GLORIOUS FIRST TREASURES ACADEMYHere is a short, highly comprehensible, and engaging lesson note designed for Grade 5 Christian Religious Studies (CRS) following the Nigerian curriculum guidelines.
Before he became known as Paul, his name was Saul. He was born in a city called Tarsus. Saul was a highly educated Pharisee (a Jewish religious leader) and a Roman citizen. He was a strict follower of the Jewish laws.
Saul did not believe that Jesus Christ was the Son of God. Because of this, he hated the early Christians. He went from house to house in Jerusalem, dragging Christian men and women to prison. He was even present and supported the stoning to death of Stephen, the first Christian martyr. Saul wrongly believed he was pleasing God by punishing those who followed Jesus.
Saul’s hatred for Christians grew stronger daily. He went to the High Priest in Jerusalem and asked for official letters of authority to go to the city of Damascus. These letters gave him the power to arrest any Christian he found there and bring them back to Jerusalem in chains to be punished. With these letters in hand, Saul and his companions set out on the road to Damascus.
As Saul and his men neared Damascus, a sudden, brilliant light from heaven flashed all around him. The light was brighter than the midday sun. Overwhelmed by the brightness, Saul fell to the ground.
Suddenly, he heard a powerful voice saying, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?"
Saul, trembling with fear, asked, "Who are you, Lord?"
The voice replied, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do."
The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless. They heard the sound of the voice but did not see anyone.
When Saul stood up and opened his eyes, he realized he was completely blind. His companions had to take him by the hand and lead him into Damascus. For three days, Saul remained blind. He did not eat or drink anything; instead, he spent his time praying to God.
In Damascus, there was a Christian disciple named Ananias. The Lord spoke to Ananias in a vision and told him to go to a street called "Straight Road" to the house of a man named Judas. There, he would find Saul of Tarsus praying.
Ananias was afraid because he knew how dangerous Saul was to Christians. But the Lord told him, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to take my name to the Gentiles, their kings, and the people of Israel."
Ananias obeyed God. He went to the house, placed his hands on Saul, and prayed for him. Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again! Saul got up, was baptized, and ate food to regain his strength.
After this encounter, Saul’s life changed completely. He stopped persecuting Christians and began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is indeed the Son of God. Later, he became known as Paul and became one of the greatest apostles, writing many books in the New Testament.