Lesson Note on Protection: God’s Protection for Israel and Individuals for SS 2

Class: Senior Secondary School 2 (SS2 / SSS2)
Term: First Term
Week: 8
Age: 16 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Christian Religion Studies
Curriculum Theme: Divine Protection
Previous Lesson: Guidance: God’s Guidance Then and Now.
Topic: Protection
Subject Matter: Meaning of divine protection (God’s keeping power from danger), God’s protection over the Israelites (Exodus 14:10-30), God’s protection over individual (Daniel 6:16-23), God’s protection available for all people at all times (Psalm 91).

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain:

• Define divine protection.
• Identify instances of God’s protection over the Israelites and individuals from the Bible.
• Explain the teachings of Psalm 91 regarding God’s protection.

Affective Domain:

• Appreciate God’s power to protect His people.
• Develop trust in God for their safety and well-being.
• Value the importance of divine protection in their daily lives.

Psychomotor Domain:

• Recite the memory verse (Psalm 91:1).
• Share personal or biblical examples of God’s protection.
• Apply the principles of trusting God for protection in various situations.

Social Domain:

• Discuss the significance of divine protection in the community.
• Encourage others to rely on God for safety.
• Participate in discussions about God’s saving power.

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)

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• A Bible
• Christian Religious Studies textbook for SS2
• Charts depicting scenes of divine protection (e.g., Red Sea crossing, Daniel in the lion’s den)

Rationale for the Lesson

Understanding divine protection helps pupils to recognize God’s constant care and power to keep them safe from danger. This lesson enables pupils to build their faith and trust in God’s ability to protect them in all circumstances, drawing strength from biblical examples and promises.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils are familiar with basic Bible stories and have an understanding of God’s attributes, including His power and faithfulness.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Protection

Meaning of Divine Protection

Divine protection refers to God’s power and act of keeping His people safe from danger, harm, evil, and destruction. It is God’s supernatural intervention to preserve and deliver individuals or groups from situations that threaten their well-being or lives.

God’s Protection over the Israelites

God demonstrated His protection over the Israelites during their exodus from Egypt. When Pharaoh and his army pursued them to the Red Sea, the Israelites were trapped and feared for their lives (Exodus 14:10-12). God intervened by:

• Parting the Red Sea, allowing the Israelites to cross on dry ground (Exodus 14:21-22).
• Forming a pillar of cloud and fire to guide and protect them from the Egyptian army (Exodus 14:19-20).
• Causing the waters to return and drown the pursuing Egyptian army, ensuring the Israelites’ complete deliverance (Exodus 14:26-28).

God’s Protection over Individuals

God also extends His protection to individuals who trust in Him. A notable example is Daniel in the lion’s den (Daniel 6:16-23).

• Daniel was thrown into a den of lions for praying to God, defying King Darius’s decree (Daniel 6:16).
• Despite the deadly threat, God sent an angel to shut the mouths of the lions, so they did not harm Daniel (Daniel 6:22).
• Daniel was found unharmed the next morning, demonstrating God’s mighty power to protect His faithful servant (Daniel 6:23).

God’s Protection Available for All People at All Times

Psalm 91 is a powerful psalm that speaks extensively about God’s protection for those who dwell in His presence and trust in Him. It promises deliverance from various dangers, including:

• The snare of the fowler and deadly pestilence (Psalm 91:3).
• Terror by night and the arrow that flies by day (Psalm 91:5).
• Plagues and disasters (Psalm 91:10).
• It assures that angels will guard them (Psalm 91:11-12) and God will answer their call and rescue them (Psalm 91:14-15).

Memory Verse

Psalm 91:1 – “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.”

Bible Reading

• Exodus 14:10-30
• Daniel 6:16-23
• Psalm 91

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 and asks them to recall any situations where they felt protected or safe from harm. The teacher then introduces the topic of divine protection.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the teacher’s questions and share their experiences. They listen attentively to the introduction.
Learning Point: Pupils are engaged and their prior experiences are linked to the lesson topic.

Step 2: Meaning of Divine Protection

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Definition
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the meaning of divine protection as God’s keeping power from danger, providing real-life examples of safety and deliverance. The teacher writes the definition on the board.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, ask questions for clarification, and copy the definition into their notebooks.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the core concept of divine protection.

Step 3: God’s Protection over the Israelites

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Narration/Bible Study
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides the pupils to read Exodus 14:10-30 from their Bibles, highlighting how God protected the Israelites at the Red Sea. The teacher uses a chart if available.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils read the scripture aloud and identify the key actions of God in protecting the Israelites.
Learning Point: Pupils learn about God’s mighty power to protect a nation.

Step 4: God’s Protection over Individuals

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Narration/Bible Study
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides the pupils to read Daniel 6:16-23, emphasizing God’s protection over Daniel in the lion’s den. The teacher uses a chart if available.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils read the scripture and discuss how God protected Daniel individually.
Learning Point: Pupils understand that God protects individuals who trust Him.

Step 5: God’s Protection Available for All People at All Times

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Discussion/Exposition
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher discusses Psalm 91, explaining its promises of protection for those who dwell in God’s presence. The teacher also introduces the memory verse.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, discuss the promises in Psalm 91, and attempt to recite the memory verse.
Learning Point: Pupils learn that God’s protection is universal and conditional on trust.

Step 6: Significance of Identity and Protection

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Connection/Discussion
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher discusses the significance of identity cards in society for recognition and protection, connecting it to how belonging to God provides divine identity and protection.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils discuss the importance of identity cards and relate it to the concept of being identified with God for protection.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the link between identity and protection, both earthly and divine.

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. What is divine protection?
2. Mention two ways God protected the Israelites at the Red Sea.
3. How did God protect Daniel in the lion’s den?
4. State one promise of protection from Psalm 91.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Summarization/Assignment
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the main points of the lesson, reiterating God’s faithfulness in providing protection. The teacher then gives pupils homework to write down three ways they can apply the lesson of divine protection in their lives.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and copy down the homework.
Learning Point: The lesson is reinforced, and pupils are encouraged to apply the teachings.

Lesson Keywords

• Divine protection – God’s keeping power from danger.
• Israelites – The people of Israel, whom God delivered from Egypt.
• Daniel – A prophet whom God protected in the lion’s den.
• Psalm 91 – A Bible chapter promising God’s protection.
• Deliverance – The act of being set free from danger or evil.
• Safety – The state of being protected from harm or danger.

Differentiation

For pupils who grasp concepts quickly, the teacher will encourage them to research other biblical examples of divine protection. For pupils needing more support, the teacher will provide simplified explanations and visual aids, allowing them to focus on understanding the core definition and one key biblical example.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Teachers should emphasize the importance of faith and obedience as prerequisites for experiencing divine protection. Encourage pupils to share personal testimonies of God’s protection, if appropriate, to make the lesson more relatable. Ensure all relevant Bible passages are read and discussed thoroughly, and allow time for questions and reflection.