CRS • SHS 1Term 2WAEC / WASSCE SyllabusVIP Lesson
The Birth, Early Life and Ministry of Jesus Christ
The Annunciation, birth narratives, childhood, baptism by John, temptation in the wilderness, and call of the first disciples.
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Real-World Context & Relevance in Ghana
Jesus using Scripture to triumph over temptation is taught in Ghanaian scripture unions as the model for overcoming youth peer pressure.
Key Syllabus Learning Objectives
- 1Compare the birth and infancy narratives of Matthew and Luke
- 2Analyze the theological significance of Jesus' baptism and temptations
- 3Explain the criteria and cost of discipleship in Christ's earthly ministry
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Comprehensive Syllabus Study Notes
• Birth & Childhood Narratives:
- The Annunciation: Angel Gabriel announces the virgin birth to Mary (Luke 1) and Joseph (Matthew 1); Jesus conceived by the Holy Spirit.
- Birth in Bethlehem: Fulfilled Micah 5:2 prophecy; visited by humble shepherds and Gentile Magi (gifts of gold, frankincense, myrrh).
- Presentation in the Temple: Commended by elderly prophets Simeon and Anna.
- At age twelve: Jesus in the Jerusalem Temple listening and questioning the teachers of the Law.
• Inauguration of Ministry:
- Baptism by John the Baptist in the Jordan River: Heavenly voice affirms divine sonship ("This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased") and the Holy Spirit descends like a dove.
- Temptation in the Wilderness (40 days): Satan tests Jesus in areas of physical appetite (bread from stones), presumption/spiritual pride (jumping from temple pinnacle), and political compromise (worshiping Satan for kingdoms). Jesus overcomes every temptation by quoting Scripture ("It is written...").
- Call of Disciples: Galilean fishermen (Peter, Andrew, James, John) and tax collector Matthew to become "fishers of men".
- Birth & Childhood Narratives:
- The Annunciation: Angel Gabriel announces the virgin birth to Mary (Luke 1) and Joseph (Matthew 1); Jesus conceived by the Holy Spirit.
- Birth in Bethlehem: Fulfilled Micah 5:2 prophecy; visited by humble shepherds and Gentile Magi (gifts of gold, frankincense, myrrh).
- Presentation in the Temple: Commended by elderly prophets Simeon and Anna.
- At age twelve: Jesus in the Jerusalem Temple listening and questioning the teachers of the Law.
- Inauguration of Ministry:
- Baptism by John the Baptist in the Jordan River: Heavenly voice affirms divine sonship ("This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased") and the Holy Spirit descends like a dove.
- Temptation in the Wilderness (40 days): Satan tests Jesus in areas of physical appetite (bread from stones), presumption/spiritual pride (jumping from temple pinnacle), and political compromise (worshiping Satan for kingdoms). Jesus overcomes every temptation by quoting Scripture ("It is written...").
- Call of Disciples: Galilean fishermen (Peter, Andrew, James, John) and tax collector Matthew to become "fishers of men".
Practical Example:
Jesus using Scripture to triumph over temptation is taught in Ghanaian scripture unions as the model for overcoming youth peer pressure.
Core Takeaway:
Know the scriptural defense used by Jesus during temptation: all three answers were drawn directly from the Book of Deuteronomy.
WAEC / WASSCE Examiner Tips
- Know the scriptural defense used by Jesus during temptation: all three answers were drawn directly from the Book of Deuteronomy.
Common Candidate Pitfalls & Errors to Avoid
- Confusing the annunciation to Mary with the dream of Joseph, which is the other announcement in the birth narrative
- Placing the cleansing of the temple in the infancy narratives
- Numbering the temptations as bread, wine and kingdoms instead of bread, the pinnacle and the kingdoms
- Dating the baptism of Jesus to the beginning of his public ministry as though it were the same event as the temptation
- Calling the twelve apostles the seventy-two, or treating both lists as one sending
- Quoting Matthew's genealogy as the genealogy of Mary when the list is traced through Joseph
Topic Mastery Checklist
- Compare the birth and infancy narratives of Matthew and Luke
- Analyze the theological significance of Jesus' baptism and temptations
- Explain the criteria and cost of discipleship in Christ's earthly ministry
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