Lesson Note on Religious Reforms: Evils and Josiah’s Reforms in Judah for SS 2

Class: Senior Secondary School 2 (SS2 / SSS2)
Term: 3rd Term
Week: 2
Age: 16 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Christian Religion Studies
Curriculum Theme: Leadership and Reform
Previous Lesson: Elijah at Mount Carmel: God’s Victory Over Baal.
Topic: Religious Reforms
Subject Matter: Meaning of religious reforms (changes to remove evil and restore true worship), prevalent religious evils at the time of Josiah (II Kings 22), Josiah’s reforms in Judah (II Kings 23:4-14, II Kings 23:21-30)

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain:

• Define religious reforms.
• Identify prevalent religious evils during Josiah’s time.
• Explain the specific reforms carried out by King Josiah.

Affective Domain:

• Appreciate the importance of true worship.
• Recognize the need for reforms in society.
• Value the efforts of leaders who promote righteousness.

Psychomotor Domain:

• Discuss how to implement positive changes in their communities.
• Outline the steps Josiah took to restore true worship.

Social Domain:

• Promote ethical conduct among their peers.
• Encourage others to participate in positive societal changes.

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 or King James Version)
• Christian Religious Knowledge for Senior Secondary Schools by A.B.C. Ofoegbu
• https://www.biblestudytools.com/
• https://www.biblegateway.com/

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• A copy of the Holy Bible
• Christian Religious Studies textbook for SS2
• Charts illustrating religious practices during Josiah’s time

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps pupils understand the importance of making positive changes to remove evil practices and restore true worship. It enables pupils to learn from historical examples like King Josiah, applying these lessons to contemporary challenges in their society and personal lives.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils are familiar with some Old Testament kings and their reigns, and they understand the basic concept of idolatry and worship from previous lessons.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Religious Reforms

Meaning of Religious Reforms

Religious reforms involve making significant changes within a religious system or community to remove corrupt practices, idolatry, and other evils, and to restore the true worship and principles of God as outlined in His word.

Prevalent Religious Evils at the Time of Josiah (II Kings 22)

Before Josiah’s reforms, Judah had fallen into widespread idolatry and ungodly practices. Some of these evils included:

• Worship of Baal and other foreign gods.
• Worship of the host of heaven (sun, moon, stars).
• Building high places for idol worship.
• Sacrificing children to pagan deities like Molech in the Valley of Hinnom.
• Maintaining male cult prostitutes in the temple.
• Practicing divination, sorcery, and consulting mediums.
• Desecrating the Temple of God with idols and unholy objects.

Josiah’s Reforms in Judah (II Kings 23:4-14, II Kings 23:21-30)

Upon discovering the Book of the Law, King Josiah initiated extensive reforms to cleanse Judah of idolatry and restore true worship of God. His actions included:

• Removing all articles made for Baal, Asherah, and the host of heaven from the Temple and burning them outside Jerusalem.
• Deposing the idolatrous priests appointed by previous kings.
• Smashing the sacred pillars and cutting down the Asherah poles.
• Breaking down the houses of the male cult prostitutes near the Temple.
• Defiling the Topheth in the Valley of Hinnom to prevent child sacrifices to Molech.
• Removing the horses dedicated to the sun and burning the chariots of the sun.
• Tearing down the altars on the roof of the upper chamber of Ahaz.
• Breaking down the altars Manasseh had built in the two courts of the Lord’s Temple.
• Destroying the high places built by Solomon for foreign gods.
• Slaughtering all the priests of the high places on their own altars.
• Burning human bones on the altars, as prophesied.
• Restoring the celebration of the Passover, ensuring it was observed according to the Law.

Memory Verse

2 Chronicles 7:14 – “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

Bible Reading

• II Kings 22:1-20
• II Kings 23:1-30

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 what they understand by the word ‘reform’ in everyday life. The teacher then relates this to religious contexts.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond by giving examples of reforms they know, such as educational reforms or political reforms.
Learning Point: Pupils recall prior knowledge and are introduced to the concept of reform.

Step 2: Meaning of Religious Reforms

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Definition
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the meaning of religious reforms as changes made to remove evil practices and restore true worship, using simple language.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively and ask questions for clarity.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the definition and purpose of religious reforms.

Step 3: Prevalent Religious Evils at the Time of Josiah

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Guiding/Discussion
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils to read II Kings 22 and discuss the various evils prevalent in Judah before Josiah’s reforms. The teacher lists these points on the board.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils read the assigned Bible passage and identify the different forms of idolatry and ungodly practices.
Learning Point: Pupils identify the specific evils that necessitated Josiah’s reforms.

Step 4: Josiah’s Reforms in Judah (Part 1)

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Narration/Explanation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher narrates the initial actions taken by King Josiah after the discovery of the Book of the Law, focusing on the cleansing of the Temple and the removal of idolatrous objects and personnel as found in II Kings 23:4-14.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and take notes on Josiah’s initial reform actions.
Learning Point: Pupils learn about the first phase of Josiah’s efforts to restore true worship.

Step 5: Josiah’s Reforms in Judah (Part 2)

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Elaboration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher continues to explain Josiah’s further reforms, including the destruction of high places, defilement of Topheth, and the restoration of the Passover celebration, as detailed in II Kings 23:21-30.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils continue to take notes and ask questions about the significance of each reform.
Learning Point: Pupils gain a full understanding of the scope and impact of Josiah’s reforms.

Step 6: Memory Verse and Bible Reading

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Recitation/Reading
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces the memory verse (2 Chronicles 7:14) and leads the pupils in reciting it. The teacher also highlights the main Bible passages for further reading.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils recite the memory verse and note down the Bible references for personal study.
Learning Point: Pupils internalize key scriptural principles related to repentance and healing of the land.

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. What is meant by religious reforms?
2. Mention three religious evils prevalent in Judah during Josiah’s time.
3. List four specific actions Josiah took to reform worship in Judah.
4. Recite 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/Assignment
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the key points of the lesson, emphasizing the importance of seeking God’s will and removing evil practices. The teacher assigns homework.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and copy down the homework assignment.
Learning Point: Pupils consolidate their understanding and prepare for further study.

Lesson Keywords

• Reforms – Changes made to improve something or remove wrong practices.
• Josiah – A king of Judah known for his religious reforms.
• Idolatry – The worship of idols or false gods.
• Covenant – An agreement or promise between God and His people.
• Passover – An annual Jewish festival commemorating the liberation of the Israelites from Egyptian slavery.

Differentiation

For pupils who grasp concepts quickly, the teacher will encourage them to research other instances of religious reforms in the Bible. For those who need more support, the teacher will provide simplified summaries of the Bible passages and focus on key reform actions, using visual aids more extensively.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Teachers should ensure they have a good understanding of the historical context of Josiah’s reign and the details of the reforms. Encourage pupils to relate the historical account to contemporary issues of moral and religious decline, prompting discussions on how they can be agents of positive change in their own contexts. Emphasize the role of the Bible (the Book of the Law) in initiating and guiding the reforms.