Biblical account of the creation for JSS 1

Class: JSS 1
Term: First Term
Week: 3
Age: 12 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Christian Religious Studies
Curriculum Theme: God and His Creation
Focal competence: Caring for their environment and natural
Key competencies/values: Collaboration; ICT and Digital Competencies; Respect; Environmental literacy
Skills:

• Singing a song on creation

Previous Lesson: Names of God in different Nigerian languages
Topic: God’S Creation
Subject Matter: Biblical account of the creation Gen. 1 &, Why God created human beings

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain

• Give a sequential account of the Biblical narration on the creation of the world.
• State the reasons God created human beings.

Affective Domain

• Appreciate God’s power and wisdom in creation.
• Show respect for God’s creation, especially human life.

Psychomotor Domain

• Sing songs on creation.
• Create posters illustrating why God created human beings.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• 2025 Revised 9 Years Basic Education Curriculum
• Relevant State Unified Scheme of Work
• Holy Bible (Genesis 1)
• The HeadTeacher Scheme of work

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Holy Bible
• Charts
• Video clips on the Biblical account of the creation
• Markers and poster paper for group activities

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson is important for students to understand the foundational biblical narrative of creation, which underpins Christian beliefs about God’s power and humanity’s purpose. It helps students appreciate their role as stewards of creation and fosters a sense of reverence for life and the natural world. Understanding these concepts provides a basis for moral and ethical living.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Students should have a basic understanding of God as a creator and some familiarity with simple Bible stories.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

God’s Creation

Bible Reading

Genesis 1:1-31

Biblical Account of Creation (Genesis 1)

The Bible, in Genesis chapter 1, describes God creating the world in six days and resting on the seventh. The sequence of creation is:

1. Day 1: God created light and separated it from darkness, calling them Day and Night.
2. Day 2: God created the firmament (expanse) to separate the waters above from the waters below.
3. Day 3: God gathered the waters to form dry land, called Earth, and the gathered waters, Seas. He also created vegetation, including grass, herbs, and fruit trees.
4. Day 4: God created the sun, moon, and stars to give light, separate day from night, and mark seasons and years.
5. Day 5: God created living creatures in the waters (fish) and birds to fly in the sky.
6. Day 6: God created land animals (livestock, creeping things, wild beasts) and then created human beings in His own image, male and female.
7. Day 7: God rested from all His work and blessed the seventh day, making it holy.

Why God Created Human Beings

God created human beings for several important reasons:

1. For Fellowship: God desired to have a relationship and communion with humanity.
2. To Rule and Subdue the Earth: Humans were given dominion over creation and tasked with managing and caring for the earth (Genesis 1:28).
3. To Bear His Image: Humans were created in God’s image and likeness, reflecting His attributes like intelligence, will, emotions, and creativity.
4. To Glorify Him: Through their lives, actions, and worship, humans were meant to bring glory and honour to God.
5. To Multiply and Fill the Earth: God commanded humans to be fruitful and multiply, filling the earth with His image-bearers.

Memory Verse

Genesis 1:1: “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Explanation, Video Presentation, Group Work, Question and Answer, Singing

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Recalling/Engaging

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the students and asks them what they know about how the world began. The teacher then introduces the topic: God’s Creation.

Pupils’ Activity: Students respond to questions and listen attentively to the introduction.

Learning Point: World’s origin discussion

Step 2: Biblical Account of Creation

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Narration/Video Presentation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads students in reading Genesis 1:1-31 from their Bibles. Afterwards, the teacher shows a short video clip illustrating the biblical account of creation, day by day, and guides a discussion on the sequence of events.

Pupils’ Activity: Students read the Bible passage, watch the video, and participate in the discussion, giving a sequential account of creation.

Learning Point: Sequential creation narration

Step 3: Explaining Why God Created Human Beings

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Discussion

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the reasons why God created human beings, emphasizing fellowship, dominion, bearing His image, glorifying Him, and multiplying. The teacher uses questions to encourage student participation.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen, ask questions, and contribute to the discussion on God’s purpose for humanity.

Learning Point: Reasons for human creation

Step 4: Group Activity – Poster Creation

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Collaboration/Creativity

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher divides students into groups and provides charts and markers. Each group is tasked with discussing and creating a poster illustrating one or more reasons why God created human beings.

Pupils’ Activity: Students work in groups, discuss the reasons, and create posters based on their understanding.

Learning Point: Human creation purpose

Step 5: Presentation of Group Work

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Presentation/Feedback

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher invites one or two groups to briefly present their posters and explain their illustrations to the class.

Pupils’ Activity: Selected groups present their posters and explanations.

Learning Point: Group work presentation

Step 6: Singing a Creation Song and Memory Verse

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Singing/Memorization

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads the students in singing a familiar song about creation. The teacher also introduces the memory verse (Genesis 1:1) and guides students in repeating it.

Pupils’ Activity: Students sing along and recite the memory verse after the teacher.

Learning Point: Creation song and verse

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

1. List the things God created on the first three days.
2. State two reasons why God created human beings.
3. Recite the memory verse.
4. Sing a short creation song.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Creation knowledge assessment

Step 8: Note-Taking

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Writing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils/students to copy the essential Board Summary notes into their notebooks, specifically the sequential account of creation and the reasons for human creation.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils/students copy the notes carefully into their notebooks.

Learning Point: Board summary copying

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 1 minute

Teaching Skill: Summarizing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher briefly reminds students of God’s wonderful creation and their responsibility to care for it, concluding the lesson.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen and reflect on the lesson’s conclusion.

Learning Point: Creation responsibility reinforcement

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Homework/Practice Exercise

Instruction: Answer the following questions in your notebook:

1. Write down the things God created on each of the six days of creation, in order.
2. In your own words, explain why God created human beings.
3. Draw a picture illustrating one day of creation.

Lesson Keywords

• Creation – The act by which God brought the universe and all life into existence.
• Genesis – The first book of the Bible, meaning “beginning.”
• Dominion – The power or right to rule or control.
• Fellowship – Friendly association, companionship, or communion.
• Image of God – The unique qualities in humans that reflect God’s nature.

Differentiation

For struggling learners, the teacher can provide simplified charts or picture cards to help them sequence the creation story. Faster learners can be challenged to research and present on the moral lessons derived from the creation account or compose their own short poem about creation.

Suggested Lesson Videos

For further understanding, search on YouTube for: biblical account of creation for jss1

Teacher Guide for Using This Lesson Plan

Before the lesson, ensure you have your Holy Bible, charts, and a working device to play the video clips on the Biblical account of creation. Review Genesis chapter 1 to be familiar with the sequential narration. Begin by engaging students with questions about the world’s origin to activate prior knowledge. Guide them through the Bible reading and video presentation, pausing to clarify any misconceptions about the order of creation. Emphasize the reasons for human creation, encouraging discussion and critical thinking. During the group activity, circulate to provide support and ensure all students are participating in creating their posters. Remember to lead the class in singing a creation song and reciting the memory verse. For note-taking, instruct students to copy the Board Summary after the main teaching points have been covered and evaluated. Pay attention to student responses during evaluation to gauge understanding and address any remaining difficulties. Encourage slower learners by providing visual aids and simpler questions, while challenging faster learners with deeper questions or creative tasks.