Lesson Note on True Religion and Social Justice: Opposition, Judgement and Steadfastness for SS 2

Class: Senior Secondary School 2 (SS2 / SSS 2)
Term: Third Term
Week: 9
Age: 16 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Christian Religion Studies
Curriculum Theme: Prophetic Messages and Social Justice
Previous Lesson: True Religion and Social Justice: Amos’ Message.
Topic: True Religion and Social Justice
Subject Matter: Meaning of prophetic opposition, opposition against Amos by Amaziah priest of the royal sanctuary, divine judgement of evil doers, risks faced by those who carry out divine messages, need to remain steadfast.

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain:

• Define prophetic opposition.
• Explain the meaning of true religion and social justice.
• Identify divine judgment messages in the book of Amos.

Affective Domain:

• Appreciate the importance of standing for truth.
• Develop a commitment to remain steadfast in upholding divine messages.
• Recognize the need for social justice in society.

Psychomotor Domain:

• Identify risks faced by messengers of God.
• Relate the message of Amos to contemporary social evils in Nigeria.

Social Domain:

• Discuss ways to promote social justice in their communities based on biblical principles.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• Senior Secondary Schools Education Curriculum
• State Unified Scheme of Work
• The Holy Bible (Revised Standard Version or New International Version)
• Christian Religious Studies for Senior Secondary Schools by A.B.C. Okoro

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• The Holy Bible
• Relevant Christian Religion Studies textbook
• Charts showing images of social injustice or a map of ancient Israel.

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps pupils understand that true religion involves actively pursuing social justice and speaking against evil. It enables pupils to learn from the prophet Amos about the challenges of delivering God’s message and the importance of remaining firm in their faith, even when facing opposition.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils are expected to have prior knowledge of Old Testament prophets and the history of Israel.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

True Religion and Social Justice

Introduction to Prophetic Opposition

Prophetic opposition refers to the resistance or rejection faced by prophets when delivering God’s message, especially when that message condemns social injustice, idolatry, or moral corruption. It means actively working against God’s message or His messenger.

Meaning of True Religion and Social Justice

True Religion: This is not merely about rituals or sacrifices, but about living a life that reflects God’s character, which includes righteousness, mercy, and justice. It involves caring for the poor, the oppressed, and upholding moral standards.
Social Justice: This refers to the fair and equitable distribution of resources, opportunities, and privileges within a society. It means ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background, is treated with dignity and has access to basic rights and opportunities.

Memory Verse

1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV): “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”

Bible Reading

• Amos 2:10-17
• Amos 4:2-3
• Amos 4:6-10
• Amos 5:14-20
• Amos 6
• Amos 7:10-17
• Amos 8:9-10

Opposition Against Amos by Amaziah

Amos, a prophet from Judah, was called by God to prophesy against the Northern Kingdom of Israel for their social injustices, corruption, and false worship. He faced significant opposition, particularly from Amaziah, the priest of the royal sanctuary at Bethel.

In Amos 7:10-17, Amaziah accused Amos of conspiracy against King Jeroboam II and ordered him to return to Judah and prophesy there. Amaziah’s opposition was an attempt to silence Amos and prevent the divine message from reaching the people, as it threatened the corrupt religious and political establishment.

Divine Judgement of Evil Doers

The book of Amos contains strong messages of God’s impending judgment against those who perpetuated injustice and oppression. God’s judgment is a consequence of their sin and a call for repentance.

Examples of divine judgment in Amos include:

• Amos 4:2-3: Prophecy of the people being led away into exile, with hooks, signifying a harsh and humiliating captivity.
• Amos 4:6-10: God describes various forms of punishment He had sent (famine, drought, plague, war) to make the people return to Him, but they failed to repent.
• Amos 5:14-20: Warnings of darkness instead of light for those who desire the “Day of the Lord” but continue in wickedness.
• Amos 6: Condemnation of the complacent wealthy who indulged in luxury while ignoring the suffering of the poor, promising their exile.
• Amos 7:16-17: Amos’s prophecy of judgment specifically against Amaziah, including his wife becoming a harlot, his children falling by the sword, and his land being divided.
• Amos 8:9-10: Prophecy of a “day of darkness” and mourning, where feasts turn into lamentation, symbolizing a severe national disaster.

Risks Faced by Those Who Carry Out Divine Messages

Messengers of God often face significant challenges and risks when they deliver unpopular truths. These risks include:

• Persecution (physical harm, harassment)
• Death (martyrdom)
• Denial of promotion or career advancement
• Loss of job or livelihood
• Social ostracism or rejection
• False accusations and slander

Need to Remain Steadfast

Despite the risks, it is important to remain steadfast (firm and unwavering) in upholding God’s truth and advocating for justice. Steadfastness requires:

• Strong faith in God’s power and promises.
• Courage to speak truth to power.
• Resilience in the face of adversity.
• Commitment to God’s will above personal comfort or gain.

Social Evils in Nigeria Today

Just like in Amos’s time, various social evils persist in modern Nigeria. These include:

• Corruption in government and private sectors
• Injustice in the legal system
• Poverty and economic inequality
• Ethnic and religious discrimination
• Violence and insecurity
• Environmental degradation
• Lack of access to quality education and healthcare

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 reflect on a time they had to stand up for what was right, even when it was difficult. The teacher then introduces the topic, True Religion and Social Justice.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the greeting and briefly share their reflections. They listen attentively to the introduction.
Learning Point: Pupils are introduced to the concept of standing for truth and the theme of the lesson.

Step 2: Explanation of Prophetic Opposition and True Religion

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Discussion
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the meaning of prophetic opposition, true religion, and social justice, using examples to ensure clarity. The teacher asks pupils to briefly define these terms.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, take notes, and offer their definitions of the terms.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the core definitions related to the lesson.

Step 3: Opposition Faced by Amos

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Narration/Bible Reading
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils to read Amos 7:10-17 from their Bibles. The teacher then narrates the story of Amaziah’s opposition to Amos, highlighting the reasons for the conflict.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils read the assigned Bible passage and listen to the teacher’s narration.
Learning Point: Pupils learn about a specific instance of prophetic opposition from the Bible.

Step 4: Divine Judgement of Evil Doers

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Reference
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils to identify passages in Amos (e.g., Amos 4:2-3, Amos 4:6-10, Amos 5:14-20, Amos 6, Amos 8:9-10) that describe divine judgment against evildoers. The teacher explains the nature of these judgments.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils locate and read the specified passages, then identify the judgments mentioned.
Learning Point: Pupils understand that God judges injustice and wickedness.

Step 5: Risks Faced by Messengers of God

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Discussion/Brainstorming
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher discusses with pupils the various risks faced by those who carry out divine messages, such as persecution, death, denial of promotion, and loss of job. The teacher encourages pupils to share other examples.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils actively participate in the discussion, sharing their thoughts and examples of risks.
Learning Point: Pupils become aware of the challenges faced by those who stand for truth.

Step 6: Need for Steadfastness and Contemporary Application

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Discussion/Application
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher emphasizes the need to remain steadfast in upholding divine messages, even in the face of risks. The teacher then leads a discussion on social evils prevalent in Nigeria today and how pupils can apply Amos’s message.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils discuss the importance of steadfastness and identify social evils in Nigeria, suggesting ways to address them.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the relevance of Amos’s message to their present-day society and the importance of steadfastness.

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 prophetic opposition?
2. Who was Amaziah, and how did he oppose Amos?
3. Mention two examples of divine judgment described in the book of Amos.
4. List three risks faced by those who deliver God’s messages today.
5. Why is it important to remain steadfast in carrying out divine messages?

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.
Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 2 minutes
Teaching Skill: Summarization
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the key points of the lesson, reiterating that true religion demands social justice and that steadfastness is essential for those who proclaim God’s truth.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and ask any final questions.
Learning Point: The lesson is reinforced and concluded.

Lesson Keywords

• Prophetic Opposition – Resistance or rejection faced by prophets when delivering God’s message.
• True Religion – Living a life of righteousness, mercy, and justice, not just performing rituals.
• Social Justice – Fair and equitable distribution of resources, opportunities, and privileges in society.
• Amaziah – The priest of Bethel who opposed the prophet Amos.
• Divine Judgement – God’s punishment or consequences for sin and injustice.
• Steadfastness – Being firm and unwavering in one’s faith and commitment.

Differentiation

For pupils who grasp concepts quickly, the teacher can encourage deeper research into other prophets who faced opposition (e.g., Jeremiah) or current events related to social justice. For pupils needing more support, the teacher can provide simplified summaries of Bible passages and focus on key definitions with visual aids.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Teachers should encourage pupils to relate the biblical message of Amos to contemporary issues in Nigeria. Emphasize that standing for truth and justice is a core aspect of Christian living. Ensure that the Bible passages are read and discussed thoroughly to provide context.