The Resurrection and Its Biblical Accounts for SS 1

Class: SS 1
Term: Second Term
Week: 3
Age: 15 years
Duration: 60 minutes
Subject: Christian Religion Studies
Curriculum Theme: Faith and Life
Focal competence: Seeking to make amends and forgiving others
Key competencies/values: Critical Thinking; Creativity and Innovation; Innovation
Skills:

• define The Resurrection
• analyse the account of the resurrection in the synoptic gospels

Previous Lesson: Jesus as the Living Water
Topic: The Resurrection
Subject Matter: Meaning of The Resurrection, The account of resurrection Matt. 28, Mark 16, Luke 24

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain

• define The Resurrection;
• analyse the account of the resurrection in the synoptic gospels;
• discuss the role of women in the story of the resurrection;
• explain the significance of the resurrection to the Christian faith.

Affective Domain

• appreciate the central importance of the Resurrection to Christian belief;
• value the contributions of women in the biblical narrative.

Psychomotor Domain

• participate effectively in a role-play depicting the women at the tomb;
• locate and read the specified biblical passages.

Social Domain

• engage respectfully in class discussions about faith concepts;
• collaborate with peers during group activities.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• 2025 New Revised Senior Secondary Education Curriculum (SSEC)
• Relevant State Unified Scheme of Work
• The Holy Bible (King James Version or New International Version)
• A suitable Christian Religious Studies textbook for SS 1
• The HeadTeacher Scheme of work For The New Revised Senior Secondary Education Curriculum (SSEC)

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• The Holy Bible
• Charts displaying key events of the Resurrection
• Simple costumes or props for role-playing (e.g., head coverings for women, a white cloth for an angel)
• Whiteboard and markers

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson is essential for SS 1 students as it introduces them to the foundational event of Christian faith: the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Understanding the Resurrection helps students grasp the core message of salvation and eternal life, which is central to their spiritual development. It also encourages critical engagement with biblical texts and an appreciation for the historical and theological significance of this event.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Students should have prior knowledge of the crucifixion and burial of Jesus Christ, as well as a basic understanding of the New Testament Gospels.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

The Resurrection

Meaning of The Resurrection

The Resurrection refers to the miraculous event where Jesus Christ, after being crucified and buried, rose from the dead on the third day. It signifies His victory over sin and death, confirming His divine nature and the promise of eternal life for believers.

Biblical Accounts of the Resurrection

The Resurrection of Jesus is recorded in all four Gospels, with the synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) providing detailed accounts. While each account has unique details, they all agree on the central fact of an empty tomb and appearances of the risen Christ.

Matthew 28:1-20

Matthew’s account highlights:

1. The women (Mary Magdalene and the other Mary) went to the tomb at dawn on Sunday.
2. A great earthquake occurred, and an angel of the Lord descended, rolled back the stone, and sat on it.
3. The angel’s appearance was like lightning, and his clothing was white as snow, causing the guards to shake and become like dead men.
4. The angel told the women not to be afraid, that Jesus had risen, and instructed them to go quickly and tell His disciples that He was going ahead of them to Galilee.
5. As the women left, Jesus met them, greeted them, and they worshipped Him. He also told them to tell His brothers to go to Galilee.
6. The chief priests bribed the soldiers to spread a false story that the disciples stole Jesus’ body while they slept.
7. Jesus appeared to His disciples in Galilee and gave them the Great Commission, instructing them to make disciples of all nations, baptising them and teaching them to obey His commands, promising to be with them always.

Mark 16:1-8

Mark’s account focuses on:

1. Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices to anoint Jesus’ body after the Sabbath.
2. They went to the tomb early on Sunday morning, wondering who would roll away the stone for them.
3. Upon arrival, they saw that the very large stone had already been rolled away.
4. Inside the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side.
5. The young man told them not to be alarmed, that Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified, had risen and was not there.
6. He instructed them to tell Peter and the other disciples that Jesus was going ahead of them to Galilee, where they would see Him.
7. The women fled from the tomb, trembling and bewildered, and said nothing to anyone because they were afraid.

Luke 24:1-53

Luke’s narrative includes:

1. On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women (Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and other women) went to the tomb with the spices they had prepared.
2. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.
3. While they were perplexed, two men in dazzling clothes suddenly stood beside them.
4. The men asked the women why they were looking for the living among the dead, reminding them that Jesus had predicted His resurrection while He was still in Galilee.
5. The women remembered Jesus’ words and returned from the tomb to tell the eleven apostles and all the others.
6. Their words seemed like nonsense to the apostles, who did not believe them.
7. Peter, however, ran to the tomb and found only the linen cloths, marveling at what had happened.
8. Later, Jesus appeared to two disciples on the road to Emmaus, explaining the scriptures concerning Himself.
9. He also appeared to His disciples in Jerusalem, showing them His hands and feet, and eating with them to prove He was real.
10. Jesus opened their minds to understand the Scriptures and commanded them to preach repentance and forgiveness of sins in His name to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem.
11. He then led them out to Bethany and ascended into heaven, and they returned to Jerusalem with great joy.

The Role of Women in the Story of the Resurrection

Women played a pivotal and courageous role in the Resurrection narrative. They were the last at the cross and the first at the tomb. Their devotion led them to prepare spices for Jesus’ body, even when the male disciples had scattered. They were the first witnesses to the empty tomb and the first to receive the message of the Resurrection from the angels and, in some accounts, from Jesus Himself. They were also the first evangelists, commissioned to carry the good news to the disciples, who initially disbelieved them. This highlights their faithfulness and God’s choice to reveal His greatest triumph to them first.

Significance of the Resurrection to the Christian Faith

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of the Christian faith. Its significance includes:

1. Validation of Jesus’ Claims: It proves that Jesus is truly the Son of God, as He claimed, and that His teachings are true.
2. Victory Over Sin and Death: It demonstrates Jesus’ power to conquer sin and death, offering hope for eternal life to all who believe in Him.
3. Foundation of Christian Hope: The Resurrection assures believers of their own future resurrection and eternal life with God.
4. Empowerment for Christian Living: It provides the basis for the indwelling Holy Spirit, empowering believers to live a new life in Christ.
5. Basis for Forgiveness: Through His death and resurrection, forgiveness of sins is made possible for humanity.
6. Central to Preaching: The Resurrection is the core message of the Gospel that Christians are called to proclaim.

Memory Verse

John 11:25: “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die;'”

Bible Reading

Matthew 28:1-20, Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24:1-53

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Explanation, Question and Answer, Role-play, Guided Reading

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Recalling/Engaging

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the students and reviews the previous lesson on the burial of Jesus, asking questions like, “What happened to Jesus after His crucifixion?” and “Where was He buried?”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to questions, recalling facts about Jesus’ burial.

Learning Point: Review of Jesus’ burial

Step 2: Meaning of the Resurrection

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explaining/Defining

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces the topic, “The Resurrection,” and explains its meaning as Jesus’ rising from the dead on the third day, emphasising its significance as victory over sin and death.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively and ask questions for clarification.

Learning Point: Definition of Resurrection

Step 3: Biblical Account (Matthew 28)

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Reading/Analysis

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides students to read Matthew 28:1-20, highlighting key events such as the earthquake, the angel’s appearance, the empty tomb, the angel’s message to the women, Jesus’ appearance to the women, and the Great Commission.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils read the passage and identify the main events and characters.

Learning Point: Matthew’s Resurrection account

Step 4: Biblical Account (Mark 16 & Luke 24)

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Comparing/Summarising

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides students to read Mark 16:1-8 and Luke 24:1-53, focusing on similarities and differences with Matthew’s account, particularly the women’s visit, the empty tomb, and the angelic message.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils read the passages, compare the accounts, and summarise key points.

Learning Point: Mark and Luke’s accounts

Step 5: Role of Women in the Resurrection Story

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Role-playing/Facilitating

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides students to role-play the activities of the women at the tomb, based on the biblical accounts. The teacher then leads a discussion on the significance of their role as first witnesses.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils participate in the role-play and discuss the women’s role.

Learning Point: Women’s role in Resurrection

Step 6: Significance of the Resurrection

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Discussing/Explaining

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides students in a class discussion on the significance of the Resurrection to the Christian faith, linking it to salvation, hope, and the validation of Jesus’ claims.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils contribute ideas and explain the importance of the Resurrection.

Learning Point: Resurrection’s significance to faith

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

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

1. Define the term “Resurrection.”
2. Mention two key events from Matthew’s account of the Resurrection.
3. Who were the first witnesses to the empty tomb?
4. State two significances of the Resurrection to the Christian faith.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Assessment of Resurrection understanding

Step 8: Note-Taking

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Writing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils/students to copy the essential Board Summary notes on the meaning, biblical accounts, role of women, and significance of the Resurrection into their notebooks.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils/students copy the notes carefully into their notebooks.

Learning Point: Recording lesson notes

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Summarising/Reinforcing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher briefly summarises the main points of the lesson, reiterating that the Resurrection is the central event of Christianity and the basis of Christian hope. The teacher encourages students to reflect on its personal meaning.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and reflect on the lesson’s conclusion.

Learning Point: Consolidation of Resurrection concept

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Homework

Instruction: Answer the following questions in your CRS notebook:

1. Read John 20:1-18 and compare John’s account of the Resurrection with one of the synoptic Gospels discussed in class. Note down at least two similarities and two differences.
2. In your own words, explain why the Resurrection of Jesus is considered the most important event in Christian history.
3. Imagine you were one of the women who first visited the tomb. Describe your feelings and actions from the moment you arrived until you met Jesus.

Lesson Keywords

• Resurrection – The act of rising from the dead, specifically Jesus Christ’s rising from the dead on the third day after His crucifixion.
• Synoptic Gospels – The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, which present similar views of the life and teachings of Jesus.
• Empty Tomb – The discovery by the women that Jesus’ body was no longer in the tomb, a key piece of evidence for the Resurrection.
• Angel – A spiritual being, often a messenger from God, who announced Jesus’ resurrection at the tomb.
• Great Commission – Jesus’ instruction to His disciples to go and make disciples of all nations after His resurrection (Matthew 28:19-20).

Differentiation

For students who grasp concepts quickly, encourage them to research and present on the post-resurrection appearances of Jesus to other individuals or groups (e.g., to Thomas, to the disciples on the road to Emmaus, or to over 500 people). For students needing additional support, provide simplified summaries of the biblical accounts and focus on identifying the main characters and events through visual aids or guided questions.

Suggested Lesson Videos

For further understanding, students can search for videos on YouTube using the following terms:

• The Resurrection of Jesus Christ for SS1
• Biblical accounts of the Resurrection Matthew Mark Luke