Class: Primary 6
Term: 1st Term
Week: 9
Age: 12 years
Duration: 40 minutes
Subject: Christian Religion Studies
Curriculum Theme:
Previous Lesson: Paul’s Missionary Journey
Topic: Paul’s Missionary Journey: Antioch
Content/Learning Area: Paul preached to different people (Antioch in Pisidia, Lystra and Derbe) Acts 14:6–21

Performance Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain: Describe the missionary journey of Paul and Barnabas to Antioch in Pisidia.
Affective Domain: Express interest and appreciation for spreading the gospel like Paul and Barnabas.
Psychomotor Domain: Dramatize how Paul and Barnabas preached in Antioch and healed the sick.
Social Domain: Participate actively in group discussions about missionary work.

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 – Incident at Antioch
Relevant Textbooks

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

Bible (printed or digital)
Map showing Paul’s missionary journey
Chart showing Paul and Barnabas preaching
Pictures of ancient Antioch and other cities
Flashcards of key Bible verses
Chalkboard and chalk

Rationale for the Lesson

To help pupils understand how Paul and Barnabas carried out their missionary work and the importance of spreading the gospel.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils have previously learned about Paul’s conversion and are familiar with the early Church leaders.

Lesson Content

Paul’s Missionary Journey: Antioch

Paul and Barnabas were chosen by the Holy Spirit for a special mission. They travelled to many places to preach about Jesus. One of the important places they visited was Antioch in Pisidia.

Memory Verse: And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Ghost. — Acts 13:52

Bible Readings

Acts 14:6–21
Acts 13:13–52

Paul and Barnabas Preached in Antioch

Paul and Barnabas were sent out by the church in Antioch after prayer and fasting. They travelled to different cities, and one of their main stops was Antioch in Pisidia. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue and began to preach to the people.

They told the people about Jesus, how He came to save the world, and how He died and rose again. Many people listened and believed, especially the Gentiles. But some Jews were jealous and caused trouble for Paul and Barnabas.

Even though they faced opposition, Paul and Barnabas continued to preach boldly. They left Antioch and went to Lystra and Derbe where they also preached and healed people.

Lessons from Paul’s Missionary Journey

Paul’s journey teaches us that:

We must obey the Holy Spirit
We should preach to everyone, both Jews and Gentiles
Even when people oppose us, we must not give up
God gives boldness and strength to His servants

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 a short story of a missionary going to a village to preach the gospel. Then asks pupils if they know what a missionary is and what they do.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to questions and share what they know.
Learning Point: Activates interest and connects to prior knowledge.

Step 2: Paul and Barnabas in Antioch

Time: 10 mins
Teaching Skill: Explanation
Teacher’s Activity: Explains how Paul and Barnabas were sent out, and narrates how they preached in Antioch and other cities using a map and Bible verses.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and follow along on the map and Bible.
Learning Point: Understand the story and setting of the journey.

Step 3: Lessons from Paul’s Journey

Time: 8 mins
Teaching Skill: Discussion
Teacher’s Activity: Guides the pupils in identifying lessons from Paul’s preaching and how they can apply them today.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils contribute and mention lessons from the story.
Learning Point: Identifies moral and spiritual lessons.

Step 4: Class Activity

Time: 5 mins
Teaching Skill: Group Work
Teacher’s Activity: Divides class into small groups to act a short drama of Paul and Barnabas preaching in Antioch.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils perform short skits in groups.
Learning Point: Demonstrates understanding through performance.

Step 5: Note Taking

Time: 3 mins
Teaching Skill: Note Writing
Teacher’s Activity: Writes key points of the lesson on the board for pupils to copy into their notebooks.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils copy notes.
Learning Point: Reinforces learning.

Step 6: Evaluation

Time: 5 mins
Teaching Skill: Questioning
Teacher’s Activity: Asks questions based on the story and objectives to assess understanding.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer questions.
Learning Point: Assesses comprehension.

Step 7: Conclusion

Time: 4 mins
Teaching Skill: Instructional, Social
Teacher’s Activity: Summarizes the key points, encourages pupils to be bold in sharing the gospel, and leads a short prayer for courage and boldness in spreading God’s word.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, ask questions, and pray together.
Learning Point: Reinforces learning and application.

Home Task: Write three lessons learned about Paul’s Missionary Journey: Antioch and one suitable way to apply the teaching responsibly.

Lesson Keywords

Missionary – A person sent to preach the gospel
Antioch – A city where Paul and Barnabas preached
Synagogue – A place of worship for Jews
Gentiles – Non-Jewish people
Persecution – Being treated badly for what one believes

Lesson Evaluation

To evaluate the learning, the teacher asks pupils to:

Describe where Paul and Barnabas went on their missionary journey.
Mention what they preached in Antioch.
Explain how the people responded to their preaching.
List two lessons we can learn from Paul’s missionary journey.
Act a short scene showing Paul preaching in Antioch.

Differentiation

Slow learners will be guided with pictorial aids and story summaries. Fast learners will lead group dramatizations and answer deeper questions.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Use a large map to show the journey paths. Relate the lesson to pupils’ local surroundings where evangelism can take place. Reinforce that God’s message is for all people.