Note for teachers using this lesson plan
This lesson introduces Primary 1 pupils to the concept of love, focusing on Jesus’ command to love God. Teachers should prepare by familiarising themselves with the Bible passage (Matthew 22:37-39) and having relevant visual aids ready. Encourage active participation through simple examples and songs. By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to understand what love means, why Jesus wants them to love God, and demonstrate simple ways of showing this love.
Class: Primary 1
Term: Third Term
Week: 5
Age: 6 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Christian Religion Studies
Curriculum Theme: Jesus Our Saviour, Brother and Friend
Focal competence: Interacting empathetically and compassionately with peers
Key competencies/values: Collaboration; Responsibility
Skills:
- Demonstrating love for God and one another
Previous Lesson: What Jesus does as a friend
Topic: Jesus Commands Us To Love
Subject Matter: Loving God
Specific Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
Cognitive Domain
- Define love in simple terms.
- State Jesus’ command to love God.
- Explain why Jesus wants us to love God.
- Identify simple ways to show love to God.
Affective Domain
- Appreciate the importance of loving God and others.
- Desire to obey Jesus’ command to love.
Psychomotor Domain
- Recite the memory verse (Matthew 22:37).
- Illustrate simple actions of love towards God.
Reference Materials
The following resources were used in planning this lesson:
- 2025 Revised 9 Years Basic Education Curriculum
- Relevant State Unified Scheme of Work
- Christian Religious Studies for Primary 1, Pupil’s Book
- The HeadTeacher Scheme of work
Instructional Materials
The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:
- Holy Bible
- Relevant Bible-story pictures or memory-verse chart
- Suitable songs or audio where appropriate
- Whiteboard/Blackboard
- Markers/Chalk
Rationale for the Lesson
This lesson is important because it introduces young pupils to the fundamental Christian principle of love, as commanded by Jesus. Understanding and practising love for God helps pupils develop a strong spiritual foundation and encourages positive relationships with others. It also guides them in living a life that pleases God.
Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge
Pupils should have a basic understanding of who Jesus is and some simple acts of kindness and caring.
Lesson Content/Board Summary
Jesus Commands Us To Love
Meaning of Love
Love means caring for someone very much. It means being kind, sharing, and helping others. When we love, we want to make others happy.
Jesus’ Command to Love God
Jesus teaches us to love God above everything else. He said we should love God with all our heart, all our soul, and all our mind.
Bible Reading
Matthew 22:37-39
- Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’
- This is the first and great commandment.
- And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ”
Why Loving God is Important
Loving God is important because:
- It makes God happy when we love Him.
- It helps us obey God’s rules.
- It makes us feel good and peaceful inside.
- When we love God, we also learn to love the people around us.
Simple Ways to Show Love to God
We can show our love for God by:
- Praying to Him every day.
- Singing praises and worship songs to Him.
- Obeying His commandments and doing what is right.
- Helping others and being kind to everyone.
- Reading our Bible and listening to Bible stories.
Memory Verse
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” – Matthew 22:37
Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques
Discussion, Explanation, Question and Answer, Storytelling, Singing, Demonstration
Instructional Procedures
Step 1: Introduction
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Engaging/Questioning
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and asks them to name people they love (e.g., Mummy, Daddy, siblings, friends). The teacher then asks how they show love to these people.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond by naming loved ones and giving simple examples like hugging, sharing, or helping.
Learning Point: Prior knowledge of love
Step 2: Meaning of Love
Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Illustration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains what love means in simple terms, using examples relevant to Primary 1 pupils (e.g., sharing toys, helping a friend, being kind). The teacher also introduces that God loves us very much.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively and give their own simple examples of love.
Learning Point: Simple definition of love
Step 3: Jesus’ Command to Love God
Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Storytelling/Reading
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher tells the story of Jesus teaching about the greatest commandment (Matthew 22:37-39). The teacher reads the prescribed passage from the Holy Bible, emphasizing Jesus’ command to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the story and the Bible reading.
Learning Point: Jesus’ command to love
Step 4: Why Loving God is Important
Time: 6 minutes
Teaching Skill: Discussion/Reinforcement
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads a discussion on why it is important to love God. The teacher explains that loving God makes Him happy and helps us live a good life. The teacher also explains that when we love God, we learn to love others too.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils contribute ideas and listen to the teacher’s explanation.
Learning Point: Value of loving God
Step 5: Simple Ways to Show Love to God
Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Brainstorming/Demonstration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher asks pupils to suggest simple ways they can show love to God every day. The teacher guides them to think about praying, singing, obeying, and helping others. The teacher uses pictures to illustrate these actions.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils give simple examples of showing love for God, such as praying, singing, or being kind.
Learning Point: Actions of loving God
Step 6: Memory Verse
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Recitation/Repetition
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces the memory verse (Matthew 22:37) and leads the pupils in repeating it several times. The teacher can use a memory-verse chart to aid learning.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils repeat the memory verse after the teacher.
Learning Point: Memory verse recitation
Step 7: Evaluation/Review
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:
- What does love mean?
- What did Jesus command us to do?
- Why is it important to love God?
- Mention one way you can show love to God.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.
Learning Point: Understanding love for God
Step 8: Note-Taking
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Guided Writing
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils to copy the essential Board Summary notes about the meaning of love and Jesus’ command into their notebooks.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils copy the notes carefully into their notebooks.
Learning Point: Recording lesson notes
Step 9: Conclusion
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Consolidation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher reminds pupils that loving God is the most important thing and encourages them to always show love to God and to everyone around them. The teacher can lead a short prayer or song about love.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils participate in the prayer/song and affirm their commitment to loving God.
Learning Point: Reinforcing God’s love
Continuous Assessment/Further Study
Type: Homework
Instruction: Draw a picture showing how you can show love to God or to someone else, and write one sentence about it.
- Draw yourself praying to God.
- Draw yourself helping a friend.
- Draw yourself sharing with your siblings.
- Write a sentence about your drawing.
Lesson Keywords
- Love – Caring for someone very much, being kind and sharing.
- Command – A rule or instruction given by someone important.
- God – Our Father in Heaven who created everything.
- Obey – To do what you are told.
Differentiation
For weaker learners: Provide more visual aids and repeat key concepts slowly. Encourage them to participate by simply pointing to pictures or repeating single words. Focus on understanding the meaning of love and one way to show it.
For faster learners: Encourage them to give more examples of showing love to God and others. Ask them to think of a short prayer they can say to God. They can also help weaker learners during group activities.
Suggested Lesson Videos
For a YouTube search, use: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Jesus+commands+us+to+love+Primary+1+CRS
Teacher Guide for Using This Lesson Plan
Before the lesson, ensure you have your Holy Bible, relevant pictures illustrating acts of love (e.g., praying, helping, sharing), and a memory verse chart ready. Begin by engaging pupils with questions about who they love and how they show it, linking this to the concept of loving God. Clearly explain the meaning of love in simple terms suitable for Primary 1. When teaching Jesus’ command, read Matthew 22:37-39 clearly and explain its meaning. Encourage pupils to actively participate in giving examples of how they can show love to God. Guide them through repeating the memory verse until they can recite it. During Step 8, ensure pupils copy the essential notes accurately into their books. Check for understanding throughout the lesson by asking simple questions. Provide extra support for pupils who struggle and offer extension activities for those who grasp the concepts quickly. Maintain a positive and loving classroom environment.
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