The Promise of the Holy Spirit in John 14, John 16 and Acts 1 Verses 3–8 for JSS 3

Class: JSS 3
Term: First Term
Week: 1
Age: 14 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Christian Religion Studies
Previous Lesson: First Term Christian Religion Studies Examination
Topic: THE Promise OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Subject Matter: John 14; 16 Acts 1:3-8

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain

• Describe the promise of the Holy Spirit as presented in John 14.
• Explain the promise of the Holy Spirit as presented in John 16.
• Identify the events and the promise of the Holy Spirit in Acts 1:3-8.

Affective Domain

• Appreciate the importance of the Holy Spirit in Christian life.
• Develop a desire to rely on the Holy Spirit for guidance and power.

Psychomotor Domain

• Locate and read the specified Bible passages (John 14, John 16, Acts 1:3-8).

Social Domain

• Participate actively in discussions about the Holy Spirit’s role.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• 2014 9 Years Basic Education Curriculum
• Relevant State Unified Scheme of Work
• The Holy Bible (King James Version, New International Version, or Revised Standard Version)
• FCT ERC/NAPPS Scheme of work

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• The Holy Bible
• Charts showing key verses from John 14, John 16, and Acts 1:3-8
• Whiteboard and markers

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson is important because it introduces students to the foundational promises of the Holy Spirit made by Jesus, which are central to Christian faith and living. Understanding these promises helps students grasp the continuous presence and empowerment of God in their lives, enabling them to live effectively as Christians.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Students should have basic knowledge of Jesus Christ’s ministry, His crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension, as well as an understanding of the Bible as the word of God.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

THE Promise OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Promise of the Holy Spirit in John 14

In John chapter 14, Jesus comforts His disciples, who were troubled by His impending departure. He promises to send them a “Helper” or “Comforter” (Paraclete), who is the Holy Spirit. This Spirit is also referred to as the “Spirit of truth.”

1. The Helper/Comforter: Jesus promises that He will ask the Father, and He will give them another Helper to be with them forever (John 14:16).
2. The Spirit of Truth: This Helper is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. However, the disciples know Him because He dwells with them and will be in them (John 14:17).
3. Teacher and Reminder: The Holy Spirit will teach them all things and bring to their remembrance everything Jesus has said to them (John 14:26).

The Promise of the Holy Spirit in John 16

In John chapter 16, Jesus further explains the work of the Holy Spirit after His departure. He emphasizes the Spirit’s role in convicting the world and guiding believers.

1. Conviction of the World: The Holy Spirit will convict the world concerning sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8-11).
2. Guidance into All Truth: The Spirit of truth will guide believers into all truth. He will not speak on His own authority but will speak what He hears, and He will declare to them the things that are to come (John 16:13).
3. Glorifying Jesus: The Holy Spirit will glorify Jesus, for He will take what is His and declare it to the disciples (John 16:14).

The Promise of the Holy Spirit in Acts 1:3-8

After His resurrection, Jesus spent 40 days with His disciples, teaching them about the kingdom of God. Before His ascension, He gave them a specific instruction and promise regarding the Holy Spirit.

1. Post-Resurrection Appearances: Jesus presented Himself alive to them after His suffering by many infallible proofs, appearing to them for forty days and speaking about the things pertaining to the kingdom of God (Acts 1:3).
2. Instruction to Wait: He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem but to wait for the promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you heard from Me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now” (Acts 1:4-5).
3. Power for Witnessing: When the disciples asked about the restoration of the kingdom to Israel, Jesus redirected their focus, promising them power: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:6-8).

Moral Lessons from the Promise of the Holy Spirit

1. The Holy Spirit is a divine Helper who comforts and guides believers.
2. He teaches and reminds us of Jesus’ teachings.
3. The Holy Spirit empowers believers to live a righteous life and witness effectively.
4. He convicts people of sin, righteousness, and judgment.
5. Believers should rely on the Holy Spirit for spiritual understanding and strength.

Memory Verse

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” – Acts 1:8

Bible Reading

John 14:15-27, John 16:5-15, Acts 1:1-8

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Explanation, Question and Answer, Bible Reading, Guided Practice

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Activating prior knowledge

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the students and asks them if they remember any promises Jesus made to His disciples before His ascension. The teacher then introduces the topic: “The Promise of the Holy Spirit.”

Pupils’ Activity: Students respond to the questions and listen attentively to the introduction.

Learning Point: Introduction to topic

Step 2: The Promise in John 14

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Bible Reading

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides students to open their Bibles to John 14. The teacher reads John 14:16-17 and 26, explaining Jesus’ promise of the Helper (Comforter) and the Spirit of Truth who will teach and remind them.

Pupils’ Activity: Students open their Bibles, read along, and listen to the explanation.

Learning Point: John 14 promise

Step 3: The Promise in John 16

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Discussion

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides students to John 16. The teacher reads John 16:8-11 and 13-14, explaining the Holy Spirit’s role in convicting the world and guiding believers into all truth, and glorifying Jesus.

Pupils’ Activity: Students follow in their Bibles and participate in a brief discussion about the Spirit’s roles.

Learning Point: John 16 promise

Step 4: The Promise in Acts 1:3-8

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Narration/Bible Reading

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher narrates the events in Acts 1:3-8, focusing on Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances, His command to wait for the Holy Spirit, and the promise of power for witnessing. Students read Acts 1:8 aloud.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen to the narration and read Acts 1:8.

Learning Point: Acts 1:3-8 promise

Step 5: Moral Lessons

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Application/Discussion

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads a discussion on the moral lessons derived from these promises, emphasizing the importance of the Holy Spirit for Christian living, guidance, and empowerment.

Pupils’ Activity: Students contribute to the discussion, sharing their understanding of the Holy Spirit’s importance.

Learning Point: Holy Spirit’s importance

Step 6: Memory Verse and Bible Reading

Time: 2 minutes

Teaching Skill: Reinforcement

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher writes the memory verse (Acts 1:8) on the board and guides students to recite it a few times. The teacher also reminds them of the full Bible reading passages.

Pupils’ Activity: Students recite the memory verse and note the Bible reading passages.

Learning Point: Memory verse recitation

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 did Jesus promise in John 14 regarding the Holy Spirit?
2. Mention two roles of the Holy Spirit as described in John 16.
3. What power did Jesus promise His disciples in Acts 1:8?
4. State one moral lesson from the promise of the Holy Spirit.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Understanding Holy Spirit’s promise

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 promise of the Holy Spirit into their notebooks.

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

Learning Point: Recording lesson notes

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 1 minute

Teaching Skill: Consolidation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher briefly reminds students that the Holy Spirit is God’s gift to empower and guide believers, fulfilling Jesus’ promise to never leave them alone.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen and reflect on the lesson’s main point.

Learning Point: Holy Spirit’s enduring presence

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Homework

Instruction: Answer the following questions in your notebook:

1. Read John 14:15-27 and write down three things the Holy Spirit will do for believers.
2. In your own words, explain how the Holy Spirit convicts the world according to John 16:8-11.
3. How does the promise in Acts 1:8 relate to Christians today? Give one practical example.

Lesson Keywords

• Holy Spirit – The third person of the Trinity, promised by Jesus to His disciples.
• Helper/Comforter – Terms used by Jesus in John 14 to describe the Holy Spirit.
• Spirit of Truth – Another name for the Holy Spirit, indicating His role in revealing truth.
• Conviction – The Holy Spirit’s work in revealing sin, righteousness, and judgment to the world.
• Witnesses – Those who testify about Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Differentiation

Support: For students who struggle with reading, the teacher will provide simplified summaries of the Bible passages and encourage peer reading. Visual aids like charts with key verses will also be used.

Extension: Advanced students can research and prepare a short presentation on a specific gift or fruit of the Holy Spirit mentioned in other parts of the New Testament.

Suggested Lesson Videos

For further understanding of the promise of the Holy Spirit, search on YouTube for:

• promise of the holy spirit john 14 16 acts 1 jss 3