Sharing in God’s creative activities through marriage for JSS 1

Class: JSS 1
Term: First Term
Week: 5
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: Why God created human beings To worship Him
Topic: Human Beings Share In God’S Creative Activities
Subject Matter: Sharing in God’s creative activities through marriage, Jn 2, Eph. 5

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain

• Define marriage according to the book of Genesis.
• State a general definition of marriage.
• List at least three purposes of marriage.

Affective Domain

• Appreciate marriage as a divine institution.
• Participate actively in group discussions about marriage.

Psychomotor Domain

• Locate and read relevant Bible passages on marriage.
• Present group findings on the purpose of marriage using infographics or charts.

Social Domain

• Collaborate effectively with peers during group activities.
• Respect diverse opinions during discussions.

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 Junior Secondary Schools 1
• 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 the purposes of marriage
• Whiteboard/Chalkboard and markers/chalk

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson is important for students to understand marriage as a sacred institution ordained by God, through which humans participate in His creative work. It helps them grasp the biblical foundation and purposes of marriage, fostering a respectful attitude towards family values and societal structure. Understanding these principles lays a foundation for responsible living and future relationships.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Students should have basic knowledge of God as the Creator and some understanding of human relationships.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Human Beings Share In God’S Creative Activities

Sharing in God’s Creative Activities Through Marriage

Marriage is a unique way humans participate in God’s creative plan. God established marriage from the beginning as a union between a man and a woman.

Meaning of Marriage (from Genesis)

According to Genesis 2:24, marriage is when “a man leaves his father and his mother and clings to his wife, and they become one flesh.” This signifies a permanent, intimate union ordained by God.

General Meaning of Marriage

Marriage is a legal and spiritual union between a man and a woman, established by God, for the purpose of companionship, procreation, and mutual support, leading to the formation of a family.

Purpose of Marriage

The main purposes of marriage include:

1. Companionship: To provide a partner for life, preventing loneliness and offering mutual support (Genesis 2:18).
2. Procreation: To have children and raise them in the fear of God, thus populating the earth (Genesis 1:28).
3. Mutual Help and Support: To assist each other through life’s challenges, both physically, emotionally, and spiritually (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10).
4. Purity and Holiness: To provide a legitimate channel for sexual expression within the bounds of God’s will, preventing immorality (Hebrews 13:4).
5. Reflecting Christ and the Church: Marriage is a symbol of the relationship between Christ and the Church (Ephesians 5:25-32).

Bible Reading

John 2:1-11 (The Wedding at Cana)
Ephesians 5:22-33 (Wives and Husbands)

Memory Verse

“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” – Ephesians 5:31

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Explanation, Question and Answer, Group Work, Bible Reading, Visual Aids.

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Activating Prior Knowledge

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the students and asks them to recall some of God’s creative activities. The teacher then introduces the topic by explaining that human beings also share in God’s creative activities, and one significant way is through marriage.

Pupils’ Activity: Students respond to the questions and listen attentively to the introduction.

Learning Point: Introduction to topic

Step 2: Meaning of Marriage (Genesis)

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Bible Reference

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides students to open their Bibles to Genesis 2:24 and reads the passage. The teacher then explains the meaning of marriage as established by God in creation, emphasizing the “one flesh” concept.

Pupils’ Activity: Students locate Genesis 2:24, read along, and listen to the explanation.

Learning Point: Marriage in Genesis

Step 3: General Meaning of Marriage

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Defining/Clarification

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher asks students for their understanding of marriage in general terms. Based on their responses and the Genesis account, the teacher provides a comprehensive general definition of marriage.

Pupils’ Activity: Students share their ideas and listen to the general definition of marriage.

Learning Point: General marriage definition

Step 4: Purpose of Marriage

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Group Discussion/Infographics

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher divides students into groups and provides them with infographics or charts illustrating various purposes of marriage. The teacher instructs them to discuss in their groups and identify the key purposes.

Pupils’ Activity: Students work in groups, discuss the infographics, and identify the purposes of marriage.

Learning Point: Purposes of marriage

Step 5: Bible Reading and Discussion

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Facilitation/Bible Application

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides students to read John 2:1-11 (Wedding at Cana) and Ephesians 5:22-33 (Wives and Husbands). After reading, the teacher facilitates a class discussion on how these passages relate to the meaning and purpose of marriage.

Pupils’ Activity: Students read the Bible passages and participate in the class discussion.

Learning Point: Biblical marriage examples

Step 6: Memory Verse

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Memorization

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces the memory verse (Ephesians 5:31), writes it on the board, and leads the students in reciting it several times.

Pupils’ Activity: Students recite 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:

1. How does Genesis define marriage?
2. What is the general meaning of marriage?
3. Mention three purposes of marriage.
4. Which two Bible passages did we read about marriage today?

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Understanding marriage concepts

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 meaning and purpose of marriage into their notebooks.

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

Learning Point: Recording lesson notes

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 1 minute

Teaching Skill: Summarization

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher briefly summarizes the lesson, reiterating that marriage is a divine institution through which humans share in God’s creative activities by forming families and raising godly offspring.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen and reflect on the summary.

Learning Point: Lesson consolidation

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Homework/Group Work

Instruction: Individually, write a short paragraph explaining why marriage is important in society. In groups, create a simple chart or drawing illustrating one of the purposes of marriage discussed in class.

1. Explain in your own words how marriage helps humans share in God’s creative activities.
2. List five characteristics of a successful marriage that reflect God’s design.
3. Read Genesis 1:28 and explain its connection to the purpose of marriage.

Lesson Keywords

• Marriage – A legal and spiritual union between a man and a woman.
• Companionship – The state of being together as friends or partners.
• Procreation – The process of producing offspring.
• Divine Institution – Something established or ordained by God.
• One Flesh – A biblical term signifying the deep unity and intimacy in marriage.

Differentiation

For learners who need support, provide simplified definitions and pre-highlighted Bible verses. Pair them with stronger learners during group activities. For advanced learners, encourage them to research and present additional biblical examples of marriage or discuss the challenges to marriage in modern society.

Suggested Lesson Videos

For further understanding, search on YouTube for: JSS1 CRS meaning purpose of marriage

Teacher Guide for Using This Lesson Plan

Before the lesson, ensure you have your Holy Bible, relevant infographics or charts on marriage, and writing materials ready. Begin by engaging students with questions about God’s creation to link to the topic of human participation. Guide them through the Bible readings, emphasizing the key verses from Genesis 2:24, John 2, and Ephesians 5. Facilitate active group discussions, especially when identifying the purposes of marriage using the visual aids. Allow students to present their group findings to foster collaboration and communication skills. Ensure all students understand the definitions and purposes of marriage before moving to the evaluation stage. Students should copy the Board Summary notes after the main teaching points have been covered and discussed. Provide clear instructions for the continuous assessment, encouraging both individual reflection and creative group work. Be prepared to clarify any misconceptions about marriage and its sacred nature.