CHRISTIAN RELIGIOUS STUDIES NOTE FOR SENIOR SECONDARY ONE SECOND TERM

SCHEME OF WORK
WEEKS TOPICS/CONTENTS
1. Meaning of faith and work. Eph 2: 8,9, Heb 11:1-3, James 2;14-26

2. The fruits of the spirit (a) Definition, fruit of the flesh, fruit of the spirit, how to bear the fruit of
the spirit, Gal 5;19-21, Gal 5;22-25, Acts 2:38, Rom10:9-10

3. Spiritual gifts (a) Definition of gifts and talents, (b) Values / distribution and use of spiritual
gifts, (c) difference between spiritual gifts and talents.

4. Spiritual gifts Cont. (a) List of spiritual gifts, 1cor 12:4-8, 20, Eph 4:11-13, (b) Hierarchy of
spiritual gifts 1cor 12:28-31, 4:1, 5, 4, (c) How to identify and exercise your spiritual gifts.

5. Forgiveness (a) Meaning (b) Jesus teaching on forgiveness, matt 6:12, 14, 15, (c) How to
achieve forgiveness.

6. Forgiveness, Cont. (a) Effect of consequences of forgiveness, matt 18:21-35, (b) Rewards of
forgiveness.

7. Right and obligations of family members (a) meaning and types of family members (b) Rights
and duties of family members.

8. Humility (a) Meaning Phil 2:1-11, (b) Jesus demonstrated humility, matt 26:14-39, Lk 22:24-
27, Jn 13:1-17 (c) Ways of demonstrating humility, matt 18:1-4, Lk 1:47-56.

9. Humility, Cont. (a) Benefits of humility, Jn 4:10, 1Pt 5:6, 1Jn 2:5-6, (b) Consequences of pride,
Jn 4:6-7, 1Pt 5:5, matt 23:12.

10. Effective prayers.

11. Revision.

12. Examination.

TOPIC: MEANING OF FAITH AND WORK (Eph 2: 8,9, Heb 11:1-3, James 2;14-26)
Faith in Jesus simply means believing in the person of Jesus even when we have not seen him
physically. Believing in his death, burial, resurrection, ascension and second coming enhances our our
faith in him. Faith represents Christian’s good conduct as taught by Christ while work means putting
the good conducts into practice in the Christian way of life, that is why the book of James says faith
without work is dead.
We are not saved by good works, we are saved for good works. Good works are evidences of salvation,
if a person claims to be genuinely saved and there are no works or change of life to show, then it
should be questioned whether such person is genuinely saved or not. Therefore faith without work is a

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questionable one, because our faith is demonstrated in our accepting the person of Jesus and his work on the cros
The good conducts that the bible expects Christians to practice include;
(i) faithfulness (ii) Love (iii) forgiveness (iv) humility (v) truthfulness (vi) honesty etc. work
implies putting these into practice. A true Christian practices both faith and work because Christianity
void of any is an imbalance one.
The Roles of faith in the life of Christians.
Faith assures Christians of eternal Salvation. It shows that Christians are no longer under the bond of
law but under grace. It is by faith that Christians face challenges of life with enough courage and
confidence Faith is a motivator of Christians for good work. E.g education, healing, evangelization etc.
TOPIC: THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT (GAL 5:22-25)
Meaning of fruit: Physically, fruit can be defined as the end product of a seed. But in the context of our
lesson, fruit can be referred to as attributes, character or behavior of a person. It can be good or bad.
Both the flesh and the spirit produce fruits.
The fruit of the spirit is a biblical term that sums up the nine visible attributes of a true Christian life
written by Paul. The entire nine fruit of the spirit emanate from LOVE. For instance a loving Christian
will have the following attributes Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Peace, Goodness, Faithfulness,
Gentility and Self Control. in other words it could be said that LOVE is the tree that bears the fruit of
Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Peace, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self Control.
The nine fruit of the spirit come from the Holy Spirit and not from Christians, they are produced and
supplied by the Holy Spirit to true Christians. The fruit of the spirit are practiced by Christians.
Love: – Means Greek, Agape, divine love a strong, ardent, tender, compassionate devotion to the well-
being of someone. 1 corin 13:4.
Joy:- Greek Chara: This is the emotional excitement, gladness, delight over blessing received or
expected for self and for other.
Peace: Greek, Eirence: This is the state of quietness, rest, repose, harmony, order, and Security in the
midst of turmoil, strife and temptation. (note Isiah 45:7).
Longsuffering: Greek Makrothumia: This means patience, endurance, to bear Long with the weakness
frailties, Offences, Injuries and provocations of others without murmuring or resentment (1 corn13:4-7,
2cor64-6, Eph4:1-2)
Gentleness: – Greek Chriestotes: This means a deposition to be gentle, soft spoken, kind, even
tempered, cultured and refined in character and conduct(2Tim2:24-26)
Goodness: – Greek Agathosume: This is the state of being good, kind, virtuos, benevolent, generous,
and God like in life and in conduct.
Faith: Greek Pistis, This is the living, densely implanted, acquired and created principle of inward and
whole hearted confidence, assurance, trust and reliance in God and all that He says.
Meekness: – Greek Prates: This is the disposition to be gentle kind, Indulgent, even balanced in
tempers and passions and patient in suffering injuries without feeling a spirit of revenge (Ps 25:9).
Temperance: Greek, enkrateria:-Self control moderation in the indulgent of the appetites and passion (
Provbs 23:1-3, P 25:16.
No law can condemn one with the fruit of the Spirit, Law only condemn sin not righteousness (Rom
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3:19-20).
THE FRUIT OF THE FLESH (Gal 5:19-21)
Christians are to always manifest the fruit of the spirit. On the other hand Paul encouraged Christians
to avoid the works of the flesh. The works of the flesh are produced by the flesh sponsored by Satan.
The works of the flesh are described as sexual immorality, impurity, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred,
discord, jealousy, selfish ambition, dissension, envy, drunkenness, wild parties and others. These are
ungodly conducts that Paul referred to as works of the flesh. Anyone who involves himself or herself
in these habits will not inherit the kingdom of God.
HOW TO BEAR THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT (Acts 2:3-8, Rom 10:9,10)
To bear the fruit of the spirit all we need to do as Christians is to crucify the flesh so that we will not
manifest its desires, it is then that we can start producing the fruit of the spirit as well as live a life that
is pleasing to God.

TOPIC: SPIRITUAL GIFTS (1 cor 12:4-8, Eph 4: 11-13)

Spiritual Gift is a gift of the Holy Spirit. According to St Paul, it is the Holy Spirit that dwells in a man
and makes him acknowledge Jesus as Lord where the Holy Spirit is absent in a man, he cannot
acknowledge Jesus as Lord.
“There are varieties of gift, but the same Lord; and there are verities of service but it is the same God
who inspires them all in everyone. (1 corn 12:4-6)

TYPES OF GIFTS
The Nine gifts as enumerated by St Paul are as follows
The utterance of wisdom, The utterance of knowledge, Faith, Gift of healing, The gift of working of
miracles, The gift of prophesy, The gift to distinguish between spirits (discernment), The gift to speak
in tongues, The gift to interpret tongues.
All these gifts Paul said are inspired by the same Spirit who apportion to individual is for the common
good of the body of Christ. (the church). Paul likened these gifts to the human body with different part
and different functions, all playing an important role for the good of the entire body, so it is with
Christ, by one spirit we were all baptized into one body of Christ. Paul in his analogy, went further to
say that God has the different parts of the body to be mutually interdependent and necessary for the
existence of the entire body.
Some part which seem to be weaker are indispensable. The part which people consider less honorable
are invested with greater honour. Unpresentable part are treated with greater modesty which our
presentable parts do not require. God created the body that there might be no discord. If one member
suffers, all suffers together, if one member is honoured all members , rejoice together. In the same way,
in the body of Christ, (that is the church) God has appointed apostles, prophets, teacher’s workers of
miracles, healer’s helpers, administrators and speakers in various kind of tongues. All must use their
gifts to the glory of God for the growth of the church.
Function of Spiritual Gift to the Church.
They are meant for the good of the entire church community.

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They are to promote good relatives among Christians in the community of faith.
It helps to make the church united.
They are given to the church to glorify the name of God.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SPIRITUAL GIFTS AND TALENTS
1. Talents are inborn or inherited while spiritual gifts are received from God
2. Talents can be gotten by both sinners and the righteous, anyone is entitled to it while spiritual gifts
received by the righteous.
3. Talents are developed while spiritual gifts gain maturity and can come by surprise.
4. Spiritual gifts are determined by God while talents are determined by inborn trait.
5. Talents can be used selfishly but spiritual gifts are used to serve God.
You can identify your spiritual gift by praying and doing a genuine work for God as a true
Christian.

TOPIC: FORGIVENESS (Philemon 1)

Forgiveness means to pardon person genuinely from the heart. To allow somebody who deserves
punishment to go free. It is not every offence that attracts punishment but may cause the offended
person to hold blames to resentment against his offender. Where the offended person has decided to
forgive his offender, it therefore, follows that he would no longer blame or hold any resentment against
his offender.
Forgiveness may be achieved in three ways.
1. When the offender realizes his mistake and decides to ask for pardon:- in this case he may be
pardoned and the issue is resolved.
2. The offended person may on his part due to love of God, voluntarily decide to pardon his
offender.
3. The third case is where a third party decides to intervene in the matter and reconcile the parties
concerned.
In case whichever way it is achieved forgiveness is very important in people’s daily life.
The Importance and Implication of forgiveness.
Forgiveness is very important in the life of every individual in the society. Particularly in the life of
Christians. Some could not achieve happy Christian life not because they have lived reckless life, but
because they have allowed bitterness and un -forgiveness to block the flow of joy in their lives.
Stubbornness attitudes and unforgiving spirit would never allow happiness to penetrate the life of such
individuals.
Forgiveness may delevioriate to serious problem such as war which could bring total ruin to the
society concerned or the life of an individual as the case may be. Where people are able to forgive
others, there is peace, harmony and progress. It is the ability of Christians to forgive others that makes
God to forgive them when they offend Him.
PHILEMON FORGAVE ONESIMUS
Onesimus was a servant to Philemon but when he stole from his master he ran away and on his way he
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met with Paul who preached salvation to him. After he heard the gospel of Jesus Christ, he realized his sins and r
The importance of forgiveness is inexhaustible. This explain the reason why the Lord Jesus Christ
during his earthly ministry took time to teach both the multitude and the disciples on the need to
forgive one another.
EFFECTS OF UNFORGIVENESS
1. If we fail to forgive those who have offended us, we too will not receive God’s forgiveness.
2. If we fail to forgive we will nurse bitterness and this will end up stealing our happiness.
3. Unforgiveness brings hindrances to our prayers when we pray.
4. Unforgiveness denies us of good and pleasant relationship with people.
5. Unforgiveness can make us unnecessarily burdened in heart.

TOPIC: RIGHT AND OBLIGATION OF FAMILY MEMBERS(Colossians 3:18-22, 1 Pet 3:1-7;

Eph 5: 21-33).
Family Unit: Family unit is the smallest unit of the larger society, it consists of the Father, the Mother
and the Children. It may include members of the extended family which are uncles, Cousins,
Grandparents, Nieces etc.
Types of family:
1. The nuclear family: This comprises of the father, mother and children.
2. The extended family: This comprises of grandparents, uncles, aunties, cousins, nieces and other
members of the extended family.
Traditionally, the father is the head of the family. He has the final authority within his family. The
man’s decision has far reaching consequences in determining the peace, Unity and progress of the
family.
The man and his wife must maintain discipline to be able to take good decisions because the family
units which make up the larger society; form the basis of government and the first training ground for
both spiritual and moral education.
A healthy and united family would definitely produce healthy and disciplined people that make up a
nation. Broken homes (families) produce immoral children that end up as criminals and as such the
whole nation is affected by their criminal activities. A heathy society can only be produced by healthy
family units within the society.
Healthy family units can only be built where the individual that make up the units know their duties
and responsibilities and perform them faithfully for this reason in his epistle to the Colossians outlined
the duties and the responsibilities of every member of the family and called upon them to perform their
duties creditably to ensure the peace and unity of the different families.
Duties of family members according to Paul’s teaching on family
Paul in his letter to the Colossians states the duties expected of every member of the family. The wife,
husband and children have their individual roles. The wife is to subject herself to the husband as it
pleases God, she must also obey her husband in all things. The husband must in reciprocation love the
wife, should not be bitter against her, treat her badly, he should make sure her needs are met. The

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children’s duty is to obey their parents, the father also should make sure he does not provoke the children such th
Behaviours that can destabilize the family include;
(i) Failure in the responsibility of the parents to care for the family.
(ii) Favouritism of children among parents.
(iii) Unforgiveness in the family.

TOPIC: HUMILITY (Philippians 2:1-11, 1Peter 5:5-11)

Humility is the state of beings humble, meek, lowly and modest. It also means a state of not thinking
you are better than someone else. It is also the state of being lowly in heart. A humble person is not
arrogant, He is modest in everything he does he is unassuming. Humility is one of the attributes of
good Christian. Among the apostles, St. Paul and St. Peter make remarkable teaching on this
ST PAUL’S, TEACHING ON HUMILITY (PHILIPPIANS 2:1-11)
St Paul: – In this epistle to the Philippians 2:1-11) Stressed the need for a sense of humility among the
church members. As at the time Paul wrote the message great disunity existed among the church
members as a result of lack of humility. Paul therefore advised them to be in harmony and not to do
anything out of selfishness or conceit. They should not be self-centered. They should not be self-
interest of others above their own.
St Paul’s use the case of Jesus Christ to show them what humility is all about. He said Jesus was in
form of God, but he did not count himself equal to God. He took the form of an ordinary servants and
was born in the likeness of man.
In the human form, he humbled himself and became Obedient unto death. Even the death of the cross
which was considered as one of the worst forms of death. For this reason, he said “God has highly
exalted him and given him name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee
should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is
Lord to the glory of God the father’ Philippians 2:9-11)
ST PETER’S TEACHING ON HUMILITY (1 Peter 5:5-11)
Peter also gave words of exhortation to Christians especially the youths, He advised the youth to be
loyal to their elders and clothe themselves with humility. This is because God opposes the proud but,
gives grace to the humble they should humble themselves under the mighty hand of God. So that in
due time, He might exalt them. Christians should cast all their anxieties on God. For he cares for them.
they should be sober and watchful for Satan, the adversary, prowls around like a roaring lion seeking
someone to devour.
Peter was saying. In essence that Christians should resist Satan at all cost. Knowing fully well that
suffering and temptation are part of the things a Christians might have to pass through. If they are able
to endure these with humility. The God of all grace who has called them to His glory in Christ would
himself restore establish and strengthen them.
The Significance and Implication of Humility.
God loves the humble minded and exalts him but he debases the proud.
God gives grace to the humble, he or she reaps the reward of his humility.
Humility creates Unity, Understanding and progress in the society.
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A humble person renders selfless services to the society. He puts the interest of the society first in
whatever he or she does.
Consequences of pride
1. Pride debases and brings down a man like it happened in the case of Satan.
2. Pride denies one access to elevation.
3. Pride destroys.
4. Pride kills.
5. Pride brings retrogression to a man’s life.