The Dangers of Selfishness and the Rewards of Selflessness
Christian Religious Studies
Primary 6 – Second Term Lesson Notes
Week 6: Selfishness
Subject: Christian Religious Studies
Class: Primary 6
Term: Second Term
Week: 6
Age: 10–12 years
Topic: Selfishness
Sub-Topic: Definition, Consequences, and Rewards
Duration: 35 minutes
Behavioral Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
- Define selfishness.
- Explain why we should not be selfish and how its consequences destroy relationships.
- List the rewards for being selfless instead of selfish.
Keywords
- Selfishness
- Selflessness
- Relationships
- Consequences
- Rewards
Set Induction
The teacher will begin the lesson by asking pupils if they have ever refused to share something with their friends or siblings and how it made others feel. This discussion will introduce the concept of selfishness.
Entry Behavior
Pupils are familiar with the importance of showing love and unselfishness from the previous lesson.
Learning Resources and Materials
- Bible (Proverbs 11:24-25, Philippians 2:3-4)
- Flashcards showing examples of selfish and selfless behavior
Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge
The teacher will discuss examples of selfish and selfless actions from pupils’ daily experiences.
Embedded Core Skills
- Empathy
- Emotional Intelligence
- Collaboration
Learning Materials
- Bible verses: Proverbs 11:24-25, Philippians 2:3-4
Reference Books
- Lagos State Scheme of Work for Primary 6
- Holy Bible
Instructional Materials
- Flashcards showing acts of selfishness and their consequences
- Story illustrations of selfless individuals
Content
1. Definition of Selfishness
Selfishness means thinking only about yourself and not caring about the needs or feelings of others. A selfish person does not share or help others and is focused on their own gain.
2. Why We Should Not Be Selfish
Selfishness is harmful because:
- It destroys relationships with friends, family, and others.
- It makes people feel hurt, unloved, and excluded.
- It prevents cooperation and teamwork.
- It creates distrust and conflict among people.
3. Consequences of Selfishness
- Loss of friendships: People may avoid selfish individuals.
- Lack of trust: Others may find it hard to rely on selfish people.
- Loneliness: A selfish person may end up without friends.
- Conflict: Selfishness can cause disagreements and fights.
- Missed blessings: The Bible teaches that those who are generous are rewarded by God.
4. Rewards of Selflessness
Being selfless brings many rewards, such as:
- Stronger relationships: People are more likely to trust and love selfless individuals.
- Happiness: Helping others brings joy and fulfillment.
- Blessings from God: Proverbs 11:25 says, “The generous soul will be made rich.”
- Teamwork: Selflessness encourages cooperation and success.
- Positive reputation: Selfless people are respected and admired.
Examples of Selflessness vs. Selfishness
- Selfishness: Refusing to share food with a hungry friend.
Selflessness: Sharing your lunch with a friend who forgot theirs. - Selfishness: Taking more than your fair share during group activities.
Selflessness: Letting others have a turn first. - Selfishness: Ignoring a friend in need.
Selflessness: Helping a friend who is struggling with their homework.
Evaluation
Fill-in-the-Blank Questions
- ______ means thinking only about yourself and not caring about others.
a. Generosity
b. Selflessness
c. Selfishness
d. Teamwork
Answer: c. Selfishness - Selfishness destroys ______ with others.
a. relationships
b. gifts
c. happiness
d. blessings
Answer: a. relationships - One consequence of selfishness is ______.
a. stronger friendships
b. loneliness
c. happiness
d. blessings
Answer: b. loneliness - The Bible encourages us to be ______ to others.
a. selfish
b. selfless
c. greedy
d. proud
Answer: b. selfless - “The generous soul will be made ______,” according to Proverbs 11:25.
a. lonely
b. proud
c. rich
d. angry
Answer: c. rich
Class Activity Discussion
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is selfishness?
Selfishness is thinking only about yourself and not caring about others. - Why is selfishness bad?
It destroys relationships, causes loneliness, and creates conflict. - What does selflessness mean?
Selflessness means thinking about others and helping them without expecting anything in return. - What are some rewards of being selfless?
Stronger relationships, happiness, and blessings from God. - What does the Bible say about generosity?
Proverbs 11:25 says, “The generous soul will be made rich.” - How can selfishness harm friendships?
Friends may avoid selfish individuals because they feel uncared for. - What happens when you are selfless?
People trust, respect, and admire you. - Why should we avoid being selfish?
It leads to loneliness and broken relationships. - How can you practice selflessness?
By sharing, helping others, and thinking about their needs. - What lesson does Philippians 2:3-4 teach?
It teaches us to put others’ interests above our own. - Give an example of a selfish act.
Taking more than your fair share of something. - What does it mean to be generous?
It means willingly giving to others without expecting anything in return. - What is one consequence of selfishness?
Loss of trust and friendships. - Why is teamwork impossible with selfish people?
They only think about their own gain and not about the group’s success. - What should we do to avoid being selfish?
Practice kindness, sharing, and helping others.
Presentation Steps
- Teacher’s Activities:
- Introduce the topic by defining selfishness.
- Read Bible verses about generosity and selflessness.
- Explain the consequences of selfishness and rewards of selflessness.
- Share real-life examples of selfish and selfless actions.
- Learners’ Activities:
- Define selfishness in their own words.
- Discuss examples of selfishness and selflessness.
- Share ideas on how to practice selflessness in daily life.
Assessment
Short-Answer Questions
- What is selfishness?
- Why should we not be selfish?
- Mention one reward of selflessness.
- Write out Proverbs 11:25.
- List two consequences of selfishness.
Answers:
- Selfishness is thinking only about yourself and not caring about others.
- It destroys relationships and creates conflict.
- Happiness and blessings from God.
- “The generous soul will be made rich.”
- Loss of friendships and loneliness.
Conclusion
The teacher will summarize the lesson by explaining that selfishness destroys relationships and brings negative consequences, while selflessness builds stronger bonds and brings joy and blessings. Pupils will be encouraged to practice selflessness in their daily lives.