Class: Primary 6
Term: 1st Term
Week: 5
Age: 12 years
Duration: 40 minutes
Subject: Christian Religion Studies
Curriculum Theme:
Previous Lesson: Paul’s Early Life, Approval Of Stephen’s Death
Topic: Paul’s Conversion: Mission To Damascus
Content/Learning Area: Paul’s proposed mission to Damascus (Acts 9:3-9), What happened to Paul on the way (Acts 9:3 – 9)

Performance Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain: Retell the story of Paul’s journey to Damascus and his encounter with Jesus.
Affective Domain: Express appreciation for the change that happened in Paul’s life.
Psychomotor Domain: Dramatize the event of Paul’s conversion on the way to Damascus.
Social Domain: Discuss how people can change for the better and live a new life.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

9 Years Basic Education Curriculum
Abuja Educational Resource Centre Scheme of work
NAPPS National Unified Scheme of Work
Online information from: wikipedia – Conversion of Paul the Apostle
Relevant Textbooks

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

Bible
Chart showing the journey to Damascus
Picture or drawing of Saul’s encounter with Jesus
Flashcards with memory verse
Role-play materials (robe, walking stick, blindfold)

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps pupils understand how God can transform lives and call people to serve Him.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils have heard stories of people who changed from doing bad to doing good and are familiar with some stories about the early disciples.

Lesson Content

Paul’s Conversion: Mission to Damascus

Paul was first called Saul. He was a Jewish man who hated Christians. One day, he was on his way to Damascus to arrest the followers of Jesus. But something powerful happened on the road that changed his life forever.

Memory Verse: He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? – Acts 9:4

Bible Readings

Acts 9:3–9

Paul’s Proposed Mission to Damascus

Saul was given letters by the high priest to go to Damascus. His mission was to arrest any Christian he found and bring them to Jerusalem in chains. He was very angry with Christians and wanted to stop them from preaching about Jesus.

What Happened to Paul on the Way

As Saul neared Damascus, a bright light from heaven suddenly shone around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say:

It was the voice of Jesus. Saul was afraid and asked who was speaking. Jesus told him, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.”

Saul became blind and could not see. The men with him led him into Damascus. For three days, Saul did not eat or drink. He was waiting for what God would do next in his life.

Lessons from the Story

The story of Paul’s conversion teaches us that:

God can forgive anyone no matter what they have done.
Jesus knows us by name and wants us to follow Him.
People can change and become better.
God can use anyone to do His work.
Obeying God brings light and purpose to our lives.

Teaching Methods

Discussion, Storytelling, Explanation, Role-play, Question and Answer, Use of Visual Aids

Instructional Procedures

To deliver this lesson, the teacher will adopt the following steps:

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 mins
Teaching Skill: Set Induction
Teacher’s Activity: Teacher shows a picture of Damascus and asks pupils what they know about people who change from bad to good.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond and share examples of people who have changed for good.
Learning Point: Pupils show interest and readiness for the lesson.

Step 2: Paul's Journey

Time: 10 mins
Teaching Skill: Storytelling
Teacher’s Activity: Teacher narrates Saul’s journey to Damascus and how he got permission to arrest Christians.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the reason for Saul’s journey.

Step 3: Encounter with Jesus

Time: 10 mins
Teaching Skill: Explanation
Teacher’s Activity: Teacher explains how Saul saw the light, fell, and heard Jesus’ voice. He reads Acts 9:3–9 with the class.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils read the passage, ask questions, and respond to the story.
Learning Point: Pupils learn how Saul met Jesus and became blind.

Step 4: Lessons from the Story

Time: 5 mins
Teaching Skill: Question & Answer
Teacher’s Activity: Teacher asks pupils to share lessons from the story. Teacher lists their responses and explains the importance of each lesson.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils give their own lessons and listen to teacher's points.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the moral of Paul’s conversion.

Step 5: Note Taking

Time: 3 mins
Teaching Skill: Writing
Teacher’s Activity: Teacher guides the class to write the lesson notes from the board into their notebooks.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils copy the notes into their notebooks.
Learning Point: Pupils have written record of what was taught.

Step 6: Evaluation

Time: 5 mins
Teaching Skill: Assessment
Teacher’s Activity: Teacher asks pupils to answer questions to test their understanding of the lesson.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to questions and participate in evaluation activities.
Learning Point: Pupils show what they have learned from the lesson.

Step 7: Conclusion

Time: 2 mins
Teaching Skill: Closure
Teacher’s Activity: Teacher summarizes the lesson and encourages pupils to always allow God to change their lives for good.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to summary and reflect on the lesson.
Learning Point: Pupils connect the lesson to their own lives.

Home Task: Write three lessons learned about Paul’s Conversion: Mission To Damascus and one suitable way to apply the teaching responsibly.

Lesson Keywords

Conversion – A complete change in someone’s life or belief
Persecute – To punish or hurt someone for their beliefs
Damascus – A city where Saul was going to arrest Christians
Blindness – Not able to see, as Saul became after seeing the light
Mission – A purpose or task someone is sent to do

Lesson Evaluation

To evaluate the learning, the teacher asks pupils to:

Who was Saul and where was he going?
What happened to him on the road to Damascus?
What did Jesus say to Saul?
How many days was Saul blind?
Mention two lessons you learnt from Paul’s conversion.
Dramatize the scene where Saul encountered Jesus.

Differentiation

Teacher will give additional support to slow learners by using visual aids and repeating the story simply. Fast learners will help dramatize and explain key parts of the story.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Encourage pupils to relate the story to their own lives. Ask guiding questions that make them reflect on personal change and forgiveness. Emphasize the power of God to change any life.