Purpose of marriage for JSS 1

Class: JSS 1
Term: First Term
Week: 6
Age: 12 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Christian Religious Studies
Curriculum Theme: God and His Creation
Focal competence: Exploring and expressing their talents and abilities in diverse ways
Key competencies/values: Collaboration; Creativity and innovation; Responsibility; Leadership
Skills:

• Creating artwork of things invented by humans

Previous Lesson: Sharing in God’s creative activities through marriage
Topic: Human Beings Share In God’S Creative Activities: Purpose Of Marriage
Subject Matter: Purpose of marriage

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain

• State the purpose of marriage (companionship and procreation).
• Identify things made by humans.

Affective Domain

• Appreciate God’s design for marriage.
• Value human creativity as a reflection of God’s image.

Psychomotor Domain

• Mould a simple object using clay or mashed paper with starch.

Social Domain

• Collaborate effectively in group discussions and practical activities.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• 2025 Revised 9 Years Basic Education Curriculum
• Relevant State Unified Scheme of Work
• Holy Bible (Genesis 2:18-24)
• The HeadTeacher Scheme of work

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Holy Bible
• Infographics showing aspects of marriage
• Charts illustrating purposes of marriage
• Clay or mashed paper with starch for moulding

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps students understand God’s divine institution of marriage and its fundamental purposes according to Christian teachings. It also connects human creativity to God’s own creative nature, encouraging students to recognise their role in stewarding and developing the world. Understanding these concepts fosters a deeper appreciation for God’s plan for humanity and relationships.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Students should have prior knowledge of God as the Creator of all things and a basic understanding of family structures.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Human Beings Share In God’S Creative Activities: Purpose Of Marriage

Purpose of Marriage

Marriage is an institution ordained by God with specific purposes for humanity. The main purposes include:

1. Companionship: God created man and woman to be partners, to support, encourage, and complete each other. Genesis 2:18 states, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” This highlights the need for a companion to share life with.
2. Procreation: Marriage provides the proper context for the bearing and raising of children. God commanded Adam and Eve to “be fruitful and multiply” (Genesis 1:28). Through procreation, humanity continues and families grow in a stable environment.

Bible Reading

Genesis 2:18-24

Memory Verse

Genesis 2:24: “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”

Things Made by Humans

Humans, created in God’s image, have the ability to create and invent. This reflects God’s own creative nature. Examples of things made by humans include:

1. Buildings (houses, schools, churches)
2. Vehicles (cars, bicycles, aeroplanes)
3. Tools and machines (hoes, computers, phones)
4. Artwork (paintings, sculptures)
5. Clothing and textiles
6. Roads and bridges

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Explanation, Question and Answer, Group Work, Demonstration, Practical Activity, Visual Aids.

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Recalling/Engaging

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the students and reviews the previous lesson on God as the Creator. The teacher then asks students what they know about marriage.

Pupils’ Activity: Students respond to greetings and share their ideas about marriage.

Learning Point: Activating prior knowledge

Step 2: Purpose of Marriage (Companionship)

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explaining/Discussing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces the topic “Purpose of Marriage” and explains companionship as the first purpose, using infographics and charts. The teacher reads Genesis 2:18 and explains its meaning.

Pupils’ Activity: Students observe the infographics, listen to the explanation, and participate in discussion.

Learning Point: Companionship in marriage

Step 3: Purpose of Marriage (Procreation)

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explaining/Illustrating

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher further explains procreation as another key purpose of marriage, referencing Genesis 1:28. The teacher uses charts to illustrate the concept of families growing through procreation.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen, ask questions, and contribute to the discussion on procreation.

Learning Point: Procreation in marriage

Step 4: Bible Reading and Memory Verse

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Reading/Recitation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides students to read Genesis 2:18-24 from their Bibles. The teacher then introduces the memory verse, Genesis 2:24, and leads students in reciting it.

Pupils’ Activity: Students read the Bible passage and recite the memory verse.

Learning Point: Scriptural basis for marriage

Step 5: Identification of Things Made by Humans

Time: 6 minutes

Teaching Skill: Brainstorming/Connecting

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher asks students to identify various objects in their classroom and environment that were made by humans, linking this to humans sharing in God’s creative activities. The teacher encourages group discussion using infographics.

Pupils’ Activity: Students identify objects, discuss in groups, and share their findings.

Learning Point: Human creative ability

Step 6: Practical Activity (Moulding)

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Demonstrating/Guiding

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher distributes clay or mashed paper and guides students to mould a simple object of their choice, reinforcing the idea of human creativity. Students work in pairs as suggested in the activity.

Pupils’ Activity: Students mould simple objects from the provided materials.

Learning Point: Expressing creativity practically

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. State two purposes of marriage.
2. Mention two things made by humans.
3. Recite the memory verse (Genesis 2:24).

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Understanding marriage purposes

Step 8: Note-Taking

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Writing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils/students to copy the essential Board Summary notes on the purpose of marriage and human creativity into their notebooks.

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

Learning Point: Recording lesson information

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 2 minutes

Teaching Skill: Summarising/Reinforcing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher briefly summarises the main points of the lesson, reiterating that marriage is God’s plan for companionship and procreation, and that humans reflect God’s creativity through their inventions.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen and reflect on the lesson’s conclusion.

Learning Point: Consolidating lesson understanding

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Homework

Instruction: Answer the following questions in your notebook:

1. Explain in your own words why God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone.”
2. List five objects found in your home that were made by humans.
3. Find another Bible verse that talks about marriage or family.

Lesson Keywords

• Marriage – A formal union and social and legal contract between two people, uniting them sexually, socially, and economically.
• Companionship – The state of accompanying someone or having someone as a companion.
• Procreation – The production of offspring; reproduction.
• Creativity – The use of imagination or original ideas to create something.

Differentiation

For weaker learners, the teacher will provide simpler infographics and lead more direct question-and-answer sessions to ensure they grasp the basic purposes of marriage. For faster learners, the teacher can encourage them to research and present on other aspects of human creativity or discuss the responsibilities that come with marriage.

Suggested Lesson Videos

Search on YouTube for: “Purpose of Marriage Christian Perspective JSS 1” or “God’s Design for Marriage CRS”

Teacher Guide for Using This Lesson Plan

Before teaching, ensure all instructional materials, especially the Bible, infographics, charts, and moulding materials (clay or mashed paper), are ready. Begin by engaging students with their existing knowledge of God as Creator and their initial thoughts on marriage. Follow the instructional procedures step-by-step, allocating appropriate time to each section. Emphasise the two main purposes of marriage: companionship and procreation, using the Bible passages as primary references. When discussing human creativity, encourage students to identify examples from their immediate environment to make the concept tangible. During the moulding activity, supervise and provide assistance as needed, reinforcing the link between human effort and creative output. Ensure students copy the Board Summary notes accurately during the note-taking stage. Check for understanding throughout the lesson, especially during the evaluation phase, to address any misconceptions.