Togetherness and Fellowship in the Early Church for JSS 3

Class: JSS 3
Term: First Term
Week: 3
Age: 14 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Christian Religion Studies
Curriculum Theme: The Early Church
Previous Lesson: The Promise of the Holy Spirit
Topic: Fellowship IN THE EARLY CHURCH
Subject Matter: Togetherness in the early church Acts 2: 41-47

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain

• Describe togetherness in the early church as depicted in Acts 2: 41-47.
• Identify the key characteristics of fellowship among early Christians.

Affective Domain

• Appreciate the importance of unity and sharing in Christian fellowship.
• Relate the lessons from the early church’s togetherness to modern Christian living.

Social Domain

• Discuss how the principles of togetherness can strengthen their own church or community.

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 (Acts 2:41-47)
• FCT ERC/NAPPS Scheme of work

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• A copy of the Holy Bible
• Whiteboard/Chalkboard
• Markers/Chalk
• Pictures depicting early Christian gatherings (optional)

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson is important for students to understand the foundational principles of Christian fellowship and community as established by the early church. It provides a biblical model for unity, sharing, and devotion, which are essential for a vibrant Christian life. By studying this example, students can learn how to foster genuine togetherness within their own spiritual and social environments.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Students should have a basic understanding of the New Testament, the life of Jesus Christ, and the concept of the early church.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Fellowship IN THE EARLY CHURCH

Togetherness in the Early Church (Acts 2:41-47)

After Peter’s sermon on the Day of Pentecost, about three thousand people accepted the message and were baptized. These new believers formed the early church, characterized by remarkable togetherness and fellowship. Their unity and devotion were evident in several ways:

1. Devotion to Teaching and Fellowship: They committed themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.
2. Sharing and Generosity: They had everything in common. They sold their possessions and goods, distributing the proceeds to anyone who had need.
3. Communal Worship and Meals: They met together daily in the temple courts and broke bread in their homes, eating together with glad and sincere hearts.
4. Praise and Favour: They continually praised God and enjoyed the favour of all the people.
5. Growth: The Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Moral Lessons from the Early Church’s Togetherness

1. Importance of Unity: Christians should live in harmony and support one another.
2. Generosity and Sharing: Believers should be willing to share their resources with those in need.
3. Commitment to God’s Word: Regular study of the Bible and adherence to biblical teachings are essential.
4. Value of Prayer: Consistent prayer strengthens individual faith and corporate fellowship.
5. Hospitality: Opening homes for fellowship and meals promotes strong bonds.
6. Evangelism through Lifestyle: Their loving and unified lifestyle attracted others to Christ.

Memory Verse

Acts 2:42: “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”

Bible Reading

Acts 2:41-47

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

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

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explaining/Questioning

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces the lesson by asking students what they understand by “fellowship” and “togetherness” in a religious context. The teacher then explains that today’s lesson will focus on how the early church demonstrated these qualities.

Pupils’ Activity: Students share their understanding of fellowship and togetherness.

Learning Point: Introduction to fellowship

Step 2: Bible Reading and Initial Discussion

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Reading/Facilitating

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides students to read Acts 2:41-47 from their Bibles. After the reading, the teacher asks students to identify what stood out to them in the passage regarding how the early Christians lived.

Pupils’ Activity: Students read the passage and share initial observations.

Learning Point: Early church observations

Step 3: Characteristics of Togetherness

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Elaboration

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the key characteristics of togetherness in the early church, elaborating on devotion to apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, prayer, sharing of possessions, and communal worship, as outlined in the Board Summary.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen attentively and ask clarifying questions.

Learning Point: Togetherness characteristics identified

Step 4: Discussion on Sharing and Generosity

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Discussion/Analysis

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads a guided discussion on the aspect of sharing possessions and goods among the early Christians. The teacher asks students about the significance of such generosity and whether it is practiced today.

Pupils’ Activity: Students participate in the discussion, sharing their views on sharing and generosity.

Learning Point: Generosity and sharing discussed

Step 5: Moral Lessons and Application

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guiding/Application

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides students to identify moral lessons from the early church’s togetherness and how these lessons can be applied in their own lives, families, churches, and communities today.

Pupils’ Activity: Students suggest moral lessons and practical applications.

Learning Point: Moral lessons applied

Step 6: Memory Verse Recitation

Time: 1 minute

Teaching Skill: Recitation/Reinforcement

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces the memory verse (Acts 2:42) and leads students in reciting it a few times.

Pupils’ Activity: Students recite the memory verse after the teacher.

Learning Point: Memory verse learned

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. Describe three characteristics of togetherness in the early church according to Acts 2:41-47.
2. Mention two moral lessons we can learn from the fellowship of the early church.
3. Recite the memory verse for today’s lesson.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Understanding assessed

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 togetherness in the early church into their notebooks.

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

Learning Point: Notes recorded

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 0 minutes

Teaching Skill: Summarizing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher reminds students that the unity and sharing of the early church serve as a powerful example for believers today, encouraging them to live in love and devotion.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen and reflect.

Learning Point: Lesson consolidated

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Homework

Instruction: Answer the following questions in your notebook:

1. In what ways did the early church demonstrate true fellowship and togetherness?
2. How can you apply the principles of sharing and devotion from the early church in your daily life?
3. Find another Bible passage that talks about Christian unity and write down the verse.

Lesson Keywords

• Fellowship – Friendly association, especially with people who share one’s interests.
• Togetherness – The state of being close to another person or other people.
• Early Church – The community of believers established after the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
• Apostles’ Teaching – The doctrines and instructions given by the original disciples of Jesus.
• Breaking of Bread – Refers to sharing meals and often the communion sacrament.
• Sharing – Distributing or giving a portion of something to others.

Differentiation

Support: Provide simpler explanations and direct students to specific verses in the Bible for answers. Encourage peer support during discussions.
Extension: Challenge advanced students to research and present on how the early church’s model of togetherness influenced later Christian communities.

Suggested Lesson Videos

For further understanding of the early church’s fellowship, search on YouTube for:
fellowship early church acts 2 jss3