The Resurrection of Jesus Christ for SS 3

Class: SS 3
Term: First Term
Week: 6
Age: 14 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Christian Religion Studies
Curriculum Theme: The Resurrection of Jesus Christ
Previous Lesson: Trial of Jesus Christ and His Death
Topic: The Resurrection of Jesus Christ
Subject Matter: The accounts of the resurrection of Jesus. Math; 28:1-8, Mk. 16:1- 8, Lk. 24:1-11; Women activities in the story of resurrection; Compare and contrast the three accounts of resurrection in the synoptic; Importance of the resurrection of Jesus to Christian faith

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain

• Recall the events of Jesus’ resurrection from the Synoptic Gospels.
• Identify the key figures involved in each resurrection account.
• Compare and contrast the details in Matthew, Mark, and Luke’s accounts of the resurrection.
• Explain the activities of the women at the tomb.
• State the importance of Jesus’ resurrection to Christian faith.

Affective Domain

• Appreciate the central role of the resurrection in Christian belief.
• Value the historical accounts of the resurrection.
• Understand the implications of the resurrection for believers’ lives.

Psychomotor Domain

• Locate and read the specified Bible passages (Matthew 28:1-8, Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24:1-11).
• Discuss the differences and similarities between the Synoptic accounts.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• The Holy Bible (Revised Standard Version or New International Version)
• 2025 Revised 9 Years Basic Education Curriculum
• Relevant State Unified Scheme of Work
• Christian Religious Studies for Senior Secondary Schools, Book 3
• The HeadTeacher Scheme of work

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• The Holy Bible
• Pictorial charts showing the empty tomb, the women at the tomb, the angels watching the tomb.
• Whiteboard and markers.

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson is essential for students to understand the foundational event of Christianity – the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It helps them to critically examine biblical narratives and grasp the theological significance of Jesus’ victory over death, which is central to Christian faith and hope.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Students should have prior knowledge of Jesus’ crucifixion, burial, and the events leading up to His death, as well as a general understanding of the Synoptic Gospels.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ

Bible Reading

1. Matthew 28:1-8
2. Mark 16:1-8
3. Luke 24:1-11

Memory Verse

Romans 6:9: “For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him.”

Accounts of the Resurrection in the Synoptic Gospels

1. Matthew 28:1-8

   1. After the Sabbath, Mary Magdalene and the “other Mary” went to see the tomb.
   2. There was a violent earthquake, and an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, rolled back the stone, and sat on it.
   3. The guards were terrified and became 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 to meet Him in Galilee.
   5. The women left with fear and great joy to deliver the message.

2. Mark 16:1-8

   1. Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices to anoint Jesus’ body.
   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 large stone had already been rolled away.
   4. Inside, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side.
   5. He told them not to be alarmed, that Jesus had risen, and instructed them to tell His disciples and Peter that He was going ahead of them to Galilee.
   6. The women fled from the tomb, trembling and bewildered, and said nothing to anyone because they were afraid.

3. Luke 24:1-11

   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.
   3. When they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.
   4. While they were perplexed, two men in dazzling clothes suddenly stood beside them.
   5. The men asked why they were looking for the living among the dead, stating that Jesus had risen, just as He had told them while He was still in Galilee.
   6. The women remembered Jesus’ words and returned from the tomb to tell these things to the Eleven and all the others.
   7. Their words seemed like nonsense to the apostles, and they did not believe them.

Activities of Women in the Resurrection Story

1. They prepared spices to anoint Jesus’ body.
2. They went to the tomb early on the first day of the week.
3. They were the first to discover the empty tomb.
4. They received the message of Jesus’ resurrection from angels/young men.
5. They were commanded to announce the resurrection to the disciples.
6. They carried the message of the resurrection to the apostles.

Comparison and Contrast of the Synoptic Accounts

1. Similarities:

   1. The resurrection occurred on the first day of the week (Sunday).
   2. Women were the first to visit the tomb.
   3. The tomb was found empty.
   4. Angelic beings (or young men) announced the resurrection.
   5. The women were instructed to tell the disciples.

2. Differences:

   1. Number and names of women:
      1. Matthew: Mary Magdalene and the “other Mary”.
      2. Mark: Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome.
      3. Luke: Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and other women.
   2. Appearance of angels/messengers:
      1. Matthew: One angel, descended from heaven, rolled the stone, sat on it.
      2. Mark: One young man in a white robe, sitting inside the tomb.
      3. Luke: Two men in dazzling clothes, standing inside the tomb.
   3. The message:
      1. Matthew: Go tell the disciples to meet Jesus in Galilee.
      2. Mark: Tell the disciples and Peter that Jesus is going ahead to Galilee.
      3. Luke: Reminded them of Jesus’ prophecy about His resurrection.
   4. Women’s reaction:
      1. Matthew: Fear and great joy, ran to tell the disciples.
      2. Mark: Trembling and bewildered, said nothing to anyone (initially).
      3. Luke: Remembered Jesus’ words, returned to tell the Eleven.

Importance of the Resurrection of Jesus to Christian Faith

1. It proves Jesus is truly the Son of God, as He claimed.
2. It confirms the truth of His teachings and prophecies.
3. It signifies Jesus’ victory over sin, death, and the power of Satan.
4. It offers hope for believers’ own resurrection and eternal life.
5. It is the foundation of Christian faith; without it, faith is futile (1 Corinthians 15:14).
6. It provides assurance of forgiveness of sins.
7. It empowers believers through the Holy Spirit.
8. It guarantees Jesus’ present reign and future return.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Explanation, Question and Answer, Bible Reading, Visual Aids, Group Work.

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 Jesus’ crucifixion and burial. The teacher then asks students what they think happened after Jesus was buried, leading into the topic of resurrection.

Pupils’ Activity: Students respond to questions about the previous lesson and share their initial thoughts on what happened after Jesus’ burial.

Learning Point: Prior knowledge recall

Step 2: Matthew’s Account of the Resurrection

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explaining/Reading

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides students to open their Bibles to Matthew 28:1-8. The teacher reads the passage aloud or assigns students to read, then explains the key events: the women at the tomb, the earthquake, the angel rolling the stone, the guards’ reaction, and the angel’s message.

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

Learning Point: Matthew’s resurrection account

Step 3: Mark’s Account of the Resurrection

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explaining/Comparing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher directs students to Mark 16:1-8. The teacher highlights the details in Mark’s account, focusing on the women’s names, their concern about the stone, the young man in white, his message, and the women’s initial reaction of fear and silence.

Pupils’ Activity: Students read or listen to the passage and note the details, identifying similarities and differences with Matthew’s account.

Learning Point: Mark’s resurrection account

Step 4: Luke’s Account of the Resurrection

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explaining/Analysing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads students to Luke 24:1-11. The teacher explains Luke’s unique details, such as the specific women mentioned, the two men in dazzling clothes, their question (“Why do you look for the living among the dead?”), and the apostles’ disbelief when the women reported back.

Pupils’ Activity: Students engage with the text, discuss the distinct elements of Luke’s narrative, and consider the apostles’ reaction.

Learning Point: Luke’s resurrection account

Step 5: Women’s Activities in the Resurrection Story

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Identifying/Summarising

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher asks students to identify and list the various activities performed by the women in all three accounts, such as preparing spices, going to the tomb, discovering it empty, receiving the angelic message, and reporting to the disciples.

Pupils’ Activity: Students contribute to a list of women’s activities based on the biblical passages.

Learning Point: Women’s roles in resurrection

Step 6: Comparison and Importance of the Resurrection

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Facilitating/Discussing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher facilitates a discussion where students compare and contrast the three synoptic accounts, highlighting similarities and differences. The teacher then guides students to explain the importance of Jesus’ resurrection to Christian faith, linking it to salvation, hope, and the foundation of belief.

Pupils’ Activity: Students actively participate in comparing the accounts and explaining the theological importance of the resurrection.

Learning Point: Synoptic accounts comparison

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. Name two women who went to the tomb according to Matthew’s account.
2. Who did the women meet at the tomb in Mark’s account?
3. State one difference between Luke’s and Matthew’s account of the resurrection.
4. Mention two activities of the women at the tomb.
5. Explain two reasons why the resurrection of Jesus is important to Christian faith.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Resurrection accounts 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 resurrection accounts, women’s activities, comparison, and importance into their notebooks.

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

Learning Point: Board summary copying

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 0 minutes

Teaching Skill: Summarising

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher briefly reiterates that the resurrection is the cornerstone of Christian faith, providing hope and confirming Jesus’ divine identity.

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

Learning Point: Resurrection importance reinforced

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Homework

Instruction: Answer the following questions in your notebooks:

1. Read 1 Corinthians 15:12-20 and explain in your own words why Paul considered the resurrection of Christ so vital for Christian faith.
2. Research and write a short paragraph about one other resurrection account in the Bible (e.g., Lazarus, Jairus’ daughter) and compare it briefly to Jesus’ resurrection.

Lesson Keywords

• Resurrection – The act of rising from the dead, especially Jesus Christ’s rising from the dead on the third day after His crucifixion.
• Synoptic Gospels – The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, which describe events from a similar point of view, as contrasted with that of John.
• Empty Tomb – The tomb of Jesus found without His body after His resurrection.
• Angel – A spiritual being believed to be a messenger of God.
• Mary Magdalene – One of the women who followed Jesus and was present at His crucifixion and the first to witness His resurrection.
• Galilee – A region in northern Israel where Jesus spent most of His life and ministry, and where the resurrected Jesus instructed His disciples to meet Him.

Differentiation

For weaker learners, the teacher can provide simplified summaries of each Gospel account and focus primarily on identifying key figures and the empty tomb. Stronger learners can be challenged to analyse the theological implications of the differences in the accounts and discuss how these differences might strengthen the overall testimony rather than weaken it.

Suggested Lesson Videos

For further understanding of the resurrection accounts, students can search YouTube for: The Resurrection of Jesus Christ SS3 CRS

Teacher Guide for Using This Lesson Plan

Before the lesson, ensure you have your Bible and any pictorial charts ready to illustrate the empty tomb and the women at the tomb. Begin by linking the lesson to previous knowledge of Jesus’ death and burial to provide context. Guide students through each Synoptic Gospel account of the resurrection, encouraging them to read along and identify key details. Use the pictorial charts to make the narrative more vivid. Facilitate a discussion on the women’s roles and then lead into a comparison of the accounts, focusing on both similarities and differences. Emphasise that variations in details do not negate the core event but often provide richer perspectives. Conclude by stressing the profound importance of the resurrection to Christian faith. Allow students to copy the Board Summary notes after the main teaching and discussion to ensure they have accurate information for revision. Pay attention to common misconceptions about the resurrection and address them clearly. For students who struggle, provide a simplified handout of the main events. For advanced learners, encourage deeper reflection on the theological significance and historical reliability of the accounts.