Paul and Barnabas on the First Missionary Journey for SS 3

Class: SSS 3
Term: First Term
Week: 10
Age: 16 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Christian Religion Studies
Curriculum Theme: The Spread of Christianity
Previous Lesson: Mission to the Gentiles and Opposition to the Gospel Message
Topic: Paul’s Missionary Journey
Subject Matter: Paul and Barnabas are called by the Holy Spirit. Their missionary journey activities in the first missionary journey. Acts 13

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain

• Describe how Paul and Barnabas were called by the Holy Spirit for missionary work.
• Identify the main places visited during Paul’s first missionary journey.
• Recall significant events that took place in each location visited.

Affective Domain

• Appreciate the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding missionary activities.
• Value the commitment and sacrifices made by early missionaries.
• Develop an interest in spreading the gospel.

Psychomotor Domain

• Locate the places visited during the first missionary journey on a map.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• 2025 Revised 9 Years Basic Education Curriculum
• Relevant State Unified Scheme of Work
• The Holy Bible (Acts 13-14)
• The HeadTeacher Scheme of work

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• The Holy Bible (New International Version or King James Version)
• A map showing Paul’s missionary journeys
• Pictures depicting scenes from Paul’s first missionary journey
• Whiteboard and markers

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson is important for students to understand the origins and methods of early Christian missions. It highlights the divine guidance of the Holy Spirit and the challenges faced by missionaries. Learning about Paul and Barnabas’s journey provides a foundation for appreciating the global spread of Christianity and inspires students to consider their own role in sharing their faith.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Students should have prior knowledge of Paul’s conversion, his early ministry, and the general geographical context of the New Testament.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Paul’s Missionary Journey

The Call of Paul and Barnabas by the Holy Spirit

The first missionary journey of Paul and Barnabas began in Antioch, Syria. The Holy Spirit specifically called them for this work while the prophets and teachers were worshipping and fasting.

1. The church in Antioch was a vibrant centre of Christian activity.
2. As they worshipped and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them” (Acts 13:2).
3. After further fasting and prayer, the church laid hands on them and sent them off.

Key Activities and Places in the First Missionary Journey (Acts 13:4-14:28)

Paul (formerly Saul) and Barnabas, accompanied by John Mark, embarked on their journey, visiting several key locations:

1. Cyprus (Salamis and Paphos):
   1. They preached in the synagogues in Salamis.
   2. In Paphos, they encountered Bar-Jesus (Elymas) the sorcerer, who opposed them.
   3. Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, struck Elymas blind.
   4. The Roman proconsul, Sergius Paulus, believed after witnessing this miracle.
2. Perga in Pamphylia:
   1. Upon arrival, John Mark left them and returned to Jerusalem.
   2. They did not preach extensively in Perga at this time but continued their journey.
3. Antioch in Pisidia:
   1. Paul delivered a powerful sermon in the synagogue, recounting Israel’s history and presenting Jesus as the Messiah.
   2. Many Gentiles and God-fearing Jews believed.
   3. The Jews, filled with jealousy, opposed Paul and Barnabas.
   4. Paul and Barnabas boldly declared they were turning to the Gentiles, as prophesied.
   5. They were eventually expelled from the region.
4. Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe:
   1. Iconium: They preached with great power, leading to many believers, but also faced opposition and a plot to stone them.
   2. Lystra: Paul healed a crippled man, causing the people to mistake Barnabas for Zeus and Paul for Hermes. They tried to offer sacrifices to them.
   3. Lystra: Jews from Antioch and Iconium followed them and incited the crowd, leading to Paul being stoned and left for dead outside the city. He miraculously recovered.
   4. Derbe: They preached the gospel and made many disciples.
5. Return Journey and Reporting:
   1. They retraced their steps through Derbe, Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch in Pisidia, strengthening the disciples and appointing elders in each church.
   2. They sailed from Attalia back to Antioch in Syria.
   3. They gathered the church and reported all that God had done through them, especially how He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.

Memory Verse

Acts 13:2 – “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.'”

Bible Reading

Acts 13:1-14:28 (selected verses can be read)

Moral Lessons

1. Missionary work is initiated and guided by the Holy Spirit.
2. Obedience to God’s call is essential for effective ministry.
3. Missionaries often face opposition, persecution, and challenges.
4. The gospel is for all people, both Jews and Gentiles.
5. The importance of reporting back to the sending church.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Explanation, Question and Answer, Map Work, Guided Practice

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Recalling previous knowledge

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the students and asks them to recall what they know about Paul’s conversion and his early life as a Christian. The teacher then introduces the topic of Paul’s missionary journeys, specifically the first one with Barnabas.

Pupils’ Activity: Students respond to questions about Paul’s conversion and express their understanding of his early ministry.

Learning Point: Paul’s early Christian life

Step 2: The Call of Paul and Barnabas

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Bible Reading

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides students to open their Bibles to Acts 13:1-3. The teacher reads the passage aloud, explaining how the Holy Spirit specifically called Paul (Saul) and Barnabas for missionary work while the church in Antioch was worshipping and fasting. The teacher emphasizes the divine initiation of the mission.

Pupils’ Activity: Students follow along in their Bibles, listen attentively, and ask questions for clarification.

Learning Point: Holy Spirit’s call

Step 3: Journey to Cyprus

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Map Work/Discussion

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher displays the map of Paul’s missionary journeys and points out Antioch in Syria. The teacher then traces the journey to Cyprus (Salamis and Paphos), explaining the events with Elymas the sorcerer and Sergius Paulus. Students are encouraged to locate these places on the map.

Pupils’ Activity: Students observe the map, locate Cyprus, and discuss the events that occurred there.

Learning Point: Events in Cyprus

Step 4: Journey to Perga and Antioch in Pisidia

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Narration

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher continues tracing the journey from Cyprus to Perga in Pamphylia, mentioning John Mark’s departure. The teacher then focuses on Antioch in Pisidia, explaining Paul’s sermon, the initial positive reception, the Jewish opposition, and the decision to turn to the Gentiles. The teacher asks students to identify these places on the map.

Pupils’ Activity: Students follow the journey on the map, listen to the narrative, and identify key events.

Learning Point: Preaching in Pisidia

Step 5: Journey to Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Storytelling/Highlighting challenges

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher narrates the events in Iconium (preaching, opposition), Lystra (healing the crippled man, mistaken for gods, Paul being stoned), and Derbe (making many disciples). The teacher emphasizes the challenges and persecutions faced by Paul and Barnabas.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen to the stories, identify the challenges faced, and locate the cities on the map.

Learning Point: Persecution and healing

Step 6: Return Journey and Reporting

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Summarization

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains how Paul and Barnabas retraced their steps, strengthening the churches and appointing elders. The teacher concludes by describing their return to Antioch in Syria and their report to the church about God’s work among the Gentiles.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen and summarize the final stages of the journey.

Learning Point: Strengthening churches, reporting

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. How were Paul and Barnabas called for their first missionary journey?
2. Name three places they visited during this journey.
3. Describe one significant event that occurred in Lystra.
4. What was the main outcome of their first missionary journey?

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: First journey understanding

Step 8: Note-Taking

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Writing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils/students to copy the essential Board Summary notes on the call of Paul and Barnabas and the key activities of the first missionary journey into their notebooks.

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

Learning Point: Recording lesson notes

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 2 minutes

Teaching Skill: Consolidation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher briefly reminds students that the first missionary journey was crucial for the spread of the gospel, demonstrating God’s guidance and the resilience of His servants. The teacher encourages students to reflect on the lessons learned.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen and reflect on the importance of the journey.

Learning Point: Journey’s significance reinforced

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Homework

Instruction: Answer the following questions in your notebook, referencing Acts 13-14:

1. Discuss the role of the Holy Spirit in initiating Paul and Barnabas’s first missionary journey.
2. Identify and briefly describe two challenges Paul and Barnabas faced during their journey.
3. What lessons can modern missionaries learn from the experiences of Paul and Barnabas?
4. Draw a simple sketch map and label the main places visited during the first missionary journey.

Lesson Keywords

• Holy Spirit – The third person of the Trinity, who empowers believers and guides the church.
• Barnabas – A Levite from Cyprus, known as the “Son of Encouragement,” who accompanied Paul on his first missionary journey.
• Paul – Formerly Saul, an apostle chosen by Jesus to preach the gospel to the Gentiles.
• Missionary Journey – A journey undertaken to spread the Christian faith to new regions.
• Cyprus – An island in the Mediterranean, the first stop on Paul’s first missionary journey.
• Antioch (in Pisidia) – A city where Paul preached extensively and turned to the Gentiles due to Jewish opposition.
• Lystra – A city where Paul healed a crippled man, was mistaken for a god, and later stoned.
• Derbe – A city where Paul and Barnabas made many disciples before returning.

Differentiation

For weaker learners, the teacher can provide simplified summaries of events and focus on identifying only the major places visited. For faster learners, encourage them to research the cultural context of the cities visited or discuss the theological implications of Paul’s sermons in Antioch in Pisidia.

Suggested Lesson Videos

Search YouTube for: Paul and Barnabas first missionary journey Acts 13

Teacher Guide for Using This Lesson Plan

Before the lesson, ensure you have a clear, large map of Paul’s missionary journeys and Bibles for all students. Begin by engaging students with their prior knowledge of Paul. Guide them through Acts 13-14, emphasizing the Holy Spirit’s role and the sequence of events. Use the map actively to help students visualize the journey. Encourage discussion about the challenges faced and the significance of turning to the Gentiles. During the note-taking phase, ensure students copy the key points accurately. Provide support for students struggling to locate places on the map or understand the biblical narrative. Challenge advanced learners to analyze the reasons behind John Mark’s departure or the impact of Paul’s sermon in Antioch. Conclude by reiterating the enduring legacy of this journey for Christian mission.