SS 2 SECOND TERM CHRISTIAN RELIGIOUS STUDIES LESSON NOTES

SECOND TERM E-LEARNING NOTE

 

SUBJECT: CHRISTIAN RELIGIOUS KNOWLEDGE CLASS:  SSS 2

 

SCHEME OF WORK

 

WEEK TOPIC

1 – 2 Parental Responsibilities.

1. Consequences of Obedience
2. Consequences of Disobedience
3. Friendship
4. Submission to the will of God
5. Making Decision.
6. Greed and its effects.
7. Revision.
8. Examination.

 

REFERENCE

• Essential Christian Religious Knowledge for SS 1-3. By EdmondUgochukwu.
• Comprehensive Christian Religious Knoledge for SS 1-3. By Martins I.Amaechi,
• Holy Bible R.S.V (compulsory)
• WAEC CRK PAQ. (1988-2017)

 

WEEK ONE AND TWO

TOPIC: PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY

• The sons of Eli and Samuel
• God’s pronouncement of judgement on Eli and sons.
• Fulfillment of God’s judgement.

THE SONS OF ELI 1 SAM 2: 12-25

Eli was a priest in Israel. As he advanced in age, his two sons: Hophni and Phineas, took over the priesthood. However, they did not walk in the ways of their father. They were regarded as worthless men that have no regard for God. They treated the offering of the Lord with contempt. Apart from this, they lay with the women who served at the entrance to the tent of meeting. They blasphemed against God.

 

Out of His love, God sent a man to Eli to warn his sons. God said he would slay his two sons and remove the priesthood from his lineage permanently. Eli could only do little due to his old age. But, they did not listen to him. God spoke to Samuel, the little boy serving the Lord in the house of Eli. God told Samuel that he will fulfill all that he had spoken against the house of Eli in one day because his sons had sinned against God and their father did not restrain them.

 

God’s punishment on the house of Eli came when the Philistines battled the Israelites. Both Hophni and Phineas were killed and the Ark of Covenant was captured. When Eli heard the news that the Ark had been captured, he fell off his seat, broke his neck and died. Phineas’ wife, who was pregnant, heard about the demise of her husband, gave birth to her  baby prematurely and died. However, before she died, she named her baby “Ichabod” meaning “The glory has departed from Israel”.

 

THE SONS OF SAMUEL 1 SAM. 8: 1-9

Samuel took over from Eli after the death of Eli. His two sons; Joel and Abijah, were appointed as judges in Israel. Unfortunately, they were like the two sons of Eli who did not follow their father’s footsteps. They took bribes and perverted justice. Their attitude made the people of Israel to demand for a king to rule them instead of judges so as to be like other nations around them.

 

EVALUATION

Describe the sons of Eli

 

PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY II

• King Asa
• King Jehoshaphat

KING ASA. 1KINGS 15: 9-15

King Abijam was the father of Asa. He was described as one of the worst kings of Israel. His son, Asa, took over from him. He reigned for forty one years in Judah. He did what was pleasing in the sight of the Lord. The following were some of Asa’s landmark achievements:

1. Asa stamped out male cult and prostitution from the land.
2. He destroyed all the idols that his father had made.
3. He removed Maacah, his mother, from being the queen because she had an abominable image made for Asherah.
4. He cuts down Asherah’s image and burnt it.
5. His heart was true to God all his days.
6. King Jehoshaphat 1Kgs 22:41-44

 

King Jehoshaphat succeeded his father, King Asa. He was thirty five years old when he began to reign. He walked in the ways of his father, doing the things that pleased God. He always sought the ways of God on any issue that confronts him which always brings him victory. He also made peace with the king of Israel.

 

THE ROLE OF PARENTS IN THE LIFE OF THEIR CHILDREN

Parents play vital roles in the lives of their children. They are the first set of teachers a child will ever have at his/ her early stage of life. The relationship and bond built over the years will mold the life of such child when he gets old (Proverbs 22:6). The child usually learns through parents’ actions, inactions, attitudes, conducts and lifestyles which often shape their views and life.

 

EVALUATION

Describe the role of parents in the lives of their children.

 

GENERAL EVALUATION/ REVISION QUESTIONS

1. Describe the sons of Samuel.
2. Mention three achievements during the reign of King Asa.
3. Give an account of the first creation.
4. Narrate the second account of creation.

 

READING ASSIGNMENT

Essential Christian Religious Knowledge for SS 1-3. By Edmond Ugochukwu.Pgs 35-37

 

WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT

1. The father of Jehoshaphat is_____. A. Job B. Asa C. Rehoboam D. Nimrod
2. The sons of Samuel were______. A. Joshua and Caleb B. Joel and Abijah C. Jehu and Abishai D. 

Dan and Gad

1. The queen mother that was removed was_____. A. Maacah B. Abigail C. Mary D. Esther
2. Ichabod means____. A. the glory of Israel B. the decay of the society C. the glory had departed from Israel D. God with us
3. Abijam was the father of____. A. Nimrod B. Asa C. Cain D. James

 

THEORY

1. Mention three achievements of King Asa.
2. State two of the punishments against the house of Eli.

 

WEEK THREE

TOPIC: REWARDS FOR OBEDIENCE

• Joseph.
• David.
• The three Hebrew.
• Esther.

Obedience means to adhere to laid down instructions of any given society which enables the smooth running of the society. To obey the laws of the land helps the society to progress socially, morally, economically and politically. To obey instructions could come individually or corporately. There are people that obeyed instructions given to them by God and they were rewarded for it.

 

JOSEPH GEN.39: 7-12

Joseph was a slave in the house of Portiphar, the captain of the guards of Pharaoh. Joseph behaved himself and was meticulous in his dealings. This made his master to entrust everything that he has into the hands of Joseph except his wife. The house of Portiphar prospered because God was with Joseph. However, Portiphar’s wife liked Joseph and wanted him to have sexual relationship her. She disturbed him for several days and prevailed not.

 

On a particular day, Joseph was going about his duties in the house and there was nobody in the house that Portiphar’s wife grabbed him by his garment and told him to lie with him. Joseph left his garment with her and fled. When she realized what happened, she cried out to the men and told them about the attempted rape that Joseph wanted to do. She narrated her own side of the event when her husband came and Portiphar was angry with Joseph and put him into the prison. From there, Joseph met the cupbearer who later introduced him to Pharaoh and he became the Prime Minister of Egypt.

 

EVALUATION

Describe the personality of Joseph

DAVID 1 SAM.26:1-12

David had opportunity to kill Saul was when they got to the wilderness of Ziph.  Saul pitched in the hill of Hachilah David arose, and came to the place, where Saul had pitched, and David saw the place Saul laid, the Abner the captain of his host were all asleep.  David was with Abishai when they found Saul and Abner and the other people with Saul all asleep. Abishai told David to seize the opportunity because the Lord has delivered his enemy into his hands.  David took the spear and cruse of water of Saul and went away.  David refused to lay his hands on the Lord’s anointed this second time.

 

Thereafter, David made Saul and Abner, the captain of the host realized that he had the opportunity to kill Saul, but he refused saying that he is the Lord’s anointed.  Saul apologized to David saying that he has sinned.  Saul went on his way, David also went on his way. Later, he became king of Israel.

The three Hebrew . Dan.3: 1-30

King Nebuchadnezzar had erected a golden image. He wants everybody to bow to it. He instructs that at the sound of musical instruments, everybody should bow to it. However, there were three Hebrew men, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, officials in Babylon, that refused to bow. When the news got to Nebuchadnezzar, he summoned them to his court. He asked them if what was told about them was true. He told them to obey at the instance of the musical instruments and their refusal to do so will make him throw them into the burning fiery furnace and who is that God that will save them out of his hands. They replied him that their God will deliver them from the furnace and from his hands and if he does not, they will not serve his god.

 

King Nebuchadnezzar was furious and ordered that the furnace be heated seven times more and that his mighty men in the army should bind them and throw them into the furnace. The Hebrew men were grabbed and thrown into the fire. The heat of the fire consumed the mighty men of Babylon. However, the Hebrew men were walking inside the fire unhurt. Nebuchadnezzar was surprised because he saw four men instead of three. He ordered that they should come out and the people were astonished when they saw that the fire had no effect on them.

 

The king ordered that their God should be the only one that should be served. He promoted them into higher offices 

 

EVALUATION

Describe the boldness of the three Hebrew men.

 

ESTHER.  ESTHER 4: 1-16

Esther became queen after Vashti, the wife of Ahasureus, misbehaved. Esther was picked as queen after a year-long preparation. Esther was told by her uncle, Mordecai, not to disclose her nativity to anyone. She obeyed this instruction. In Shushan, where the king reigned, one of the princes, Haman, was so full of pride and never liked the Jews, especially Mordecai. He had been promoted above all the princes which often make him pompous. He had plotted to destroy all the Jews at an appointed time.

 

Mordecai heard about the plot and sent messages to Esther, the Queen, by sending the copy of the decree. This was to make Esther go to the king to intervene. Esther sent a message to Mordecai that she cannot see the king unless she is called. She also said that should anyone go in without the king’s summon and he refuses to point the golden sceptre, the person will be put to death.

 

Mordecai told her that if she refuses to make an effort, she will not be spared and that God will bring help through another means. Esther replied that she and her maidens will go on a three day dry fast and others should do so along with her and that if she perishes, she perishes. It was through this means that God saved the Jews from Haaman.

 

EVALUATION

Mention instances that women have saved the country.

 

GENERAL EVALUATION/ REVISION QUESTIONS

1. Describe the role of Mordecai in the rescue of the Jews.
2. Who is Haaman?
3. Discuss God as the controller of the universe.
4. Describe the uniqueness of man among the creations of God.

 

READING ASSIGNMENT

Essential Christian Religious Knowledge for SS 1-3. Edmond Okoli.Pg 84.

 

WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT

1. Queen Esther fasted for___ days for the rescue of the Jews. A.3 B.4 C.5 D.7
2. The three Hebrew men were____ in Babylon. A. peasants B. labourers C. officials D. craftsmen
3. The man that wants to get rid of the Jews in Shushan was____. A. Haaman B. Napthali C. Sanballat

1. Herod

1. The captain of King Saul’s army was____. A. Abner B. Benjamin C. Ahijah D. Caleb
2. The queen that was removed from her position in Shushan was____. A.Jezebel B. Esther C.Vashti D. Jael

 

THEORY

1. Describe the persecution of the three Hebrew.
2. Describe the personality of David.

 

WEEK FOUR

TOPIC: CONSEQUENCES OF DISOBEDIENCE

• King Saul.
• King Saul rejected as king.
• King Saul and his three sons died same day.
• Disobedience of the young prophet.
• The sons of Eli.

KING SAUL 1 SAM.15: 20-26

Soon after Saul was made king of Israel, God gave him an assignment to Amalekto utterly destroy the people because they opposed the Israelites when they left Egypt. This means that nobody should be spared neither young or old. Saul organized the soldiers and went to  the Amalekites and defeated them but not in the way that Saul was instructed. The Israelites destroyed everything but spared the goats, sheep and other valuables. Above all, King Agag of Amalek was spared and they took him captive. This was Saul’s sin and God was not happy with him.

 

When Samuel confronted him on this, he lied to him. God had revealed everything to Samuel. When Samuel questioned him on the bleating of sheep and other animals, Saul claimed that it was the people that brought those things for sacrifice to the Lord. Saul did not admit his fault, rather, shifted the blame on the people.

 

EVALUATION

Narrate the events that led to rejection of King Saul by God. 

 

KING SAUL REJECTED AS KING 1 SAM16:14-23

As a result of his disobedience, God rejected Saul as king. This rejection made the Spirit of God to leave him and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented him. Whenever he is tormented, he could only be relieved when he listened to music. David was called to the palace because he was very skillful in playing the lyre.

KING SAUL AND HIS THREE SONS DIED SAME DAY 1 SAM.31: 1-13

The Philistines had a long battle with the Israelites. However, the Philistines gained an upper hand at Mount Gilboa. Saul and his three sons- Jonathan, Malchishua and Abinadab were killed. The Philistines cut off his head, stripped off his armour and put it in the temple of Ashtaroth and fastened his body to the wall of Bethsham.

 

EVALUATION

Mention three consequences of King Saul’s disobedience

 

DISOBEDIENCE OF THE YOUNG PROPHET 1 KGS. 13: 11-24

God sent a prophet from Judah to prophesy in Bethel. King Jeroboam was at the altar, burning incense. He prophesied that God would raise Josiah to reform the religious situation of the land. This angered Jeroboam and he stretch out his hand as a way of command to capture the prophet. Immediately he did that, his hand dried up. Jeroboam begged the prophet to ask God to restore his hand which he did and it was restored. The king was pleased and asked the prophet to come and refresh himself with a reward. The prophet refused because God had told him not to take anything when he was to go back.

When an old prophet was informed of this, he went after the prophet on his ass whom he met sitting under an oak tree. He asked if he was the prophet and the latter confirmed it. He told him to come and eat but the young prophet told him what God said to him. However, the older prophet lied that an angel of God told to bring him back so that he could refresh himself.

 

When they were eating, God told the old prophet to tell his younger counterpart that his body will not be laid in his father’s tomb. When he was on his way back, he was killed by a lion.

 

THE SONS OF ELI  1 SAM 2:22-25, 1 SAM. 4: 10-11

God punished the house of Eli for disobedience. His two sons had no regards for God. When the Philistines battled the Israelites,both Hophni and Phineas were killed and the Ark of Covenant was captured. When Eli heard the news that the Ark had been captured, he fell off his seat, broke his neck and died. Phineas’ wife, who was pregnant, heard about the demise of her husband, gave birth to her baby prematurely and died. However, before she died, she named her baby “Ichabod” meaning “The glory has departed from Israel”.

 

EVALUATION

Mention the punishments given to the house of Eli.

 

GENERAL EVALUATION/ REVISION QUESTIONS

1. Describe the deception of the old prophet.
2. Mention the sons of Eli.
3. Describe the life of Joseph in Portiphar’s house.
4. Describe the skills of Joseph as governor of Egypt.

 

READING ASSIGNMENT

Essential Christian Religious Knowledge for SS 1-3. Edmond Okoli.Pgs 40-42

 

WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT

1. King Saul was instructed to utterly destroy the_____. A. Ammorites B. Amalekites C. Assyrians D. Edomites
2. The king that was at Bethel when God sent the young prophet to Judah was_____. A. Solomon B.Jeroboam C. Rehoboam D. Omri
3. Saul and his three sons died at Mount_____. A.Kidron B. Carmel C. Gilboa D. Ramah
4. The king of Amalek was____. A. Agag B. Ahab C. Nimshi D. Manasseh
5. _____ was the nation that frequently fight the Israelites during the time of King Saul. A. Palestine B. Philistine C. Assyrians D. Ninevites

 

THEORY

1. Narrate the death of King Saul.
2. Mention two consequences of the sins of Eli’s sons.

 

WEEK FIVE

TOPIC: FRIENDSHIP

• Friendship.
• Jesus, Mary and Martha.
• Jesus and Lazarus.
• David, Jonathan and Saul.
• Characteristics of a good friend.
• Characteristics of a bad friend.

Friendship is a type of relationship between two people who care for each other. A friend is the first person you want to call when you have news to tell, be it good or bad. In other words, friendship is wonderful. It demands time and effort and that people should put someone other than themselves first sometimes. In 

actual fact, a friend can provide immense amount of support and comfort in all situations.

 

EVALUATION

Who is a friend?

 

JESUS, MARTHA AND MARY. LK.10: 32-42

The friendship Jesus had with Mary and Martha was quite cordial. Whenever Jesus arrives at Bethany, he is always received well by these people. Martha is more of the hospitality, while Mary love to hear the teachings of Christ

 

JESUS AND LAZARUSJn 11:1-44

Lazarus was the brother of Mary and Martha. Jesus was so close to this family because he is highly welcomed at their home. However, Lazarus became sick and  a message was sent to Jesus about his friend’s illness. Jesus did not go immediately and stayed where he was for another two days. After that, he told his disciples  that he is going to Judea but his disciples told him about the plot of the Jews who want to attack him. However, he persuaded them to go and wake Lazarus. The disciples thought that he meant he was asleep but he told them that Lazarus was dead.

 

When Jesus got there, he was told that Lazarus had been put in the tomb. He asked for where he was laid and he wept because of the love he had for him. The people saw his compassion for his friend. He told the people to roll away the stone. Martha told him that he would havebeen stinking because he had been dead for four days. Jesus told her that she onlyneed to believe to see the glory of God. After the stone had been rolled away, Jesus thanked God for granting his request. When he had done that, he cried with a loud voice saying, “Lazarus, come out”. And Lazarus came out and Jesus told them to loose him and let him go.

 

EVALUATION

Describe the friendship between Jesus and Lazarus. 

 

DAVID, SAUL AND JONATHAN. 1 SAM 18 AND 19

Jonathan, the son of King Saul, loved David as his own soul. Despite his father’s hatred for David, he still love him. Due to this love, he told David to run away when he realized that the king had made up his mind to hunt down David.

 

CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD FRIEND

1. He takes genuine interest in people.
2. He is a giver.
3. He is loyal.
4. He is a positive person.
5. He is open and honest.

 

CHARACTERISTICS OF A BAD  FRIEND

1. He pressurizes you to do things you don’t want to do.
2. He takes advantage of you.
3. He gives you bad advice.
4. He lies against you.
5. He tells people your secrets.

 

EVALUATION

Mention five characteristics of a bad friend.

 

GENERAL EVALUATION/ REVISION QUESTIONS

1. Mention five characteristics of a good friend.
2. Describe the friendship between Jesus and Lazarus.
3. What advice did Paul give on the use of individual talents in his epistle?
4. Identify any two ways of applying your talents.

 

READING ASSIGNMENT

Essential Christian Religious Knowledge for SS 1-3. Edmond Okoli.Pg 184.

 

WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT

1. ____ loves David as his own soul. A. Jonathan B. James C. Saul D. Simeon
2. Lazarus had been dead for___ days before Jesus came. A.4 B. 2 C.6 D. 5
3. The two sisters of Lazarus were___. A. Mary and Martha B. Abigail and Eve C. Martha  and Jael D. Esther and Diana
4. Lazarus and his two sisters reside in____. A. Jericho B. Jerusalem C. Bethel D. Nazareth
5. Jonathan advised David to___ because of King Saul. A. stay around B. run away C. be in the palace D. go the field.

 

THEORY

1. Mention five attributes of a good friend.
2. Describe the friendship between David and Jonathan.

 

WEEK SIX

TOPIC: SUBMISSION TO THE WILL OF GOD

• Saul seeks to kill David
• David spared Saul’s life
• Jonah as a messenger.

SAUL SEEKS TO KILL DAVID  1 SAM. 26: 1-25

Saul was told by the people of Ziph that his enemy David had gone into hiding.  Saul sought to kill David shortly after David defeated Goliath, the people sang the praise of David, they said “Saul had killed thousands, and David his ten thousands.  Saul became Jealous of David, as result of this Saul sought different occasion to kill him.

 

The first attempt made by Saul to kill David was when David was playing music for him, the evil spirit that troubles Saul came upon him immediately, he threw a spear at David, David narrowly escaped.  The second attempt made by Saul to kill David was when he cunningly gave his daughter Michal to David to Many, Saul did not demand any dowry from David but that Davis should kill and bring an hundred foreskins of the philistines to be avenged of the king’s enemies.  Saul thought that David will be killed by the philistines that was why he made that proposal.  God was with David and he killed more than what Saul even demanded for.  He killed two hundred men and brought their foreskins to the king.

 

Jonathan told David all that his father sought to do to him, even after speaking good about David to Saul.  Saul did not desist from trying to kill David. David therefore ran away and went into hiding.

 

DAVID SPARES SAUL’S LIFE

Saul kept on chasing after David until David got to Engedi and had opportunity to kill Saul.  The men of David told him to seize the opportunity immediately and kill Saul, David refused, instead he cut off Saul’s skirt.  He told the men with him.  “The Lord forbid that I should do this thing unto my master the Lord’s anointed, to stretch for the mine hand against him seeing he is the anointed of the Lord”.

 

EVALUATION

1. Discuss Saul’s attempt on David’s life?
2. How will you describe the Nature of Jonathan?

 

DAVID SPARES SAUL THE SECOND TIME

The second time David had opportunity to kill Saul was when they got to the wilderness of Zigh.  Saul pitched in the hill of Hachilah David arose, and came to the place, where Saul had pitched, and David saw the place Saul laid, the Abner the captain of his host were all asleep.  David was with Abishai when they found Saul and Abner and the other people with Saul all asleep.  Abishai told David to seize the opportunity because the Lord has delivered his enemy into his hands.  David took the spear and cruse of water of Saul and went away.  David refused to lay his hands on the Lord’s anointed this second time.

 

Thereafter, David made Saul and Abner, the captain of the host realized that he had the opportunity to kill Saul, but he refused saying that he is the Lord’s anointed .  Saul apologized to David saying that he has sinned.  Saul went on his way, David also went on his way.

 

EVALUATION

1. Give two reasons why David should have killed Saul on the spot.  Why did he not kill him?
2. Describe David’s encounter with Saul in the wilderness of Ziph?

 

JONAH AS A MESSENGER JONAH 1 AND 2

God sent Jonah to the city of Nineveh (Assyria) to preach to them so they will forsake their evil ways and turn to God. If they repent, the Lord is ready to forgive them, but if otherwise, divine judgement will follow.Jonah tried to dodge from God. In his bid to escape, Jonah boarded a ship from Joppa to Tarshish.He went into the inner part of the ship where he fell asleep.God caused a great wind upon the sea, which threatened to break the ship up. The mariners out of fear threw all their belongings into the sea to lighten the weight of the ship; but despite all they did the storm persisted. They decided to cry to their god and therefore, they cast lots, the lot fell on Jonah.

 

Jonah confessed to them that he had disobeyed God. He told them to throw him into the sea. God had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. He was in the belly of three days and three nights. Inside the belly of the fish, Jonah prayed to God. God forgave him and spoke to the fish to vomit Jonah at the bank of the river, facing Nineveh, the city he had been running away from.

 

EVALUATION

1. How did Jonah react to God’s message?
2. Discuss the experience of Jonah in the belly of the fish

 

GENERAL EVALUATION/REVISION QUESTION

Give two reasons why David should have killed Saul on the spot.  Why did he not kill him?

Discuss the experience of Jonah in the belly of the fish

Describe the sovereignty of God.

Summarise the first account of creation.

 

READING ASSIGNMENT

Comprehensive Christian Religious Knowledge for SS 1-3 by Edmond Okoli. Pgs. 46-47, 84

 

WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT

1. David hid from Saul in the hill of _____ ,A.JeshimonB.HachilahC.AdullamD.Gilboa
2. David did not kill Saul because _____A. he had no weaponsB.God warned him not toC. Saul’s was God’s anointedD. Saul was his-in-law

1. Who accompanied David to Saul’s Camp?A.AbishaiB.AhimelehC.JoabD.Asahael
2. So as to run away from God, Jonah decided to escape to A. Damascus B. Syria C.TarshishD. Joppa
3. Discovering that Jonah was the cause of their trouble, the mariners A. threw him into the sea B. killed him C. locked him upD. prayed for him

 

THEORY

1. Narrate the story in which David spared Saul’s life.
2. Indicate three significant lessons to learn from the episode?

 

WEEK SEVEN

TOPIC: MAKING DECISIONS

• Solomon’s Wisdom. I Kings3;3-28;4;29-34;5;-1-12;8;1
• Unwise policies of Solomon and Rehoboam /How Solomon Misused his Wisdom-I king’s 9;15-23;11;-13;`12;1-20
• Consequences of Solomon’s Misuse of his Wisdom

SOLOMON’S WISDOM I KING’S3;3-28;4;29-34;51-12;8-1

Solomon succeeded his father –David.During this time, he had a lot of responsibilities resting on his shoulders.As was the custom, Solomon went to Gibeon to offer sacrifice to God. The Lord appeared to him in a dream and said ‘’Ask what l shall give ‘’.He asked for wisdom. Solomon’s request pleased God so exceeding that he granted him his request. He also added to him riches and honour. Solomon used his wisdom to Judge the case of two harlots who lived in the same room and both had babies.One of the babies died and the mother now claimed to the living baby. Solomon ruled that the living child be cut into two and each half be giving to each woman

 

However, the real mother of the living child wept and asked the king not to slay the baby,instead, it should be giving to her rival who insisted that the baby be divided. From their utterances, Solomon knew the real mother and gave her the baby.

 

Apart  from judicial matters, his wisdom was manifested in other ways. In all, Solomon spoke three thousand proverbs and his songs werea thousandand five.He was reputed to be the wisest man then.

 

BUILDING OF THE TEMPLE AND ITS DEDICATION

Solomon made arrangement with Hiram of Tyre to supply him with cypress timber and cedar with which to build the temple of the Lord as well as his personal house. In return, he gave Hiram twenty thousand measures of Kors wheat and twenty measures of pressed oil as food  for his household yearly. When the temple was completed, the ark of covenant was brought into the temple and he prayed and dedicated it to the Lord.

 

EVALUATION

1. What did king Solomon ask from God when he became the king of Israel?
2. How did he demonstrate this attribute?

UNWISE POLICIES OF SOLOMON AND REHOBOAM / HOW SOLOMON MISUSE HIS WISDOM I KING 9: 15-23

There was peace during the reign of Solomon. This made him live in luxury.  He embarked on expensive projects and wasted a lot of human and material resources. The following were Solomon’s unwise policies which made his wisdom shortlived.

1. He embarked upon expensive wasteful and gigantic venture or projects.  He build his own house for thirteen years.
2. The people paid through their noses as they were heavily levied.  The people were also subjected to force labour.
3. He married from countries God had warned the Israelites not to marry from.
4. He had an uncontrollable desire for woman.  Altogether he had seven hundred wives and three hundred concubines.
5. This led to the fall of Solomon and the division of Israel as a nation.  He died and his son Rehoboam reigned in his stead.  

 

REHOBOAM’S UNWISE POLICY 1 KGS. 12: 1-20

Rehoboam was made king in Shechem.  Hearing that Rehoboam had been made king, Jeroboam returned from Egypt where he had gone to seek asylum after going into self exile for fear of Solomon.  Jeroboam and some elders of Israel to Rehoboam to lighten the yoke his father Solomon placed on the people.  Rehoboam asked them to come for a reply after some days.  Rehoboamsought the opinions of the elders who in turn told him to listen to the plea of the people. He also asked his peers but they advised him wrongly and he heeded to their advice. He spoke to the people roughly and said he would chastise them with whips and scorpions.

 

Rehoboam’s expensive taste made him over-burden his own people with unbearable taxes.  Things started falling apart, eventually the kingdom was divided into two.  Jeroboam became over ten tribes of Israel known as the Northern kingdom while Rehoboam reigned in Judah Thus, Rehoboam’s unwise decisions and diplomatic blunder led to the division of Israel which David toiled to build.

 

EVALUATION

1. What lessons can Nigeria leaders learn from Solomon’s mistake.
2. Justify or condemn those decisions taken by Solomon under the circumstances then.

 

GENERAL EVALUATION/REVISION QUESTION

1. What did king Solomon ask from God when he became the king of Israel?
2. Describe the unwise policies of Rehoboam.
3. Discuss God as the controller of the universe.
4. Describe the uniqueness of man among the creations of God.

 

READING ASSIGNMENT

Comprehensive Christian Religious Knowledge for SS 1-3 by Martins I. Amaechi pages 61-65.

 

WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT

1. Solomon did not show wisdom in _____A. building the temple B. marrying foreign wives C. not killing the baby brought by the harlotD. praising God
2. Rehoboam made the mistake of _____A. following his father’s footsteps of tyranny B. leading Israel to war C.marrying foreign wives.D. isolating other leaders
3. One of the reasons for the division of the kingdom was _____A. forced labourB.Ahijah’s prophecy C.Rehoboam’s lazinessD. Jeroboam’s agitation
4. Jeroboam was in which country when Solomon died ____A. PhilistiaB. CanaanC. EgyptD.syria
5. Solomon imported cedar and cypress timber for the building of the temple from ____A. Egypt B. BabylonC.TyreD. Sidon

 

THEORY

1. What did king Solomon ask from God when he became king of Israel?
2. How did he demonstrate this attribute?

 

WEEK EIGHT

TOPIC: GREED AND ITS CONSEQUENCE

• Greedy Ahab IKings 21;1-29
• Greedy Gehazi I Kings5;1-27
• Lessons to learn from Ahab and Gehazi’s greed.

GREEDY AHAB I KINGS 21;1-29 

Ahab approached Naboth the Jezreelite,asking for his Vineyard. Naboth refused, saying he cannot part with his inheritance. Ahab was so sad that he was unable to eat for days.When asked by Jezebel what the problem was, he told her how Naboth refused to give him his Vineyard. Jezebel then promised to get the land for him at all cost.

Jezebel conspired with some base fellows to accuse Naboth of cursing God and the king.This was to get rid of Naboth. It was eventually carried out. Naboth was accused of blaspheming God and he was taken out of the city and stoned to death.

 

God sent prophet Elijah who came to Ahab and told him bluntly that God was very displeased with him. He prophesied that Ahab will die where Naboth died. As for his wife Jezebel, the dogs will also eat her fleshby the wallof Jezreel.Although in I Kings 21;27-29, God postponed Ahab’s punishment until the days of his children because of his humility and repentance.

 

EVALUATION

1. What role did Jezebel play in the murder of Naboth.
2. Give examples of greed among Nigerian leaders and the ruled, suggesting ways of curbing it.

 

GEHAZI’S GREED  2KGS. 5: 1-27

Elisha was a servant of God and prophet in Israel,whose period came immediately after Elijah.Naaman, the Syrian king’s army commander came to Elisha to be cured of his leprosy.Namaan was still at the gate when Elisha sent a servant to tell Namaan to go and wash himself in River Jordan seven times. The commander was annoyed because he thought  Elisha would perform an instant miracle. But on persuasion by his servant, he went to wash himself and was completely cleansed.He came back with gifts for the prophet to show his appreciation, Elisha refused to collect anything from him. This was the point where the devil tempted  Gehazi- the prophet’s servant.He went after Naaman and lied that his master had asked for  some of the gifts to entertain some visitors who had just come. Naaman was delighted to part with the gifts. 

 

Gehazi took possession of the gifts and hid them. His master asked him where he went but he lied to his master who already knew what he had done. Elisha pronounced instant judgment on him. Naaman’s leprosy came upon Gehazi instantly as he left Elisha’s presence as white as snow.

 

LESSONS TO LEARN

The satisfaction derivable from greed is only short-lived, whereas the consequences are bitter and  canlead to self –destruction.

 

Greed does not pay at all;as in most cases, we pay for greed with our own lives like Ahab did.

Let us always be contented with what we have 

God cannot be silent when the well -to -do try to exploit the needy out of greed as in the case of Ahab.

 

EVALUATION

1. Who was Naaman?
2. Narrate the story of Naaman and mention two important lessons which Namaan learnt from his healing.

 

GENERAL EVALUATION/REVISION QUESTION

1. What role did Jezebel play in the murder of Naboth.
2. Who was Naaman?
3. Narrate the second creation account of the universe.
4. Differentiate between the first and the second creation account.

 

READING ASSIGNMENT

Comprehensive Christian  Religious Knowledge for SS1-3 by Martins I Amaechi. Pages 67-71

 

WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT

1. In order to murder Naboth, he was falsely accused of  A. cursing God and the king  B. bribery and Negligence C. stealing war spoils D. arrogance
2. Dogs licked Jezebel’s blood  within the bounds of  ( a) JezreelB. Jericho  C.ZidonD. Damascus
3. Naboth died by  A. hanging B. public execution  C. stoning D. electrocution
4. Namaan, the army commander came from A. Jericho B. Syria C. Assyria D.babylon
5. As punishment, Gehazi was stuck with a disease called  A. Tuberculosis  B. leprosyC. paralysisD. palsy

 

THEORY

1. Narrate the punishment received by Ahab and Gehazi as a result of their greed.
2. What roledid Jezebel play in the murder of Naboth.