Christian Religious Studies (CRS) Lesson Note SS1 First Term
CRS Lesson notes
Lesson Note on Christian Religious Studies (CRS) SS1 First Term – Edudelight.com
SCHEME OF WORK C R S SS 1
TOPICS
- Jesus as the lamb of God
- Jesus as the light of the world
- Jesus as the living bread and water
- Love
- Justification by faith
- Faith in Jesus as condition for Justification
- New life in Christ
- Characteristics of new life
- Son ship
- Revision of the term’s work
- Revision & Examination
JESUS TEACHING ABOUT HIMSELF
WEEK 1
JESUS AS THE LAMB OF GOD JOHN 9:29-34
The Gospel of John gave account of most of the teachings of Jesus Christ about himself.
As John the Baptist was baptizing people at river Jordan, Jesus came to him to be baptized John later identified him and said, Behold the lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. John as the forerunner of the Jesus Christ had given the true position of Jesus as the Messiah but He himself could not identify him physically.
John was baptizing with water so that Jesus Christ might be revealed to Israel.
“I saw the spirit descended as a dove from heaven and it remained on him. I myself did not know him but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, he whom you see the spirit descend and remain this is he, who baptizes with the Holy spirit”. And I have seen and I have bore witness that this is the son of God. John 1:33-34.
SIGNIFICANCE
Before the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, once in a year, the high priest would enter the holy of holies but Jesus Christ is now the high priest who is also the light of the world.
Assignment:
- Describe Jesus as the lamb.
- Describe Jesus as the door.
- Describe a physical lamb and list 3 characteristics of a lamb.
Edudelight lessons
WEEK 2
JESUS AS THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD
There are at least three instances in the gospel of John where Jesus referred to himself as the light of World. After his encounter the Nicodemus, Jesus said
“And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world and men loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil for everyone who does evil hates the light and does not come to the light lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does what is true comes to the light lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does what is true comes to the light, that it may be clearly seen that his deeds have been wrought in God John 3:19-20)
Again, after Jesus had discharged the human caught in adultery he spoke to the people saying:
“I am the light of the world;
He who follows me will not walk in
Darkness, but will have the light of life”.
Further more , as the disciples passed by and saw a man blind from birth, they question whether the man’s blindness was a result of his sin or that of his parents Jesus replied.
“it was not that this man sinned
Or his parents but that the works of
God might be made manifest in him
We must work the works of him who sent
Me while it is day, night, comes, when no one
Can work. A long as I am in the world I am
The light of the world??(john 9:35)
Significance
Jesus was constantly referring to himself as the “light of life perfectly siturated in the right hand of God.
The light he brought to the world is the gospel of the kingdom of God which people must embrace to be saved into he inherit eternal light .
Assignment:
- Define light.
- List 5 characteristics of light.
- Describe Jesus as the light of the world.
Edudelight lessons
WEEK 3
JESUS AS THE LIVING BREAD AND WATER (JOHN 4:7-15)
As Jesus was waiting for his disciples for His disciples who went out to buy food a Samaritan woman came to draw water from one of Jacob well. Jesus was thirsty, so he demanded water from the Samaritan woman. The woman refused on the ground that Jesus and Samaritan have no dealings. Jesus answered and said;
“if you know the gift of God and
Who it is that is saying to you give
Me a drink, you would have asked
Him and he would have given you living water (john4:40)
The woman was amazed how Jesus could give her water when he had no vessel for drawing water from the well. The woman queried whether Jesus was better than Jacob who gave them the well and drank from it with his children and cattles. In respond, Jesus declared:
“Everyone who drinks from this water
Will thirst again but whoever drinks
Of the water I shall give him will never
Thirst, the water I shall give hi
Will become a spring of water welling
Up to eternal life”. (John 4:14)
The woman then requested for the living water so that she might not thirst again nor come to the well to draw water.
Significance of Jesus of the living water
- Jesus in describing himself as living water was speaking etaphorically the “living water” is the word of God which leads to salvation. This salvation is universal. It is for all nations of the world.
- By saying that it is a spring of water welling up to eternal life he meant that the world of God would always stand the test of time and sustain whoever embraces it.
JESUS AS THE LIVING BREAD (JOHN 6:25-40)
When the multitude that come to Jesus had been fed, he left for the other side of the sea. People sought for him and went to him on a boat. Jesus said that they were looking for him in order to be fed and because of the signs they had seen. He enjoyed them to seek for the word of life which leads to eternal life. Such food, he said, could only come from the son of man who has the power to give. The people asked him what they would do as proof that they were doing the work of God. Jesus told them to believe in him who was sent by God. They requested for a sign by God. They went further that their forefathers ate manna in the wilderness which was sent down from heaven. Jesus said that manna was sent as a temporary relief from physical hunger, but God has sent down a living bread who gives life to the world.
The people then demanded for the bread of life which he said anyone who eat would no longer be hungry Jesus then told them that he is the bread of life anyone who eat his flesh and drink his blood will live forever. Yet they did not believe Jesus despite that fact they had seen him the sail that none of these that has been given him by his father would be cast out and that he has come from heaven to do God’s work.
Moral lesson
- Christians should not base their belief only a sign and words.
- Their belief should not be based on natural possessions
- They should depend on Jesus as their source of life.
- Being physically weak or hungry does not affect spiritual strength.
- Man should not live by bread alone, but by the word of God, there is need to be caution in giving people title because of what they can offer.
Assignment:
- Explain Jesus as the living bread.
- Explain Jesus as the living water.
Edudelight lessons
WEEK 4
LOVE
Love is the affection of a person toward, another. This affection can be expressed in the form of caring for the persons well being. It can entail making personal sacrifice’s for the person in human relationship, there is always a great degree of love between a child and his creatures, particularly man.
God’s Love for man (John 3:16-18)
God love for man started from the creation of the world. Man was the only creature God created by his own image. When He created man, He gave man dominion over all creatures, God in His deep love for man, sent His only son Jesus Christ into the world to die and shed his blood to save man from sin and for man to gain eternal life. The gospel of John summarizes this as following
“For God so love the world that he
Gave He gave His only begotten son,
That whosoever believes in Him,
Should not perish but have everlasting life.
For God sent His son into the world not to condemn the world,
But that the world might be saved through Him.
Then he who believes in Him is not condemned,
Then he who does not believes is condemned already because
He has not believed in the name of the
Holy son of God” John 3:16-18
SIGNIFICANCE
Having seen the love of God for mankind, man can only show his appreciation to God by maintaining intimate relationship with God, worshiping and praising Him for His love and kindness.
JESUS MESSAGE OF LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER (JOHN 13:34, 15:12-13)
Jesus message of love emphasized the need for us to love one another as Jesus love us. Jesus put this inform of new commandment when He said
“A new commandment I give to you, that you
Love one another, even as I have loved you
That you also love another by this all men
Will know that you are my disciples, if you
Have love for one another (John 13:34-35)
The disciples being referred to here are present day Christians.
SIGNIFICANCE/LESSON TO LEARN
1. Christian should endeavour to live life according to the gospel of Jesus Christ which is love. They should not discriminate in their love they should show love to everyone as Jesus Christ did when he made the supreme sacrifices for mankind. Jesus put it this way:
“this is my commandment that you love one
Another I have loved your greater love has no
Man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:12-15)
- Also Jesus is continually showing His love for men by providing for their
need spiritually and materially. He gives to Christians the gift of the Holy Spirit to help them in their day to day activities. Christians should then reciprocate.
Assignment:
- Define love.
- Identify and explain three kinds of love.
- State five ways you can show love .
- List 5 qualities of love.
WEEK 5
JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH
Justification means to prove right or to prove innocence. A person accused of a particular offence is justified by law if by the end of the investigation he or she is pronounced innocent therefore, justification is a situation where by a person is declared innocent or set free through the process of law from a charge brought against him or her.
In context of the scripture sin is considered as a offence against God and it attracts various kind of punishment which may include death due to the love God has for man He sent His son Jesus Christ to the world for the redemption of man therefore any person who believes and have the faith that Jesus died for his sins is justified by God. Such a person receives God grace and salvation and is therefore set free from bondage of punishment of sin.
Hence, his sins are forgiven and is considered righteous. Justification by faith is righteousness of God is acquired through faith in Jesus Christ.
THE MEANING OF JUSTIFICATION (ROM 3:21-24)
Paul in his message of justification said
“All have sinned and fall short
In the glory of God, they are justified by his grace as a gift
through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus”.
By this statement Paul meant that man cannot attain righteousness of God by his own efforts or by keeping the law and this is the unmerited favour of God this grace can only be received by having strong faith in Jesus Christa and the redemption He offers to mankind through the blood he shared on the cross.
Assignment;
- Define justification.
- Discuss the condition necessary for justification.
Edudelight lessons
WEEK 6
FAITH IN JESUS AS CONDITION FOR JUSTIFICATION (ROM 1:16,17, ROM4:1-5)
We are justify wholly by faith. When man believes in the saving work of Christ, man becomes justified.
Man naturally deserves to die as a result of his sinful nature, but gains forgiveness by God’s mercy through Christ if he confesses his sins.
Therefore if we believe in Jesus and accept him into our lives by confessing our sins and live in accordance to his will, we will receive his mercy and be justified by faith in him.
Faith therefore is the only condition for justification. A sinner becomes justified by faith when he confesses his sin and believe in the work of redemption that Christ did on the cross.
THE FRUITS OF JUSTIFICATION
The fruit of justification according to Paul are basically peace and reconciliation with God.
Assignment:
Describe the fruits of justification.
Edudelight lessons
WEEK 7
NEW LIFE IN CHRIST
MEANING AND NATURE OF OLD LIFE: (GAL 5:19-21, COL 3:5-7)
Old life is the life of sin, it is also known as the sinful life. It is ruled and controlled by the flesh and the flesh is controlled by the devil. A sinner displays the attitude of one who is under the influence of Satan because he still operates in the old life. The Spirit of God does nor reside in an unclean life. Anyone who still lives in sin has the old life
The new life demands our commitment to God in righteousness, truth and holiness. God wants us to forsake our sins and turn to him so that we can have the new life in Christ.
Some of the characteristic of old life are lying, cheating, fornication, covetousness, idolatry, evil desires etc
Assignment:
- Describe the nature of the old life.
- State the characteristics of the old life.
Edudelight lessons
WEEK 8
NEW LIFE IN CHRIST
MEANING OF NEW LIFE: New life means changing the ways we live and behave for the better. The new life is the life of change and transformation. When a life of sin is being transformed, there is said to be a newness of life.
God wants every life to to experience newness and change and this change comes through Jesus, when we accept and believe in his saving grace . only Jesus can give this change.
CHARACTERISTICS OF NEW LIFE
Paul admonished Christians to show evidences of the new life which includes compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, forbearing one another, forgiving one another and putting on of the armour of love which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
As Christians, new life can be manifested by living a life that pleases God, and this is God’s demand from his children.
Assignment:
- Describe the nature of the new life and its characteristics.
- Why does God require a change of life from his children.
WEEK 9
SONSHIP (ROM 3:17,32, 8:1-39)
Jesus Christ is the son of God, his baptism also confirmed his sonship. The voice heard during the baptism of Jesus Christ “This is my beloved son, in whom i am well pleased” testified well of Jesus sonship. When Jesus came into the world, He lived a life of obedience to the will of God. Because His life pleased God he became the son of God.
We are all God’s children because God created us in his image and after his likeness. But we loose the privilege to call God our father when we fail to do what he wants us to do. Anyone who purposely disobeys God cannot refer to him as father. When we disobey, we are separated from him. But when we are obedient to God as well as believe in Him, we become qualified to be called the children of God.
In Christianity, both male and female are referred to as children of God. As God’s children, there are things that God expects from us, one of them is to shun evil and bad behaviours in our daily lives. We should demonstrate faith in Jesus Christ by being loyal to God as his children and living a Christ like life.
Christians have been adopted by God as his children through faith. Our relationship with God is not a physical phenomenon as with our biological parents but it is that of spirituality because God is Spirit.
Assignment:
- Explain Jesus as the son of God.
- What makes us males and females God’s children?
- What lifestyle does God demands of us as His children?
