lesson plan
The Story of Jesus: From Birth to Ascension and Pentecost
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Target audience:
High school students, upper grades.
Duration:
9 lessons of 45 minutes.
Includes a test.
Lesson 1: The Message of the Angel: The Beginning of a Miracle
Learning Objectives:
- The student can identify and highlight key words and phrases in the announcement of Jesus' birth.
- The student can explain which parts of the text resonate with them and why they are important.
- The student can ask questions about parts of the text that they do not understand.
- The student can creatively process the Christmas story by creating a birth announcement card for Jesus, using symbols and colors that align with the Christmas message.
Key Concepts:
- Monotheism: The belief in one God.
- Influence: Emphasizes the role of Jesus as the Son of God and the Savior of the world.
Content:
Key Terms:
- Bethlehem: The birthplace of Jesus.
- The Census: The event that brought Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem.
- Shepherds: People who heard the good news of Jesus' birth from the angels.
- Angels: Messengers who announced the birth of Jesus.
- Star: The constellation that led the wise men to the birthplace of Jesus.
- Manger: The place where Jesus was laid after His birth.
- Shepherd's Staff: A symbol of the shepherds who spread the news of Jesus' birth.
Lesson 2: The Key Figures of the Christmas Story: Mary, Joseph, and the Shepherds
Learning Objectives:
- The student can describe the key figures in the Christmas story (such as Mary, Joseph, the angels, and the shepherds).
- The student can explain what the message of the angel to Mary was and what the significance of this message was.
- The student can explain what it meant for a woman at that time to be unmarried and pregnant, and the social consequences this had.
- The student can describe the role of Joseph and explain why his decision to support Mary was important in the culture of that time.
- The student can explain the role of the shepherds in the story and understand why they were the first to hear the news of Jesus' birth.
- The student can describe the message of the angels to the shepherds and explain why this message was important for the shepherds and for us.
Content:
- Key Figures: Description of Mary, Joseph, the angels, and the shepherds.
- Message of the Angel to Mary: Explanation of the announcement of Jesus' birth and His role.
- Unmarried and Pregnant: What it meant for a woman at that time to be pregnant without being married.
- Role of Joseph: Explanation of Joseph's decision to support Mary and its cultural significance.
- Role of the Shepherds: Why the shepherds were the first to hear the news of Jesus' birth.
- Message to the Shepherds: What the angels said to the shepherds and the importance of their message.
Lesson 3: The Wise Men, Herod, and the Flight to Egypt
Learning Objectives:
- The student can retell the story of the wise men from the East in broad outline.
- The student knows who the wise men were and what their role was in the Christmas story.
- The student can explain who King Herod was and what role he played in the story.
- The student can explain why the wise men brought gold, frankincense, and myrrh, and what these gifts symbolize.
- The student knows to which country Joseph fled with his family and why this was necessary.
- The student knows where Jesus grew up and what this means for His childhood.
Content:
- Story of the Wise Men: The wise men followed the star to Bethlehem and brought gifts for the newborn Jesus.
- Who were the Wise Men?: Explanation of the origin and role of the wise men in the Christmas story.
- King Herod: Explanation of the cruel king who felt threatened by the birth of the "King of the Jews."
- Gifts of the Wise Men: Gold (for kingship), frankincense (for divinity), and myrrh (for suffering and death).
- Joseph’s Flight to Egypt: Why Joseph fled to Egypt with Mary and Jesus to escape Herod.
- Jesus’ Childhood: The place where Jesus grew up, namely Nazareth, and its significance.
Lesson 4: Palm Sunday and The Last Supper
Learning Objectives:
- The student knows what happened on Palm Sunday and can explain the events in broad outline.
- The student knows the name of the prophet who predicted how Palm Sunday would unfold.
- The student knows who painted the artwork "The Last Supper" and can name the artist.
- The student can explain why the artist portrayed the people in the painting in a certain way and what the symbolism behind it is.
Content:
- Palm Sunday: The triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, when the people welcomed Him with palm branches.
- Prophecy of Zechariah: The prophecy of the prophet Zechariah about the Messiah's entry on a donkey.
- The Last Supper: The famous painting by Leonardo da Vinci depicting Jesus and His disciples sharing the last supper.
- Symbolism in the Painting: Explanation of how Da Vinci depicted the faces and postures of the disciples, and what this says about their reactions to Jesus' message.
Lesson 5: The Last Supper and the Arrest
Learning Objectives:
- The student knows the meaning of Easter and can explain why this holiday is important.
- The student knows where Jesus went to pray before His arrest.
- The student knows the names of the three main disciples who were closest to Jesus.
- The student knows who Judas is and what he did by betraying Jesus.
- The student knows who Caiaphas is and what role he played in the trial of Jesus.
Content:
- Meaning of Easter: The celebration of the resurrection of Jesus and its significance for Christianity.
- Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane: Where Jesus prayed before He was arrested.
- The Three Main Disciples: Peter, James, and John, who were often by Jesus' side during important moments.
- Judas and His Betrayal: Judas, who betrayed Jesus for thirty silver coins.
- Caiaphas: The high priest who was involved in the trial of Jesus.
Lesson 6: Betrayal, Denial, and Judgment
Learning Objectives:
- The student can explain the roles of Peter and Judas in the Easter story, including their actions and consequences.
- The student knows the function of Caiaphas and what role he played in the trial of Jesus.
- The student understands who Pilate was, what he did during the trial of Jesus, and why he acted the way he did.
Content:
- Peter and His Denial: Peter, who denied Jesus three times, despite his promise to remain loyal to Him.
- Judas and His Betrayal: Judas' role in betraying Jesus and the consequences of his decision.
- Caiaphas as High Priest: His involvement in the trial of Jesus and his role in the verdict.
- Pilate as Roman Governor: His decision to crucify Jesus, despite the lack of evidence, and the political and social reasons behind his actions.
Lesson 7: The Cross, The Death, and The Resurrection of Jesus
Learning Objectives:
- The student knows the name of the man who helped carry the cross and can explain why he was asked to do so.
- The student knows how Jesus died and understands the circumstances of His crucifixion.
- The student knows what was written above the cross and can explain why this text was placed there.
- The student knows the role of the priests and soldiers in the Easter story and their involvement in Jesus' death.
- The student knows who were the first to arrive at the empty tomb and whom they encountered there.
Content:
- Simon of Cyrene: The man who helped carry Jesus' cross when Jesus could no longer bear it.
- Jesus' Crucifixion: Jesus died by crucifixion, a cruel method of execution, after being accused of blasphemy and rebellion against Rome.
- "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews": The sign above Jesus' cross, indicating His accusation and reflecting the Romans' mockery of the "King" of the Jews.
- The Role of the Priests and Soldiers: The priests demanded Jesus' death, and the soldiers carried out the sentence with mockery and humiliation.
- The First at the Empty Tomb: Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were the first to discover the empty tomb and encountered the angel who told them that Jesus had risen.
Lesson 8: Ascension: Jesus on the Throne as King
Learning Objectives:
- The student knows the meaning of Ascension Day and can explain why this day is important in Christianity.
- The student can explain what it means that "Jesus is King" and what His kingdom entails.
- The student knows the symbolic meaning of the number 40 in the Bible and can provide examples of its use.
- The student understands why this day is called "Ascension" and what happened on this day according to Christian belief.
Content:
- Ascension Day: The Christian celebration commemorating Jesus' ascension into heaven 40 days after His resurrection, in the presence of His disciples.
- Jesus as King: Jesus is regarded as a king, not of an earthly kingdom, but of a spiritual kingdom that brings peace, justice, and love.
- Symbolism of the Number 40: The number 40 appears frequently in the Bible and symbolizes periods of preparation, testing, or transition, such as Jesus’ 40 days of fasting in the wilderness.
- Why "Ascension"?: The name "Ascension" refers to the physical rising of Jesus into heaven, where He takes His place at the right hand of God.
Lesson 9: Pentecost - The Feast of the Holy Spirit
Learning Objectives:
- The student knows what Pentecost entails and can explain what is celebrated on this day.
- The student knows the story behind Pentecost, including the events leading to the arrival of the Holy Spirit.
- The student understands why Pentecost is important for Christians and what it means for the church and the Christian faith.
Content:
- Pentecost: The Christian celebration observed fifty days after Easter, commemorating the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples.
- The Pentecost Story: The moment when the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles, enabling them to speak in different languages and spread the gospel.
- Why Pentecost is Important for Christians: It marks the birth of the Christian church, the moment when the Holy Spirit began working within believers, empowering and guiding them.