Lesson Notes on Christian Religious Studies (CRS) SS2 Third Term
CRS SS2 Lessons
Christian Religious Studies (CRS) SS2 Third Term Lesson – Edudelight.com
SCHEME OF WORK CHRISTIAN RELIGIOUS STUDIES SS2 THIRD TERM
- Revision of Last term work
- James teaching on Prayer
- Christians Living in the Community
- Social vices and witnessing to Christ
- Skill acquisition and empowerment
- Dignity of labour
- Christian attitude towards work
- Impartiality
- Resurrection and Second coming of Christ
- Preparation for Second coming
- HIV/AIDS
- Revision
- Examination
WEEK ONE
TOPIC: EFFECTIVE PRAYER
(James 1:6-8, 4:1-3, Jn 5:14-15)
Meaning of prayer
Prayer can be defined as a way of communicating and receiving from God. It is also a medium through which we communicate and relate with God.
Factors that can hinder effective prayer:
1. Unbelief: This is an act of doubting the ability of God to do what we have requested for in prayer.
2.Sin: This means going against God’s will and doing what God hates. This can hinder prayer and make prayer less effective.
3. Ingratitude: This is an act of not being grateful or not showing appreciation to God for what He has done for us.
4. Lack of focus: When our mind is divided in the place of prayer. Lack of concentration in prayer causes unanswered prayer.
5. Impatience: When we lack waiting ability in the place of prayer. When we can no longer wait for God to answer our prayers, this can completely hinder answers to prayer.
6. Asking for wrong things: When we ask for wrong things in the place of prayer, God will not answer because our requests are not according to His will, but if we make our request according to His will He will hear us.
7.Attachment to worldly things: When our thoughts are centred on how to acquire the things of this world without any reference to God, this may hinder answer to prayer.
Types of prayer
The following are the types of prayer:
1. Supplication
2. Intercession
3. Contemplation
4. Praise
5. Dedication
1. Contemplation: This when someone is before God without uttering a word and is enveloped by the presence of God but God understands such a person’s request.
2. Intercession: This is when we pray for others out of the burden and concern we have for them.
3. Dedication: This prayer helps to commit ourselves afresh to God as His children whereby we renew our promises to remain faithful to Him by doing those things He demands of us.
4. Supplication: This is when we make personal request to God whenever we have problems.
5. Praise; This is when we acknowledge God as the reason for our existence and our creator as well as the owner and controller of all things. We can also call God sweet names in praise of His name.
Assignment:
1. What is prayer?
2. In what three ways can Christians communicate to God?
3. Mention and explain three factors that can hinder effective prayer.
Edudelight Elearning Notes
WEEK TWO
TOPIC: JESUS TEACHING ON PRAYER
(Matt 6:7-13)
Jesus Christ taught His disciples how to pray and the conducts and character that should be put up by them when praying. He told them not to pray hypocritical prayers like the scribes and Pharisees who always pray to gain man’s recognition.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Jesus taught His disciples to pray like this according to the book of Matt 6;7-13
“Our father which art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory, for ever. Amen.
The Lord’s prayer is a prayer Jesus himself taught Hid disciples. In doing this, Jesus also encouraged Christians to pray because prayer is the sustaining power of a Christian.
Assignment; (oral)
Recite the Lord’s prayer as written in the bible.
Edudelight Elearning Notes
WEEK THREE
TOPIC: CHRISTIAN LIVING IN THE COMMUNITY
A community is a society where people live. Every Christian who lives in community should live as a child of God. Christians should distinguish themselves from others in all standards.
They should show good example to others. They must obey the rules and regulation of the Land. They must obey all constituted authority and b tolerant. They must be committed in carrying out their religious and Civic responsibilities. They should relate well with others who are not of their religion in the society.
They are expected to demonstrate Christian virtues wherever they go to. They should make themselves available for God to use in the society by witnessing Jesus Christ to others, setting quarrels among people for peaceful coexistence and giving to the needy.
For a Christian to be a true witness for Christ, he must live as a Christian in the society by showing love and humility to others. It is then that people an accept his message.
Paul advised Christians to work as Children of light by casting off the works of darkness like rioting, drunkenness, strife and envy.
Peter’s Message of Christian Living (1peter 2: 9-5)
St Peter in his letter referred to Christians as a chosen generation. Christians are therefore expected to live holy lives so that they can be acceptable to God.
Peter said, the conduct of Christian to their nation should manifest them as God’s chosen generation, royal priesthood and a holy nation. They were previously not people in the sight of God who had been called out of darkness into His marvelous light.
Previously, they had not received mercy. Therefore, they should not conform to the standard of the world.
Christians should desist from their former life of sin and become a changed person abstain from fleshy lusts. They should maintain good conduct among the non Christians, so that incase the people against them as wrong doers, they might see their good works and glorify God on the day of visitation. That is people should recognize their behavior as godly.
Significance Of Living A Life Of Witnessing To Christ
According to St Peter: Christians are God Chosen generation. As God’s chosen generation, we should therefore reflect in our daily living by avoiding the social vices. In our society such as examination malpractices, Fornication, Adultery, Abortion, Cheating, Fraud, Bribery, Smoking, drug addiction, Corruption, Partiality, tribalism and drunkenness.
Assignment
- Define community and what should be our attitude as Christians living in a community?
- Describe Peter’s Message on Christian Living according to (1peter 2: 9-5)
- Mention two Civic responsibilities a Christian should perform.
Edudelight Elearning Notes
WEEK FOUR
TOPIC: SOCIAL VICES AND WITNESSING TO CHRIST
(I Pt 5:7-11)
Meaning of social vices
Social vices are behaviours and practices that are not acceptable in the society or that the society frowns at. It is also bad habits or immoral activities.
If we must be true witnesses to Christ, social vices should not be part of us rather we should live the life of Christ.
Categories of social vices include;
1. Social vices in the church.
2. Social vices in the school.
3. Social vices in the society.
Examples of social vices in the church includes;
1. Indecent dressing.
2. Phone conversation while service is on.
3. Stealing.
4. Pre-marital sexual activity.
5. Fighting.
Examples of social vices in the school:
1. Examination malpractice.
2. Cultism.
3. Truancy
4. Homosexualism.
5. Leizbianism.
6. Drug addiction.
Examples of social vices in the society;
1. Hooliganism.
2. Thuggery.
3. Gambling.
4. Smoking.
5. Prostitution.
6. Robbery.
7. Pocket picking.
8. Internet fraud.
Effects of peer social vices
1. Peer pressure: This is the main cause of youth involvement in social vices because students spend more time with their friends in school or at home, due to their weak nature and tender age they can be easily influenced.
2. Negligence by parents or broken homes: Lack of parental care, supervision and attention can make a child engage in social vices.
3. Less or no monitoring of individual’s activities in church; When members are allowed undue freedom in the church, social vices are bound to creep in
Solutions to social vices
1. Parental concern and care.
2. Children should be taught moral values and the word of God.
3. Schools should have a high level of discipline.
Assignment
1. What are social vices?
2. Mention three categories of social vices we have.
3. Mention three solutions to social vices.
Edudelight Elearning Notes
WEEK FIVE
TOPIC: SKILL ACQUISITION AND EMPOWERMENT
Meaning of school acquisition
Skill acquisition can be defined as a way of being skillfully empowered for future purpose. It can also be a conscious and deliberate effort to carry out a task scheduled within a specific time and period with a pre-determined result.
Trades students can acquire: Some of the trade students can acquire include the following:
1. Catering.
2. Tailoring.
3. Hair styling and cosmetology.
4. Auto-servicing (mechanic)
5. ICT
6. Manufacturing.
7. Marketing.
8. Carpentry.
9. Electronic repair.
Students can acquire these skills while still in school, it has no hindrances to academics in any form. It helps the child to acquire skills while he/she is still schooling for future self dependence.
Examples of biblical characters who acquired skills:
1. Jesus the carpenter’s son: Jesus acquired the skill of carpentry from his father David which he practiced for thirty years until he was fully involve in the work of ministry. He even assisted his mother Mary financially with the carpentry work after the demise of his father.
2. The apostles; Simon Peter, Andrew, James and John as fishermen: The apostles acquired fishing skills, they were not lazy and their handwork in fishery transcended into fishing for men instead of fish after their individual encounter with Jesus.
3. Dorcas the dress maker (Acts 9:36-43): Dorcas was skillful in dress making and her good work and diligence spoke for her at her death.
4. Paul the tent maker (Acts 18;3): Paul was not a lazy apostle. He was by profession a lawyer and after he dropped his profession for the sake of the gospel, he learnt making tent as an additional skill which helped him gain access to some people that ordinarily he wouldn’t have been able to penetrate.
Assignment:
1. What is skill acquisition?
2. Mention about five trades that students can be engaged with while in school.
3. List about three biblical characters who acquired skills and the skills they acquired.
Edudelight Elearning Notes
WEEK SIX
TOPIC: DIGNITY OF LABOUR
(1 THESS 3:6-15, 2:9, COL 3:23-25, EPH 6:5-8, TITUS 3:1
The bible instructs that whatever our hands find to do, we should do it with all our mind. God himself worked hard during creation and he expects nothing less from us.
Obligation to work:
Paul in his letter to the Colosians, he admonished and encouraged them to work hard and do whatever they are privileged to have access to as work with the whole off their heart and that they should do it not unto men but unto God. Paul discouraged laziness and encouraged hardwork.
Importance of hard work to human life:
1. It makes one successful in life; If a person is hardworking in anything he or shse does success is always the end result.
2. It discourages mediocrity: A mediocre is someone that is satisfied with the average life. Hardwork makes one go beyond average and takes one to the apex.
3. Hard work elevates a person and takes one to a greater height and sustains such an individual there.
4. Anyone who is hardworking would be respected by others because such a person will not have time for frivolity with lazy ones.
5. Hard work paves way for an individual to have access to the good things of life because he/she must have worked for it and instead of begging others he/she has free access to things he has worked for.
6. Happiness and fulfillment in life; Hardwork makes one happy and fulfilled in life. If a person has worked hard in the prime of his/her life, such a person at old age lives to enjoy what he has worked for.
The bible’s view on idleness:
The bible condemns idleness because idleness is a sin. Anyone who is idle has the tendency to go into sin because at that time of idleness the devil can minister to a person to do wrong things and that is why a saying goes thus “an idle hand is the devil’s workshop” also the bible says anyone who does not work, let him not eat.
The devil usually targets a man’s idle time to tempt man into committing sin and doing wrong things
Assignment:
1. Mention three importance of hardwork to human’s life.
2. What is the bible view on idleness?
Edudelight Elearning Notes
WEEK SEVEN
TOPIC: CHRISTIAN ATTITUDE TO WORKS
Meaning of Christian attitude to work:
Christian attitude to work implies the right and correct type of behavior expected of a Christian at work or while working.
Behaviours Christians should put up at work:
They include the following;
1. Faithfulness: Paul in his epistle to the Colosian Christians spoke against eye-service. Whatever we find ourselves doing, complete faithfulness is demanded of us. We should not do anything as Christians hypocritically.
2. Loyalty; Christians should be loyal and devoted to the service they’ve been called into and not to work deceitfully whether for man or for God.
3. Diligence: Christianity does not tolerate sluggishness. Christians should be up and doing at work to get a maximum result.
4. Consistency: Christians should not play truancy at work because it does not encourage progress because progress is only measured by consistency of diligence and hard work.
5. Creativity: Christians are not expected to be dull ants, they are to be diversified in creating new ideas. Creativity is expected of Christians at work because God our father also is a creative God. We should spice up our work with new ideas that will make our work better.
Assignment:
1. Mention and explain four behaviours a Christian is expected to put up at work.
2. Explain Christian attitude to work.
WEEK EIGHT
TOPIC: IMPARTIALITY
What is Impartiality?
Impartiality is a principle of justice that states that decisions should be based on objective criteria, rather than on the basis of bias, prejudice or preferring the benefit to one person over another for improper reasons.
What is partiality?
Partiality means to deny somebody his or her entitlement because of certain reasons such as religion, tribe, race, sex, political, belief, etc. Partiality also brings discrimination. A person may suffer partiality because of his or her social status, i.e for not being educated or for being people. Uneducated people are discriminated against at times and what belongs to them is given to others because they cannot read or write. Likewise, poor people also suffer discrimination because of their socio-economics class and no one wants to identify with them. in our society, the poor are treated differently from the rich. This should not be because we are all created equally by God. Partiality is a sin against God because it is an act of social injustice. As a result, many people have been denied their fundamental human right.
On the other hand, impartiality is the opposite of partiality. It means to release to people what belongs to them without any condition being attached to it. It also means to give equal treatment to everybody whether rich or poor, educated or uneducated. This is what God wants us to be practicing. Jesus said: “Therefore all things whatsoever you would that men should do to you, do you even so to them: for this is the law and prophets.”
If we do according to this law, partiality and discrimination of any kind will no longer exist in our society. We will have a just and balance society because we will not do to others what we ourselves will not take. There will be peace, unity and progress.
St. James perceived partiality in the church during his time and exhort Christians to shun partiality and embrace impartiality instead.
ALL HUMAN BEING ARE EQUAL BEFORE GOD (JAMES 2: 1-13)
St. James discovered the problem of partiality in the early church where there was discrimination against the poor. He wrote a letter to correct this social evil.
James started his letter by urging the Christians not to show partiality by respecting one man above another. He said a genuine Christian should avoid this. He also spoke against giving room for class distinction in their midst. They should not hold the rich people more important than the poor when both of them are invited to a public function. Some of them attend appropriately to the rich people who are well dressed by offering them the best seats when they come to their assembly, but ask the shabbily dressed persons to sit on the floor or stand somewhere. James warned such people to stop this act; it makes them to be biased and partial judgment.
James made them to realize that God has chosen the poor of this world and made them rich in faith and also to be the heirs of the kingdom of God, which is promised to those who love God. James condemned the act of despising the poor people in their midst in an attempt to honour the rich. He said it is the same rich people who oppress them in return and drag them to court where they could not get right justice. It is also the same rich people who blaspheme the worthy name of the Lord by which they are being called.
In conclusion, James called on all Christians to observe the royal law which says: “Love your neighbor as yourself”. If they continue with the respect of persons through partiality, they commit sin and are convicted by the law. For whosoever shall keep the whole law, but fails in one point is also guilty of all. Anyone who kills, but does not commit adultery has broken the law. As Christians, our thoughts and actions must correspond with the laws of liberty. Any Christians who refuses to show mercy to the afflicted will receive God’s judgment without mercy.
The Significance of St. James’ Teaching on Impartiality
The teaching of James on impartiality has relevance on our society today. Partiality is now the order of the day. There is widespread of social injustice all over our society,. People now discriminate on the grounds of religion, tribe, race or sex before appointments can be offered. This has also affected the award of contracts. Due process is no longer followed for promotion of workers; it now depends on who you are and who you know. There is partiality in the distribution of social amenities in our society. There is favouritism in the admission of students into colleges and higher institutions. The judges are now corrupt and as a result, they show partiality in their judgment. Even in some churches, the wealthy people are respected, while the poor ones are despised. In some organizations there is tribalism in which all the employees are from the same tribe and they do not employ people from other tribes. Nepotism is also the order of the day in our society.
We as Christian should promote impartiality in our society by condemning partiality, favouritism, tribalism and nepotism and speak out against them publicly. We should join hands together o fight against these social evils until we win. We can also make use of the media like newspaper, television and radio to fight against the government workers who are involved in tribalism, nepotism and favourism. In order to promote impartiality, we should treat people from every tribe as equals. We should also respect the fundamental human rights of people.
Assignment
- Distinguish between the following; partiality, nepotism, tribalism and favouritism.
- As Christians how should we treat our fellow Christians?
- State the “Golden Rule” of the bible.
- Describe the negative effects of the following nepotism, favouritism, and tribalism.
Edudelight Elearning Notes
WEEK NINE
TOPIC:THE RESURRECTION
The Accounts of the Resurrection: (Matthew 28:1-8; Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-11)
Resurrection is to bring to life someone who has been confirmed dead. Resurrection can be attained only by the power of Almighty God. it has brought the hope of eternal life, which are: the daughter of Jairus, the son of the widow of Nain and Lazarus.
Jesus Christ himself died, buried and three days after he was raised back to like. In the resurrection account of Jesus, women played a vital role. It was Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome and other women that were first at the grave of Jesus with spices in their hands to anoint his body without the knowledge that he had resurrected. All the three synoptic gospels, Mathew, Mark and Luke gave the account of the resurrection of Jesus that he was buried and that in the early morning of the day he resurrected, Mary Magdalene and the other women were at his grave where they saw an angel who announced to them that Jesus Christ had resurrected and asked them to go band tell his disciples that he has risen a he had said. He also told them that Jesus had gone before them to Galilee where they would see him. There are little differences in the resurrection account given by all the three synoptic Gospels. Mathew reported that the women, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the grave of Jesus without announcing what they were there to do. But both Mark and Luke reported that the women were at the grave side of Jesus with spices to anoint his body. It is only Mathew that talked about the guards that were hired to watch the body of Jesus that they were frightened and became ad dead men. Luke added that apart from Mary Magdalene, Joana, and Mary the mother of James, there were other women with them. Only Luke said it was two Angels that the women saw by the grave side of Jesus. Who proclaimed “why seek you the living among the dead” which others did not record.
Significance of Resurrection to the Christian Faith
Through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, death and its power have been conquered. Jesus had been victorious over death for the children of God. Thus, when a Christian dies, there is hope of eternal life in the kingdom of God.
- Concerning Christians, the grip of the fear of death is loosened because they know they will one day resurrect.
- Jesus’ resurrection from the dead has confirmed that the faith of Christians is genuine.
- The resurrection of Jesus has brought new life to those who believe and accept him.
- Through the resurrection of Jesus, God clearly showed the world that Jesus Christ is indeed His only begotten Son. He was the first to rise from the dead.
Assignment
- Define resurrection and narrate briefly the resurrection story of Jesus.
- What is the significance of Resurrection to the Christian Faith?
Edudelight Elearning Notes
WEEK TEN
TOPIC: THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST
The second coming of Christ refers to the expectation of Christians that Jesus Christ will come again into this world to take the faithful Christians to the abode he has prepared for them in Heaven according to his teaching. This is called “The rapture of the saints”. Paul, in his letter to the Thessalonians included the signs for the second coming of Jesus Christ which would involve those who are alive and those who are dead.
Jesus and Paul showed how to get ourselves prepared for Christ’s second coming. Christians should be expectant of Christ’s second coming on a daily basis because Jesus said his coming would be like the coming of a thief in the night. Therefore, we Christians should get ourselves prepared by living holy lives, loving one another and showing good conduct to people.
The Signs of the Second Coming of the Lord
(1Thessalonians 4:13-18; ll Thessalonians 2:1-2)
Paul started his letter to the church of Thessalonians by warning them not to be deceived by false doctrines(teaching) for the day of the Lord was imminent. He reminded them how Jesus died and rose and that he will come back to the world again. He said that nobody knew the day except God, so Christians should not worry or be concerned about the day.
Paul said before the second coming of Christ, there will be the emergence of the lawless man which is also being referred to as Antichrist who will exalt himself and perform fake signs and wonders through satanic power. This lawless man would deceive the disobedient ones who are destined for destruction because of their refusal to accept the true gospel of Jesus Christ which can save them. God, as a result, shall send them strong delusion that they should believe a lie. This will lead to condemnation together with the lawless man. The lawless man will be revealed and the Lord Jesus will slay him with the breath of his mouth and destroy him with the brightness of his coming.
Paul also urged the Thessalonians Christians not to be sorrowful concerning those who are dead in the Lord as the unbelievers who have no hope of eternal life. He said because they believed that Jesus Christ died and rose again; even those who are dead in Christ will rise again. Paul continued by saying that the Lord shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and the trumpet of God, the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then, we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Therefore, Christians should be watchful all the time in their dealings in order to be found guiltless and be able to reign with Christ. Everlasting destruction, on the other hands, awaits the disobedient ones.
Preparation for His Coming (Mathew 25:31-46, l Thessalonians 5:1-11)
Jesus, in his teaching shows the Christians how they ought to prepare for his second coming. He said when he comes in his glory with all the holy angels, he would sit upon the throne of his glory and all nations would gather before him.
He would then separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. He would set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. He would say to them on his right hand: “Come, you blessed of my father; inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty, and you gave me drink; I was a stranger and you took me in; naked and you clothed me; I was sick and you visited me; I was in prison and came to you.”
He said he would answer them and in as much as they have done it to one of the least of His brethren, they have done it to him. He would also say to those on the left hand. “Depart from me, you are cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you did not give me food; I was thirsty and you did not visit me.”
He said, they would answer him saying: “Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger; or naked or sick or in prison and did not minister to you?”
Then, he would answer them saying: “Verily I say to you, in as much as you did it not to one of the least of these (that is, his brethren) you did it not to me.” He said they shall go away into everlasting punishment; that is in the lake of fire; but the righteous into life eternal; that is in heaven.
Jesus is teaching us that we should prepare for his coming by doing good. He wants us to put into practice those things we have learnt in the Bible. Failure to do this will bring eternal damnation.
Concerning the preparation for the second coming of Jesus Christ, Paul taught the Christians brethren that no one knows that no one knows the day of the Lord’s coming, but He would come suddenly like a thief in the night. Those in relaxation mood who say there is peace and security would under such deception face the danger of sudden destruction like the travails of a woman in labour. Therefore, Christians, according to Paul, were sons of light and of the day and not of darkness. They should not sleep like others, but for salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ who died for us, so that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. He therefore advised them to comfort themselves together and build up one another.
The Significance of The Coming of Christ
- Concerning the signs of the second coming of Lord, Paul taught the Christians that death is not the end of a person, but a transition into eternal life in God’s kingdom for faithful Christians, but for the disobedient and the unfaithful one, it is a transition into damnation.
- Christians should believe in the Resurrection and Ascension of Christ. We should preach about the second coming of Christ to others in order to save them from sin and get them prepared.
- We should not be grievous concerning our loved ones who die in Christ because eternal life is awaiting them in heaven where they will die no more.
- We should always live as children of light and get ourselves prepared for the second coming of Christ.
- Concerning the preparation for the second coming of Christ, Jesus taught that those who are not hospitable would not inherit his kingdom. They will be sentenced into the lake of fire.
- According to Paul, Christians should be conscious of the second coming of Christ and be watchful and prayerful in how they live.
- Any obedient and faithful Christians who die before the second coming of Christ will go to paradise in heaven awaiting the final judgment. On the other hand, those who die without Christ and the disobedient Christians will end up in hell fire which fire burns day and night, awaiting the final judgment of Christ.
Assignment
- Mention five conditions for reining with Christ in eternity.
- Mention five things that can hinder a Christian from reigning with Christ.
- Mention three Significances of The Coming of Christ.
