Class: Senior Secondary School 2 (SS2 / SSS 2)
Term: Second Term
Week: 5
Age: 16 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Christian Religion Studies
Curriculum Theme: Trust in God
Previous Lesson: Friendship: Meaning, Types and Examples from Jesus and David.
Topic: Trust in God
Subject Matter: Meaning of trust in God (confidence in God’s guidance and timing), David submits to the will of God (I Samuel 26:1-25, II Samuel 12:15-25), Jonah submits to the will of God (Jonah 1-2)

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain:

Define trust in God.
Explain the terms “submission” and “will of God.”
Recount the stories of David and Jonah, demonstrating their submission to God’s will.

Affective Domain:

Appreciate the importance of trusting God’s guidance and timing.
Show willingness to submit to God’s will in their own lives.
Develop a desire to study biblical examples of trust and submission.

Psychomotor Domain:

Participate actively in discussions about biblical characters and their actions.
Summarize the key lessons learned from David’s and Jonah’s experiences of submission.
Locate and read relevant Bible passages.

Debate ethical dilemmas based on biblical principles, such as David’s decision regarding Saul.
Demonstrate respect for differing viewpoints during group discussions.
Relate the concept of trust in God to contemporary social issues.

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 by [Author/Publisher]
The Holy Bible (Revised Standard Version)

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

A Holy Bible
CRS textbook
Chart showing the definition of trust in God
Pictures illustrating David sparing Saul and Jonah in the belly of the fish

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps pupils understand the meaning of trusting God and submitting to His will. It enables pupils to learn from biblical examples of David and Jonah, which can guide them in making faithful decisions in their lives.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils have prior knowledge of basic Bible stories and the concept of faith in God.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Trust in God

Meaning of Trust in God

Trust in God means having complete confidence, reliance, and faith in God’s character, His promises, His guidance, and His perfect timing. It involves believing that God knows what is best and will act for our good, even when circumstances are difficult or unclear.

Memory Verse

Proverbs 3:5: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.”

Bible Reading

I Samuel 26:1-25
II Samuel 12:15-25
Jonah 1-2

David Submits to the Will of God

David demonstrated trust and submission to God’s will in several instances:

Sparing Saul (I Samuel 26:1-25): Despite having the opportunity to kill King Saul, who was actively seeking his life, David refused to harm God’s anointed. He trusted God to deal with Saul in His own time and way, rather than taking matters into his own hands. This showed his profound respect for God’s divine order and timing.
Accepting God’s Judgment (II Samuel 12:15-25): After David’s sin with Bathsheba, God sent a prophet to announce that the child born to them would die. David earnestly prayed and fasted for the child’s life, but when the child died, David accepted it as God’s will. He worshipped God and moved on, demonstrating submission to divine judgment.

Jonah Submits to the Will of God

Jonah initially resisted God’s command to preach to Nineveh, but eventually learned submission:

Disobedience and Consequences (Jonah 1): God commanded Jonah to go to Nineveh, a city of Israel’s enemies, and preach repentance. Jonah, unwilling to see Nineveh saved, tried to flee from God’s presence by sailing to Tarshish. God sent a great storm, and Jonah was thrown overboard and swallowed by a large fish.
Prayer and Repentance (Jonah 2): Inside the fish, Jonah prayed to God, repenting of his disobedience and acknowledging God’s sovereignty. God heard his prayer, and the fish vomited Jonah onto dry land.
Obedience and Submission (Jonah 3): After this experience, Jonah finally obeyed God’s command and went to Nineveh to preach. This showed his eventual submission to God’s will, even when it was difficult or went against his personal desires.

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, “Trust in God,” by asking pupils what they understand by “trust.”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the teacher’s questions and listen attentively to the introduction of the new topic.
Learning Point: Pupils are prepared for the lesson and connect it to their prior knowledge.

Step 2: Meaning of Trust in God

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Definition
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the meaning of trust in God as confidence in God’s guidance and timing, using a chart or writing on the board. The teacher also explains “submission” and “will of God” with simple examples.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, take notes, and define the terms in their own words.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the core concepts of trust in God, submission, and God’s will.

Step 3: David Submits to God’s Will (I Samuel 26)

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Narration/Discussion
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher narrates the story of David sparing Saul’s life in I Samuel 26:1-25. The teacher then guides pupils to debate whether David should have killed Saul or not and discusses what trust in God means in that situation.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the narration, participate in the debate, and offer their opinions on David’s actions.
Learning Point: Pupils learn about David’s trust in God’s timing and justice.

Step 4: David Submits to God’s Will (II Samuel 12)

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Narration/Analysis
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher briefly narrates the story of David accepting God’s judgment regarding his child in II Samuel 12:15-25, highlighting David’s submission.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and identify elements of submission in David’s response to the judgment.
Learning Point: Pupils understand that submission also involves accepting difficult outcomes as part of God’s will.

Step 5: Jonah Submits to the Will of God

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Storytelling/Questioning
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils to recount the story of Jonah (Jonah 1-2) from memory or by reading relevant portions. The teacher then helps pupils identify how Jonah learned submission through his experience.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils recount the story of Jonah and explain how he eventually submitted to God’s will.
Learning Point: Pupils learn that disobedience has consequences, and God’s will ultimately prevails through submission.

Step 6: Memory Verse and Bible Reading

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Reinforcement
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher writes the memory verse (Proverbs 3:5) on the board and leads pupils in reciting it. The teacher also lists the Bible readings for further study.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils recite the memory verse and note down the Bible references.
Learning Point: Pupils commit an important scripture on trust to memory and are encouraged to read the full passages.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

Define trust in God.
Explain what is meant by “submission” to God’s will.
Briefly recount one instance where David submitted to God’s will.
How did Jonah eventually learn to submit to God’s will?

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 points of the lesson, emphasizing the importance of trusting God and submitting to His will in all aspects of life. The teacher then gives homework.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and copy the homework.
Learning Point: The lesson is consolidated, and pupils are encouraged to apply the teachings.

Lesson Keywords

Trust – Complete reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, or surety of a person or thing.
God’s will – God’s plan or purpose for individuals or humanity.
Submission – The act of accepting or yielding to a superior force or to the authority or will of another.
David – A king of ancient Israel known for his faith and leadership.
Jonah – A prophet in the Hebrew Bible who was swallowed by a large fish.

Differentiation

For pupils who grasp concepts quickly, the teacher can encourage them to find other biblical examples of trust and submission. For pupils who need more support, the teacher will use simpler language, provide more direct examples, and offer one-on-one guidance during activities. Group discussions will allow all pupils to contribute at their own pace.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Teachers should ensure they are familiar with the biblical narratives of David and Jonah to effectively guide discussions. Encourage pupils to share personal reflections on trusting God in their own lives, creating a safe and reflective classroom environment. Emphasize that trust in God does not mean passive acceptance but active obedience and faith.