Lesson Note on Religious Reforms: North Reforms and Nigeria Applications for SS 2

Class: Senior Secondary School 2 (SS2 / SSS 2)
Term: 3rd Term
Week: 3
Age: 16 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Christian Religion Studies
Curriculum Theme: Religious Reforms
Previous Lesson: Religious Reforms: Evils and Josiah’s Reforms in Judah.
Topic: Religious Reforms Continues
Subject Matter: Meaning of religious reforms (turning away from evil to obey God), religious reforms in the North (II Kings 23:15-30), areas of religious reforms in Nigeria (removal of adulterous priests, pastors, spiritualists, homosexuality, lesbians, tribalism, and more)

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain:

• Define religious reforms.
• Explain the reforms carried out in the North as recorded in II Kings 23:15-30.
• Identify areas that need religious reforms in Nigeria.

Affective Domain:

• Appreciate the importance of true religious reforms in society.
• Desire to live a life that aligns with God’s Word.

Psychomotor Domain:

• Discuss practical ways to bring about religious reforms in their communities.
• Reflect on their personal religious and social lives in light of biblical teachings.

Social Domain:

• Promote moral uprightness in their interactions with others.
• Advocate for positive changes in religious practices within their churches and society.

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)
• https://www.biblestudytools.com/
• https://www.biblegateway.com/

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Bible
• Textbook
• Charts illustrating examples of religious reforms

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps pupils understand the concept of religious reforms as a return to God’s ways. It enables them to identify areas where reforms are needed in their society and encourages them to make personal changes to obey God.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils have a basic understanding of religious practices and moral values taught in earlier lessons.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Religious Reforms Continues

Meaning of Religious Reforms

Religious reform means turning away from evil practices, idolatry, and disobedience to God’s commandments, and returning to a life of true worship and obedience to God.

Memory Verse

Romans 12:2: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Bible Reading

• II Kings 23:15-30

Religious Reforms in the North (II Kings 23:15-30)

King Josiah extended his religious reforms to the Northern Kingdom of Israel (Samaria), which had been desolate for a long time. His reforms included:

• Destroying the altar at Bethel, which Jeroboam had built.
• Burning the high places and cutting down the Asherah poles.
• Slaughtering the idolatrous priests on their altars.
• Desecrating the burial sites of idol worshippers.
• Restoring the worship of the God of Israel.

Areas of Religious Reforms in Nigeria

Many areas in Nigerian churches and society need religious reforms to align with God’s Word. These include:

• Removal of adulterous priests, pastors, and spiritualists from positions of leadership.
• Condemnation and eradication of homosexuality and lesbianism.
• Addressing tribalism and ethnic discrimination within religious bodies and society.
• Combating corruption, greed, and injustice.
• Eliminating idolatry and syncretism (mixing Christian faith with traditional beliefs).
• Promoting genuine love, unity, and truthfulness among believers.
• Discouraging false prophecies and miracles for financial gain.

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 reminds them of the previous lesson on religious reforms. The teacher then asks pupils what they understand by “reform.”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the teacher’s greetings and share their understanding of “reform.”
Learning Point: Pupils are prepared for the day’s lesson.

Step 2: Meaning of Religious Reforms

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Definition
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the meaning of religious reforms as turning away from evil practices and returning to true worship and obedience to God. The teacher also introduces the memory verse.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively, take notes, and recite the memory verse.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the core meaning of religious reforms and learn the memory verse.

Step 3: Religious Reforms in the North

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Narration/Explanation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher narrates the account of King Josiah’s religious reforms in the Northern Kingdom, highlighting his actions against idolatry and the restoration of God’s worship, as found in II Kings 23:15-30.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the narration and identify key actions taken by King Josiah.
Learning Point: Pupils learn about King Josiah’s efforts to bring reform to the North.

Step 4: Bible Reading and Discussion

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Collaborative Learning
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher directs pupils to read II Kings 23:15-30 from their Bibles. Afterwards, the teacher facilitates a brief discussion on the main points of the passage.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils read the specified Bible passage and participate in the discussion.
Learning Point: Pupils deepen their understanding of Josiah’s reforms through direct Bible engagement.

Step 5: Areas of Religious Reforms in Nigeria

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Brainstorming/Listing
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads a discussion on various areas that need religious reforms in Nigerian churches and society, drawing examples such as removing adulterous leaders, addressing homosexuality, tribalism, and other societal vices.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils contribute by identifying areas needing reform and discussing their implications.
Learning Point: Pupils recognize specific challenges requiring religious reform in their country.

Step 6: Personal Reflection and Commitment

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Self-Assessment
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils to examine their own religious and social lives to see if they align with the Word of God and encourages personal commitment to positive change.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils reflect on their lives and consider areas where they need to make personal reforms.
Learning Point: Pupils are encouraged to apply the lesson to their personal lives.

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 religious reforms.
2. Mention two reforms King Josiah carried out in the Northern Kingdom.
3. List three areas that need religious reforms in Nigeria today.
4. State the memory verse for this lesson.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Summarization
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the key points of the lesson, emphasizing the continuous need for religious reforms and personal obedience to God’s Word. The teacher then gives an assignment.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and copy the assignment.
Learning Point: The lesson is reinforced and pupils are given further work.

Lesson Keywords

• Reforms – Changes made to improve something.
• Idolatry – The worship of idols or false gods.
• Josiah – A righteous king of Judah who initiated widespread religious reforms.
• Bethel – A city in the Northern Kingdom where Jeroboam set up an idolatrous altar.
• Tribalism – Strong loyalty to one’s own tribe or social group, often leading to discrimination.
• Homosexuality – Romantic or sexual attraction to people of the same sex.
• Lesbianism – Homosexuality specifically among women.

Differentiation

For pupils who grasp concepts quickly, the teacher can ask them to research other biblical figures who initiated religious reforms. For those who need more support, the teacher can provide simplified summaries of the Bible passages and key concepts, encouraging peer-to-peer learning.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Teachers should ensure that the discussion on areas needing reform in Nigeria is handled sensitively, promoting respect while upholding biblical standards. Encourage pupils to reflect on personal application rather than judgment of others. Emphasize that true reform begins with individual transformation.