SCHEME OF WORK

SCHOOL: Eucharistic Heart of Jesus Model College

SUBJECT: Christian Religious Studies
CLASS: SS Two
TERM: First Term
SESSION: 2025/2026
INSTRUCTION: Students are to Print and Bind

Scheme of Work

Week one: The Birth of Christ and the visit of the wise men
Week two: The Baptism of Christ
Week three: The temptation of Christ
Week four: Discipleship
Week five: Miracles
Week six: Parables
Week seven: Sermon on the mount
Week eight: Mission of the Disciples
Week nine: Transfiguration

THE BIRTH OF CHRIST AND THE VISIT OF THE WISE MEN AND THE
SHEPHERDS

The Birth of Christ According to Matthew (Mat 1:18-25)

When Mary had agreed to marry Joseph, before they came together as husband
and wife, Mary became pregnant. Joseph who was a righteous man decided to send
her away secretly in order not to put her into public shame. But an angel of the Lord
appeared to him in a dream and told him not to fear that the child she was carrying is
of the Holy Spirit. The angel said Mary shall bear a son, who shall be called Jesus; for
he shall save people from their sins.
All these were done in fulfillment of the prophecy that a virgin shall bear a son whose
name shall be called Emmanuel, meaning, ‘God with us’. When Joseph woke up from
sleep, he obeyed the angel and took Mary as wife but knew her not until she gave
birth to a son and they named the child Jesus according to the prophesy.

The Birth of Christ According to Luke (Lk 2:1-7)

The Roman Empire Caesar Augustus gave a decree that all the people should be
taxed and Joseph and Mary also went from Galilee, the city of Nazareth to Bethlehem
to be taxed. Mary was eight months pregnant and as they were there in the house,
she fell into labour. She gave birth to a son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and
laid him in a manger, since there was no place in the house.

The Visit of the Wise Men (Mat 2:1-11)

After Jesus had been born in Bethlehem of Judea, when Herod was the king,
there came wise men from the East who said they saw his star in the east and came
to worship him. After they had narrated their experiences to Herod, Herod asked them
to go and search for the child. The start went before them to where Jesus was laid.
When they saw the child, they were exceeding joyful and fell down and worshipped
the child. They then presented three gifts to Jesus which were, Gold, representing his
royalty, Frankincense, representing his priestly function and Myrrh, representing his
death.
The Visit of the Shepherds (Lk 2:8-40)
When Jesus was born, there were shepherds, keeping watch over their flock in the
field that night. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and they glory of the Lord
overshadowed them. They became afraid. The angel told them not to be afraid that
he had brought good news to them of a savior which had been born in the city of
David (Christ the Lord). He said as a sign to them, they shall find a child wrapped in
swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger. And suddenly, there was a multitude of
heavenly host with the angel praising God. As the angels departed from them, they
decided to go to Bethlehem to see things by themselves.
When they got to Bethlehem, they met Mary and Joseph and narrated their ordeal
to them, all the people that heard them marveled at the things told them by the
shepherds, but Mary kept those things in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying
and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen. And when eight days had
been accomplished according to the Law of Moses, Jesus was brought to be dedicated
to God and be circumcised. They all brought a pair of turtle doves or two young
pigeons to offer as sacrifice to God. At the temple, they met a man called Simeon and
a woman called Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Penuche, from the tribe of Asher.
These two people spoke at length concerning the child to the amazement of his
parents.

Comparison among Matthew and Luke’s Accounts on the Birth of Christ

1. In the account of Matthew, an angel played a great role which wasn’t so in
Luke’s account.
2. In Matthew’s account, the baby Jesus was said to have be conceived of the Holy
Ghost which wasn’t so in Luke’s account.
3. Luke’s account seems to have started his account on the birth of Christ from
where Matthew stopped by giving us the exact place Jesus was born.
4. Matthew mentioned the visit of the wise men while Luke mentioned the visit of
the shepherds.
5. Luke mentioned census or taxation in his account while Matthew did not.

The Significance and Lessons

1. We learnt that the birth of Christ was universal by the visit of wise men and
shepherds.
2. Jesus Christ has power to save people from their sins if we confess to him.
3. God can give a child without the union of biological parents.
4. We also learnt that a child can be filled with the Holy Ghost at conception.

The Baptism of Christ (Mk 1:9-11; Lk 3:21-22; Mat 3:13-17)

Baptism is a sacrament in Christianity. It is used to wash away the original sin
and it marks the transition into the new kingdom ushered in by Jesus. It is also a
means of identification with the children of God.
In this account, we see John the Baptist at the River Jordan, baptizing people for the
remission of their sins. Jesus also came from Galilee to be baptized by John. When
John saw him, he said, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” Jesus
replied, “Let it be so now for thus it is fitting to fulfill all righteousness”. John then
consented and baptized Jesus. As Jesus was coming out of the water, the heaven was
opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in form of a dove and lighted upon
him. At the same time, a voice came from heaven saying, “This is my beloved son
with whom I am well pleased”.

Comparison of the Three Accounts

Only the gospel of Matthew records that John hesitated to baptize Jesus.
1. The gospel of Luke says Jesus was praying after baptism before the Holy Spirit
fell on him.
2. Only the gospel of Matthew says the Holy Ghost lighted upon him.

The Significance and Lessons

1. It identified Jesus with sinners.
2. It revealed humility in Christ.
3. It revealed Jesus as the son of God.
4. It announced Jesus’ ministry publicly.
5. It fulfilled all righteousness in Christ.
6. It prepared Jesus adequately for his ministry.

The Temptation of Christ (Mat 4:1-11; Mk 1:12-13; Lk 4:1-13)

After the Baptism of Christ, the Holy Spirit immediately drove Jesus into the
wilderness to be tempted by the devil. Having fasted for forty days and forty nights,
he was with the wild beast.
In the first temptation, Satan told Jesus to turn stones to bread. Jesus said, “it is
written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the
mouth of God”.
In the second temptation, the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the
pinnacle of the temple and asked him to jump down for God has said He shall give His
angels charge over him lest he dash his foot against a stone. Jesus said, “it is written,
thou shall not tempt the Lord your God.”
In the third temptation, Satan took him to an exceeding high mountain and
showed him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them. Satan promised to
give him all the kingdoms if only he could bow down and worshipped him. Jesus said
to Satan, “Get thee behind me Satan; for it is written, Thou shall worship the Lord thy
God, and him only shall thou serve”. The devil then left him and angels came and
ministered to him. This is Matthew’s account on the temptation of Christ.

Comparison of the Three Accounts

1. Only Mark says that Jesus was with the wild beast
2. Mark states that Jesus was driven into the wild
3. Mark’s account did not spelt out the three temptation, others did.
4. The order of the three temptation
Matthew Luke
1 st
To turn stone to bread To turn stone to bread
2 nd
To jump down from To bow down and worship Satan
pinnacle
3rd To bow down and worship To jump down from the pinnacle of
Satan the temple
This shows that what is second in Matthew is third in Luke and vice-versa
5. Mathew ended his temptations by saying angels came and ministered to Jesus
while Luke says Satan departed from Jesus for a moment.

The Significance and Lessons

1. Temptation was used to prepare Jesus adequately for his ministry.
2. We learnt that no one is above temptation.
3. The first temptation was to make Jesus an economic or material messiah, the
second was to make him a magician or wonder worker while the third was to
make him a political messiah.
4. To be tempted is not a sin but to be overcome by temptation is a sin.
 5. Like Jesus, we should use God’s word “it is written” to overcome Satan’s
temptation.

DISCIPLESHIP
The Call of the First Five Disciples (Mat 4:18-28; 9:9-13; Mk 1:16-20; 2:13-
17; Lk 5:1-11; 5:27-32).
As Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon, who was also
called Peter and Andrew his brother, for they were fishermen. Jesus said to them
“follow me and I will make you fishers of men”. The two immediately left their nets
and followed Jesus.
As He went further from there, He saw two brothers James and John, the sons of
Zebedee, with their father in the boat, mending their net. Jesus called them and they
immediately left their nets and their father and followed Jesus.
After Jesus had healed the paralytic, He was going on His way, He saw Matthew, a
tax collector, the son of Alphaeus, also called Levi, sitting at the tax office. Jesus said
to him, “Follow me”. He arose and followed Jesus. He invited Jesus to his house and
made a feast for Him. When the Pharisees saw Jesus eating with tax collectors, they
accused Jesus of eating with tax collectors and sinners. Jesus told them, “Those who
are well have no need of a physician but those who are sick” He also said He came
not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.

Luke’s Account on the Call of the First Five Disciples

As Jesus was standing by the Lake of Genesaret, the people pressed upon Him to
hear the word of God. He saw two boats in the sea; the fishermen had left the boats to
wash their nets. Jesus entered the one that belonged to Simon Peter and taught the
people in it. He told Simon to put out the net to catch fish. Simon complained that he
had toiled all night without a catch, but in obedience to Jesus’ instruction, he put the
net into the sea, and it caught a large shoal of fish and the nets almost broke.
They called their neighbours in other boats which helped them to bring out the fish
and filled their boat which almost sank. When Simon Peter saw what had happened,
he became afraid and fell down before Jesus and said, “Depart from me, for I am a
sinful man, O Lord”. Among the people were James and John, the sons of Zebedee.
Jesus then said to Peter, “Henceforth, you shall be catching men”. After bringing out
their boat from the sea, they left all and followed Jesus.

The Demands for Discipleship (Mat 8:18-22; Lk 9:57-63; 14:25-33)

A Jesus was walking in Galilee; a scribe met Him and said, “Teacher, I will follow
wherever you go”. Jesus replied, “Foxes have holes and the birds of the air have
nests, but the son of man has nowhere to lay His head”. Another of His follower said,
“Let me first go and bury my father”. Jesus replied, “Let the dead bury then own
dead”.
Another said, “Lord I will follow you but let me first go and say farewell to my
guests. Jesus answered, “No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back,
is fit for the kingdom of God”. Jesus also told His disciples that if any man will come to
Him, he will hate his family members even his own life before he can be His disciple.
He also said, he who does not bear his cross and follow Him cannot be His disciple.

Demands of Discipleship
1. Self-denial 6. Determination
2. Focus 7. Discipline
3. Dedication 8. Self-evaluation
4. Contentment 9. Boldness & courage
5. Repentance 10. Humility & obedience
The Significance and Lessons
1. We learnt that whenever Jesus called us, we should respond and do whatever
He says.
2. Jesus came to die for sinners
3. We should be fishers of men as Christ’s disciples
4. We should not allow us to be distracted in Christ

MIRACLES
Miracles are signs of divine intervention in human affairs. They are also seen as
supernatural events or mighty works of God. There are two types of miracles, they
are; Nature miracles and Healing miracles.
(a) Nature Miracles
These refer to miracles which natural objects phenomena are used to manifest the
divine. They include stilling the storm, feeding the five thousand, feeding the four
thousand and walking on the sea.
(i) Stilling the Storm (Mt 8:23-27; Mk 4:35-41; Lk 8:22-25):
When Jesus had finished teaching his disciples the parables of the kingdom
beside the sea, he decided to cross to the other side of the sea with his disciples. As
they were in the sea, a great storm arose and the ship was almost sinking. The
disciples became afraid but Jesus was asleep in the boat. The disciples came to Jesus
and said, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing”? Jesus rebuked the wind
and said, “Peace!, Be still,” and the wind ceased. Jesus blamed the disciples for lack of
faith by saying “why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith? The disciples
were amazed saying “what manner of man is this that even the wind and the sea
obey Him”.
(ii) Feeding of the Five Thousand (Mt 14:13-24; Mk 6:30-44; Lk 9:10-17):

After the disciples had returned from their evangelical mission and narrated the
outcome of the journey to Jesus, he took them to a lonely place to rest. When the
people saw it, they followed them and Jesus had compassion on them and healed their
sick. When the day was far spent, the disciples suggested that Jesus should send the
crowd away so that they could buy food to eat. Jesus told the disciples to give them
something to eat but the disciples told Jesus the impossibility of getting enough bread
to feed such a crowd. Jesus asked them what they had and they said five loaves of
bread and two fishes.
Jesus then commanded them to make the people sit in groups of fifties. He took
the bread, looked up to heaven, blessed it, broke it and gave them to the disciples to
distribute to the crowd. The people ate and were all filled. They gathered the broken
fragments and they filled twelve baskets with them. The people were about five
thousand men beside women and children.
Note: John records that Jesus asked Philip where they could get bread and Andrew
said a Lad had 5 bread and 2 fishes.
(iii) The Feeding of Four Thousand (Mt 15:32-39; Mk 8:1-9):
Matthew record that after Jesus had cured the child of the Canaanite woman, he
went up to the mountain and the crowd came up to him, bringing those that had
infirmities and Jesus healed them. He had compassion on the crowd because they had
been with Him for three days without food. Jesus did not want to send them away
hungry lest they faint on the way. The disciples reminded Him of the impossibility of
getting enough bread to feed such a crowd in the wilderness. However, Jesus asked
them how many loaves they had, they said seven loaves and few small fishes. Jesus
ordered the crowd to sit on the ground. He took the seven loaves and few fishes, gave
thanks to God, broke them and gave them to the disciples to distribute to the crowd.
They all ate and were satisfied. There were four thousand men beside women and
children. The broken fragments filled seven baskets.
(iv) Walking on the Sea (Mt 14:22-26; Mk 6:45-52):
After Jesus had fed the four thousand, He commanded His disciples to enter the
boat and cross to the other side of the sea. He remained behind to dismiss the crowd
and later went to the mountain to pray. In the evening, there arose a storm for the
wind beat vehemently against the ship. At about the fourth watch of the night, Jesus
came to them walking on the sea. When they saw Him, they became afraid, thinking
He was a ghost. Immediately, they all cried out, but Jesus told them to take heart that
He was the one that they should not fear. He entered the boat and there was calm.

(b) Healing Miracles

These are occasions where Jesus exercised His authority over sickness and
diseases, both mental and physical and over demonic forces. They include; the
healing of the leper, the paralytic, the centurion’s servant and the demoniac.

(i) The Healing of the Leper (Mt 8:1-4; Mk 1:40-45; Lk 5:12-16):

When Jesus was in a certain city, a great crowd followed Him intending to hear His
teaching. A leper came to Him saying, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean”.
Jesus stretched out His hand and touched the man and said, “I will, be clean”. (Mark’s
account says Jesus was moved with pity before He healed the man) immediately, the
leprosy left the man. Jesus told the man to tell no one about it but to show himself to
the priest and offer to him what Moses commanded for his cleansing as a proof to the
people. The man went about publicizing his healing that many people thronged Jesus
that there was no place for Him to move in the city.

(ii) The Healing of the Paralytic (Mt 9:1-8; Mk 12; Lk 5:17-26): 2:1
When Jesus came to Capernaum, the news about His presence spread that they
brought people of various problems to Him. A paralytic was brought in a pallet by four
men. They could not take him to Jesus due to the crowd. They then went and opened
the roof of the house and let down the man through the opening. When Jesus saw
their faith, He said to the paralytic, “your sins are forgiven you”. The scribes perceived
Jesus was blaspheming since it is only God that has power to forgive sins. Jesus
perceived their thoughts and asked them why they were having such thoughts. Jesus
then told them that for them to know that the son of man has power on earth to
forgive sins, He ordered the paralytic to arise, take his pallet and go home. The people
were amazed and said, “We have never seen anything like this.”

(iii) The Healing of the Centurion Servant (Mt 8:5-13; Lk 7:1-10):

According to Matthew’s account, when Jesus came to Capernaum, a centurion
came to Jesus and informed Him that his servant laid sick at home and wants Jesus to
come and healed him. As Jesus was about to follow the man, he said there was no
need for Jesus to go to his house since He was a man under authority like him, who
say to this one ‘go’, and he goes and to the other, ‘come’ and he comes. He said Jesus
should only say the word and his servant shall be made whole.
Jesus said He had never seen such faith, even in Israel. He further told people
around Him that people would rise from the East and West and sit at table with
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; while those for whom the kingdom was meant would be
thrown out to the outer darkness to weep and gnash their teeth. He told the man to
go, that it shall be done for him according to his faith. When he got home, he found
the servant healed at that moment Jesus talked to him.
Note: Luke’s account says Jesus first sent elders to Jesus who persuaded Jesus that
the man is good by telling Him that the man built them a synagogue. He later sent
friends to tell Him to only say the word.
 (iv) The Healing of the Demoniac (Mt 8:28-34; Mk 5:1-10; Lk 8:26-39)
When Jesus had crossed to the other side of the sea, after calming the storm, He
went to the country of the Gerasenes. A man possessed by demon came out of the
tomb and when he saw Jesus, he said, “what have you to do with men, Jesus, son of
the most high God?” I beseech you, do not torment me”. This was after Jesus had
commanded the spirits to leave the man for the man had not be bound as he would
break any chain or fetter.
Jesus asked him of his name and he said he is Legion because the evil spirits were
many. The sprits begged Jesus not to send them out of the country or into the abyss,
but to allow them to enter into the herds of swine grazing by the sea shore. They were
about two thousand pigs. Jesus gave them leave and they entered the pigs and the
whole herd ran violently into the sea and got drowned. When the people saw what
had happened to the swine and the demoniac sitting in his right mind, they became
afraid and begged Jesus to depart from their coast. The healed man desired to follow
Jesus, but Jesus refused and told him to go to his friends and tell them how much God
had done for him.
Note: Only Matthew mentioned two demoniacs in his account.

The Significant Points and Lessons

1. Nature miracles show that Jesus has power over nature and can control it.
2. Jesus’ being asleep in a boat reveals His human nature.
3. At the feeding of both five and four thousand, Jesus is shown as a great provider.
And it is also revealed that He doesn’t like waste.
4. Healing miracles show that Jesus has power over all forms of sicknesses and
diseases, both physical and mental.
5. The healing of the centurion’s servant shows that salvation is for all races and
that faith is required for a miracle to take place.
6. The healing of the paralytic shows that Jesus has power to forgive sins.
7. All miracles are to take away sorrow from the hearts of men, not just a display of
power.

THE PARABLES
Parables are earthly stories with heavenly meaning. They are human stories
that symbolize the divinity of God. Jesus used parables to teach His disciples for
the following three reasons:
1. Parables have attention-catching potentials.
2. Parables follow the main rule of teaching from the known to the unknown.
3. Parables provoke thoughts; hence they promote better understanding and
retention of knowledge.
Jesus’ parables are grouped under three main headings; they are: parables of the
kingdom, parables illustrating God’s love and parable illustrating concern for one
another.

1. Parables of the kingdom

(i) The Parable of the Sower (Mt 13:1-23; Mk 4:1-20)
When Jesus was at the bank of the sea, a crowd of people gathered around Him he
began to teach them in parables and said:
A Sower went to sow seeds, as he was sowing the seeds, some of the seeds fell
along the paths, and the birds of the air came and ate them up. Others fell on rocky
ground, as soon as they sprang up; they died because there is no moisture or roots.
Some fell among thorns; they were chocked up by thorns as they grew up. The rest
fell on good soil, they grew up and yielded much fruits some a hundred folds, some
sixty and some thirty.
The Interpretation (Mk 4:13-20)
Jesus explained the meaning of this parable to His disciples as follows;
The seed is God’s word and the Sower is the preacher of the word of God or a disciple
of Christ. The seeds that fell along the paths are those that hear the word of God and
the devil immediately takes it away from them. Those that fell on rocky ground are
those that hear the word and received it with joy. When tribulation or persecution
arises on account of the world, by and by, they are offended. The seed sown among
thorns are those who hear the word, but the cares of this world and the delight in
riches make the word ineffective and unfruitful.
The seeds that fell on good ground are those who hear the word, accept it and
practice it, so that it produces good results in them.
The Parable of Mustard Seed (Lk 13:18-19; Mt 13:31-32; Mk 4:30-32)
Jesus compared the kingdom of God to the grain of mustard seed, which is the
smallest of all seeds. When it is sown, it becomes the greatest of all shrubs with many
branches and the birds of the air will come and make nests on them.
(ii) The Parable of wheat and weeds (Mt 13:24-43)
Jesus said the kingdom of God is like a man who sowed good seeds in his farm and
when he went to sleep, an enemy secretly went and sowed weeds among the good
seeds. When they are grew up, his servants went to the farm and met the weeds
grown among good seeds. When they told the master about it, he realized that an
enemy had done that. The servants asked whether they should remove the weeds,
but the master refused saying lest they should remove the good seeds along. He told
them to let all grow together till harvest where the good seeds shall be separated
from the weeds.
The interpretation (Mt 13:36-43)
Jesus explained the meaning of the parable to His disciples as follows:
The sower of the good seed is the son of man. The field is the world, and the good
seed are the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, and the
enemy that sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the close of the age i.e. the
judgment time (parousia) and the reapers are the angels. As the weeds are separated
and cast into fire, so shall the sons of the evil one be separated and cast into hell fire.
(iii) Parable of the Seed Growing Secretly (Mk 4:26-29)
Jesus also compared God’s kingdom to a man who scattered seeds in his farm
and went to sleep. As time goes by, the seed grew, matured and produced fruits
without the man knowing it. As soon as the fruits came out, he put sickle and began
to harvest.
2. Parables Illustrating God’s Love
(i) Parable of the Lost Sheep (Mt 18:12-14; Lk 15:1-7)
Luke records that when the Pharisees accused Jesus of receiving sinners and eating
with them, He told them a parable of the lost sheep. He asked them which among
them would have a hundred sheep and one of them got lost that would not leave the
ninety-nine in the wilderness and go in search of the lost one. When he founds it, he
gathers all his fiends to rejoice with him for his lost sheep has been found. Jesus said
so also, there is great joy in heaven over one sinner that repents than over ninety-
nine people that need no repentance.
(ii) Parable of the Lost Coin (Lk 15:8-10)
`Jesus also asked the scribes whether there is a woman who would not put on light
and sweep the house in search of the lost coin till she finds it. She would invite his
neighbours to come and rejoice with her for her lost coin has been found. Jesus also
said there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.
(iii) The Parable of the Prodigal Son (Lk 15:11-32)
A man had two sons and the younger one went to the father and requested for
his own share of the father’s properties. As soon as the father gave him, he went to a
far country and lavished his wealth on riotous living until famine came up in the land.
He began to be in want and joined himself with a man that fed swine. He was so
hungry that he felt like eating swine’s meal.
One day, he realized his folly that his father’s hired servants had enough food to
eat while he was in hunger. He decided to go back to his father and apologize to him,
if only he could allow him to be one of his servants. He went to the father and on
sighting him, his father had compassion on him, ran and embraced him. He ordered
his servants to change his clothes and decorate him with the best robe, a ring and
shoes. He killed the fatted calf to make merry, for his son was dead and have come
alive, was lost but had been found.
When the elder brother heard the news of his brother’s return and the
merriment of his father at home, he became angry and refused to enter the house. He
told his father that since all the years he had served him, the father has never given
him anything, but had decorated his son who had wasted his wealth. The father told
him that he had always been with him, whatever he has belonged to him also. He said
his brother was dead but alive, he was lost but found.
3. Parables Illustrating Concern for One Another
(i) Parable of the Good Samaritan (Lk 10:25-37)
A lawyer came to Jesus and asked Him what he should do to inherit eternal life.
Jesus asked him what the law said about the requirement to enter God’s kingdom. The
lawyer replied by saying, “You shall love the Lord, your God with all your heart, and
with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your
neigbour as yourself”. Jesus added and said he had answered correctly; he should go
and do as he had said.
The lawyer intending to justify himself said, “And who is my neighbour?” Jesus then
told him the parable of the Good Samaritan. He said a man was going from Jerusalem
to Jericho and fell among thieves, who stripped him naked, after beating him and
departed leaving him half dead. A priest passed by him without helping the man. In
the same way, a Levite also passed him without helping him. But a Samaritan on a
journey, saw the man, had compassion on him, bound up his wounds, set him upon
his beast, took him to an inn and took proper care of him.
The next day, the Samaritan paid the inn keeper two denarii and promised to pay
whatever expenses the inn keeper might incur when he returned from journey. Jesus
then asked the lawyer who among the three people that passed by the man acted to
him as a neighbour. The lawyer said it is the one that showed mercy to him. Jesus said
he should go and do likewise.
(ii) The Parable of the Richman and Lazarus (Lk 16:19-31)
Jesus told His disciples the parable of a Richman who dressed in costly garments
and ate good food. At his gate was a poor man named Lazarus whose body was full of
sores, he was feeding from the food that fell from the man’s table, and dogs fed on
the water that came out of the sores.
In time, the poor man died and angels carried him to the bosom of Abraham, and
the rich man also died and went to hell where he was being tormented. When he rose
up his eyes in hell, he saw Lazarus in the bosom of Abraham and begged Abraham to
send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool his tongue. Abraham
reminded him how he had enjoyed while on earth and how Lazarus suffered. He told
him that, at death, he is to suffer while Lazarus is to enjoy. Abraham also told him that
there was a great chasm between hell and heaven thereby making interaction
impossible.
The man further begged Abraham to allow Lazarus to go and warn his five
brothers, so that they will not also die and join him in hell. Abraham told him that they
have Moses and the prophets let them obey them. The man insisted that his brothers
may not easily be convinced by the prophets unless someone comes from the dead.
Abraham said, “If they cannot obey the prophets or Moses neither will they obey
someone from the dead.
The Significance and Lessons
1. The parable of the sower makes us to know the in-part of God’s word on people.
2. The parable of mustard seed shows us a humble beginning in God’s kingdom with
great expansion.
3. The wheat and tares enables us to know that the world is full of both good and bad
people and there is the Day of Judgment.
4. The parable of the seed growing secretly shows that man does not play any role in
the growth of God’s kingdom but the Holy Spirit in secret.
5. The lost sheep and lost coin reveal God’s concern for the sinners and wishes them
to repent.
6. The prodigal son reveals God’s acceptance of a repentant sinner.
7. The Good Samaritan shows that anybody that needs help is our neighbour and that
we should help the needy.
8. The parable of the Richman and Lazarus shows that repentance is not possible after
death.
SERMON ON THE MOUNT
The Beatitudes (Mat 5:1-12)
Beatitude is from the Latin word Beatus meaning happy, successful and prosperous.
The beatitudes of Jesus are Christian virtues or qualities a Christian must possess with
corresponding rewards in order to inherit the kingdom of God.
The Eight Beatitudes
1. Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
2. Blessed are those who mourn; for they shall be comforted.
3. Blessed are the meek; for they shall inherit the earth.
4. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness; for they shall be
satisfied.
5. Blessed are the merciful; for they shall obtain mercy.
6. Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see God.
7. Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be called sons of God.
8. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake; for theirs is the
kingdom of heaven
Jesus also said that those who are reviled and falsely accused as a result of their
belief in Him should rejoice; for their reward is great in Heaven.
The Disciples as Salt and Light of the World
Jesus described His disciples as the ‘Salt of the Earth’ when they not only propagate
His teachings, but exhibit His teachings in their own daily lives. They are to make life
sweet for the people through His teachings.
He also described them as the ‘Light of the World’ by acting as moral models. Their
lifestyle should be worthy of emulation. They should preach the light of truth in the
gospel to deliver the people or dispel the darkness of their lives.
Jesus said He did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it. The teachings of Christ
centered on: murder, adultery, divorce, swearing, almsgiving, revenge, love, prayer,
forgiveness, fasting.
Jesus renewed the above laws in order to make them more effective in the life of His
disciples.
On Murder, Jesus said they should not be angry with their brother at all or call them
Raca or fool as this will put them in danger of hell fire.
On Adultery, Jesus said whoever looked on a woman lustfully has committed
adultery with her in his heart already.
On Divorce, Jesus said that whosoever shall put away his wife, except for fornication,
has caused her to commit adultery and whosoever shall marry the woman that is
divorced has committed adultery.
On Swearing, Jesus said that they should not swear at all, neither by the earth; for it
is God’s foot stool; neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great king. Neither
shall they swear by their head, because they cannot make one hair white or black. But
they should let their yes be yes and no be no, for whatsoever is more than these
comes from evil.
On Almsgiving, Jesus told them to take heed not to give their alms for people to see;
that by that, they will have no reward from God. He said when they give alms, they
should not sound a trumpet as the hypocrites do in the synagogue and in the streets,
that men may glorify them, he said they have had their reward already. He said they
should give alms without allowing the left hand to know what the right hand is doing.
He said their alms should be in secret, and their father which sees in secret shall
reward them openly.
On Revenge, Jesus said the disciples should not resist the evil one. If anyone should
strike them in the right cheek, they should turn to him the other also. And if anyone
should sue them to court and take away their coat, they shall let him have their cloak
also.
On Love, He said the disciples should love their enemies, bless them that curse
them, do good to those that hate them, and pray for those who despitefully use them
and persecute them. That they may be the children of their father which is in heaven,
for He makes sun to shine on the evil and on the good and sends rain on the just and
on the unjust.
On Prayer, Jesus said when they pray, they should not be like the hypocrites who
love to pray standing in synagogues and in the corners of the streets to be seen by
men. Jesus said they have had their reward. He said when they pray, they should lock
themselves in a room and pray to God in secret and He will reward them openly. They
should not use vain repetitions as the heathen, for they think that God will hear their
much talking. He said God already know what they want before they ask Him.
On Forgiveness, He said if they forgive those who sin against them, God will also
forgive them their sins. But if they fail to forgive those who sin against, neither will
their heavenly father forgive them their trespasses.
On Fasting, Jesus said when they fast, they should not be like the hypocrites, who
carry sound countenance and disfigure their faces to be seen by men, and He said
they have had their reward already. He said when they fast; they should anoint their
head and wash their face by not appearing to men as fasting. The father which is in
secret shall reward them openly.
Worldly Possessions (Mat 6:19-34)
Concerning worldly possessions, Jesus said, we should not lay treasures on earth
where moth and rust consume and where thieves can steal them. We should lay up
treasures in the heavens, where neither moth nor rust consumes nor where thieves
can steal. He said where our treasures are, there will our heart be also.
He also said the eye is the lamp of our body. If it is sound, our whole body will be full
of light, and if it is not sound, the whole body is full of darkness. He said no man can
serve two masters, for he will hate one and love the other. Therefore, we cannot serve
God and riches.
He said we should not be anxious of what to eat, drink or put on. He said life is more
than food and the body more than clothing. He said the birds neither sow nor reap,
yet God feeds them; live not of more value than they? Which one of us by being
anxious can add one cubit to his life? He said the lilies neither toil nor spin, yet God
clothe them. If God can so clothe the grass which has a temporary life, shall He not
much more clothe us, if we have faith?
He said we should not be anxious of these things like the unbelievers since our
heavenly father knows we need them. But we should first seek God’s kingdom and his
righteousness and all these things shall be ours as well. He said instead of worrying,
we should allow the day to be anxious of itself.
The Significance and Lessons
1. The merciful shall also receive mercy.
2. The humble shall inherit the earth.
3. Those who show mercy to other people shall also receive mercy from God.
4. We are to be peacemakers and be pure in heart in order to see God.
5. We are to practice the teachings of Christ in our everyday life.
6. We should not be angry, swear or revenge.
7. Almsgiving, fasting and prayers should be done in secret, and God will reward
us openly.
8. We learnt that Jesus did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it.
THE MISSION OF THE DISCIPLES
(i) The mission of the twelve disciples (Mat 10:1-15; Mk 6:7-13; Lk 9:1-16)
According to the gospel of Matthew, Jesus called his twelve disciples named, Simon
Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew, James the
son of Alpheus and Thaddeus; Simon the canaanean and Jude Iscariot, to cast them
out, and to heal all diseases and infirmities.
1. He told them to go nowhere among the Gentiles nor among the Samaritans, but to
go and gather the lost sheep among the Israelites and preach that the Kingdom of
God is at hand.
2. They should heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers and cast out demons.
3. He told them not to take anything for their journey, gold, silver, copper, bag, two
tunics, sandals, and staff.
4. They were to stay in any house that welcomed them till they depart.
5. They were to bless any house that welcome them and withdraw their blessings
from any house that refused to accept them.
6. They were to shake the dust from their feet against the people that refused them
as a testimony.
Differences in the Synoptic Accounts
1. Only Matthew records that Jesus instructed His disciples to go nowhere among the
Gentiles, and not to enter any house among the Samaritans, but to go to the lost
sheep among the Israelites.
2. Mark alone records that the disciples were sent out in twos.
3. Only Matthew mentioned the names of the disciples, who were sent on the mission.
4. Matthew’s account did not allow staff and sandals, whereas Mark’s account allowed
them.
5. Mark 6:13 records that the twelve made considerable achievements in their
mission. Demons were cast out and the sick were anointed with oil and were healed.
(ii) The Mission of the Seventy (Lk 10:1-24)
Jesus called seventy of His disciples and sent them out two by two to every town He
was about to go. He told them that the harvest is plentiful but the labourers are few.
He said they should pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers for the
harvest. He said He was sending them out as lambs in the midst of wolves. They were
told not to carry purse, bag nor sandals and are not to salute anyone on the way.
They were to give their blessings of peace to any house that received them and
withdraw their blessings of peace if any house refused them. He told them that any
house that accepted them, they should remain there and eat and drink whatever was
offered them, because the labourer deserved his wage. They were to preach that the
Kingdom of God is near, heal the sick and anywhere they are rejected, they should
shake the dust of their feet as a testimony against them, their judgment shall be more
than Sodom and Gomorrah.
Jesus however pronounced down on Chorazin and Bethsaida because if the mighty
works done in them was done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented in
sackcloth and ashes. He said Capernaum would be brought down to Hades. He said he
who rejected them has rejected Him, and he who rejected Him has rejected He who
sent Him i.e. God.
At their return they told Jesus that even the demons were subjected to them by the
name of Jesus. Jesus also said He saw Satan fall down like lightening from heaven. He
said He had given authority to treat upon serpents and scorpions, and over every
power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt them. He said they should
not only rejoice that demons were subject to them, but they should rejoice because
their names are written in heaven.

Differences between the Mission of Twelve and that of Seventy

The two missions agree on the instruction given to the disciples by Jesus to go and
preach the gospel, heal the sick, cast out demons, carry no purse, sandals etc.
a. In the seventy missions, Jesus instructed the disciples not to salute anyone on
the way which shows the urgency of the mission. This wasn’t so in the twelve.
b. The twelve missions were to the Jews while that of seventy was to the Gentiles.
Significant and Lessons
1. We learnt to preach what we are taught.
2. The message on the kingdom should not be delayed as unbelievers can die
anytime.
3. We should learn to depend on God’s provision anytime we are on God’s mission.
4. We also possess power over all the powers of darkness.
TRANSFIGURATION (Mt 17:1-13; Mk 9:2-13; Lk 9:28-36)
Six days after the great confession at Caesarea Philippi, Jesus took with Him Peter,
James and John and went up to the mountain with them. There, He transfigured, His
face shone as the sun and His garments became as white as light. Immediately,
Moses and Elijah appeared to Him and discussed with Him.
When Peter saw what had happened, he was confused and said they should make
three booths, one for Jesus, one for Moses and one for Elijah. As Peter was still
speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice came from heaven saying, “This is
my beloved son with whom I am well pleased, listen to him”. The disciples became
afraid and fell on their faces; Jesus touched them and told them not to fear. When
they rose up, they could see only Jesus.
As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus told them not to tell anyone
what they had seen until He had resurrected. They asked Jesus why the Jews said that
Elijah would come first. Jesus told them that Elijah had already come, but the people
did not know him but treated him the way they like. He told them that in the same
way, the son of man will suffer in their hands. The disciples knew that Jesus was
talking about John the Baptist.
Significant Points and Lessons
1. Moses at transfiguration represents the law while Elijah represents the prophets.
2. This shows that Jesus came to fulfill the law and the prophets.
3. It shows Jesus as the mediator between the Old and New Testament.
4. The cloud signifies the presence of God.
5. The three disciples were to bear witness to what they saw after He had resurrected.
[Link] voice from heaven confirmed Jesus as the son of God. The same voice was
heard at Baptism.