Christian Religious Studies (CRS) Lesson Note SS1 Second Term

Lesson Note on Christian Religious Studies (CRS) SS1 Second Term – Edudelight.com

2ND TERM SCHEME OF WORK C.R.K S.S. S 1

1. Meaning of faith and work
2. Salvation by faith
3. The fruit of the Spirit
4. Spiritual Gift and hierarchy
5. Forgiveness

6.   Right and obligation of the family members

7.  Humility

8. Civic responsibility

9. Good citizenship.

10 – 11.Revision of the terms work

12. Examination

WEEK ONE

TOPIC:  MEANING OF FAITH AND WORK

Topic: SALVATION BY FAITH

Salvation is making our ways right with God through Jesus Christ.

Faith in Jesus simply means believing in the person of Jesus even when we have not seen him physically. Believing in his death and resurrection enhances our our faith in him. Faith represents Christian’s good  conduct as taught by Christ while work means putting the good conducts into practice in the Christian way of life, that is why the book of James says faith without work is dead.

We are not saved by good works, we are saved for good works. Good works are evidences of salvation, if a person claims to be genuinely saved and there are no works or change of life to show, then it should be questioned whether such person is genuinely saved or not. Therefore faith without work is a questionable one, because our faith is demonstrated in our accepting the person of Jesus and his work on the cross and our lives  should show for it by manifesting good works produced by the spirit.

The good conducts that the bible expects Christians to practice include;

(i) faithfulness  (ii) Love (iii)  forgiveness  (iv)  humility  (v)  truthfulness  (vi) honesty etc. work implies putting these into practice.

A true Christian practices both faith and work because Christianity void of any is an imbalance one.

The Roles of faith in the life of Christians.

1. Faith assures Christians of eternal Salvation.
2. It shows that Christians are no longer under the bond of law but under grace.
3. It is by faith that Christians face challenges of life with enough courage and confidence
4. Faith is a motivator of Christians for good work. E.g education, healing, evangelization etc.

Assignment:

1. What do you understand by the term “Faith”?

2. Explain the concept ‘Faith without work’

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WEEK TWO

TOPIC: SALVATION BY FAITH (Eph 2: 8,9, Heb 11:1-3)

Salvation is sole by faith. When a person becomes genuinely saved, such a person becomes a new creation in Christ. God changes his heart of stone for a heart of flesh that is obedient to God, such heart also is changed from hostility towards God to submission to him. Genuine Christians do not sin, rather they hate sin and fight against it.

GENUINE SAVING FAITH MANIFEST THROUGH WORK (James 2;14-26)

The works that saving faith manifests are not our fleshly good works or self righteousness, they are not works that we try to produce ourselves but they are the necessary fruits or result of the saving grace of Jesus upon our lives

Our text makes us understand that genuine saving faith  manifests itself in good works. If a person  therefore claims to have faith but has no resulting works, his claim is suspect or questionable. Good works include: the work of faith, love, peace, joy etc

This genuine salvation involves a new life that comes from God and this new life is made manifest not by works but for works. We are saved only by grace through faith

Significance of Salvation by faith

1. Christians should know that their Salvation is obtained through faith in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ and not only by observance of law.
2. Christians should know that what is highly rewarded by God is faith. Abraham was justified through faith and not observance of the law. The children (Christians) Should have faith in God in order to inherit his blessings.
3. Through Salvation and God grace Christians would live eternally with Jesus in heaven.

Assignment:

1. What is salvation by faith?

2. How can our salvation be made manifest through work?

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WEEK THREE

TOPIC: THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT (GAL 5:22-25)

Meaning of fruit: Physically, fruit can be defined as the end product of a seed. But in the context of our lesson, fruit can be referred to as attributes, character or behavior of a person. It can be good or bad. Both the flesh and the spirit produce fruits.

The fruit of the spirit is a biblical term that sums up the nine visible attributes of a true Christian life written by Paul. The entire nine fruit of the spirit emanate from LOVE. For instance a loving Christian will have the following attributes JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, PEACE, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, GENTILITY AND SELF CONTROL.  in other words it could be said that LOVE is the  tree that bears the fruit of JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, PEACE, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS AND SELF CONTROL.

The nine fruit of the spirit come from the Holy Spirit and not from Christians, they are produced and supplied by the Holy Spirit to true Christians. The fruit of the spirit are practiced by Christians.

9 Fruit of the Spirit

1. Love
2. Joy
3. peace
4. Long suffering
5. Gentleness
6. Goodness
7. Faith
8. Meekness
9. Temperance

Against such there is no Law.

1. Love: – Means Greek, Agape, divine love a strong, ardent, tender, compassionate devotion to the well-being of someone. 1 corin 13:4.
2. Joy:- Greek Chara: This is the emotional excitement, gladness, delight over blessing received or expected for self and for other.
3. Peace: Greek, Eirence: This is the state of quietness, rest, repose, harmony, order, and Security in the midst of turmoil, strife and temptation. (note Isiah 45:7).
4. Longsuffering: Greek Makrothumia: This means patience, endurance, to bear Long with the weakness frailties, Offences, Injuries and provocations of others without murmuring or resentment (1 corn13:4-7, 2cor64-6, Eph4:1-2)
5. Gentleness: – Greek Chriestotes: This means a deposition to be gentle, soft spoken, kind, even tempered, cultured and refined in character and conduct(2Tim2:24-26)
6.   Goodness: – Greek Agathosume: This is the state of being good, kind, virtuos, benevolent, generous, and God like in life and in conduct.
7. Faith: Greek Pistis, This is the living, densely implanted, acquired and created principle of inward and whole hearted confidence, assurance, trust and reliance in God and all that He says.
8. Meekness: – Greek Prates: This is the disposition to be gentle kind, Indulgent, even balanced in tempers and passions and patient in suffering injuries without feeling a spirit of revenge (Ps 25:9).
9. Temperance: Greek, enkrateria:-Self control moderation in the indulgent of the appetites and passion ( Provbs 23:1-3, P 25:16.

No law can condemn one with the fruit of the Spirit, Law only condemn sin not righteousness (Rom 3:19-20).

THE FRUIT OF THE FLESH (Gal 5:19-21)

Christians are to always manifest the fruit of the spirit. On the other hand Paul encouraged Christians to avoid the works of the flesh. The works of the flesh are produced by the flesh sponsored by Satan. The works of the flesh are described as sexual immorality, impurity, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, selfish ambition, dissension, envy, drunkenness, wild parties and others. These are ungodly conducts that Paul referred to as works of the flesh. Anyone who involves himself or herself in these habits will not inherit the kingdom of God.

HOW TO BEAR THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT (Acts 2:3-8, Rom 10:9,10)

To bear the fruit of the spirit all we need to do as Christians is to crucify the flesh so that we will not manifest its desires, it is then that we can start producing the fruit of the spirit as well as live a life that is pleasing to God.

Assignment:

1. Define fruit.

2. Mention the nine fruit of the spirit.

3. How can a Christian manifest the fruit of the spirit?

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WEEK FOUR

TOPIC: SPIRITUAL GIFTS AND HIRIECHY

Text: 1 cor 12:4-8, Eph 4: 11-13

Spiritual Gift is a gift of the Holy Spirit. According to St Paul, it is the Holy Spirit that dwells in a man and makes him acknowledge Jesus as Lord where the Holy Spirit is absent in a man, he cannot acknowledge Jesus as Lord.

“There are varieties of gift, but the same Lord; and there are verities of service but it is the same God who inspires them all in everyone. (1 corn 12:4-6)

TYPES OF GIFTS

The Nine gifts as enumerated by St Paul are as follows

1. The utterance of wisdom
2. The utterance of knowledge
3. Faith
4. Gift of healing
5. The gift of working of miracles
6. The gift of prophesy
7. The gift to distinguish between spirits (discernment)
8. The gift to speak in tongues
9. The gift to interpret tongues

All these gifts Paul said are inspired by the same Spirit who apportion to individual is for the common good of the body of Christ. (the church

Paul likened these gifts to the human body with different part and different functions, all playing an important role for the good of the entire body, so it is with Christ, by one spirit we were all baptized into one body of Christ.

Paul in his analogy, went further to say that God has the different parts of the body to be mutually interdependent and necessary for the existence of the entire body.

Some part which seem to be weaker are indispensable. The part which people consider less honorable are invested with greater honour. Unpresentable part are treated with greater modesty which our presentable parts do not require. God created the body that there might be no discord. If one member suffers, all suffers together, if one member is honoured all members , rejoice together. In the same way, in the body of Christ, (that is the church) God has appointed apostles, prophets, teacher’s workers of miracles, healer’s helpers, administrators and speakers in various kind of tongues. All must use their gifts to the glory of God for the growth of the church.

1. Since the human body is one so are we who have been baptized by one spirit into the body of Christ. The church should therefore act and behave as one united by the church.
2. In the church, there should be no discrimination of peoples contribution in the overall good of the church.
3. No member should feel proud for his talent a contribution in the overall good of the church.
4. There should be no racial discrimination in the church no black, no white no Yoruba, Hausa or Ibo, all the people should be seen as one in the body of Christ.

Function of Spiritual Gift to the Church.

1. They are meant for the good of the entire church community.
2. They are to promote good relatives among Christians in the community of faith.
3. It helps to make the church united.
4. They are given to the church to glorify the name of God.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SPIRITUAL GIFTS AND TALENTS

1. Talents are inborn or inherited while spiritual gifts are received from God

2. Talents can be gotten by both sinners and the righteous, anyone is entitled to it while spiritual gifts received by the righteous.

3. Talents are developed while spiritual gifts gain maturity and can come by surprise.

4. Spiritual gifts are determined by God while talents are determined by inborn trait.

5. Talents can be used selfishly but spiritual gifts are used to serve God.

You can identify your spiritual gift by praying and doing a genuine work for God as a true Christian.

Assignment:

1. How can our individual talents be explored?

2. Differentiate between talent and spiritual gift.

3. What are the use of spiritual gifts?

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WEEK FIVE

Topic: FORGIVENESS (Philemon 1)

Forgiveness means to pardon person genuinely from the heart. To allow somebody who deserves punishment to go free. It is not every offence that attracts punishment but may cause the offended person to hold blames to resentment against his offender. Where the offended person has decided to forgive his offender, it therefore, follows that he would no longer blame or hold any resentment against his offender.

Forgiveness may be achieved in three ways.

1. When the offender realizes his mistake and decides to ask for pardon:- in this case he may be pardoned and the issue is resolved.
2. The offended person may on his part due to love of God, voluntarily decide to pardon his offender.
3. The third case is where a third party decides to intervene in the matter and reconcile the parties concerned.

In case whichever way it is achieved forgiveness is very important in people’s daily life.

The Importance and Implication of forgiveness.

Forgiveness is very important in the life of every individual in the society. Particularly in the life of Christians. Some could not achieve happy Christian life not because they have lived reckless life, but because they have allowed bitterness and un -forgiveness to block the flow of joy in their lives. Stubbornness attitudes and unforgiving spirit would never allow happiness to penetrate the life of such individuals.

Bitterness and un-forgiveness are evil phenomena in the life of a person and the society at large.

Forgiveness may delevioriate to serious problem such as war which could bring total ruin to the society concerned or the life of an individual as the case may be. Where people are able to forgive others, there is peace, harmony and progress. It is the ability of Christians to forgive others that makes God to forgive them when they offend Him.

PHILEMON FORGAVE ONESIMUS

Onesimus was a servant to Philemon but when he stole from his master he ran away and on his way he met with Paul who preached salvation to him. After he heard the gospel of Jesus Christ, he realized his sins and repented and became a changed person.Paul took Onesimus back to his master Philemon and made him know that Onesimus had repented and changed  and that he should receive him back not just as a servant but as a brother. He also said Philemon should put to his charge and account all that Onesimus had stolen from him, that he would pay back.

The importance of forgiveness is inexhaustible. This explain the reason why the Lord Jesus Christ during his earthly ministry took time to teach both the multitude and the disciples on the need to forgive one another.

EFFECTS OF UNFORGIVENESS

1. If we fail to forgive those who have offended us, we too will not receive God’s forgiveness.

2. If we fail to forgive we will nurse bitterness and this will end up stealing our happiness.

3. Unforgiveness brings hindrances to our prayers when we pray.

4. Unforgiveness denies us of good and pleasant relationship with people.

5. Unforgiveness can make us unnecessarily burdened in heart.

Assignment:

1. What do you understand by forgiveness?

2. Why is forgiveness important?

3. Narrate how Philemon and Onesimus reconciled.

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WEEK SIX    

TOPIC:  RIGHT AND OBLIGATION OF FAMILY MEMBERS (Colossians 3:18-22, 1 Pet 3:1-7; Eph 5: 21-33).

Family Unit:

Family unit is the smallest unit of the larger society, it consists of the Father, the Mother and the Children. It may include members of the extended family which are uncles, Cousins, Grandparents, Nieces etc.

Types of family:

1. The nuclear family: This comprises of the father, mother and children.

2. The extended family: This comprises of grandparents, uncles, aunties, cousins, nieces and other members of the extended family.

Traditionally, the father is the head of the family. He has the final authority within his family. The man’s decision has far reaching consequences in determining the peace, Unity and progress of the family.

The man and his wife must maintain discipline to be able to take good decisions because the family units which make up the larger society; form the basis of government and the first training ground for both spiritual and moral education.

A healthy and united family would definitely produce healthy and disciplined people that make up a nation. Broken homes (families) produce immoral children that end up as criminals and as such the whole nation is affected by their criminal activities. A heathy society can only be produced by healthy family units within the society.

Healthy family units can only be built where the individual that make up the units know their duties and responsibilities and perform them faithfully for this reason in his epistle to the Colossians outlined the duties and the responsibilities of every member of the family and called upon them to perform their duties creditably to ensure the peace and unity of the different families.

Duties of family members according to Paul’s teaching on family

Paul in his letter to the Colossians states the duties expected of every member of the family. The wife, husband and children have their individual roles. The wife is to subject herself to the husband as it pleases God, she must also obey her husband in all things. The husband must in reciprocation love the wife, should not be bitter against her, treat her badly, he should make sure her needs are met. The children’s duty is to obey their parents, the father also should make sure he does not provoke the children such that they would be troubled and discouraged.

Behaviours that can destabilize the family include;

(i) Failure in the responsibility of the parents to care for the family.

(ii) Favouritism of children among parents.

(iii) Unforgiveness in the family.

Assignment:

1. Define family.

2. Mention and explain the two types of family we have.

3. Mention one duty each of individual family member.

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WEEK SEVEN

Topic: HUMILITY (Philippians 2:1-11, 1Peter 5:5-11)

Humility is the state of beings humble, meek, lowly and modest. It also means a state of not thinking you are better than someone else. It is also the state of being lowly in heart.

A humble person is not arrogant, He is modest in everything he does he is unassuming.

Humility is one of the attributes of good Christian. Among the apostles, St. Paul and St. Peter make remarkable teaching on this

ST PAUL’S, TEACHING ON HUMILITY (PHILIPPIANS 2:1-11)

St Paul: – In this epistle to the Philippians 2:1-11) Stressed the need for a sense of humility among the church members. As at the time Paul wrote the message great disunity existed among the church members as a result of lack of humility. Paul therefore advised them to be in harmony and not to do anything out of selfishness or conceit. They should not be self-centered. They should not be self-interest of others above their own.

St Paul’s use the case of Jesus Christ to show them what humility is all about. He said Jesus was in form of God, but he did not count himself equal to God. He took the form of an ordinary servants and was born in the likeness of man.

In the human form, he humbled himself and became Obedient unto death. Even the death of the cross which was considered as one of the worst forms of death. For this reason, he said “God has highly exalted him and given him name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the father’ Philippians 2:9-11)

ST PETER’S TEACHING ON HUMILITY (1 Peter 5”1-11)

Peter also gave words of exhortation to Christians especially the youths, He advised the youth to be loyal to their elders and clothe themselves with humility. This is because God opposes the proud but, gives grace to the humble  they should humble themselves under the mighty hand of God. So that in due time, He might exalt them. Christians should cast all their anxieties on God. For he cares for them. they should be sober and watchful for Satan, the adversary, prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour.

Peter was saying. In essence that Christians should resist Satan at all cost. Knowing fully well that suffering and temptation are part of the things a Christians might have to pass through. If they are able to endure these with humility. The God of all grace who has called them to His glory in Christ would himself restore establish and strengthen them.

The Significance and Implication of Humility.

1. God loves the humble minded and exalts him but he debases the proud.
2. God gives grace to the humble, he or she reaps the reward of his humility.
3. Humility creates Unity, Understanding and progress in the society.
4. A humble person renders selfless services to the society. He puts the interest of the society first in whatever he or she does.

Consequences of pride

1.       Pride debases and brings down a man like it happened in the case of Satan.

2.       Pride denies one access to elevation.

3.       Pride destroys.

4.       Pride kills.

5.       Pride brings retrogression to a man’s life.

Assignment:

1.       What do you understand by humility?

2.       In what five ways can a Christian demonstrate humility?

3.       Mention three consequences of pride.

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WEEK EIGHT

TOPIC: CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY

SUBMISSION TO THOSE IN AUTHORITY

Those in authority though humans, have been placed there to rule over the people by God. The bible commands submission to such authorities. Rom 13: 1-7 gives us authentication of submitting to higher authorities. Rom 13:1 says “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God”.

Also those in authority have also been encouraged and instructed to serve in fear, i.e serve the people with the fear of God, knowing that it is God that has placed them there and not man.

CONSTITUTION

Constitution can be defined as the system of fundamental principles with which a state, corporation or any organization is governed. It can also be defined as the basic, fundamental law of a state which sets out how that state  will be organized and the powers and authorities of government between different political units and citizens.

So far since the independent constitution of 1960, Nigeria has had the 1963 constitution during the first republic, 1979 constitution during the second republic, 1993 constitution during the third republic and 1999 constitution during the fourth republic.

AFRICAN CHARTER ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND PEOPLES RIGHT.

Some of the rights individuals are to benefit from the charter include:

1. Every individual shall be equal before the law.

2. Every human being shall be entitled to respect for his life and the intergrity of his person.

3. Every individual shall have the right to liberty and to the security of his person.

4. Every individual shall have the right to receive information and disseminate his opinions within the law.

5. Every individual shall have the right to assemble freely with others.

6. Every individual shall have the right to leave any country including his own and to return to his country

7. Every individual shall have the right to work under equitable and satisfactory conditions and shall receive equal pay for equal work.

8. Every individual shall be entitled to the enjoyment of the rights and freedoms recognized and guaranteed in the charter without distinction of any kind such as race, ethnic group, colour, sex, language, religion, political or any other opinion or other status.

9. Every individual shall have right to free association provided he abides by the law.

10. Every individual shall have freedom of movement and residence within the borders of a state provided he abides by the law.

THE UN DECLARATION ON HUMAN RIGHTS

On December 10, 1948 the general assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the universal declaration of human rights.  It has been translated into more than 350 languages worldwide and more than 100 African languages. This human right contains 30 articles of human rights.

Assignment:

1.       Define constitution.

2.       Mention five rights and duties of the African Charter on Human Rights and People’s Right.

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WEEK NINE

TOPIC: GOOD CITIZENSHIP

Meaning of good citizenship: Good citizenship is when an individual properly fulfill his or her role as a citizen. Therefore a good citizen is a person who obeys the laws of his or her country also contributes and participates in public affairs with wisdom.

Good citizens are expected to keep to the governing rules and regulations of the society to foster peace and harmony.

PETER’S MESSAGE ON THE DUTIES OF GOOD CITIZEN (1 Pet 2;13-17)

According to Peter’s message, he encouraged Christians to do the following as good citizens;

1.       Submit to those in authorities, whether they are kings or governors, they should see them as people sent by God to punish evil doers and appraise those who do well.

2.       Honour and love all men including those in authority.

As Christians our duties to those in authority according to 1 Tim 2: 1-4 includes;

1.       Pray for those in authority.

2.       Intercede for them.

3.       Give thanks to God always on their behalf and on behalf of the nation at large.

Week 10:    Revision

11th – 12^th week: Examination