Christian Religious Studies (CRS) JSS 1 – Second Term Lesson Notes

Week 6: Abraham’s Obedience to God’s Call

Lesson Details

• Subject: Christian Religious Studies
• Class: JSS 1
• Term: Second Term
• Week: 6
• Age: 10 – 12 years
• Topic: Abraham’s Obedience to God’s Call
• Sub-topics:
  1. The Call of Abraham (Genesis 12:1-9)
  2. Abraham’s Response to God’s Call
  3. The Importance of Abraham’s Response
  4. God’s Promises to Abraham
• Duration: 40 minutes

Behavioural Objectives

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

1. Narrate the story of Abraham’s call and his journey.
2. Identify the qualities Abraham displayed in responding to God’s call.
3. Explain the significance of Abraham’s obedience.
4. List the promises God made to Abraham.

Keywords

• Obedience
• Faith
• Covenant
• Promise
• Blessing

Set Induction

The teacher asks students:

• Have you ever been asked to do something difficult without knowing the outcome?
• How did you feel when you had to trust someone’s instructions without question?

These questions introduce the story of Abraham’s obedience to God’s call.

Entry Behaviour

Students have learned about Joshua’s call to leadership and will now study Abraham’s call, which required obedience and faith.

Learning Resources and Materials

• Bible (Genesis 12:1-9)
• Map showing Abraham’s journey from Ur to Canaan
• Picture of an altar as a symbol of Abraham’s worship

Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge

The teacher reminds students that God calls people to fulfill special tasks, just as He called Moses and Joshua. Now, they will learn how God called Abraham.

Embedded Core Skills

• Critical thinking
• Decision-making
• Religious appreciation

Lesson Content

1. The Call of Abraham (Genesis 12:1-9)

• Abraham’s father was Terah, and they lived in Ur of the Chaldeans.
• After Terah’s death in Haran, God called Abraham to leave his country and people.
• God’s command to Abraham:
  • “Go from your country, your people, and your father’s house to a land I will show you.”
• God promised to bless Abraham and make him a great nation.
• Abraham trusted God and obeyed immediately, taking his wife Sarah, his nephew Lot, and all their possessions.
• They journeyed southward until they reached Canaan, the Promised Land.
• At Shechem, Abraham built an altar to thank God.

2. Abraham’s Response to God’s Call

Abraham displayed the following qualities:

1. Faith – He trusted God completely without questioning.
2. Obedience – He left his home immediately as God commanded.
3. Courage – He traveled into an unknown land without fear.
4. Commitment – He remained faithful to God’s promise.
5. Worship – He built an altar to honor God.

3. The Importance of Abraham’s Response

1. Faith in God leads to blessings.

   • Abraham’s obedience brought him great blessings.

2. God rewards those who trust Him.

   • Abraham became the father of many nations.

3. Obedience requires sacrifice.

   • Abraham had to leave his family and homeland.

4. God’s plans are bigger than our understanding.

   • Abraham did not know where he was going but trusted God’s guidance.

5. Worship is an important part of our relationship with God.

   • Abraham built an altar to express gratitude.

4. God’s Promises to Abraham

God made several promises to Abraham:

1. To make him a great nation.
2. To bless him and make his name great.
3. To bless those who bless him and curse those who curse him.
4. Through him, all families of the earth would be blessed.

Evaluation

Students will answer the following questions:

1. Who was Abraham’s father?
   a) Isaac
   b) Jacob
   c) Terah
   d) Lot

2. Where was Abraham living when God called him?
   a) Egypt
   b) Haran
   c) Canaan
   d) Babylon

3. What was Abraham’s first act upon reaching Canaan?
   a) Built a house
   b) Built an altar to God
   c) Started farming
   d) Went back to Haran

4. What did God promise to make Abraham?
   a) A farmer
   b) A king
   c) A great nation
   d) A rich man

5. What quality of Abraham made him obey God’s call?
   a) Pride
   b) Fear
   c) Faith
   d) Doubt

Class Activity Discussion

1. Why did God choose Abraham?

   • Answer: Because he was faithful and obedient.

2. What was the command God gave Abraham?

   • Answer: To leave his homeland and go to a land God would show him.

3. How did Abraham respond to God’s call?

   • Answer: He obeyed immediately and trusted God.

4. Who traveled with Abraham?

   • Answer: His wife Sarah, nephew Lot, servants, and livestock.

5. What did Abraham do upon reaching Canaan?

   • Answer: He built an altar to worship God.

6. What lessons can we learn from Abraham’s obedience?

   • Answer: Trust in God, obedience brings blessings, and faith leads to success.

7. What did God promise Abraham?

   • Answer: To make him a great nation and bless all families through him.

8. Why was Canaan called the “land flowing with milk and honey”?

   • Answer: Because it was fertile and rich.

9. Why is faith important in our daily lives?

   • Answer: It helps us trust God even when things are uncertain.

10. How can we show obedience like Abraham?

• Answer: By following God’s commands and trusting His plan.

Presentation Steps

1. The teacher revises the previous lesson.
2. The teacher narrates the story of Abraham’s call.
3. Students discuss Abraham’s qualities and obedience.
4. The teacher explains the significance of God’s promises.

Teacher’s and Learners’ Activities

• Teacher: Tells the story of Abraham, explains key points, and asks questions.
• Learners: Listen, participate in discussions, and answer questions.

Evaluation Questions

1. Who called Abraham?
2. What was God’s command to Abraham?
3. How did Abraham show obedience?
4. Where did Abraham go after leaving Haran?
5. What did Abraham do in Canaan to honor God?

Conclusion

The teacher summarizes the lesson, emphasizing faith, obedience, and God’s blessings.