SUBJECT: CHRISTIAN RELIGIOUS KNOWLEDGE
CLASS: SS1
DATE:
TERM: 1st TERM
REFERENCES
- Essential Christian Religious Knowledge For SS1-3 by Edward Ugochukwu
- Comprehensive Christian Religious Knowledge for SS1-3 by Martins Amaechi.
- RSV Bible (Compulsory).
WEEK EIGHT
TOPIC: NEW LIFE IN CHRIST ROM 6:1-14
CONTENT
- What New Life in Christ Means
- Characteristics of the New Life.
WHAT NEW LIFE IN CHRIST MEANS:
Paul’s idea of a new life is that some virtues ought to distinguish someone who says he is living such a life. He also lays emphasis on the sacrament of baptism, a rite during which the convert declares publicly his union with Christ. Essentially, this is the implication of baptism to one who now lives a new life in Christ. By immersion one is buried with Christ, and by bringing one up from under water, he resurrects with Christ. This is what baptism by immersion symbolizes.
The new life in Jesus Christ is a life of joy, a life in Jesus Christ. A life of faith in Jesus Christ and the grace of God. For the new converts, he should not allow sin to reign in his body neither should he yield to the desires of the flesh which are evil. The new life begins with the mind. It must also involve the creative power of God.
EVALUATION
- List the characteristics of the new life
- What role does baptism play in the new life?
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE NEW LIFE
According to Paul in Colossians 3:1-17, the features of the new life are discussed.These includes:
- One’s mind should be set on things above.
- People should depart from all sinful practices.
- Having acquired a new life, he must rid himself of such vices as anger, rage, malice, slander and filthy language, as well as lying.
- The new life requires compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, forgiveness and most importantly love.
- The peace of Christ should be allowed to rule in his heart
- They should be thankful always, teaching others and admonishing them with all wisdom, singing hymns, psalm and spiritual songs with gratitude in his heart to God.
- They should do all things in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God the father through Him.
For a person to be administered into new life he has to take the following steps:
- Hear the word of God.
- Confess his or her sins.
- Repent and be baptized.
- Determine to live a Christ- like life and be a full member of Christ’s body.
EVALUATION
- What four necessary steps must a new member take in the Church before initiation into the new Life?
- Explain the characteristics of the new life in Christ with respect to inter- human relationship.
GENERAL EVALUATION
- What is Paul’s teaching on the life in Christ? In what two ways can Christians manifest this?
- In practical terms, what does new life in Christ means to today’s Christians?
- Christianity as a religion is a way of life, do you agree? If yes or no, explain your points.
READING ASSIGNMENT
Read RSV Bible Romans 6: 1-4, Col:31-17 and Summarize.
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WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT
- Baptism is the physical symbol of ____(a) repentance from sins (b) confirmation to partake in the communion (c) burial and resurrection with Christ (d) having undergone pastoral training (e) having been ordained a deacon.
- According to Paul, Christians should not ____
(a) eat with non –Christians (b) eat strange meats (c ) involve themselves in politics (d) yield to desires of the flesh (e) inter-marry with heathens.
- Which of these according to Paul has an earthly nature?
(a) drunkenness (b) selfishness ( c) stealing (d) covetousness (e) envy.
- The greatest among the characteristics of the new life is ____
(a) kindness (b) gentleness (c) patience (d) compassion (e) love
- Sin has dominion over those who are under ____
(a) grace (b) law (c) authority (d) imprisonment (d) judgement
THEORY
- Explain the characteristics of the new life in Christ with respect to inter-human relations.
- What four necessary steps must a new member take in the church before initiation into the New Life?
