Subject: Christian Religious Studies (CRS)

Class: Senior Secondary School 1 (SS 1)

 

Term: First Term

 

Week: Week 9

 

Instructional Materials:

• The Holy Bible

 

Reference Materials

• Scheme of Work
• Online Information
• Textbooks
• Workbooks
• 9 Year Basic Education Curriculum

Previous Knowledge:

The pupils have previous knowledge of

NEW LIFE IN CHRIST

Behavioural Objectives: By the end of the lesson, the learners will be able to

• say the need for change. Rom. 6;1-4; 15:18-19.
•  mention the characteristics of the new life: love, humility, Patience, tolerance, patriotism, respect for hard work.
• explain the need to stick to the new life. Rom 6:12-19; Col. 3:1-3. To live a fulfilled life

 

Content: 

 

WEEK 9

DATE: …………………………….

 

TOPIC: NEW LIFE IN CHRIST

 

BIBLICAL REFERENCES : Rom. 6;1-4; 15:18-19

 

CONTENTS:

 

1. Need For change. Rom. 6;1-4; 15:18-19.

2. Characteristics of the new life: love, humility, Patience, tolerance, patriotism, respect for hard work.

3. Needs to stick to the new life. Rom 6:12-19; Col. 3:1-3. To live a fulfilled life

 

NEW LIFE IN CHRIST

 

New life is a lifestyle that pleases God. It is a life that is built on the fear of God.

 

SUB-TOPIC 1: NEED FOR CHANGE. Rom. 6;1-4; 15:18-19.

 

 

According to Paul, anyone who has acquired new life in Christ will have some virtues that distinguish him from others still in the old life. He also lay emphasis on the sacrament of baptism, a rite during which the convert declares publicly his union with Christ. Paul asks:

“do you know that all of us who are baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into his death, so that as Christ was raised from the death by the glory of the father, we too might walk in newness of life”. ( Romans 6:3-4)

Baptismis a sacrament which marks the transition from the old life of sins to the life of holiness. It is done by immersion indicating that one is buried with Christ and by bringing one up from under water, he resurrects with Christ. This is what baptism by immersion symbolizes. The new convert, after being baptized, begins a phase of entirely new life, cutting himself totally from former lifestyles and assuming a new pattern of life modeled after Christ.

The new convert no longer allow sin to rule over him, neither should he yield to the desires of the flesh which are evil. The new life begins with the mind. It must also involve the creative power of God.

The new convert throws away his old life – a life of sin, and turns to a life in Christ known as a life of righteousness. By so doing, he will be able to subdue sin as one under grace, not law, instead of allowing sin to control him. (Romans 6:12-14)

According to Colossians 3:11, Christians should seek the things that are above where Christ is seated. Paul stated that God’s kingdom makes no distinction between a Jew or gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, slave or free; but Christ is everything.

 

New life is a lifestyle that pleases God. It is a life that is built on the fear of God.

1. A life that pleases God is one that is lived according to His laws and commands.

2. A life that is built on the fear of God is one that recognizes His power and authority, and seeks to obey Him out of reverence and respect.

3. A life of humility is one that acknowledges God’s greatness and seeks to live in a way that honors Him.

4. A life of patience is one that recognizes that God’s timing is perfect, and trusts His plan even when circumstances are difficult.

5. A life of tolerance is one that loves others even when they may not share the same beliefs or values.

EVALUATION:

 

1.     Define new life.

2.     Why is there a need for change?

3.     Explain baptism by immersion.

4. What does it mean to live a life of righteousness?

5. How can you please God in your daily life?

Possible Answers:

1. New life is a lifestyle that pleases God. It is a life that is built on the fear of God.

2. There is a need for change because our old life is full of sin and we need to turn to a new life in Christ.

3. Baptism by immersion is a sacrament which symbolizes the death and resurrection of Christ. It is done by immersing the person in water and then raising him up out of the water.

4. To live a life of righteousness means to live according to God’s laws and commands.

5. You can please God in your daily life by living according to His will, being humble, patient, and tolerant of others.

 

 

 

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE NEW LIFE

 

New life in Christ is characterized by holiness, love, kindness, humility, compassion, meekness, patience, forbearance, justice, patriotism, forgiving heart, respect for constituted authorities, etc.

New converts are to allow the peace of God to rule in their hearts, and for the word of God to dwell in them abundantly. They should engage in praising God through songs. Paul encourage

new converts to let their actions be in the name of the Lord Jesus, and should glorify God through Him (Jesus). Above all these qualities, Christians are advised to put on love which binds everything in perfect harmony.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE NEW LIFE

1. Holiness: New life in Christ is characterized by holiness, or living according to God’s laws and commands.

2. Love: New life in Christ is characterized by love, or loving others even when they may not share the same beliefs or values.

3. Kindness: New life in Christ is characterized by kindness, or being compassionate and caring towards others.

4. Humility: New life in Christ is characterized by humility, or recognizing God’s greatness and living in a way that honors Him.

5. Patience: New life in Christ is characterized by patience, or recognizing that God’s timing is perfect and trusting His plan even when circumstances are difficult.

Sub-topic 2:

NEED TO STICK TO THE NEW LIFE

 

Christians are advised to stick to new life by doing the following:

 

1.     Being born again: they should start living the new life and do away with the old life of sin.

2.     Live unquestionable lifestyles: Christians are expected to live exemplary lifestyle.

3.     Evangelizing: spreading, preaching of the gospel, and winning souls for Christ will help Christians to stick to the new life.

4.     Doing good works: helping the needy, orphans, widows and the under privilege is also another way.

5.     Not involving in gossip, blackmailing and backbiting against one another.

6.     Abstaining from greed, jealousy, envy, drunkenness, drug abuse, child abuse, sexual immorality, unforgiving spirit, hatred, covetousness, stealing, bribery and corruption, favoritism and discrimination, bearing false witness, malice and other vices.

EVALUATION:

 

1.     Mention five ways Christians can manifest new life in Christ.

2.     Explain two of the ways mentioned above.

3.     What are the expectations (characteristics) of a converted and baptized person?

4.     What is the qualities Christians are advised to have above other qualities?

 

GENERAL EVALUATION:

 

1.     Define new life.

2.     Give five characteristics of the new life.

3.     Write short notes on the following characteristics of the new life

(a)   Humility.

(b) Patience

(c)   Kindness

(d) Respect for constituted authority

4.     According to Paul, baptism plays a major role in the new life. Do you agree? Discuss

5.     Distinguish between old life and new life.

6.     Identify at least five ways one can stick and manifest new life in Christ

7.     Briefly discuss three of these ways.

 

 

WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT

 

1.     According to Paul, what condition did Jesus give for man’s salvation? (a) Going to church

(b) giving alms and fasting. (c) Rejoicing in the lord and paying homage (d) repentance and faith in God.

2.     Baptism is the physical symbol of …….. (a) Having undergone pastoral training (b) repentance from sin (c) burial and resurrection with Christ (d) having been ordained a bishop.

3.     Which of the following is a quality of new life? (a) lying (b) fighting and gossiping (c) malice (d) love

4.     The phrase died to sin as used by Paul in his letter to the Romans means….. (a) Living in sin after death (b) dying without repenting (c) complete renewal of life without sin (d) total obedience to the passions of life.

5.One-way Christians manifest new life in Christ is by ( a) living a questionable life(b) going to church (c) paying their tithes (d) being born again and living a Christ like life .

6. Which of these is not to be seen in the life of a believer (a)preaching the gospel (b)praying

(c) Paying tithes (d) cheating

 

7. The following are fruits of the new life in Christ except

 (a) forgiveness (b) humility (c) impurity (d) kindness.

8. In order for one to enjoy the benefits of new life, he or she must (a) manifest it in his or her daily life(b) live a holy life (c) preach the gospel (d) have faith in Christ.

9. One way of showing that you are not dead to sin is by (a) being born again (b) living a Christ-like life (c) paying your tithes (d) gossiping and fighting.

10. The following are characteristics of the new life in Christ except (a) humility (b) love for money (c) love for God (d) forgiveness.

1. What condition did Jesus give for man’s salvation according to Paul?

2. What is the physical symbol of baptism?

3. What is the quality of a new life?

4. What does the phrase “died to sin” mean as used by Paul in his letter to the Romans?

5. How can Christians manifest new life in Christ?

6. What should not be seen in the life of a believer?

7. What are fruits of the new life in Christ?

8. What must one do in order to enjoy the benefits of a new life?

9. How can you show that you are not dead to sin?

10. What are characteristics of the new life in Christ?

(NECO 2017) ESSAY QUESTIONS:

1.     Explain why there is need for change.

2.     Define new life.

3.     State the virtues of the new life.

4.     What does baptism signify?

5.     State at least five ways one can stick and manifest new life in Christ

6.     Explain three of these ways

 

PRE- READING ASSIGNMENT:

 

Read about son ship

 

(1) Jesus Christ the Son of God. Rom.8:3, 17, 32

 

(2) Christians are also children of God. Rom.8:1-39, 4:6, 7; Eph.5:3

 

 

In Melrose Christian religious studies for senior secondary schools 1. By L. O Udokporo et al. topic 4, pages 28-29

WEEKEND ACTIVITY:

 

1.     Using biblical passages show how Jesus portrayed Himself as the son of God.

2.     Describe the event in Gethsemane in which Jesus called God is father.

 

3.      How can someone become a child of God?

 

4.    State the moral lessons that can be drawn from the teaching of Paul on sonship of believers.

 

 

 

 

Presentation

The topic is presented step by step

 

Step 1:

The subject teacher revises the previous topics

 

Step 2.

He introduces the new topic

 

Step 3:

The subject teacher allows the pupils to give their own examples and he corrects them when the need arises.

 

 

 

Conclusion :

 

The subject teacher wraps up or concludes the lesson by giving out a short note to summarize the topic that he or she has just taught.

The class teacher also goes round to make sure that the notes are well copied or well written by the pupils.

He or she makes the necessary corrections when and where the needs arise.