Class: Senior Secondary School 2 (SS2 / SSS2)
Term: 1st Term
Week: 11
Age: 16 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Christian Religion Studies
Curriculum Theme: Family and Christian Living
Previous Lesson: Parental Responsibility: Eli, Samuel and God’s Judgement.
Topic: Parental Responsibility of Asa
Subject Matter: Meaning of godly parental example (parents living in ways that honour God), King Asa pleased God (I Kings 15:9-15), King Jehoshaphat follows his father’s way of life (I Kings 22:41-44)

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain:

Define what a godly parental example means.
Identify characteristics of King Asa’s godly reign.
Explain how parental lifestyle influences children’s choices and values.

Affective Domain:

Appreciate the importance of parents setting a good example for their children.
Desire to live a life that honours God as an example for others.

Psychomotor Domain:

Discuss the various roles of parents in the upbringing of their children.
Write an essay on how parents’ ways of life influence their children’s lifestyle.

Participate respectfully in group discussions about family values.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

Senior Secondary Schools Education Curriculum
State Unified Scheme of Work
Christian Religious Studies for Senior Secondary Schools, Book 2
The Holy Bible (Revised Standard Version)

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

A copy of the Holy Bible
Textbooks on Christian Religious Studies
Writing materials (notebooks, pens)

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps pupils understand that parents play an important role in shaping their children’s lives through their actions and beliefs. It teaches about the significance of setting a good example, especially in faith, for the next generation to follow.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils have prior knowledge of family structures and some basic Bible stories about kings and leaders in Israel.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Parental Responsibility of Asa

Meaning of Godly Parental Example

A godly parental example refers to parents living in a way that honours God. This includes demonstrating faith, integrity, moral uprightness, and obedience to God’s commands in their daily lives. Such parents seek to raise their children according to Christian principles, influencing them positively through their lifestyle, choices, and values.

King Asa Pleased God (1 Kings 15:9-15)

King Asa was the son of Abijam and grandson of Rehoboam. He reigned for 41 years in Jerusalem. Unlike his father and grandfather, Asa did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. He removed the foreign altars and high places, broke down the sacred pillars, and cut down the Asherah poles. He even removed his grandmother Maacah from being queen mother because she had made an abominable image for Asherah. Asa brought into the house of the Lord the things that his father and he himself had dedicated. His heart was wholly true to the Lord all his days.

King Jehoshaphat Follows His Father’s Way of Life (1 Kings 22:41-44)

Jehoshaphat was the son of Asa and succeeded him as king of Judah. He reigned for 25 years. Jehoshaphat walked in all the ways of Asa his father; he did not turn aside from them, doing what was right in the sight of the Lord. However, the high places were not taken away, and the people still sacrificed and burned incense on the high places. This shows how a father’s godly example can influence his son’s reign, even if not perfectly replicated.

Roles of Parents in Upbringing

Parents have several important roles in the upbringing of their children:

Training: Guiding children in proper behaviour, skills, and knowledge.
Discipline: Correcting and teaching children right from wrong, often through instruction and consequences.
Provision: Meeting the physical needs of children, such as food, shelter, clothing, and education.
Spiritual Guidance: Teaching children about God, His word, and the importance of faith.
Moral Instruction: Instilling values like honesty, respect, kindness, and hard work.
Love and Support: Providing emotional security, encouragement, and a safe environment.

Memory Verse

Proverbs 20:7: “The righteous man walks in his integrity; his children are blessed after him.”

Bible Reading

1 Kings 15:9-15
1 Kings 22:41-44

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Lecture, Demonstration, Question and Answer, Visual Aids

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Set Induction
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and asks them to mention some ways parents influence their children’s lives. The teacher then introduces the topic: “Parental Responsibility of Asa.”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the questions and listen as the teacher introduces the topic.
Learning Point: Pupils are prepared for the lesson and understand its relevance to their lives.

Step 2: Explanation of Godly Parental Example

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Definition
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the meaning of a godly parental example, emphasizing how parents living in ways that honour God can positively influence their children.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively and ask questions for clarification.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the concept of a godly parental example.

Step 3: King Asa Pleased God

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Narration/Bible Reading
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher narrates the story of King Asa from 1 Kings 15:9-15, highlighting his obedience to God and the positive changes he made in Judah. Pupils are guided to read the Bible passage.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, read the Bible passage, and discuss Asa’s actions that pleased God.
Learning Point: Pupils learn about King Asa’s godly example.

Step 4: King Jehoshaphat Follows His Father’s Way of Life

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Connection/Discussion
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides the learners through the life of King Jehoshaphat (1 Kings 22:41-44), showing how he followed the good example of his father, Asa.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and discuss the influence of Asa on Jehoshaphat.
Learning Point: Pupils see the long-term impact of parental example.

Step 5: Roles of Parents in Upbringing

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Discussion/Listing
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads a discussion on the various roles of parents in their children’s upbringing, covering aspects like training, discipline, provision, and spiritual guidance. The teacher ensures pupils contribute to the list.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils discuss and contribute examples of parental roles.
Learning Point: Pupils identify and understand the responsibilities of parents.

Step 6: Essay Writing Guidance

Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Instruction
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils on how to write an essay on how parents’ ways of life influence children’s lifestyle, giving them key points to consider.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils take notes and ask questions about the essay assignment.
Learning Point: Pupils are prepared to articulate their understanding in writing.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

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

What does it mean to set a “godly parental example”?
Mention two ways King Asa pleased God according to 1 Kings 15:9-15.
How did King Jehoshaphat follow his father Asa’s way of life?
List three roles of parents in the upbringing of their children.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 2 minutes
Teaching Skill: Summarization/Assignment
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the main points of the lesson and gives an assignment: “Write an essay (at least one page) on how parents’ ways of life influence their children’s lifestyle, giving specific examples.”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and copy down the assignment.
Learning Point: The lesson is reinforced, and pupils are given an opportunity for further reflection.

Lesson Keywords

Godly Parental Example – Parents living in a way that honours God and influences their children positively.
King Asa – A king of Judah who did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.
King Jehoshaphat – King Asa’s son who followed his father’s righteous ways.
Parental Responsibility – The duties and obligations parents have towards their children’s upbringing.

Differentiation

For pupils who grasp concepts quickly, the teacher can encourage them to find additional biblical examples of parental influence. For those who need more support, the teacher can provide simplified summaries of the Bible stories and offer sentence starters for the essay writing.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Encourage pupils to reflect on their own family dynamics and how they can apply the principles of godly living in their current or future roles. Emphasize that while parents have a significant influence, children also have personal responsibility for their choices. Ensure sensitive handling of discussions about family life, acknowledging diverse backgrounds.