Lesson Note on God the Controller of the Universe: Creation and Nations for SS 2

Class: Senior Secondary School 2 (SS2 / SSS2)
Term: 1st Term
Week: 2
Age: 16 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Christian Religion Studies
Curriculum Theme: God and His Creation
Previous Lesson: The Sovereignty of God: Meaning, Creation and God’s Rule.
Topic: God the Controller of the Universe
Subject Matter: Meaning of God as Controller of the universe (God sustains and governs creation), God’s control of the universe (Genesis 1:26-31, Amos 9:1-6), God controls the affairs of nations (Jeremiah 18:1-6)

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain:

• Define God as the Controller of the universe.
• Explain how God sustains and governs creation.
• Identify biblical passages that demonstrate God’s control over the universe and nations.

Affective Domain:

• Appreciate God’s immense power and sovereignty.
• Develop a sense of reverence and awe for God’s continuous control.
• Acknowledge human dependence on God for order and existence.

Psychomotor Domain:

• Quote the memory verse correctly.
• Identify practical examples of God’s control in daily life and nature.
• Summarize the main points of God’s control over creation and nations.

Social Domain:

• Discuss the implications of God’s control for peace and order in society.
• Collaborate with peers to understand the biblical examples of God’s sovereignty.
• Share personal reflections on God’s role in their lives.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• Senior Secondary Schools Education Curriculum
• State Unified Scheme of Work
• Christian Religious Studies for Senior Secondary Schools 2
• The Holy Bible (Revised Standard Version, King James Version, or New International Version)
• https://www.biblestudytools.com/
• https://www.biblegateway.com/

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• A copy of the Holy Bible.
• Textbooks on Christian Religious Studies for Senior Secondary Schools.
• Charts illustrating God’s creation or a world map.

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps pupils understand that God is not just the Creator but also the continuous Sustainer and Governor of all things. It enables them to appreciate God’s sovereignty over both the natural world and human affairs, fostering a deeper faith and trust in Him.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils have prior knowledge of God as the Creator of heaven and earth from their previous lessons.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

God the Controller of the Universe

Meaning of God as Controller of the Universe

God as the Controller of the universe means that He actively sustains, governs, and directs all things in creation. He is not a distant creator but an ever-present ruler who ensures the order, balance, and continuation of life and existence.

God’s Control of the Universe

God demonstrates His control over the universe through His authority over creation and natural phenomena.

• Bible Reading: Genesis 1:26-31

This passage highlights God’s ultimate authority over all creation and His delegation of dominion to humanity, who are to manage the earth under His sovereign watch. God created everything and declared it good, establishing the natural order.

• Bible Reading: Amos 9:1-6

Amos 9:1-6 illustrates God’s absolute power over nature and events. He can command the elements, bring about judgment, and His presence shakes the earth. This shows that no part of the universe is beyond His reach or control. Examples of God’s power over nature include controlling weather patterns (rain, sunshine), seasons, life cycles of plants and animals, and geological events like earthquakes and floods.

God Controls the Affairs of Nations

God’s control extends beyond nature to the destinies and affairs of human nations.

• Bible Reading: Jeremiah 18:1-6

The illustration of the potter and the clay in Jeremiah 18:1-6 shows God’s sovereignty over nations. Just as a potter can reshape clay, God has the power to build up or tear down nations according to His will and their response to His commands. He raises leaders, determines boundaries, and can change the course of history for any nation. This demonstrates that human governments and powers are ultimately subject to His divine authority.

Memory Verse

Genesis 1:26: “Then God said, ‘Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.'”

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Lecture, Demonstration, Question and Answer, Visual Aids

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Set Induction
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils, reviews the previous lesson, and introduces the new topic: God the Controller of the Universe, by asking who created the world.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to greetings, recall the previous lesson, and answer the question about creation.
Learning Point: Pupils connect previous knowledge to the new lesson.

Step 2: Meaning of God as Controller

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Definition
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the meaning of God as the Controller of the Universe, emphasizing that God sustains and governs creation, ensuring its order and continuity.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively, ask questions for clarification, and take notes.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the core concept of God’s control.

Step 3: God’s Control of the Universe (Genesis 1:26-31)

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Biblical Exegesis/Discussion
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides learners to read Genesis 1:26-31 from their Bibles and facilitates a discussion on God’s authority over creation and human responsibility within it.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils read the passage, participate in the discussion, and share their interpretations of God’s authority and human role.
Learning Point: Pupils understand human dominion under God’s ultimate control.

Step 4: God’s Control of the Universe (Amos 9:1-6)

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Illustration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains Amos 9:1-6 as evidence of God’s power over nature and events, giving examples such as controlling weather, seasons, and natural disasters.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the explanation, identify and contribute other examples of God’s control over nature.
Learning Point: Pupils recognize God’s absolute sovereignty over all natural phenomena.

Step 5: God Controls the Affairs of Nations (Jeremiah 18:1-6)

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Storytelling/Analogy
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher uses Jeremiah 18:1-6, the illustration of the potter and the clay, to explain God’s control over the affairs of nations, including raising and bringing down leaders and shaping national destinies.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the analogy, discuss its meaning, and understand God’s ultimate authority over kingdoms.
Learning Point: Pupils grasp God’s control over human governments and societal affairs.

Step 6: Imagining God’s Withdrawal

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Critical Thinking/Scenario Building
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads learners to imagine and discuss what would happen if God withdrew His control from the world, prompting thoughts on the loss of order, life, and seasons.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils imagine the scenario, discuss the consequences, and reflect on humanity’s dependence on God.
Learning Point: Pupils appreciate God’s continuous presence and control as essential for existence.

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. Define God as the Controller of the universe.
2. State two ways God demonstrates His control over the universe.
3. From Genesis 1:26-31, what is humanity’s role under God’s control?
4. Explain how the illustration of the potter and clay (Jeremiah 18:1-6) shows God’s control over nations.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.
Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 2 minutes
Teaching Skill: Summarization
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the key learning points about God as the Controller of the Universe and assigns homework, which is to identify three current events in the world that show God’s control.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and copy the homework.
Learning Point: Reinforce the main concepts of the lesson.

Lesson Keywords

• God – The supreme being, creator and ruler of the universe.
• Controller – One who directs, regulates, or dominates.
• Universe – All existing matter and space considered as a whole; the cosmos.
• Creation – The act by which God brought the universe into existence.
• Sustains – To maintain or keep in existence.
• Governs – To rule or control with authority.
• Nations – A large body of people united by common descent, culture, or language, inhabiting a particular country or territory.
• Sovereignty – Supreme power or authority.
• Providence – The protective care of God or of nature as a spiritual power.

Differentiation

For pupils who grasp concepts quickly, the teacher can challenge them to find additional biblical examples of God’s control. For those needing more support, the teacher will provide simplified explanations and focus on key definitions and one main biblical example per subtopic, using visual aids more extensively.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Teachers should ensure they have a clear understanding of the biblical passages to explain them effectively. Encourage pupils to share their thoughts and experiences, making the lesson relatable. Emphasize that God’s control is for the good of His creation, even when His ways are not fully understood. Be prepared to address questions about free will versus God’s sovereignty in a sensitive manner appropriate for the age group.