Why God created human beings To worship Him for JSS 1

Class: JSS 1
Term: First Term
Week: 4
Age: 12 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Christian Religious Studies
Curriculum Theme: God and His Creation
Focal competence: Caring for their environment and natural
Key competencies/values: Collaboration; ICT and Digital Competencies; Respect; Environmental literacy
Skills:

• Singing a song on creation

Previous Lesson: Biblical account of the creation
Topic: God’S Creation: Why God Created Human Beings: To Worship
Subject Matter: Why God created human beings, Songs about the creation in English and different Nigerian languages

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain

• State the reasons God created human beings.
• Give a sequential account of the Biblical narration on the creation of the world.

Affective Domain

• Appreciate God’s purpose for creating humanity.
• Show respect for God’s creation and His divine plan.

Psychomotor Domain

• Sing songs on creation.

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
• Charts showing the stages of creation
• Video clips on the Biblical account of the creation
• Posters with lyrics of creation songs

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps students understand the fundamental purpose of their existence as created by God. It fosters an appreciation for God’s power and wisdom in creation and encourages a sense of responsibility towards worshipping Him and caring for the environment. Understanding these foundational truths can guide students in their spiritual and moral development.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Students have basic knowledge of God as the Creator of the universe and some general understanding of the world around them.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

God’S Creation: Why God Created Human Beings: To Worship

The Biblical Account of Creation

The Bible, in the book of Genesis chapters 1 and 2, gives a detailed account of how God created the heavens and the earth. God created everything in an orderly sequence over six days, resting on the seventh day.

The key stages of creation include:

1. Day 1: Light and darkness (day and night).
2. Day 2: The firmament (sky) to separate waters above and below.
3. Day 3: Dry land, seas, and vegetation (plants, trees).
4. Day 4: Sun, moon, and stars to govern day and night and mark seasons.
5. Day 5: Birds and sea creatures.
6. Day 6: Land animals and human beings (male and female).
7. Day 7: God rested and blessed the seventh day.

Key people and actions in the account:

1. God: The ultimate Creator who spoke everything into existence.
2. Adam and Eve: The first human beings, created in God’s image and given dominion over creation.

Why God Created Human Beings

God created human beings for several important reasons:

1. To Worship Him: The primary reason is for humanity to worship, praise, and glorify God. We are to acknowledge Him as our Creator and Lord.
2. For Fellowship: God desired a relationship with humanity. He created us to have fellowship and communion with Him.
3. To Have Dominion and Stewardship: God gave humans dominion over all other creation, instructing them to care for and manage the earth responsibly (Genesis 1:28). This means we are stewards of His creation.
4. To Reflect His Image: Humans were created in God’s image and likeness (Genesis 1:26-27), reflecting His characteristics such as love, righteousness, and creativity.

Songs of Creation

Many songs, both in English and various Nigerian languages, celebrate God’s wonderful creation. These songs often describe the beauty of nature and the power of God as the Creator, encouraging worship and praise.

Memory Verse

Psalm 100:2 – “Serve the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs.”

Bible Reading

Genesis 1:1-31; Genesis 2:7-25

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Explanation, Question and Answer, Group Work, Singing, Storytelling, Visual Aids.

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Engaging/Questioning

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the students and asks them to mention some things they see around them, like trees, animals, and other students. The teacher then asks, “Who do you think created all these wonderful things?”

Pupils’ Activity: Students respond by mentioning various created things and state that God created them.

Learning Point: God as Creator

Step 2: Biblical Account of Creation

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Narration/Reading

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher reads or summarises the Biblical account of creation from Genesis 1:1-31 and Genesis 2:7-25, highlighting the sequential order of creation and the key actions of God. The teacher may use charts or video clips to illustrate the stages.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen attentively and observe the charts/video clips, noting the sequence of creation.

Learning Point: Sequential creation narrative

Step 3: Reasons for Human Creation

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Discussion

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the main reasons why God created human beings, focusing on worship, fellowship, and stewardship, as outlined in the Board Summary. The teacher encourages students to share their thoughts on why God created them.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen, ask questions, and contribute their ideas on God’s purpose for humanity.

Learning Point: God’s purpose for humans

Step 4: Singing Creation Songs

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Leading

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads the students in singing one or two creation songs in English and, if possible, in a common Nigerian language. The teacher can use posters with lyrics.

Pupils’ Activity: Students sing along enthusiastically, praising God for His creation.

Learning Point: Creation songs performance

Step 5: Group Activity: Creating Posters

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Facilitation/Collaboration

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher divides students into small groups and provides them with charts and markers. Each group is tasked to discuss and create a simple poster illustrating one or more reasons why God created human beings.

Pupils’ Activity: Students collaborate in their groups, discussing ideas and creating their posters.

Learning Point: Collaborative learning

Step 6: Memory Verse

Time: 2 minutes

Teaching Skill: Recitation/Memorisation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces the memory verse (Psalm 100:2) and leads the students in repeating it several times until they can say it confidently.

Pupils’ Activity: Students repeat the memory verse after the teacher and try to memorise it.

Learning Point: Memory verse acquisition

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. Mention two reasons why God created human beings.
2. Can you sing a short creation song?
3. Briefly describe what God created on the third day.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Lesson understanding assessed

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, particularly on the reasons for creation and the memory verse, into their notebooks.

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

Learning Point: Notes copying

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 1 minute

Teaching Skill: Summarising

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher reminds students that God created them for a special purpose, which includes worshipping Him and taking care of His creation. The teacher encourages them to live according to this purpose.

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

Learning Point: Main lesson idea reinforced

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Homework/Further Reading

Instruction: Answer the following questions in your notebook and find another creation song.

1. List three things God created before human beings.
2. In your own words, explain what it means to “worship God.”
3. Find and write down the lyrics of one creation song in any Nigerian language.

Lesson Keywords

• Creation – The act by which God brought the universe and everything in it into existence.
• Worship – The act of showing reverence and adoration for God.
• Fellowship – Friendly association, especially with God and other believers.
• Dominion – Authority or control over something.
• Stewardship – The responsible overseeing and protection of something considered worth caring for and preserving.

Differentiation

For weaker learners, provide simplified charts of creation and assist them in identifying key reasons for human creation. For faster learners, encourage them to research more Bible verses that speak about God’s purpose for humanity or to compose their own short creation song.

Suggested Lesson Videos

For video resources, search on YouTube for: God’s creation story for kids JSS1 CRS

Teacher Guide for Using This Lesson Plan

Before the lesson, ensure you have your Holy Bible, charts depicting the creation story, and any video clips ready. Also, prepare lyrics for a few creation songs in English and a local Nigerian language. Begin by engaging students with questions about the world around them to activate prior knowledge. Proceed sequentially through the creation account, emphasising the orderly nature of God’s work. When discussing why God created human beings, allow for student input and guide them to understand the concepts of worship, fellowship, and stewardship. Encourage active participation during the singing of creation songs and the group poster activity. During note-taking, ensure students copy the main points accurately. Pay attention to students who may struggle with recalling the sequence of creation or articulating the reasons for human creation, offering additional support and simpler explanations. Challenge faster learners to think deeply about the implications of being created in God’s image and their role as stewards. Conclude by reinforcing the core message of God’s purpose for humanity and our responsibility to Him and His creation.