Class: Junior Secondary School 2 (JSS 2 / JS2)
Term: 3rd Term
Week: 4
Age: 13 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Religion Studies
Curriculum Theme: Christian Religion Studies
Previous Lesson: The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus Christ: Mark 14.
Topic: THE TRIAL AND PETER’S DENIAL
Subject Matter: Matthew 26: 47, 68; 69: 75

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain:

Identify the key events leading to Jesus’ trial.
Narrate the circumstances of Peter’s denial of Jesus.
State the Bible reference for the trial and Peter’s denial.

Affective Domain:

Express empathy for Jesus’ suffering during the trial.
Appreciate the lesson of repentance from Peter’s actions.
Recognize the importance of loyalty and faithfulness in difficult situations.

Psychomotor Domain:

Locate Matthew 26:47-75 in their Bibles.
Summarize the main points of Jesus’ trial and Peter’s denial.
Discuss the implications of Peter’s actions and subsequent repentance.

Relate Peter’s denial to situations where people deny their faith or friends.
Learn about the consequences of betrayal and the possibility of forgiveness.
Discuss how to show courage and stand for what is right, even under pressure.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

9 Years Basic Education Curriculum
State Unified Scheme of Work
Christian Religious Knowledge for Junior Secondary Schools, Book 2
The Holy Bible (Revised Standard Version)
https://www.biblestudytools.com/matthew/26.html
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+26%3A47-75&version=NIV

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

A copy of the Holy Bible
Pictures or charts depicting Jesus’ arrest, trial, and Peter’s denial
Whiteboard and markers

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps pupils understand important events in the life of Jesus, specifically his trial and Peter’s denial. It enables pupils to learn about human weakness, repentance, and the unwavering nature of God’s plan, which are important for their moral and spiritual development.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils are expected to have prior knowledge of Jesus’ ministry, his disciples, and the events leading up to his arrest.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

The Trial of Jesus and Peter’s Denial

Introduction to the Events

After the Last Supper, Jesus went to Gethsemane to pray. It was there that he was betrayed by Judas Iscariot and arrested by a large crowd sent by the chief priests and elders. This led to his trial before the Jewish high priest, Caiaphas, and the Sanhedrin, while Peter, one of his closest disciples, denied knowing him.

Jesus’ Trial Before the Sanhedrin (Matthew 26:57-68)

After his arrest, Jesus was led to the house of Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and elders were gathered. Many false witnesses came forward, but their testimonies did not agree. Finally, the high priest asked Jesus if He was the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus affirmed it, saying, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” The high priest then tore his clothes, accusing Jesus of blasphemy, and the council condemned Him, saying He deserved death. They then spat in His face, struck Him, and mocked Him.

Peter’s Denial of Jesus (Matthew 26:69-75)

While Jesus was being tried inside, Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. The events of his denial unfolded in three stages:

First Denial: A servant girl came up to Peter and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” But Peter denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you mean.”
Second Denial: When he went out to the gateway, another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” Again, Peter denied it with an oath, saying, “I do not know the man.”
Third Denial: After a little while, bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you are also one of them, for your accent betrays you.” Then Peter began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know the man!” Immediately, a rooster crowed.

Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.

Memory Verse

Matthew 26:75: “And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, ‘Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.’ And he went out and wept bitterly.”

Bible Reading

Matthew 26:47-56 (Jesus’ Arrest)
Matthew 26:57-68 (Jesus Before the Sanhedrin)
Matthew 26:69-75 (Peter’s Denial)

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 if they remember any promises they have made to friends or family, and if they always keep them.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the teacher’s questions and share brief examples.
Learning Point: Pupils are prepared for the lesson and connect to the theme of promises and loyalty.

Step 2: Presentation of Jesus’ Arrest and Trial

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Narration/Explanation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher narrates the events of Jesus’ arrest in Gethsemane by Judas and the subsequent trial before the high priest Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin, emphasizing the false accusations and Jesus’ calm response. The teacher uses Matthew 26:47-68.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively and follow along in their Bibles as the teacher narrates the story.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the initial stages of Jesus’ suffering and the injustice of his trial.

Step 3: Presentation of Peter’s First Denial

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Storytelling
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains Peter’s presence in the courtyard and narrates his first denial to a servant girl, as recorded in Matthew 26:69-70.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the narrative and identify Peter’s actions.
Learning Point: Pupils learn about the first instance of Peter’s denial.

Step 4: Presentation of Peter’s Second and Third Denials

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Elaboration/Discussion
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher continues the narration, detailing Peter’s second and third denials, including the oath and the crowing of the rooster, using Matthew 26:71-74. The teacher asks pupils what they think Peter felt at that moment.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, reflect on Peter’s feelings, and discuss the significance of the rooster’s crowing.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the full extent of Peter’s denial and the fulfillment of Jesus’ prophecy.

Step 5: Peter’s Repentance and the Memory Verse

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Reflection
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher reads Matthew 26:75, highlighting Peter’s bitter weeping and repentance. The teacher then introduces the memory verse and guides pupils to recite it.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, understand Peter’s repentance, and recite the memory verse.
Learning Point: Pupils learn about the importance of repentance after making a mistake.

Step 6: Significance of the Events

Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Application
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher briefly discusses the significance of these events, including the human weakness shown by Peter, Jesus’ unwavering commitment to God’s will, and the lessons on loyalty and forgiveness.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils contribute to the discussion by sharing their understanding of the lessons learned.
Learning Point: Pupils grasp the deeper spiritual and moral lessons from the trial and denial.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

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

Who betrayed Jesus, and where was he arrested?
Before whom was Jesus first tried?
How many times did Peter deny Jesus?
What was the sign that reminded Peter of Jesus’ words?
State the memory verse for today’s lesson.

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
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the main points of the lesson, reiterating the importance of standing firm in faith and the power of repentance. The teacher assigns homework: Ask your parents or guardians about a time they had to be courageous to stand for what is right.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and copy down the homework.
Learning Point: Pupils consolidate their learning and reflect on the practical application of the lesson.

Lesson Keywords

Trial – The formal examination of evidence by a judge, typically before a jury, in order to decide guilt in a case of criminal or civil proceedings.
Denial – The act of stating that something is not true or refusing to admit to something.
Betrayal – The act of being disloyal to someone who trusts you.
Sanhedrin – The supreme council of the ancient Jews, acting as a court of justice.
Repentance – The action of repenting; sincere regret or remorse.

Differentiation

For pupils who grasp concepts quickly, the teacher can encourage them to research and present on other disciples’ reactions during Jesus’ arrest. For pupils needing more support, the teacher can provide simplified summaries or pair them with peers for collaborative reading and discussion of the Bible passages.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Encourage pupils to reflect on the emotions involved in the story, both Jesus’ suffering and Peter’s remorse. Emphasize that while Peter denied Jesus, he later repented and became a strong leader in the early church, showing God’s grace and forgiveness. Use visual aids like pictures or a Bible story video to make the narrative more engaging for the pupils.