Saul and his companions shying away from the light shining on them from heaven

On the way to Damascus

On Saul’s way to Damascus, suddenly a flash of light from heaven surrounded him. Immediately, he fell to the ground. Then he heard a voice say to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’ The voice had such authority that even though Saul did not know who the voice belonged to, he asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ The voice replied, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting, but rise and enter the city and you will be told what you are to do.’

When Saul got up from the ground, he found out that he was blind. So the men who were travelling with him held him by the hand and led him to Damascus. The people who were travelling with him were shocked. They had heard the voice but did not see anyone. They took Saul to the house of a man called Judas and he stayed there. For three days, he remained blind and did not eat or drink anything.

Paul’s baptism and mission

Meanwhile, Jesus spoke to a Christian man named Ananias who lived in Damascus, telling him to go to the house where Saul was staying and pray for him to regain his sight.

Paul holding Ananias’ hands to pray for him At first, Ananias was alarmed and didn’t want to go because he had heard about Saul’s hatred for Christians, and how he had got letters to find and imprison the Christians in Damascus. But Jesus urged Ananias to obey because God had chosen Saul for very special work. Ananias obeyed Jesus’ instruction to visit Saul and to pray for him. As soon as Ananias laid his hands on Saul, something like scales fell out of Saul’s eyes and Saul could see again. He was filled with the Holy Spirit. Saul got up and got baptized in water, like the Christians did, and then he ate some food. Saul’s other name was Paul. After conversion, he never bore Saul again. He was now known by his Jewish name – Paul.

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 concludes the lesson by giving out a short note for the pupils to copy. He or she goes round and does the necessary correction

Evaluation

1. Where was Saul going before he fell off his horse and became blind
2. For how many days was Saul blind before he regained his sight.
3. Who prayed for Saul to regain his sight
4. Whose voice did Saul heard when he fell off from his horse
5. What is the meaning of the word “persecution”?

Assignment

Prepare for the next lesson by reading about the importance of Saul’s conversion