Who is God for JSS 1

Class: JSS 1
Term: First Term
Week: 1
Age: 12 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Christian Religious Studies
Curriculum Theme: God and His Creation
Focal competence: Obeying God’s Word and following His guidance
Key competencies/values: Communication; ICT and Digital Competencies; Respect
Skills:

• List some attributes of God

Previous Lesson:
Topic: Who Is God?
Subject Matter: God as Creator, attributes of God, God as sustainer, Christian understanding of God

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain

• List some attributes of God.
• State names used for God in different Nigerian languages.
• Explain God’s role as Creator.
• Describe God’s role as Sustainer.

Affective Domain

• Appreciate God’s omnipotence and omnipresence.
• Show reverence for God’s holy nature.
• Respect the diverse names used for God across cultures.

Psychomotor Domain

• Locate and read relevant Bible passages.
• Participate in group discussions and presentations about God’s attributes.

Social Domain

• Collaborate effectively in groups to research and present findings.
• Demonstrate respect for the views of others 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 Book 1
• The HeadTeacher Scheme of work

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Holy Bible
• Internet access
• Infographics
• Word cards of names of God in different Nigerian languages
• Whiteboard/Chalkboard
• Markers/Chalk

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson is important for JSS 1 students as it lays the foundation for understanding the nature and character of God in Christianity. Grasping who God is helps students develop a personal relationship with Him, understand His commands, and appreciate His works in creation and sustenance. It also fosters respect for God’s divine attributes.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Students should have a basic understanding of God as a Supreme Being from their primary school Christian Religious Knowledge lessons.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Who Is God?

God as Creator

God is the Supreme Being who created the heavens and the earth, and everything in them. He brought all things into existence by His word. The Bible states in Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” This shows that God is the origin of all life and matter.

Attributes of God

Attributes of God are the characteristics or qualities that describe who God is. Some key attributes include:

1. Omnipotent: God is all-powerful. He can do anything He wills.
2. Omniscient: God is all-knowing. He knows everything, past, present, and future.
3. Omnipresent: God is present everywhere at all times.
4. Holy: God is completely pure, righteous, and separate from all sin.
5. Loving: God demonstrates unconditional love for humanity.
6. Just: God is fair and righteous in all His judgments and actions.
7. Immutable: God does not change. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

God as Sustainer

God does not only create but also sustains His creation. To sustain means to maintain, support, or keep something in existence. God actively preserves and governs the universe and all living things. He provides for the needs of His creation, ensuring its continued existence and well-being.

Christian Understanding of God

Christians understand God as a triune God, meaning one God existing in three persons: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit. This is known as the doctrine of the Trinity. Each person is fully God, yet there is only one God. He is worshipped as the ultimate source of life, love, and salvation.

Bible Reading

Genesis 1:1-3

John 4:24

Memory Verse

“God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” – John 4:24 (NKJV)

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Explanation, Question and Answer, Group Work, Presentation, Bible Reading

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 share what they already know about God from their primary school lessons or personal understanding.

Pupils’ Activity: Students respond by sharing their previous knowledge and ideas about God.

Learning Point: Recalling basic knowledge of God

Step 2: God as Creator

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Bible Reading

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains God’s role as the Creator, using Genesis 1:1-3 as a reference. The teacher asks students to read these verses aloud.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen attentively, read the Bible verses, and ask questions for clarification.

Learning Point: God’s role as Creator

Step 3: Attributes of God (Part 1)

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Group Work

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces the concept of God’s attributes and explains Omnipotence, Omniscience, and Omnipresence. The teacher then divides students into groups and instructs them to search the internet (if available) or use provided word cards to find other attributes of God.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen, form groups, and begin researching or discussing other attributes of God.

Learning Point: Understanding God’s key attributes

Step 4: Attributes of God (Part 2) & Names of God

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Facilitating Presentation/Discussion

Teacher’s Activity: Each group presents their findings on God’s attributes. The teacher then guides a discussion on names used for God in different Nigerian languages, using the provided word cards or student input.

Pupils’ Activity: Groups present their findings. Students share names of God in their local languages and discuss their meanings.

Learning Point: Diverse names for God

Step 5: God as Sustainer

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains God’s role as the Sustainer, providing examples of how God maintains and provides for His creation (e.g., seasons, food, life itself).

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen and contribute examples of God’s sustenance.

Learning Point: God’s role as Sustainer

Step 6: Christian Understanding of God & Memory Verse

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Recitation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher briefly explains the Christian understanding of God (Trinity) and introduces the memory verse (John 4:24), leading students in reciting it.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen to the explanation and recite the memory verse after the teacher.

Learning Point: Christian view of God

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. List three attributes of God.
2. Mention two names for God in different Nigerian languages.
3. How does God act as a Creator?
4. What does it mean for God to be a Sustainer?

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Assessing understanding of God’s nature

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 “Who Is God?” into their notebooks.

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

Learning Point: Recording lesson information

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Consolidation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarises the key points of the lesson, emphasizing that God is the all-powerful Creator and Sustainer, and encourages students to continue exploring His nature.

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

Learning Point: Reinforcing God’s identity

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Homework/Group Work

Instruction: Individually or in small groups, research and write down:

1. Five additional attributes of God not discussed in class, with a brief explanation for each.
2. At least three more names for God in different Nigerian languages, stating the language and meaning of each name.
3. How God’s role as Sustainer is evident in your daily life.

Lesson Keywords

• God – The Supreme Being, Creator of the universe.
• Creator – One who brings something into existence.
• Sustainer – One who maintains and supports life and existence.
• Attributes – Characteristics or qualities of God.
• Omnipotent – All-powerful.
• Omniscient – All-knowing.
• Omnipresent – Present everywhere.
• Holy – Pure and righteous.
• Trinity – Christian doctrine of one God in three persons.

Differentiation

For weaker learners, the teacher can provide simplified definitions of God’s attributes and pre-written word cards for names of God. Faster learners can be challenged to find Bible verses that illustrate each attribute of God or research the historical context of the Trinity doctrine.

Suggested Lesson Videos

For further understanding of who God is, search on YouTube for:
who is God for children JSS1 CRS
attributes of God explained JSS1 CRS

Teacher Guide for Using This Lesson Plan

Before the lesson, ensure you have a Holy Bible, internet access (if possible), and prepared word cards with names of God in various Nigerian languages. Begin by engaging students with their existing knowledge of God. Guide them through the Bible readings and explanations of God as Creator and Sustainer. When discussing attributes, encourage active participation and group work, allowing students to present their findings. Ensure that students understand the core meaning of each attribute. The Board Summary should be copied by students towards the end of the lesson to serve as their study notes. Pay attention to individual student understanding during the evaluation and provide additional support or extension activities as needed. Emphasize respect for diverse cultural expressions of God’s names.