SUBJECT: CHRISTIAN RELIGIOUS KNOWLEDGE
CLASS: SS 1
DATE:
TERM: 3rd TERM
REFERENCES
- Comprehensive Christian Religious Knowledge for SS1-3 by Martins I Amaechi
- Essential Christian Religious Knowledge for SS1-3 by Edmond Ugochukwu
- RSV Bible (compulsory)
- WAEC Pack
WEEK EIGHT
TOPIC: IMPARTIALITY James 2: 1-13
CONTENT:
- Meaning of Impartiality (James 2: 1-13)
- St. James Teaching on Impartiality
- Significance of Impartiality/Lesson to Learn
- Areas of Partiality in Today’s Church
MEANING OF PARTIALITY AND IMPARTIALITY
To be partiality means to discriminate to be unjust and unfair to a person or group of people. It also means to deny them some right and privileges as a result of certain reasons which may be economic, social or political. A person or group of people may be denied some rights and privileges based on their social status. Even in the church of God, the rich are given privileges over the poor in certain issues. For whatever reason this is practiced, it is a sin against humanity and should not be tolerated within Christians.
Impartiality which of course is the opposite of partiality means equal treatment of people and situation. It is lack of favoritism or prejudice. It has to do with freedom from all forms of partiality nepotism, tribalism, racism etc. An impartial person administers justice in any situation without biasness.
EVALUATION
- What is partiality?
- What is impartiality? Outline its advantages over partiality
- JAMES’S TEACHING ON IMPARTIALITY
St. James admonished Christians not to show partiality because they hold the faith of Jesus Christ who is the Lord of glory. He warned Christians not to allow class distraction in their midst. They should not relegate, the poor which exalting the rich whenever the rich owe accorded special feast while the poor are not catered for by this they have proved themselves biased judges with partial judgment. He accused them of dishonoring the poor among them and honoring the rich, yet the rich would oppress the poor and drag them to court where the poor would obtain no justice. It is the rich that blaspheme against the honorable name of the Lord.
EVALUATION
- Whatis partiality?
- In what ways can partiality be checked in our society and the church.
SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPARTIALITY /LESSON TO LEARN
- Partiality in whatever form is a sin and punishable.
- There should not be any form of social distinction or segregation in the church. Everybody is equal before God.
- Impartiality is a form of unrighteousness
- God is no respecter of persons
- Any action based on class distinction or discrimination is very inimical to the well being of the society.
EVALUATION
- How did James deal with the problem of partiality in the Church?
- In what two ways does the Church fall short of the standard which James recommended?
AREAS OF PARTIALITY IN THE CHURCH TODAY
- Appointment to church offices are often based on other consideration other than merit
- Allocation of seats in the churches during occasions depends on social status not on morality
- Contributions made by the poor are not recognized
- The rich are usually exempted from certain duties.
GENERAL EVALUATION / REIVISIONAL QUESTIONS
- What is impartiality?
- Outline its advantages over partiality,
- How can Christians promote impartiality today?
- What would James condemn in Today’s Nigerian churches?
- What are the attributes and reward of humility according to the epistles?
- State the significance and implications of humility.
READING ASSIGNMENT
- Essential Christian Religious Knowledge for SS1 – 3 By Edmond Ugochukwu page 272-275
- RSV Bible Reads James 2: 1-13
WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT
- James teaching on impartiality centres on (a) perversion of justice against the poor (b) equality of all before God (c) fundamental human rights(d) making friends with the poor
- During James’ period of teaching one evil in the church was that (a) the poor were over-levied (b) the poor were denied justice (c) the poor were denied seats(d) the poor were helped
- According to James, he who shows partiality (a) shall be condemned (b) disobeys God (c) commit sin (d) loves people
- At James’ time, which of these injustice did the poor not suffer (a) they were falsely accused (b) they were denied seats in the church (c) they were dragged to court (d) sent out of the church
- In the church at the time of James what was the most remarkable difference between the rich and the poor? (a) Mode of reception and seat position (b) money donated (c)type of duty performed (d) none of the following
THEORY
- What social condition gave rise to James’ teaching against impartial
- What would James have condemned in today’s Nigerian churches.
