1. Topic-
The New Testament
 
2. Content-
The students must be able to recognize the names of each book or letter in the New Testament.
 
3. Goals: Aims/Outcomes-
1. The purpose of each section in the New Testament.
2. To demonstrate the development of the gospels.
 
4. Objectives-
1. The students will demonstrate their ability to take proper notes.
2. To listen and paraphrase the direct instruction from the teacher.
 
5. Materials and Aids-
Overheads and projector.
 
6. Procedures/Methods-

A. Introduction-

1.T he New Testament is a collection of twenty-seven books centered on the figure of Jesus of Nazareth. Each of these books has its own author, context, theme, and persuasive purpose. Combined, they comprise one of history's most abundant, diverse, complex, and fascinating texts. The books of the New Testament are traditionally divided into three categories: the Gospels, the Epistles, and the Book of Revelation.
2.The twenty-one books following Acts are epistles, or letters, written from church leaders to churches in various parts of the world. The first fourteen of these letters are called the "Epistles of Paul"� and are letters that tradition has accorded to St. Paul in his correspondence with the earliest churches in the first and second century. Historians are fairly certain that Paul himself, Christianity's first theologian and successful missionary, indisputably composed seven of the letters, and possibly could have written seven others.

The seven letters following the Epistles of Paul are called the Catholic Epistles, because they are addressed to the church as a whole rather than to particular church communities. These letters identify as their authors original apostles, biological brothers of Jesus, and John the Evangelist, although it is thought that they were actually written by students or followers of these early church luminaries. The first of the Catholic Epistles is the Letter of James, attributed to James, the brother of Jesus and leader of the Christian church in Jerusalem. Next are the First and Second Letters of Peter, which identify themselves as letters from the apostle Peter. The First, Second, and Third Letters of John attribute their authorship to John the Evangelist, and the Letter of Jude attributes itself to Jude, the brother of James, who is elsewhere identified as one of Jesus's brothers.
 

B. Development-

1.Acts begins with Jesus's charge to the Twelve Apostles to spread the Gospel throughout the world
2. The apostles heal and cure many, they are enslaved and freed by an angel, and continue preaching.
3.The church divides into two groups. One group is the Hellenists, Christians who were born Jewish but who have a Greek cultural background. The other group is the Hebrews, the Christians who, like the apostles, were born into Jewish cultural backgrounds. The Hellenists feel discriminated against, so in response, the community of disciples elects seven leaders to account for the needs of the Hellenists.
4. Foremost among these Christian Hellenist leaders is Stephen. A controversy ensues between Stephen and some Jews, who accuse him of heresy before the Sanhedrin. Stephen's accusers testify that "[t]his man never stops saying things against the holy place and the law"� (7:13).
 

C. Practice-

1. Character Wheel on Stephen
2. As a class, we will create a wheel detailing the importance of Stephen.
3. The students will focus on Important Quotes, Important achievements/faith, Reactions from others, and Significance in the Bible. They will think of 3-4 important points for each. At the bottom, students will write a short reflection on what they have learned.
 

D. Independent Practice-

Students will create their own character wheels on Paul and Barnabus.
 

E. Accommodations (Differentiated Instruction)-

1.IEP students may use the Internet to complete the assignment.
2.Create handouts for students who have a hard time taking notes.
 

F. Checking for understanding-

1. Circulate the classroom to ensure students understand the assignment.
2. Have students complete the assignment in groups of two-three.
 

G. Closure-

1. Students will submit their character wheels at the end of class or complete for homework.
2. What important development in the gospels did you notice? How do they apply to us and our faith?
 
7. Evaluation-
Reflection on the bottom of the character wheel on what students have learned.
 

This Lesson Plan is available at (www.teacherjet.com)