GRADE 9 CRE THE LIFE AND MINISTRY OF JESUS CHRIST – A FRIEND AT MIDNIGHT Notes
CRE Notes — The Life and Ministry of Jesus Christ
Subtopic: A Friend at Midnight
Target: Age 14 (Kenyan learners) — Simple explanation, activities and life application.
A man has a visitor late at night but has no bread. He goes to his friend’s house and knocks at midnight. At first the friend refuses to get up, but because the man keeps asking, the friend gets up and gives him bread. Jesus used this story to teach about praying with persistence and trusting God to help.
- Jesus teaches that we should keep praying and not give up.
- God is like a loving friend who wants to help—He is better than the sleepy neighbour.
- Persistence in prayer shows trust in God’s care.
- Think of a neighbour who wakes up at midnight to help—Kenyan communities often come together in an emergency (Harambee spirit).
- At school, a classmate may borrow notes late at night; persistence pays off—this is like asking God persistently but respectfully.
- In times of need (sickness, exams, family problems) we are encouraged to keep praying and to ask the church or community for support.
"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you." — Luke 11:9 (NIV)
- Start with praise: Thank God for something good today.
- Ask specifically: Tell God one clear thing you need (e.g., peace during exams).
- Keep praying: If you don’t see an answer quickly, keep trusting and continue praying.
- Share with others: Ask a friend, parent or teacher to pray with you (like the neighbour in the story).
- Role-play: In groups of three, act the parable: the visitor, the man asking, and the sleepy friend. Show persistence respectfully.
- Group discussion: How would you ask God for help if a family member was sick at night? Share one idea per person.
- Prayer journal: Make a simple page and write one thing to ask God for this week. After a week, share if God helped.
- Where is the parable of the friend at midnight found? (Book & chapter)
- What does the friend at midnight teach us about prayer?
- Name one Kenyan example that shows the same helping spirit.
Answers
2) That we should pray persistently and trust God to answer.
3) Examples: Harambee (community support), neighbours waking to help in an emergency, schoolmates sharing notes.
- Have you ever asked someone for help many times? How did they respond?
- Why might God sometimes delay answering our prayers? What can we do during waiting?
- Who can you ask to pray with you this week? (Name one person)
Persistence — not giving up. • Prayer — talking to God. • Neighbourliness/Harambee — community helping each other.
Keep a short prayer journal for 7 days. Each day write one thing you ask God for and one short sentence about how you felt. Be ready to share one entry in class next week.
"Lord, thank you for caring for us like a friend. Help us to pray with trust and to help others when they need us. Give us patience while we wait for your answers. Amen."
Teacher tip: Connect the lesson to local examples (church outreach, school chaplaincy, or community Harambee). Encourage respectful persistence in prayer and action.