Jesus calls believers brothers and sisters for Primary 1

Class: Primary One
Term: Third Term
Week: 2
Age: 6 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Christian Religion Studies
Curriculum Theme: Jesus Our Saviour, Brother and Friend
Focal competence: Willingly serving and supporting their peers and others
Key competencies/values: Collaboration; Information Literacy; Respect; Tolerance
Skills:

• Explaining how to become Jesus’ friend

Previous Lesson: Revision of Jesus Our Saviour and His Saving Acts
Topic: Jesus Calls Us Brothers, Sisters And Friends
Subject Matter: Jesus calls believers brothers, sisters

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

Cognitive Domain

• explain how Jesus calls believers brothers and sisters;
• state who Jesus says are His friends.

Affective Domain

• appreciate being part of Jesus’ family;
• show love and care to fellow believers.

Social Domain

• interact kindly with classmates as brothers and sisters in Christ.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• 2025 Revised 9 Years Basic Education Curriculum
• Relevant State Unified Scheme of Work
• Christian Religious Studies for Primary 1 by A.O. Adeyemi
• The HeadTeacher Scheme of work

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Holy Bible
• Relevant Bible-story pictures showing Jesus and His disciples
• Memory-verse chart (Matthew 12:50)

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps pupils understand the special relationship believers have with Jesus and each other. It teaches them that through faith, they become part of God’s family, fostering a sense of belonging and encouraging them to treat others with love and respect as brothers and sisters in Christ.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils know that Jesus is the Son of God and that He loves them.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Jesus Calls Us Brothers, Sisters And Friends

Bible Reading

Matthew 12:46-50 (New King James Version)

1. While He was still talking to the multitudes, behold, His mother and brothers stood outside, seeking to speak with Him.
2. Then one said to Him, “Look, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak with You.”
3. But He answered and said to the one who told Him, “Who is My mother and who are My brothers?”
4. And He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, “Here are My mother and My brothers!”
5. For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.”

Who are Jesus’ Brothers, Sisters and Friends?

Jesus teaches that anyone who believes in God and obeys His will is part of His family. This means all Christians are like brothers and sisters to Jesus and to each other.

1. Jesus calls those who obey God His brothers and sisters.
2. He also calls His followers His friends.

How to be Jesus’ Friend

We can be Jesus’ friend by:

1. Believing in Him.
2. Obeying God’s commandments.
3. Loving one another.
4. Praying to Him always.

Treating Others as God’s Family

Since we are all part of God’s family, we should:

1. Love each other.
2. Help each other.
3. Share with each other.
4. Forgive each other.
5. Be kind to everyone.

Memory Verse

Matthew 12:50: “For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.”

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Explanation, Question and Answer, Storytelling, Singing

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Recalling/Engaging

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and asks them if they know who their brothers and sisters are in their own homes. The teacher then tells them that Jesus also has a special family.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond by mentioning their siblings and listen attentively.

Learning Point: Jesus’ family concept

Step 2: Bible Reading

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Reading/Narration

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher reads Matthew 12:46-50 from the Holy Bible, explaining it in simple terms. The teacher may use pictures to illustrate the story.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the Bible story and look at the pictures.

Learning Point: Jesus’ family identified

Step 3: Explanation of Jesus’ Family

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explaining/Clarifying

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains that Jesus said His mother and brothers are those who do the will of God. This means all believers are part of Jesus’ family.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and ask questions for clarity.

Learning Point: Believers as God’s family

Step 4: Meaning of Christian Brotherhood

Time: 6 minutes

Teaching Skill: Defining/Illustrating

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains that Christian brotherhood means treating other believers like your own family, with love, care, and support. The teacher asks pupils how they treat their own brothers and sisters at home.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils share how they treat their siblings and listen to the explanation.

Learning Point: Christian brotherhood meaning

Step 5: How to be Jesus’ Friend

Time: 6 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guiding/Instructing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains that Jesus also calls His followers His friends. The teacher guides pupils to explain how they can become Jesus’ friends by believing and obeying Him.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils explain in simple terms how to be Jesus’ friend.

Learning Point: Becoming Jesus’ friend

Step 6: Treating Others

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Application/Encouraging

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads a discussion on how pupils should treat their classmates and other people as members of God’s family, emphasizing kindness, sharing, and helping.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils participate in the discussion and suggest ways to be kind to others.

Learning Point: Treating God’s family

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

1. Who did Jesus say are His brothers and sisters?
2. How can you become Jesus’ friend?
3. How should we treat other believers?

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Jesus’ family understanding

Step 8: Note-Taking

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Writing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils to copy the essential Board Summary notes about Jesus calling believers His family and how to be His friend into their notebooks.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils copy the notes carefully into their notebooks.

Learning Point: Lesson notes copied

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 2 minutes

Teaching Skill: Summarizing/Reinforcing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher briefly reminds pupils that all who believe in Jesus and obey God are His family and friends, and they should always show love to one another. The teacher leads them in singing a short song about love.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils sing along and affirm their understanding.

Learning Point: Believers as family

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Homework

Instruction: Answer the following questions in your notebook:

1. Who are Jesus’ brothers and sisters?
2. Write two ways you can be Jesus’ friend.
3. Mention one way you can show love to your classmates as part of God’s family.

Lesson Keywords

• Believers – People who have faith in Jesus Christ.
• Brothers and Sisters – How Jesus calls those who obey God.
• Friends – How Jesus calls His followers.
• Obey – To do what you are told.
• Family of God – All Christians who believe and obey God.

Differentiation

For weaker learners, the teacher will simplify explanations further, use more visual aids, and encourage them to repeat key phrases. Faster learners can be asked to draw a picture showing how they would treat a friend or family member in church, or to identify other Bible characters who were Jesus’ friends.

Suggested Lesson Videos

YouTube search for “Jesus calls believers family Primary 1 CRS”

Teacher Guide for Using This Lesson Plan

Before the lesson, ensure you have your Bible marked at Matthew 12:46-50 and any relevant pictures or a memory verse chart ready. Begin by engaging pupils with a simple question about their own families before introducing Jesus’ teaching. Read the Bible passage clearly and explain it in a way that Primary 1 pupils can easily understand, emphasizing that obeying God makes us part of Jesus’ family. Guide them through the steps of becoming Jesus’ friend and how to treat others as part of God’s family. Allow pupils to copy the Board Summary notes after the main teaching points have been discussed to ensure they grasp the concepts before writing. Check for understanding throughout the lesson by asking simple questions and providing support to those who struggle. Encourage all pupils to participate and share their thoughts on how to show love and care to others.