THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD

Subject:

Christian Religious Studies CRS

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Term:

FIRST TERM

Week:

WEEK 1

Class:

SS 2

Previous lesson:

The pupils have previous knowledge of

MID TERM TEST FIRST TERM CRS SS 2

that was taught as a topic in the previous lesson

Behavioural objectives:

At the end of the lesson, the learners will be able to

Say the meaning of sovereignty
Explain the story of creation
explain the importance of creation
point out how God created woman according to the story of creation

Instructional Materials:

Wall charts
Pictures
Related Online Video
Flash Cards

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Methods of Teaching:

Class Discussion
Group Discussion
Asking Questions
Explanation
Role Modelling
Role Delegation

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Reference Materials:

Scheme of Work
Online Information
Textbooks
Workbooks

THEME 1:

THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD

TOPIC: GOD IS THE CREATOR

CONTENT:

GOD THE CREATOR OF MAN AND ALL THINGS GENESIS 1 & 2; PSALM 19: 1-6.
SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD OVER HIS CREATION, Isaiah 45:1-12
SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD OVER INDIVIDUAL LIVES. Daniel 4:4-37

SOVEREIGNTY is defined as being independent state, having dominion, Supreme power and the right to exercise it. The sovereignty of God in the text of the scripture is seen in the light of God’s creation and the control of the universe. Sovereignty of God therefore means God’s absolute power over the universe.

SUB-TOPIC 1:

GOD THE CREATOR OF MAN AND ALL THINGS.

GENESIS 1 & 2; PSALM 19: 1-6.

The Bible records that in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the face of the waters. Such was the position of the earth before God’s creative activities. God used six days to create the world in the following order.

On the first day, light was created, and was He separated from the darkness to form day day and night.
On the second day, the firmament or the heaven was created.
On the third day, lands, seas and vegetations were created.
God created the heavenly bodies(sun, moon and stars)on the fourth day.
On the fifth day day, the sea animals and birds were created.
God created land animals and finally man on the sixth day.
God rested on the seventh day

Man was created in the image and likeness of God. He was created with intelligence and ability to distinguish between good and evil. Man was equally given creative ability of God, so that he could modify the environment, also was given dominion over other creatures.

THE SECOND ACCOUNT OF THE CREATION

In the day that God made the earth and the heavens, the earth was covered with mist. Then the Lord formed man out of the dust of the earth and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils.

He made the trees grow to provide food for man. He planted the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. God caused a river, which divided into four (Pishon, Gihon, Tigris, and Euphrates) to surround the garden and supply water to it.

The man was to till the garden, allowed to eat freely of the trees except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil to avoid death. Later God said that it was not good for man to be alone, a helper fit for him should be made.

Firstly, He created beasts and birds, and brought them to man to give them names, and whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. But for a suitable partner, God made the man go into deep sleep and took one his ribs and closed it up with flesh. Out of the rib God made a woman and brought her to Adam who was very happy.

EVALUATION:

Narrate the second creation story according Genesis chapter 2.
From the second creation story, explain how God made the woman.

SUB-TOPIC 2: SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD OVER HIS CREATION, Isaiah 45:1-12

The Oxford Advance Learner’s Dictionary defines the word ‘sovereign’ as ‘highest power without limit etc’. In the religious context however, this means the ability to create out of nothing, through oral command. Man was created out of nothing in Genesis 1. On the other hand, Genesis 2 states that man was created out of the dust of the earth.

EVALUATION:

How did God show His sovereignty within the first six days of His creation?
Narrate the story of the second creation as contained in Gen.2

HOW CREATION DEMONSTRATES THE NATURE OF GOD AND HIS SOVEREIGNTY

God is the supreme controller of the universe.
He is a perfect God: All He made was good.
The sequence of creation makes Him God of pattern and order.
His beautification of the Garden of Eden shows Him as God of beauty and who appreciates beauty.
His ability to create the world out of nothing, make Him God of creativity, innovation and originality.
His spoken word is real and potent.
He created everything, but nobody created Him – He is the Alpha and Omega.
He has the image and likeness of man, as he made man in His own image and likeness.
No creature determines its own nature but God.
God has the capacity to delegate some of His powers to man.
He is God of continuity e.g. He orders man and all the animals to multiply and fill the earth.
God has some attributes of man – He rests.
God has control over man’s body – He cause man to sleep.
God has complete truth on man’s ability to control.
Everything on earth can succumb to His command.
God creates and can take away life – ‘’for in the day that you eat of it you shall die’’. (Genesis 2: 17)

EVALUATION:

Outline ten ways in which the creation generally bring out the nature and sovereignty of God.

SUB-TOPIC 3: SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD OVER INDIVIDUAL LIVES. Daniel 4:4-37

The book of Daniel emphasizes God’s sovereignty over and intervention in the affairs of humans and nation. Daniel chapter four tells us the story of King Nebuchadnezzar’s temporary insanity as God’s judgment against him for not recognizing His sovereignty over him as an individual. This is a good example of God’s sovereignty over individual lives.

King Nebuchadnezzar became proud of his achievements in the land of Babylon. He was walking on the roof of his palace in Babylon and he said ‘’Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty’’. He refused to attribute the success of his achievement to God. As the word was still in his mouth, a voice came from heaven and condemned his act of pride and said the kingdom shall be taking away from him and he will also be driven into the forest and shall eat grass like an animal for seven years, until he acknowledge the sovereignty of God over him.

This came to pass and at the end of seven years, King Nebuchadnezzar sense returned to him and he

acknowledge God and gave glory and honour to God.

EVALUATION:

Discuss the sovereignty of God over individual life as seen in the story of Nebuchadnezzar.

WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT:

OBJECTIVE TEST:

‘’And God saw that it was good’’. this recurring phrase in the first creation story demonstrates God’s: A. Omnipotence.B. Perfection.C. Authority. D. Creativity.
God’s ability to create heaven and earth out of a void and formless earth demonstrates Him as God of___ (A) Miracle. B. Order.C. Knowledge. D. Initiative.
‘Woman’according to Adam means:A. Taken out of man.B. Man’s companion.C. Man’s opponent. (D) Because I am lonely.
Which of these was not a river in the Garden of Eden? (A) Pishon B. Gihon C. Hiddekel D. Euphrates.E. Tigris.
‘Firmament’ according to Genesis 1:8 means A. Sun, moon and stars.B. Water.C. Earth (D) Heaven.

ESSAY QUESTIONS:

In a tabular form write out two differences between the first and second creation story.
Narrate the first account of the creation.
In what TWO ways do this demonstrate the nature of God? (SSCE JUNE 1997)

LESSON SUMMARY

1. In the first creation story in Genesis 1, God creates the world and all that is in it in a logical sequence over the course of six days. He creates light and separates it from darkness, forms the sky and sea, and then fills the earth with plants, animals, and finally humans made in His image. This story demonstrates God’s power and control over all things, as well as His wisdom in the way He organizes and structures the world

2. In general, creation points to God’s sovereignty as the ultimate authority and ruler over all things. He has complete control and reign over His creation

3. This sovereignty of God has implications for how we as humans should live in the world. It means that we are not ultimately in control of our own lives and destinies, but rather it is God who directs and governs all things

4. In the second creation story in Genesis 2, God forms the first man out of dust and breathes life into him before placing him in the Garden of Eden. He then creates various animals and brings them to the man to see what he would name them, showing his authority over all living creatures. This story also shows God’s wisdom in creating a suitable companion for the man in the form of Eve

5. The logical sequence of creation in both stories further reinforces God’s sovereignty as a perfect planner and organizer. It shows that He has a specific plan and purpose for all things, and is not haphazard or random in His actions.

QUIZ QUESTIONS

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