Class: Senior Secondary School 2 (SS2 / SSS2)
Term: 2nd Term
Week: 7
Age: 16 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Christian Religion Studies
Curriculum Theme: Leadership and Consequences
Previous Lesson: The Wisdom of Solomon: Meaning, Application and Right Decisions.
Topic: Unwise Decision of Solomon and Rehoboam
Subject Matter: Meaning of unwise decision (wrong choices without godly counsel), Solomon’s unwise decision (I Kings 9:15-23, I Kings 11:1-13), Rehoboam unwise decision and its consequences (I Kings 12:1-20)

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain:

Define an unwise decision.
Describe Solomon’s unwise decisions.
Explain Rehoboam’s unwise decision and its immediate consequences.
List ways to avoid making unwise decisions.

Affective Domain:

Appreciate the importance of seeking godly counsel before making major decisions.
Show willingness to learn from the mistakes of biblical figures.

Psychomotor Domain:

Identify situations in their lives that require careful decision-making and counsel.
Apply biblical principles of wisdom and counsel in their personal choices.

Discuss with peers the impact of wise and unwise decisions on individuals and communities.
Encourage others to seek guidance when facing important choices.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

Senior Secondary Schools Education Curriculum
State Unified Scheme of Work
The Holy Bible (Revised Standard Version)
Macmillan Christian Religious Knowledge for Senior Secondary Schools 2
Links for Reference materials:

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

The Holy Bible
Christian Religious Studies textbook for SS2
A video clip illustrating the consequences of wrong decisions

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps pupils understand the importance of making wise decisions by examining the errors of Solomon and Rehoboam. It enables them to apply biblical principles of seeking counsel and wisdom in their own lives to avoid negative consequences.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils have prior knowledge of the reigns of King Solomon and King Rehoboam from earlier studies in Christian Religious Studies.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Unwise Decision of Solomon and Rehoboam

Meaning of Unwise Decision

An unwise decision is a choice made without careful thought, prayer, or seeking godly counsel, often leading to negative outcomes. It involves neglecting wisdom and foresight, resulting in actions that are not beneficial for oneself or others.

Memory Verse

Proverbs 11:14: “Where there is no guidance, a nation falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.”

Bible Reading

I Kings 9:15-23
I Kings 11:1-13
I Kings 12:1-20

Solomon’s Unwise Decisions and Consequences

Despite his great wisdom, Solomon made several unwise decisions:

Marrying Many Foreign Wives (I Kings 11:1-3): Solomon married 700 princesses and 300 concubines from nations God had forbidden, including Egyptian, Moabite, Ammonite, Edomite, Sidonian, and Hittite women.
Worshipping Other Gods (I Kings 11:4-8): His foreign wives turned his heart away from God. He built high places for their gods like Chemosh (god of Moab) and Molech (god of Ammon), and worshipped them.
Consequences:
- God’s anger was kindled against him (I Kings 11:9).
- God promised to tear the kingdom from his son (Rehoboam), leaving only one tribe (Judah) for David’s sake (I Kings 11:11-13).
- God raised adversaries against Solomon, such as Hadad the Edomite and Rezon, son of Eliada (I Kings 11:14-25).
- Jeroboam, an official, also rebelled against him (I Kings 11:26-40).

Rehoboam’s Unwise Decision and Consequences

After Solomon’s death, his son Rehoboam became king. He made a critical unwise decision at Shechem:

Rejecting the Counsel of the Elders (I Kings 12:6-8): The people asked Rehoboam to lighten the heavy yoke (taxes and forced labor) that Solomon had placed on them. The older, experienced counselors advised him to speak kindly to the people and agree to their request, promising their loyalty.
Listening to the Young Men (I Kings 12:8-11): Rehoboam rejected the elders’ wise advice and instead listened to his young friends. They advised him to tell the people he would make their yoke even heavier (“My father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions”).
Consequences:
- The people of Israel (ten northern tribes) rebelled against Rehoboam (I Kings 12:16).
- The kingdom was divided into two: the Northern Kingdom (Israel) under Jeroboam and the Southern Kingdom (Judah) under Rehoboam (I Kings 12:19-20).
- This division weakened Israel and led to centuries of conflict and spiritual decline.

How to Avoid Unwise Decisions

To make wise choices and avoid errors, individuals should:

Seek Godly Counsel: Consult older, experienced, and wise individuals who fear God (Proverbs 11:14).
Pray for Wisdom: Ask God for guidance and understanding (James 1:5).
Study God’s Word: The Bible provides principles and instructions for living wisely (Psalm 119:105).
Consider Consequences: Think through the potential short-term and long-term outcomes of choices.
Exercise Self-Control: Avoid impulsive decisions driven by emotions or peer pressure.

Relevance of Counselling Before Major Decisions

Counselling is important because it:

Provides different perspectives and insights.
Helps to identify potential risks and benefits.
Offers support and accountability.
Reduces the likelihood of making regrettable choices.
Aligns decisions with divine wisdom and principles.

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 to reflect on a time they made a decision they later regretted. The teacher then briefly introduces the topic by stating that today’s lesson will look at how even powerful kings made unwise decisions.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the greeting and briefly think about the teacher’s question, sharing if comfortable.
Learning Point: Pupils are engaged and prepared for the lesson’s topic on decision-making.

Step 2: Meaning of Unwise Decision and Memory Verse

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Definition
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher defines “unwise decision” as a choice made without careful thought or godly counsel. The teacher then writes the memory verse (Proverbs 11:14) on the board and explains its relevance.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively, copy the definition and memory verse into their notebooks, and recite the memory verse.
Learning Point: Pupils understand what an unwise decision is and commit the memory verse to heart.

Step 3: Solomon’s Unwise Decisions

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Narration/Bible Study
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher narrates the story of Solomon’s unwise decisions, focusing on his many foreign wives and turning to other gods, referencing I Kings 11:1-13. The teacher guides pupils to identify the consequences of these actions.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the narration, open their Bibles to I Kings 11:1-13, and identify the consequences of Solomon’s choices.
Learning Point: Pupils learn about Solomon’s errors and the resulting divine judgment.

Step 4: Rehoboam’s Unwise Decision

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Narration/Analysis
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher narrates Rehoboam’s unwise decision to reject the counsel of the elders and listen to his young friends, referencing I Kings 12:1-20. The teacher explains how this led to the division of the kingdom.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the narration, follow along in their Bibles, and understand the cause of the kingdom’s division.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the immediate and severe consequences of Rehoboam’s poor judgment.

Step 5: How to Avoid Unwise Decisions and Role of Counsel

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Discussion/Application
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads a discussion on practical ways to avoid unwise decisions, emphasizing seeking godly counsel, prayer, and studying God’s word. The teacher also highlights the importance of counselling before major decisions.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils participate in the discussion, contributing their ideas and noting the methods discussed.
Learning Point: Pupils identify actionable steps to make wise decisions in their own lives.

Step 6: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

What is an unwise decision?
Mention two unwise decisions made by King Solomon.
Describe Rehoboam’s unwise decision.
List three consequences of Rehoboam’s decision.
State two ways to avoid making unwise decisions.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 7: Conclusion

Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Summarization/Assignment
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the key points of the lesson, reiterating the importance of wise decision-making guided by God’s word and counsel. The teacher then assigns homework for pupils to reflect on a major decision they might face and how they would seek counsel.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and copy down the homework assignment.
Learning Point: Pupils consolidate their learning and are encouraged to apply it practically.

Lesson Keywords

Unwise Decision – A choice made without proper thought or counsel, leading to negative results.
Solomon – A king of Israel known for his wisdom but also for making unwise choices.
Rehoboam – Solomon’s son, whose unwise decision led to the division of the kingdom.
Counsel – Advice or guidance, especially from experienced or wise individuals.
Consequences – The results or effects of an action or decision.

Differentiation

For pupils who grasp concepts quickly, the teacher will encourage them to research other biblical figures who made wise or unwise decisions and present their findings. For those who need more support, the teacher will provide simplified summaries of the biblical narratives and guide them through structured questions to identify key points.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Ensure that the biblical narratives of Solomon and Rehoboam are presented clearly and relate directly to the concept of unwise decisions. Encourage pupils to draw parallels between these ancient stories and contemporary decision-making challenges. Emphasize that even wise people can make mistakes, and the continuous seeking of God’s wisdom and counsel is essential for everyone.