📘 RE 2046 GRADES 10 - 12 📘

🌟 BIRTH AND INFANCY OF JOHN THE BAPTIST AND JESUS 🌟

1. ✨ Birth of John the Baptist ✨

📖 Reading: Luke 1:5-24, 57-66

🎉 Why the Birth of John Was Special:

• 👴👵 John’s parents, Zechariah and Elizabeth, were very old and past the age to have children.
• 🙏 Zechariah had prayed for a son, and John’s birth was the answer to these prayers.
• 📜 John’s birth was foretold, and he was even named before he was born.
• 💒 Both Zechariah and Elizabeth were considered upright and faithful to God.
• 👶 John’s birth took away Elizabeth’s shame of being childless.

🔔 Rules for Nazarites:

• 🚫 They could not drink alcohol.
• ✂️ They were not allowed to cut their hair.
• ⚰️ They could not go near or touch a dead body.

• 🚀 He was to be the forerunner of the Messiah, preparing the way for Jesus.
• 🔥 John was seen as a “spiritual Elijah,” meaning he would work through the Holy Spirit like Elijah did.
• 🤝 He would bring healing where there was discord, helping people make peace.
• ✨ His life mission was to prepare the nation for the coming of the Messiah.

• 🔑 John’s life fulfilled many promises from the Old Testament.
• 💫 He helped bring peace and unity where there was discord.
• 🌟 He prepared the people of Israel for the arrival of the Messiah.

📣 Announcement of the Birth of Jesus

📖 Reading: Luke 1:26-38, Matthew 1:18-25

🕊️ The Announcement to Mary 🕊️

• ✨ Jesus: Savior, to save people from their sins.
• 👑 Messiah or Christ: To bring His people into His spiritual Kingdom.
• 👑 Son of David: Born from King David’s family line.
• ☁️ Son of the Most High: Known as the Son of God.

• 🕊️ Not to conquer lands, but to bring salvation.
• 👑 Not a ruler on earth, but a spiritual King.
• 🙏 Not freedom from Romans, but freedom from sin.

👫 Mary’s Visit to Elizabeth

📖 Reading: Luke 1:39-45

👶 The Birth of Jesus

📖 Reading: Luke 2:1-7

👼 The Announcement to the Shepherds

📖 Reading: Luke 2:8-20

🎁 The Visit of the Wise Men and the Flight to Egypt 🎁

📖 Reading: Matthew 2:1-23

🎁 Gifts from the Wise Men:

• 💰 Gold: Representing Jesus as King.
• 🌿 Frankincense: Showing His divine nature.
• 🕊️ Myrrh: Signifying His coming suffering and death.

📜 Old Testament Prophecy and Fulfillment in the New Testament 📜

• 👑 He was to be from David’s family: Jesus was born in the line of David.
• 🌹 He would be born of a virgin: Mary, a virgin, gave birth to Jesus.
• 🏠 He would be born in Bethlehem: Jesus was born in Bethlehem.
• 🇪🇬 He would live in Egypt and be called out of Egypt: Jesus lived in Egypt and returned.
• 🏡 He would live in Nazareth: Jesus was raised in Nazareth.
• 💔 Children in Bethlehem would be killed: Herod ordered the massacre of Bethlehem’s children.

🧒 Incidents from Jesus’ Childhood

👶 Jesus in the Temple as a Baby

📖 Reading: Luke 2:21-39

👦 Jesus at Twelve Years Old

📖 Reading: Luke 2:41-52

🕊️ How God Directs Human Lives 🕊️

🙏 Examples of People Directed by God

People like Zechariah, Elizabeth, Joseph, and Mary were directed by God because:

• 💖 They lived in a way that pleased God.
• ✨ They were eagerly waiting for the Messiah.
• 📜 They were guided by God to do His will.
• 🌟 They were ready to be used for God’s purposes.

📖 How God Directs Christians Today

God’s guidance can come through:

• 📖 The Bible.
• 💫 Life situations.
• 🤝 Advice from friends.
• 🔥 Inner guidance from the Holy Spirit.
• 💖 Being open and willing to follow Him.

Christians can respond by:

• 🙏 Surrendering to God each day.
• 💖 Staying open to His guidance.
• ✨ Being obedient and accepting His plan.

☪️🕉️✝️ Christian, Muslim, and Hindu Teachings on God’s Direction

✝️ Christian Teaching

God directs Christians through:

• 📖 The Bible.
• 💫 The Holy Spirit’s inner inspiration.
• 🌍 Life events and friends’ advice.

☪️ Muslim Teaching

Muslims believe that everything is according to Allah’s will. Allah’s guidance is given through:

• 📖 The Quran, which was given to Prophet Muhammad.
• 📜 Muslims are required to follow the Quran’s teachings.

🕉️ Hindu Teaching

Hindus believe:

• 📜 Life is guided through rituals for birth, marriage, and other stages.
• 📖 God’s guidance comes through holy texts, like the Vedas, and teachings of a Guru.

📝 Typical Exam Questions and Answers

1. 📣 Narrate the announcement of Jesus to Mary.

📖 Reading: Luke 1:26-38

💖 Mary’s Reaction: She accepted God’s plan, praised God, and agreed to give birth to Jesus.

2. 👩‍🤝‍👩 Narrate Mary’s visit to Elizabeth.

📖 Reading: Luke 1:39-56

🙏 Why God used Mary and Elizabeth: They lived in a way that pleased God, were waiting for the Messiah, and were willing to be used by God.

3. 💍 Narrate the announcement to Joseph.

📖 Reading: Matthew 1:18-25

Two ways Joseph could respond: He could divorce Mary quietly or take her to court.

4. ✨ Explain the birth of John the Baptist.

📖 Reading: Luke 1:5-24

✨ Why His Birth Was Special: His parents were old, and his birth fulfilled prophecies.

5. 👶 Narrate the Birth of Jesus 👶

📖 Reading: Luke 2:1-7

The birth of Jesus was announced to the shepherds by an angel, marking a significant moment of 🎉 joy and fulfillment in prophecy.

6. 🌠 Explain the Visit of the Wise Men and the Flight to Egypt 🌠

📖 Reading: Matthew 2:1-23

🧙‍♂️ The Wise Men, following a star ⭐, visited Jesus, bringing gifts that symbolized His roles. 💰 Gold represented His kingship, 🌿 frankincense His divinity, and 🕊️ myrrh His future suffering. Following the visit, Joseph was warned in a dream 💭 to flee to Egypt 🇪🇬 to protect Jesus from King Herod’s orders to kill male infants.

7. 📜 Describe Incidents from Jesus’ Childhood 📜

👶 Jesus in the Temple as a Baby: (📖 Reading: Luke 2:21-39) Jesus was presented in the temple, where He was blessed by Simeon and Anna 🙏.

👦 Jesus at Twelve Years Old: (📖 Reading: Luke 2:41-52) At twelve, Jesus stayed behind in the temple 🏛️, discussing with teachers, which showed His early awareness of His divine mission 🌟.

8. 🕊️ How Does God Direct Human Lives, and How Can Christians Respond? 🕊️

God’s guidance is often seen in the lives of the faithful, like Zechariah, Elizabeth, Joseph, and Mary ✨. Today, Christians can find guidance through 📖 the Bible, 🌍 life circumstances, 🤝 friends’ advice, and the Holy Spirit’s promptings 🔥. Responding involves daily surrender 🙏, openness 💖, and obedience to God’s plan 🌈.

📚 Guidelines for Teachers and Students 📚

🎓 Teaching Religious Education Effectively 🎓

Encourage students to understand key concepts and to relate them to their personal lives and beliefs 🌱. Use stories 📖 and role-play 🎭 to bring historical figures like John the Baptist and Jesus closer to students’ realities. Facilitate group discussions 🤝 to help them learn from different perspectives.

📝 Preparing for Exams in Religious Education 📝

• 🔍 Study each narrative carefully, noting key points like characters’ actions and significance.
• ✍️ Practice writing concise responses that highlight the main events and meanings in each story.
• 🤔 Discuss topics with classmates to gain a well-rounded understanding of religious concepts.

📖 Additional Resources 📖

For deeper insights, students can refer to:

• 📘 The Bible – Primary source of readings and stories.
• 📚 Commentaries and reference materials on the Gospel of Luke and Matthew.
• 🎥 Educational videos on the life and times of John the Baptist and Jesus.