Class: Primary 6
Term: 1st Term
Week: 4
Age: 12 years
Duration: 40 minutes
Subject: Christian Religion Studies
Curriculum Theme:
Previous Lesson: Paul’s Early Life, Education
Topic: Paul’s Early Life: Approval Of Stephen’s Death
Content/Learning Area: Approval of Stephen’s death (Acts 7:54 -60, 8:1)

Performance Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain:
Explain the story of how Paul approved the death of Stephen as recorded in Acts 7 and 8.

Affective Domain:
Show respect for those who stand firm in their faith even in the face of persecution.

Psychomotor Domain:
Dramatize the stoning of Stephen and Paul’s role in it.

Social Domain:
Recognize the impact of negative peer influence and discuss how to resist it.

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: britannica – St. Stephen | Patron Saint Of, Death, Martyr, & Facts
Relevant Textbooks

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

The Holy Bible
Chart showing Stephen being stoned
Flashcards with key Bible verses
Costume pieces for short role play
Audio Bible clip of Acts 7:54–60

Rationale for the Lesson

To help pupils understand how Paul, formerly known as Saul, supported the killing of Stephen and how God can transform any life.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils have previously learned about Stephen’s role as a faithful servant and know about early Church leaders in the Bible.

Lesson Content

Paul’s Early Life: Approval of Stephen’s Death

Paul, who was first called Saul, was a very strict Pharisee. He did not like the followers of Jesus and wanted to stop them. One of the first people he attacked was Stephen.

Memory Verse: And Saul was consenting unto his death.” – Acts 8:1a

Bible Readings

Acts 7:54–60
Acts 8:1

The Story of Stephen’s Death

Stephen was one of the first leaders in the early Church. He was filled with the Holy Spirit and preached the truth about Jesus. The Jewish leaders did not like this, so they accused him of blasphemy and brought him before the council.

Stephen looked up and saw Jesus standing at the right hand of God. This made the people even angrier. They dragged him out and began to stone him.

Saul (Paul) stood there watching. He did not throw stones, but he agreed to what they were doing.

Lessons from Stephen’s Death

Stephen showed courage by preaching about Jesus even when his life was in danger. He forgave his killers, just like Jesus did on the cross.

Paul’s Role in the Death of Stephen

Saul did not stop the people from killing Stephen. Instead, he watched and agreed. This showed how much he hated Christians at the time. But God later changed his heart.

Teaching Methods

Discussion, Lecture, Storytelling, Explanation, Visual Aids, Group Work

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: Tells the story of a person wrongly punished for doing good and asks questions.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and respond to the teacher’s questions.
Learning Point: Sets interest and connects lesson to real-life understanding.

Step 2: The Story of Stephen’s Death

Time: 10 mins
Teaching Skill: Storytelling
Teacher’s Activity: Narrates the Bible story using a chart and audio Bible passage.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, observe the chart and ask questions.
Learning Point: Learns how Stephen died and Paul’s involvement.

Step 3: Role of Saul in the Death

Time: 5 mins
Teaching Skill: Explanation
Teacher’s Activity: Explains Saul’s role using flashcards and Acts 8:1 as a reference.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils read the verse and share thoughts.
Learning Point: Understands Saul’s actions and mindset at that time.

Step 4: Lessons from Stephen's Death

Time: 5 mins
Teaching Skill: Discussion
Teacher’s Activity: Leads discussion on what pupils can learn from Stephen’s courage and forgiveness.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils contribute and reflect on moral lessons.
Learning Point: Learns about forgiveness and courage.

Step 5: Note Taking

Time: 5 mins
Teaching Skill: Note Writing
Teacher’s Activity: Dictates or writes key points on the board for pupils to copy.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils copy notes into their notebooks.
Learning Point: Records key points of the lesson.

Step 6: Evaluation

Time: 5 mins
Teaching Skill: Questioning
Teacher’s Activity: Asks questions and gives a short activity to assess understanding.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer and participate in the short activity.
Learning Point: Checks pupils’ comprehension of the lesson.

Step 7: Conclusion

Time: 5 mins
Teaching Skill: Instructional, Cognitive
Teacher’s Activity: Recaps lesson, encourages pupils to live by faith like Stephen, and leads a prayer.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond, reflect and pray.
Learning Point: Reinforces learning and moral application.

Home Task: Write three lessons learned about Paul’s Early Life: Approval Of Stephen’s Death and one suitable way to apply the teaching responsibly.

Lesson Keywords

Stephen – A man full of faith who preached about Jesus and was stoned
Saul – A Pharisee who agreed to Stephen’s death
Consent – To agree with something
Persecution – Being punished for what one believes
Forgiveness – Letting go of anger against those who hurt you

Lesson Evaluation

To evaluate the learning, the teacher asks pupils to:

Who was Stephen and what happened to him?
What did Saul do during Stephen’s stoning?
What lessons can we learn from Stephen’s death?
Recite the memory verse.
Act out a short drama of Stephen’s trial and death.

Differentiation

The teacher will pair fast learners with slow learners during discussions and dramatization activities to promote peer learning and inclusion.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Ensure pupils clearly understand that Saul later became Paul and was transformed by God. Use drama and visuals to help pupils engage with the story emotionally and spiritually.