Class: Primary 3
Term: First Term
Week: 4
Age: 8 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Christian Religion Studies
Curriculum Theme: Christian Religion Studies
Previous Lesson: The Prophecy of the Coming of Our Saviour.
Topic: The Type of Saviour the Jews Were Expecting
Subject Matter: Jews were expecting an all-conquering Messiah. Comparison between the expected Messiah and Jesus as Saviour.

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain:

Identify the type of Saviour the Jews were expecting.
State the characteristics of the Messiah the Jews hoped for.
Compare the Jewish expectation of a Saviour with Jesus’ true identity and mission.

Affective Domain:

Appreciate the difference between the Jews’ expectations and Jesus’ actual role as Saviour.
Show willingness to understand Jesus’ spiritual kingdom.

Psychomotor Domain:

Read the Bible passages: Acts 1:6 and John 18:36.
Participate in discussions comparing the two types of saviour.

Listen respectfully to classmates’ contributions during discussions.
Work together in simple group activities to understand the lesson.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

9 Years Basic Education Curriculum
State Unified Scheme of Work
Christian Religion Studies for Primary 3 Textbook
The Holy Bible (Acts 1:6, John 18:36)

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

The Holy Bible
Pictures showing Jesus’ life or the Jewish people
Whiteboard and markers or chalkboard and chalk

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps pupils understand that people can have different ideas about a Saviour. It enables them to learn what the Jews expected and how Jesus fulfilled a different, more spiritual role, which is important for understanding Jesus’ true mission.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils have basic knowledge of Jesus and some Bible stories. They know that God sent a Saviour to the world.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

The Type of Saviour the Jews Were Expecting

Introduction

The Jews, God’s chosen people, were waiting for a special leader called the Messiah or Saviour. They had strong ideas about what this Saviour would be like and what He would do for them.

What the Jews Expected from the Saviour

The Jews were expecting a Saviour who would be:

An all-conquering Messiah: They believed He would be a powerful king who would defeat their enemies, especially the Roman rulers.
A political leader: They expected Him to free them from foreign rule and make Israel a powerful nation on earth again.
A ruler who would make other nations tremble: They thought He would establish an earthly kingdom where Israel would be supreme and feared by all.

Jesus as the True Saviour

Jesus came as a different kind of Saviour. His mission was:

To save people from their sins, not from political rulers.
To establish a spiritual kingdom, not an earthly one (John 18:36).
To bring salvation, peace, and eternal life to all who believe in Him.

Memory Verse

John 18:36: “Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.”

Bible Readings

Acts 1:6
John 18:36

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, reviews the previous lesson briefly, and then asks pupils what they know about a “saviour” or “Messiah”. The teacher then introduces the topic: “The Type of Saviour the Jews Were Expecting.”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the teacher’s questions and listen attentively to the introduction of the new topic.
Learning Point: Pupils are prepared for the new lesson and connect it to their prior knowledge.

Step 2: Exploring Jewish Expectations

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Discussion
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains to the pupils what the Jews were expecting from their Saviour. The teacher guides pupils to read Acts 1:6 and discusses how it shows the disciples’ (who were Jews) expectation of an earthly kingdom.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the explanation, read Acts 1:6 from their Bibles, and share their understanding of what the Jews expected.
Learning Point: Pupils understand that the Jews expected a political and powerful earthly king.

Step 3: Understanding Jesus’ True Nature as Saviour

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Bible Reading
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains that Jesus came to save people from sin and establish a spiritual kingdom. The teacher guides pupils to read John 18:36 and explains how Jesus clarified that His kingdom is not of this world.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the explanation, read John 18:36, and understand Jesus’ true mission.
Learning Point: Pupils learn that Jesus’ kingdom is spiritual and His salvation is from sin.

Step 4: Comparison and Discussion

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Comparison/Questioning
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads a discussion, asking pupils to compare the type of Saviour the Jews were expecting (an earthly king) with the type of Saviour Jesus truly was (a spiritual king who saves from sin).
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils participate in the discussion, highlighting the differences between the two expectations.
Learning Point: Pupils are able to distinguish between the Jewish expectation and Jesus’ actual role.

Step 5: Board Summary

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Summarization/Writing
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher writes the key points of the lesson on the board, ensuring they are clear and concise for pupils to copy.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils copy the board summary into their notebooks.
Learning Point: Pupils have a written record of the main points of the lesson for future reference.

Step 6: Memory Verse

Time: 2 minutes
Teaching Skill: Recitation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces the memory verse (John 18:36) and leads the pupils in reciting it several times.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils recite the memory verse after the teacher.
Learning Point: Pupils memorize a Bible verse related to the lesson.

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 kind of Saviour were the Jews expecting?
Mention two characteristics of the Messiah the Jews hoped for.
According to John 18:36, what did Jesus say about His kingdom?
What was Jesus’ true mission as the Saviour?

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Reinforcement
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the lesson by reminding pupils that Jesus came to save us from sin and establish a spiritual kingdom, which was different from what many Jews expected. The teacher gives homework: Read Isaiah 53 and find out more about the suffering servant.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and copy their homework.
Learning Point: Pupils consolidate their understanding and are encouraged to further explore the topic.

Home Task: Write three lessons learned about The Type of Saviour the Jews Were Expecting and one suitable way to apply the teaching responsibly.

Lesson Keywords

Saviour – A person who saves someone or something from danger.
Messiah – The expected deliverer of the Jewish people, believed to be a powerful king.
Jews – The people of Israel, God’s chosen people.
Expecting – Believing that something will happen.
Kingdom – The spiritual or earthly rule of a king.
Spiritual – Relating to the spirit or soul, not physical things.
Political – Relating to the government or public affairs of a country.

Differentiation

For pupils who find it challenging, the teacher will provide simpler explanations and focus on the main difference between the expected Saviour and Jesus. Faster learners will be encouraged to read additional Bible passages related to the topic and share their findings with the class.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Ensure that pupils understand the concept of an “all-conquering Messiah” in the context of Jewish history and Roman occupation. Emphasize that while the Jews had their expectations, Jesus fulfilled God’s plan in a way that was greater and more profound, offering salvation from sin rather than just political freedom. Encourage active participation and respectful dialogue during discussions.