Christian Religious Studies - Junior Secondary 1 - God's law in the old testament

God's law in the old testament

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TERM: 3RD TERM

WEEK: 11

CLASS: Junior Secondary School 1

AGE: 12 years

DURATION: 40 minutes

DATE:

SUBJECT: Christian Religious Knowledge

TOPIC: God’s law in the old testament

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES: At the end of the lesson, the learners should be able to

1.) Define laws

2.) State the Decalogue with which the Israelites were ruled in the old testament- Exodus 20:1-25

INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNIQUES: Identification, explanation, questions and answers, demonstration, story-telling, videos from source

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS: Recommended Christian Religious Knowledge textbooks for Junior Secondary School 1

INSTRUCTIONAL PROCEDURES:

PRESENTATION

TEACHER’S ACTIVITY

PUPIL’S ACTIVITY

STEP 1

Review

The teacher revises the previous lesson

Learners pay attention

STEP 2

Introduction

She then introduces the new topic by defining laws

Learners pay attention and participate

STEP 3

Explanation

She further states the Decalogue with which the Israelites were ruled in the old testament

Learners pay attention and participate

STEP 4

NOTE TAKING

The teacher writes a short note on the board for the learners to copy

The learners copy the note from the board

NOTE

GOD’S LAWS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

Laws are established rules or guidelines created and enforced by a governing authority to maintain order, regulate behavior, and ensure justice within a society. They are designed to protect the rights of individuals, provide a framework for resolving disputes, and outline consequences for violations. Laws can be derived from various sources, including statutes, regulations, and religious or moral principles.

 

The Decalogue (Ten Commandments) - Exodus 20:1-25

The Decalogue, also known as the Ten Commandments, is a set of moral imperatives given by God to the Israelites at Mount Sinai. It serves as a foundational code for ethical conduct and community living. The commandments are as follows:

  1. You shall have no other gods before Me.
    (Exodus 20:3)
    This command emphasizes the exclusive worship of Yahweh.
  2. You shall not make for yourself a carved image.
    (Exodus 20:4)
    This prohibits the creation and worship of idols or images.
  3. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
    (Exodus 20:7)
    This command warns against using God's name disrespectfully.
  4. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
    (Exodus 20:8)
    This instructs the observance of the Sabbath as a day of rest and worship.
  5. Honor your father and your mother.
    (Exodus 20:12)
    This emphasizes the importance of familial respect and responsibility.
  6. You shall not murder.
    (Exodus 20:13)
    This command forbids the unlawful taking of life.
  7. You shall not commit adultery.
    (Exodus 20:14)
    This prohibits infidelity and emphasizes the sanctity of marriage.
  8. You shall not steal.
    (Exodus 20:15)
    This command forbids taking what does not belong to you.
  9. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
    (Exodus 20:16)
    This prohibits lying or giving false testimony.
  10. You shall not covet.
    (Exodus 20:17)
    This command warns against desiring others' possessions, spouse, or property.

 

The Ten Commandments fall naturally into two divisions:

  1. Duties to God and                  
  2. Duties to our fellow men  (human values).

On duties to God, we are to worship only one God; worship God without the use of images, reverence God’s name as standing for His nature; and keep God’s Day holy. On duties to our fellowmen, we are to honour our parents, not to commit murder, not to commit adultery, not to steal; not to lie and not to covet.

Apart from the laws of God given to Moses, in all communities of a state, organizations, groups and clubs, there are rules and regulation that regulate and decide on behaviour and structures that help them to achieve a mature, responsible free position. “Order”, they say, “is the first thing in heaven”. Various Associations, conventions, Clubs and even Churches, have constitutions and bye-Laws which members strictly adhere to; any deviation from these surely brings about confusion and throws the congregation into disarray.

 

EVALUATION:   

  1. What is the significance of the Decalogue in the context of Israelite society, and how does it serve as a foundation for ethical conduct and community living?
  2. Discuss the two divisions of the Ten Commandments and provide examples of how each division reflects the duties of individuals towards God and their fellow human beings.
  3. Explain how the laws given in Exodus 20:1-17 contribute to maintaining order and justice within a community. What are the implications of violating these laws?
  4. In what ways do the Ten Commandments emphasize the relationship between personal morality and societal well-being? Provide specific commandments to support your argument.
  5. Compare and contrast the importance of the laws established by God in the Old Testament with the rules and regulations observed in modern organizations and communities. How do both sets of guidelines aim to promote order and responsibility?

CLASSWORK: As in evaluation

CONCLUSION: The teacher marks their books and commends them positively