Sonship, Jesus Christ as Son of God and Christians as Children of God for SS 1

Class: SS 1
Term: First Term
Week: 3
Age: 15 years
Duration: 60 minutes
Subject: Christian Religious Studies
Curriculum Theme: God’s Love and Human Dignity
Focal competence: Displaying Godly characters as children of God
Key competencies/values: Communication; Research and Problem Solving; Problem Solving
Skills:

• define Sonship
• explain the Sonship of Jesus Christ

Previous Lesson: Love
Topic: Sonship
Subject Matter: Meaning of Sonship, Jesus Christ the Son of God Romans 8, Christians as children of God Romans 8, Gal. 3, 4:6-7, Eph.1

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain

• define Sonship;
• explain the Sonship of Jesus Christ;
• explain how Christians are children of God;
• describe Jesus as the Son of God.

Affective Domain

• appreciate the privilege of being a child of God;
• desire to live according to the responsibilities of a child of God.

Psychomotor Domain

• discuss the rights and responsibilities of Christians as children of God;
• identify relevant Bible passages that support the concept of Sonship.

Social Domain

• participate actively in group discussions on the rights and responsibilities of Christians.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• 2025 New Revised Senior Secondary Education Curriculum (SSEC)
• Relevant State Unified Scheme of Work
• The Holy Bible (King James Version/New International Version)
• A suitable Christian Religious Studies textbook for SS 1
• The HeadTeacher Scheme of work For The New Revised Senior Secondary Education Curriculum (SSEC)

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• The Holy Bible
• Charts showing key Bible verses on Sonship
• Relevant materials for group discussion
• Whiteboard/Chalkboard and markers/chalk

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson is important for students to grasp a fundamental Christian doctrine concerning their identity and relationship with God. Understanding Sonship helps students appreciate God’s love and their spiritual inheritance, encouraging them to live lives that reflect their divine parentage. It also provides a foundation for understanding Christian ethics and responsibilities.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Students should have basic knowledge of God as Creator and Jesus Christ as the Saviour, as well as an understanding of basic Christian beliefs.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Sonship

Meaning of Sonship

Sonship, in a spiritual context, refers to the state or relationship of being a child of God. It signifies a special relationship of adoption and inheritance, where individuals are brought into God’s family through faith in Jesus Christ, receiving the rights, privileges, and responsibilities associated with being His offspring.

Jesus Christ the Son of God

Jesus Christ is uniquely the Son of God, not by adoption, but by divine nature and eternal relationship. He is co-equal and co-eternal with God the Father. The Bible consistently presents Jesus as God’s only begotten Son, demonstrating His divine origin and authority.

1. Romans 8:3: “For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh.” This verse highlights God sending His “own Son” to deal with sin.
2. Romans 8:17: “and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.” This passage links believers’ sonship to Christ’s unique Sonship, making them “joint heirs with Christ.”
3. Romans 8:32: “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” This emphasizes the Father’s ultimate sacrifice of “His own Son” for humanity.

Memory Verse

Romans 8:14: “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.”

Bible Reading

Romans 8:1-39

Christians as Children of God

Christians become children of God through faith in Jesus Christ, not by natural birth or human effort. This spiritual adoption is made possible by God’s grace and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, who bears witness to their new identity.

1. Romans 8:1-39: This chapter extensively discusses the Spirit of adoption, by which believers cry “Abba, Father,” and are declared children and heirs of God. It emphasizes freedom from condemnation and life in the Spirit.
2. Galatians 3:25-29: “But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” This passage clearly states that believers become “sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.”
3. Galatians 4:6-7: “And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, ‘Abba, Father!’ Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.” This highlights the role of the Holy Spirit in confirming believers’ sonship and their inheritance.
4. Ephesians 1:5: “having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will.” This verse speaks of God’s sovereign plan to adopt believers as His children through Christ.

Rights and Responsibilities of Children of God

Being a child of God comes with both profound rights and significant responsibilities.

Rights of Children of God:

1. Access to God as Father: Believers can approach God intimately, calling Him “Abba, Father” (Romans 8:15).
2. Inheritance: They are heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, inheriting eternal life and spiritual blessings (Romans 8:17).
3. Guidance by the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit dwells within them, guiding and empowering them (Romans 8:14).
4. Divine Protection and Provision: God cares for His children and provides for their needs (Matthew 6:25-34).
5. Forgiveness and Reconciliation: They have the right to forgiveness when they confess their sins (1 John 1:9).
6. Eternal Life: As children of God, they have the promise of everlasting life with Him (John 3:16).

Responsibilities of Children of God:

1. Obedience to God: Children are expected to obey their Father’s commands (John 14:15).
2. Living a Godly Life: They should reflect God’s character and holiness in their conduct (1 Peter 1:15-16).
3. Love for Fellow Believers: As members of God’s family, they are to love one another (John 13:34-35).
4. Witnessing and Evangelism: They are called to share the good news of God’s love with others (Matthew 28:19-20).
5. Spiritual Growth: Children of God are expected to grow in faith and knowledge of Him (2 Peter 3:18).
6. Service to God and Humanity: They should use their gifts to serve God and contribute positively to society (1 Peter 4:10).

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Explanation, Question and Answer, Group Work, Bible Reading

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Engaging/Recalling

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the students and asks them to recall what they understand by the term “family” and what it means to be a child in a family. The teacher then introduces the topic of Sonship in a spiritual context.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the questions about family and being a child, sharing their understanding.

Learning Point: Concept of family relationship

Step 2: Meaning of Sonship

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Definition

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the spiritual meaning of Sonship, emphasizing it as a relationship of adoption into God’s family through faith in Christ. The teacher guides students to define Sonship based on the explanation.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively, ask questions for clarification, and attempt to define Sonship in their own words.

Learning Point: Definition of Sonship

Step 3: Jesus Christ as the Son of God

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Exposition/Bible Reference

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the unique Sonship of Jesus Christ, highlighting His divine nature. The teacher guides students to read Romans 8:3, 17, 32 to show biblical evidence of Jesus as God’s own Son.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils read the Bible passages and participate in a brief discussion on Jesus’ unique Sonship.

Learning Point: Jesus’ unique Sonship

Step 4: Christians as Children of God

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Reading/Discussion

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides students to read Romans 8:1-39, Galatians 3:25-29, Galatians 4:6-7, and Ephesians 1:5. The teacher then leads a class discussion on how Christians become children of God through faith and the role of the Holy Spirit.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils read the Bible passages and actively participate in the discussion, explaining how Christians become children of God.

Learning Point: Believers’ adoption by God

Step 5: Rights of Children of God

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Facilitation/Listing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher facilitates a discussion where students identify and list some of the rights that come with being a child of God, based on the Bible passages discussed.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils contribute to the discussion, listing rights such as access to God, inheritance, and divine guidance.

Learning Point: Privileges of Sonship

Step 6: Responsibilities of Children of God

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Group Work/Reporting

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher divides students into small groups and guides them to discuss the responsibilities of Christians as children of God, based on their understanding of the lesson and biblical principles. Each group will report their findings.

Pupils’ Activity: Students discuss in groups and present their findings on the responsibilities of God’s children.

Learning Point: Duties of God’s children

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 Sonship.
2. Explain how Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
3. Mention two ways Christians become children of God.
4. State two rights and two responsibilities of Christians as children of God.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Understanding Sonship concepts

Step 8: Note-Taking

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Writing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils/students to copy the essential Board Summary notes on the meaning of Sonship, Jesus’ Sonship, Christians as children of God, and their rights and responsibilities into their notebooks.

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

Learning Point: Recording lesson summaries

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Summarizing/Encouragement

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher concludes the lesson by reiterating the importance of understanding Sonship and encouraging students to live as true children of God, reflecting His character in their daily lives.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and reflect on the lesson’s main points.

Learning Point: Reinforcement of Sonship

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Homework/Further Reading

Instruction: Answer the following questions in your notebook and research additional Bible passages that speak about God’s love for His children.

1. In your own words, explain the difference between Jesus’ Sonship and the Sonship of believers.
2. List three practical ways a Christian can demonstrate their responsibility as a child of God in their community.
3. Read John 1:12 and 1 John 3:1-2. How do these verses further explain how Christians become children of God and what it means for their future?

Lesson Keywords

• Sonship – The state or relationship of being a child of God through faith in Jesus Christ.
• Adoption – The act by which God makes believers His children, granting them all the rights and privileges of true offspring.
• Heir – One who inherits property or title; in Christianity, believers are heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ.
• Abba, Father – An intimate term for God, signifying a close, personal relationship.
• Holy Spirit – The third person of the Trinity, who indwells believers and confirms their Sonship.

Differentiation

Support: For students who struggle with understanding the biblical concepts, the teacher can provide simplified summaries of the Bible passages and use visual aids or charts to illustrate the key relationships. Pair them with stronger students for group activities.

Extension: Advanced learners can be challenged to research and present on the theological implications of Jesus being the “only begotten Son” versus believers being “adopted sons.” They could also explore the concept of Sonship in other religions or cultures for comparison.

Suggested Lesson Videos

For further understanding, students can search on YouTube for:
meaning of sonship christian religious studies SS1
Jesus Christ Son of God explanation CRS
Christians children of God Romans 8 Galatians Ephesians