HomeSS 3Christian Religious StudiesUnderstanding HIV/AIDS – Causes, Prevention, and Jesus’ Healing Power

Understanding HIV/AIDS – Causes, Prevention, and Jesus’ Healing Power

Christian Religious Studies SS 3 Second Term Lesson Notes – Week 6

HIV/AIDS

Lesson Details

  • Subject: Christian Religious Studies
  • Class: SS 3
  • Term: Second Term
  • Week: 6
  • Age: 15 – 18 years
  • Topic: HIV/AIDS
  • Sub-topics:
    1. Meaning of HIV/AIDS
    2. How People Can Be Infected by HIV/AIDS and Symptoms
    3. Prevention of HIV/AIDS
    4. Cure for HIV/AIDS (Jesus’ Care for the Sick – John 4:46-54; 5:1-8; 9:1-7)
  • Duration: 40 Minutes

Behavioural Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

  1. Define HIV/AIDS.
  2. Explain how people can be infected by HIV/AIDS.
  3. Identify the symptoms of HIV/AIDS.
  4. Discuss ways to prevent HIV/AIDS.
  5. Relate Jesus’ care for the sick to the hope for those with HIV/AIDS.

Keywords

  • HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) – A virus that attacks the immune system.
  • AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) – The final stage of HIV infection, weakening the body’s ability to fight diseases.
  • Transmission – The way a disease spreads from one person to another.
  • Prevention – Measures taken to stop the spread of a disease.
  • Healing – Restoration to good health.

Set Induction

The teacher asks students:

  • Have you heard of HIV/AIDS?
  • What do you know about it?
  • Do you think there is a cure for HIV/AIDS?

The teacher explains that HIV/AIDS is a serious global health issue but that Christians should respond with love and care, just as Jesus cared for the sick.

Entry Behaviour

Students have previously learned about Jesus’ healing ministry and the importance of caring for others. This lesson connects Jesus’ compassion to the challenges of HIV/AIDS today.

Learning Resources and Materials

  1. The Holy Bible (John 4:46-54; 5:1-8; 9:1-7)
  2. Posters on HIV/AIDS awareness
  3. Flashcards with key terms and symptoms

Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge

Students have learned about diseases and their effects on people. This lesson explains HIV/AIDS in detail and relates it to biblical teachings on healing and compassion.

Embedded Core Skills

  • Critical Thinking: Understanding the causes and prevention of HIV/AIDS.
  • Communication: Discussing how to show love and care to affected individuals.
  • Collaboration: Group discussions on responsible living.

Reference Books

  1. The Holy Bible (John 4:46-54; 5:1-8; 9:1-7)
  2. Lagos State Scheme of Work
  3. Comprehensive Christian Religious Knowledge for SS 1-3 by Martins I. Amaechi

Instructional Materials

  • Bible
  • HIV/AIDS awareness posters
  • Flashcards with questions on HIV/AIDS

Lesson Content

1. Meaning of HIV/AIDS

  1. HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)
    • A virus that weakens the immune system.
    • Attacks white blood cells, making the body vulnerable to infections.
  2. AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome)
    • The final stage of HIV infection.
    • The immune system is severely damaged, leading to serious illnesses.
    • There is no known cure, but medications can manage it.

2. How People Can Be Infected by HIV/AIDS and Symptoms

Ways HIV is Transmitted:

  1. Unprotected sexual intercourse with an infected person.
  2. Sharing sharp objects like razors and needles.
  3. Transfusion of infected blood.
  4. From mother to child during pregnancy, birth, or breastfeeding.
  5. Contact with infected body fluids (e.g., through open wounds).

Symptoms of HIV/AIDS:

  1. Fever and night sweats.
  2. Rapid weight loss.
  3. Prolonged fatigue.
  4. Persistent diarrhea.
  5. Swollen lymph nodes.
  6. Skin rashes and mouth sores.
  7. Frequent infections (e.g., tuberculosis, pneumonia).

3. Prevention of HIV/AIDS

  1. Abstinence – Avoiding premarital sex.
  2. Being faithful to one partner in marriage.
  3. Using protective measures such as condoms.
  4. Avoiding the sharing of sharp objects like razors, needles, and syringes.
  5. Ensuring safe blood transfusions (screening blood before transfusion).
  6. Educating people about HIV/AIDS to reduce stigma and misinformation.

4. Cure for HIV/AIDS (Jesus’ Care for the Sick – John 4:46-54; 5:1-8; 9:1-7)

Although there is no medical cure for HIV/AIDS, Jesus teaches us to care for the sick and trust in God.

  1. Healing of the Official’s Son (John 4:46-54)
    • A royal official begged Jesus to heal his sick son.
    • Jesus told him, “Go, your son will live.”
    • The son was healed at that very moment.
    • Lesson: Faith in God brings healing and hope.
  2. Healing at the Pool of Bethesda (John 5:1-8)
    • A man had been sick for 38 years and was unable to reach the healing waters.
    • Jesus saw him and said, “Rise, take up your mat, and walk.”
    • The man was immediately healed.
    • Lesson: Jesus cares for those who have suffered for long periods.
  3. Healing of the Man Born Blind (John 9:1-7)
    • Jesus met a man born blind.
    • He made mud, put it on the man’s eyes, and told him to wash in the Pool of Siloam.
    • The man obeyed and was healed.
    • Lesson: Obedience and faith in God can bring transformation.

What Christians Can Learn from Jesus’ Healing Ministry

  • Jesus never rejected the sick; Christians should not discriminate against people with HIV/AIDS.
  • Jesus healed in different ways, showing that God can use different methods to help people.
  • Jesus offered hope, and Christians should encourage and support those living with HIV/AIDS.

Evaluation

Fill in the blanks (choose a, b, c, or d):

  1. HIV/AIDS affects the ______ system.
    a) Digestive
    b) Nervous
    c) Immune
    d) Skeletal
  2. The final stage of HIV infection is called ______.
    a) Tuberculosis
    b) AIDS
    c) Cancer
    d) Malaria
  3. HIV/AIDS can be spread through ______.
    a) Handshakes
    b) Mosquito bites
    c) Sharing food
    d) Blood transfusion
  4. The man at the Pool of Bethesda had been sick for ______ years.
    a) 5
    b) 10
    c) 38
    d) 50
  5. Jesus healed the man born blind by telling him to wash in the Pool of ______.
    a) Jordan
    b) Bethesda
    c) Siloam
    d) Galilee

Class Activity Discussion – FAQs

  1. What does HIV/AIDS stand for?
    • HIV: Human Immunodeficiency Virus
    • AIDS: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
  2. Can HIV/AIDS be cured?
    • There is no cure, but treatment can help manage it.
  3. Can a person with HIV/AIDS live a normal life?
    • Yes, with proper treatment and care.
  4. How did Jesus show care for the sick?
    • By healing people and showing love.

Conclusion

HIV/AIDS is a serious disease, but people living with it deserve love and care. Jesus’ healing ministry reminds Christians to show compassion and faith.

Opposition to the Gospel – Saul and Herod’s Persecution of Christians

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