THIRD TERM: E-LEARNING NOTES

SUBJECT: CHRISTIAN RELIGIOUS STUDIES

CLASS: SS2
SCHEME OF WORK
WEEK TOPIC

THEME 12: RELIGIOUS REFORM

1. Religious reforms: (a) Prevalent religious evils at the time of Josiah. 2 Kings 22. (b)
Josiah’s reforms in the North: 2 King 23: 4-14; 21-30 (d) Some areas of religious reforms
in Nigeria e.g. Removal of adulterous priests, spiritist, homosexual, lesbian, pastors. etc.
THEME 13: CONCERN FOR ONE’S NATION
2. Concern for one’s Nation: (a) The captivity and destruction of Jerusalem, 2 Kings 24, 25:
1-17. (b) Report on the condition of the nation. Neh. 1: 3; (c) The concern of Nehemiah,
Ezra, Zerubbabel for their nation and their response to the state of the nation despite
opposition.
Concern for one’s nation: (d) |Reconstruction of the nation in the face of opposition. Ezra
4, 5: 1-2. 6: 13-22, 4: 1-23 (e) Responsibility to our nation Nigeria: i. Political and
economic stability ii. Spiritual reawakening etc.
THEME 15: FAITH IN GOD
3. Faith in God: The command to worship King Nebuchadnezzer’s image Dan. 3: 1-7. (b)
Refusal of Shadrack, Meshack and Abednego; to worship the kings image (c) Punishment
for refusal and God’s deliverance (d) Effect of their faith and courage on the people –
Babylonians - Jews.
4. Faith and power of God: (a) A decree to worship the King: Dan. 6: 1-9; (b) Daniel
expresses his faith in God. Dan. 6: 10-15. (c) Daniel in the Lion’s den Dan. 6: 11-18; (d)
The power of God . Dan. 6: 19-24, (e) Effects of Daniel’s faith: Dan. 6: 19-24,(f) Qualities
of Daniel Dan. 1: 3-8; 6: 3-5, 10: 16; 6: 22-23.
THEME 17: TRUE RELIGION AND SOCIAL JUSTICE
5. True religion and social justice: (a) True Religion: It is not merely attending church
services and programmes and contributing to the Church. Amos 5: 21-23, 25; 4: 4-5, It
demands purity of heart, honest desires and justice. Amos 5: 4; 14-15;25 (b) Social vices of
the time of Amos. Amos 2: 6-8; 4: 1-2; 5: 7-13, (c) Opposition against Amos by Amaziah,
priest of the royal sanctuary. Amos 7: 10-17; (d) Divine judgment of evil doers Amos 4: 2-
3; 6-10 (e) Risks often faced by those who carry out divine messages (f) The need to
remain steadfast
6. Divine Love: (a) God asked Hosea to marry Gomer a harlot and raise children by her. To
illustrate Israel harlotry (b) The unfaithfulness of Israel to God and His continuous love for
her Hosea 2:3 (c) Israel superficial response to God’s love Hosea 6: 1-11;
7. MID TERM BREAK

8. Divine Love: (d) God demand steadfast love and knowledge of Him Hosea 6:6; Positive
response to God’s love requires penitence Hosea 6: 1-4; (f) God promises restoration to
those who return to Him in repentance. Hosea 14
9. Revision
10. Examination
WEEK 1

SUBJECT: CHRISTIAN RELIGIOUS STUDIES

CLASS: SS2

DATE: ………………………………..

TOPIC: RELIGIOUS REFORMS

CONTENT: 1. Prevalent religious evils of the time of Josiah: 2 kings 22

2. Josiah’s reforms in Judah: 2 kings 23:4-14; 21-30

3. Religious reforms in the north (2kings 23:15-20)

4. Some area of religious reforms in Nigeria e.g. removal of adulterous
priests, spiritist, homosexual, lesbian pastors etc.

Sub-Topic 1: PREVALENT RELIGIOUS EVILS OF THE TIME OF JOSIAH. 2Kgs. 22

Josiah was the son of Amon and his mother was Jedidah. He was the grandson of king Manasseh
of Judah who was notorious for his introduction of many other religious beliefs and doctrine into
the Jewish Orthodox mode of worship. Manasseh was succeeded by his son Amon who walked
in the way of his fathers by serving idols.

After the death of king Amon, his eight year old son, Josiah was crowned king and he reigned for
thirty one years. At the time of King Josiah, the pagan practices which his grandfather Manasseh
introduced continued in Judah.

These pagan practices in line with pagan worship prevalent at the time include: prostitution in
the house of God; child sacrifice in accordance with the religious practices. This was done in
Tophet in Judah; the use of medium and wizard (witches and wizards); shrines and idolatrous
priests were introduced in every city of Judah.

King Josiah, having shown interest in the ways of God, decided to purge Judah of idolatry. In his
eighteenth year of reign (at the age of twenty six years) he embarked on the repair of the temple
in order to focus on the true worship of God. It was during this period of repair and renovation
that the book of the law was found by the high priest, Hilkiah who later sent it to the king
through Shaphan, the king’s secretary who came to know the contribution for the work so far
from Hilkiah. When the content of the book was read to the king, by Shaphan, it became clear to
him that the people had transgressed the law and deviated greatly from the principles and ideals
of the worship of God. He was so disturbed that he tore his clothes as a sign of repentance. He
therefore became concerned and committed to reforming the religious life of the people.

Sub-Topic 2: JOSIAH’S REFORMS IN JUDAH. 2 KINGS 23: 4-14; 21-30

King Josiah saw his kingdom in a pathetic state of spiritual mess and decay and made up his
mind to bring his kingdom and his people back to the true worship of God. He started the reform
in Judah by eradicating idolatrous practices in the temple. All the foreign gods and their idols
were destroyed and the altars dedicated to Baal, Asherah, the sun god and all their accessories
for worship were taken away from the temple and burnt outside Jerusalem, at Kidron: all the
idolatrous priests, priestesses and cult prostitutes were removed from the temple with their
houses burnt. All idolatrous priests in the cities of Judah were deposed, the high places and
foreign god in this area were defile and destroyed; child sacrifice was abolished and Tophet, a
place in the valley of the sons Hinnon where the people were practising child sacrifice to the god
Molech was defiled and destroyed, the use of medium (divination or soothsaying) and wizards
were abolished with their satanic practitioners. King Josiah purged Judah of idolatry, restored the
feast of Passover and rehabilitated the temple of Jerusalem.

Sub-Topic 3: RELIGIOUS REFORMS IN THE NORTH. 2KINGS 23:15-20

King Josiah did not restrict his religious reform to Judah but extended it to the Northern
kingdom. He destroyed all the idols and shrines (high places) built by Jeroboam the first king of
the Northern kingdom at Bethel and Samaria; and burnt all foreign gods there; he slaughtered all
the idolatrous priests officiating in those places. With the eradication of idolatrous practices in
Judah, Jerusalem became again the only legitimate place of worship.

The reform brought about spiritual revival as children of Israel rededicated to the service of God.
The Passover was again celebrated nationally by all the people in Jerusalem immediately after
the reform as the last celebration was at the time of the Judges.

Sub-Topic 4: SOME AREAS OF RELIGIOUS REFORM IN NIGERIA

Reform means make better by removing of vices and imperfections. It also means removal of
faults and abuses, furthermore, it means to correct or amend or rectify a bad or ugly situation or
condition. Religious reforms therefore, is to correct or rectifying a decaying or worsening
conditions in the religious lives of a people with the purpose of bringing and ensuring a practical
righteous living.
There is no gainsaying the fact that Nigeria as a nation today is characterised by spiritual vices
and idolatry that were evident in Judah and Northern kingdom during the reign of Josiah that
warranted reformation.

In Nigeria today, these vices among others stare us in the face. Adulterous Priests abound in the
society; Spirits has overtaken our streets, worship centres; the prevalence of witchcraft;
idolatrous practices under the cover of Christianity; human sacrifices in some areas in Nigeria for
kings burial, for politics and many more; homosexual and lesbian pastors so-called; emphasis on
financial prosperity at the expense of morality and honesty; indecent and provocative dressing
tolerated by religious groups and leaders etc.

These, among other problem are possible areas of religious reform in Nigeria which beg to be
addressed squarely by concerned civil and religious authorities and individuals.
WEEK 2

SUBJECT: CHRISTIAN RELIGIOUS STUDIES

CLASS: SS2

DATE: ………………………………..

TOPIC: CONCERN FOR ONE’S NATION.

CONTENT:
1. The Captivity and destruction of Jerusalem 2 Kings 24, 25:1-17.
2. Report on the conditions of the Nation. Neh. 1:3
3. The concern of Nehemiah, Ezra, Zerubbabel for their nation and
their response to the state of the nation despite opposition. Neh. 1: 1-
11; 2:9-20; Ezra 1:5-11; 7:1-10.
4. Reconstruction of the Nation in the face of opposition. – Ezra 4; 5:1-2,
6:13-22, 4:1-23.
Sub-Topic 1: THE CAPTIVITY AND DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM. 2 KINGS 24,
25:1-17

Judah slide back into apostasy after the death of Josiah. The kings who succeeded him could not
maintain his religious reforms as a result of their moral and personal weakness. Consequently,
the nation began to experience turbulent and unpleasant situations due to their rebellion against
God which eventually led to the captivity and destruction of Jerusalem as a fulfilment of God’s
word against their apostasy.

Josiah was killed by Pharaoh Neco of Egypt in a battle at Megiddo. Consequently, Judah
became a vassal of Egypt. Jehoahaz who succeeded his father Josiah as king at the age of
twenty-three reigned for three months before he was deposed by Pharaoh Neco, and in his place
made Jehoiakim (Jehoahaz brother) a vassal king over Judah.

Egypt was later defeated by Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar and Judah was therefore made a
vassal of Babylon. Jehoiakim was encouraged by Egypt to revolt against Babylon contrary to the
advice of Prophet Jeremiah who saw Babylon as an instrument of God’s corrective punishment
for Judah. Jehoiakim died during the struggle and his eighteen years son, Jehoachin succeeded
him on the throne.

In 598 BC, Nebuchadnezzar invade Judah and carried Jehoachin captive with his household, his
mighty men of valour, the craftsmen, palace staff and body guards and some prophets, including
prophet Ezekiel. All the precious vessels of gold in Jerusalem temple were plundered and
carried to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar to the house of his god. This was the first exile or first
deportation. Nebuchadnezzar then appointed Jehoachin’s uncle, Mattaniah, King (whose name
was changed to Zedekiah). He was twenty-one years old when he was appointed King by
Nebuchadnezzar. However, it was not long before Zedekiah, just like Jehoiakim, revolted
against Nebuchadnezzar. Zedekiah’s rebellion made Babylon invade Judah for the second time
under Nebuchadnezzar, the Chaldeans laid siege to the city of Jerusalem for almost three years,
and this lasted from the tenth month of the ninth year of Zedekiah’s reign to his eleventh year. It
brought severe hardship and famine in Judah.

During the Babylonian siege on Judah, King Zedekiah tried to escape but was caught by the
Chaldean’s army in the plains of Jericho. His two sons were killed in his presence and his two
eyes plucked out. He was bound with fetters and taken to Babylon where he died.
Nebuchadnezzar ordered his army to destroy the walls of Jerusalem and burn down the temple
and the city. More Jewish captives were deported to Babylon while Gedaliah was made
governor over the remnant in Judah, consisting of the aged, the wretched and the poor. These
predicaments were allowed by God as punishment for the people of Judah and their leaders for
their sins. This was the final destruction of Jerusalem and deportation of exiles to Babylon in
586 BC. It is known as the second deportation or second exile.

Sub-Topic 2: REPORT ON THE CONDITIONS OF THE NATION NEHEMIAH 1:3

In the month of Chisler, after the exile, Nehemiah, one of the prominent and patriotic Jews in
exile in the palace and a cup bearer to Artaxerxes received the news of the pathetic state of Judah
from Hanani one of the Jews that came from Judah to Shushan. Hanani reported to Nehemiah
that the survivors who escaped exile were in great trouble and shame; the wall of Jerusalem was
broken down; and the gates were destroyed by fire.

On hearing this, Nehemiah became sad. He sat down, wept, mourned and fasted for days. After
confessing the sin of the people of Judah which he was part of, he prayed to God to grant him
favour before the king. The following day, the king, Artaxerxes observed Nehemiah’s
countenance to be gloomy and moody and asked him what the matter was. Nehemiah took the
opportunity to request for permission to go to Jerusalem and help the Jews rebuild the wall of
Jerusalem. The king granted his request and also gave him letters to governors of the provinces
beyond the river, instructing them to allow Nehemiah pass through their territories. The king
also gave another letter to Asaph, the keeper of the king’s forest, to provide Nehemiah with
timber he needed for the gates, walls and the house in which he would stay. Having obtained the
king’s permission, authority and support, Nehemiah set off for Jerusalem for the work.

Sub-Topic 3: THE CONCERN OF NEHEMIAH, EZRA AND ZERUBBABEL FOR

THEIR NATION AND THEIR RESPONSE TO THE STATE OF THE NATION
DESPITE OPPOSITION. NEH 1:1-11, 2:9-20, EZRA 1:5-11; 7:1-10

Having obtained king Artaxerxes permission to go back to Jerusalem to rebuild the city and the
temple of the Lord, Nehemiah left Shushan for the city and got there after three days. On
reaching Jerusalem, he stirred up public support; he inspired and assessed the extent of damage
and the work to embark on. He did the inspection at night with the few men he selected to avoid
interference and distraction at the early stage. After the inspection, and planning, he gathered the
Jewish leaders – the priests, nobles and officials and employed them to join in rebuilding the
walls of Jerusalem informing them how God had given him favour before the king of Persia. In
response, the people pledged their unalloyed support and cooperation to ensure that the work was
done.
As the rebuilding work commenced, the enemies of the Jews Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the
Ammonite and Geshem the Arab opposed Nehemiah and the work. They used different kinds of
tricks and tactics to undermine and sabotage the effort of the Jews in the rebuilding project.
Nevertheless, Nehemiah was not overwhelmed. He remained courageous, bold, determined and
eventually completed the project.

Apart from Nehemiah, other concerned Jews had taken the challenge and responsibility of
rebuilding Jerusalem. Zerubbabel and Ezra had made similar attempts. As soon as Babylon came
under Persian Empire the kings of Persia, Cyrus issued a decree allowing the Jews to return to
Jerusalem, by divine providence, in fulfilment of the prophecy of Jeremiah. In line with this
decree, the Jewish exiles (about fifty thousand Jews) led by Zerubbabel and Sheshbazzar
returned to Judah.

At this time, the Jews in Judah were confronted with many problems such as:

1. Lack of a place of worship because the temple had been destroyed by the
Babylonians.
2. An adulteration of Yahweh worship which was one of the negative effects of the exile
on the Jews.
3. Insecurity, as the walls of Jerusalem and its gates had been destroyed.

However, God used patriotic and concerned Jews like Ezra, Nehemiah, Zerubbabel, Jeshua,
Prophets Haggai and Zechariah, to address these issues facing the Jews.

Sub-Topic 4: RECONSTRUCTION OF THE NATION IN THE FACE OF OPPOSITION.

EZRA 4, 5:1-2, 6:13-22, NEH. 4:1-23

The books of Ezra and Nehemiah have different account of the opposition to the efforts of
Nehemiah, Zerubbabel and Ezra to rebuilding Jerusalem after its destruction and ruins. However,
both books point to the discouragement and frustration the builders faced from the enemies to
hinder the completion of the works they started. In Ezra, the Samaritans and some half Jews who
were Israel’s enemies heard that the returned groups were building a temple to the Lord, they
asked for permission to participate in the scheme. The request of the band of evil agitators was
turned down by Zerubbabel on behalf of the chiefs of Israel. He told them publicly that they had
no legitimate right to partner with the Jews in building the temple. These adversaries, the
opposition group then resorted to the use of professional petition writers and cheap blackmail to
sustain their evil and wicked plot to stop the temple work. In one of the petitions sent to king
Artaxerxes by Bislam, Mithredath, Tabeel and the rest of their accomplice, they convinced the
king who went through records and confirmed the allegation that Jerusalem had been a flash
point for political agitation and civil unrest; if the Jews were allowed to finish rebuilding the
walls and foundation of the city of Jerusalem, they would not pay tribute, custom or toll and that
would affect the royal revenue. As a result, the king issued a decree and stopped the work on the
temple in Jerusalem temporarily.

The work of the building of the Temple resumed after the prophecy of Haggai and Zachariah, the
son of Iddo who prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the
Lord. Again the enemies of the Jews (Tattenai the governor and Shetharbozenai) intended to stop
the work by writing to the King, Darius. King Darius after checking the records, confirmed that a
decree was issued by King Cyrus for the rebuilding of a Temple to the God of the Jews. Then he
gave the Jews permission to resume the work which was eventually completed and dedicated
with pomp and pageantry by the Jews.

In the book of Nehemiah the Jews were threatened by an opposition group led by Sanballat who
in the presence of his people and the Samaritans ridiculed the Jews by describing them as feeble-
minded who engaged themselves in an impossible task. Tobiah the Ammonite said that the wall
the Jews are rebuilding was so fragile that if a fox would go on it, it would crumble. Nehemiah,
instead of engaging his enemies in verbal battle, prayed to God to judge them for ridiculing,
despising and taunting His people. As the work progressed, the enemies, among whom are:
Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the Ashdodites got angry and planned secretly
to attack the Jews at work to create confusion and disorganize them. When Nehemiah knew of
the plot, he prayed to God and mounted protective guards with swords, spears and bows against
their enemies day and night.

God frustrated the evil plans of the enemies and the walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt eventually
under the divine inspiration and concerned leadership of Nehemiah.

Sub-Topic 5: RESPONSIBILITY TO OUR NATION; NIGERIA

Responsibility implies the call of citizen to civic duty. This is apart from the rights, and duties of
citizens in their respective communities and societies.

It is the systematic and orderly way of doing things, necessary for unity, progress and peaceful
coexistence among people in the society. Ensuring that the lives and properties of citizens are
protected; policies initiative by the three levels of government (the executive, the legislature and
the judiciary) are implemented and executed accordingly, while anarchy, oppression and civil
disobedience are prevented.

1. To ensure the presence of peace, progress and economic development and advancement
in the nation, every citizen, politicians and political office holders should not abuse their
civic responsibility to the nation.
2. Every authority on the earth and the responsibility attached to it belong to God hence we
should respect and honour the authority set over us. We are to be law abiding no matter
who and what we are.
3. As Nigerian citizens, we have the responsibility of paying taxes, rates, levies, electricity,
water and other utility bills promptly.
4. Anyone holding top public office of authority should use the position to be agent of
positive economic and social development of the country.
5. He should participate in public enlightenment campaigns toward eradicating social ills
like cultism, examination malpractices and illiteracy, the spread of communicable
diseases, drug addition, homosexuality etc.
6. He should avoid gossip and rumour mongering.
7. He should not vandalize government property.
8. He should refrain from nepotism, favouritism, tribalism, and being religious fanatics.
 9. He should not use his position of authority to compromise state security and anti-social
behaviours.
10. He should champion the inculcation of good work ethics and morals as vehicles of re-
awakening the mind.
11. He should join to salvage the situation wherever there is crisis in the nation.

WEEK 3
SUBJECT: CHRISTIAN RELIGIOUS STUDIES

CLASS: SS2

DATE: ………………………………..

TOPIC: FAITH IN GOD

CONTENT:
1. The command to worship king Nebuchadnezzar’s image. Daniel 3:1-7
2. Refusal of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego to worship the king’s image.
3. Punishment for refusal and God’s deliverance.
4. Effect of their faith and courage on the people – Babylonians and Jews.
Sub-Topic 1: THE COMMAND TO WORSHIP KING NEBUCHADNEZZAR’S IMAGE
Faith is the bedrock and foundation on which the Christian religion is built. Faith is an absolute
trust in God and His power in spite of unfavourable situations. It is man’s personal conviction
and trust in God arising from a direct personal relationship with God.
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were young Hebrew men who had faith and confidence in
God even while they were in captivity in Babylon. They dedicated themselves to the worship of
God and a strict observance of God’s ordinances and statutes. Their virtues, qualities and their
excellence in the special school of the Chaldeans earned them appointment as officials in the
Babylonian kingdom. It happened that the king (Nebuchadnezzar) made a golden image which
he set up in the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. He invited all the principal officers of
the province for the dedication ceremony. He ordered the people regardless of language or
nationality to fall down and worship the image as soon as they heard the sounds of musical
instruments played. He had clearly stated the punishment for flouting the order which was that,
the offender would be thrown into a burning fiery furnace. All the people in his domain complied
with the provision of the king’s decree by worshipping the image.
Sub-Topic 2: REFUSAL OF SHADRACH, MESHACH AND ABEDNEGO TO
WORSHIP THE KING’S IMAGE. DANIEL 3:8-18
The people in king Nebuchadnezzar’s domain complied with the king’s order accordingly except
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego (the three Hebrew young men). The Chaldeans went to the
king and reminded him of the content of his decree regarding worship of the image. Then they
maliciously reported to the king that certain Jews, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego who were
officers appointed over the affairs of Babylon neither obeyed the king, nor served his god, nor
worshipped the image set up by him.
On hearing these reports, Nebuchadnezzar angrily ordered that the three Hebrew faithful servants
of God be summoned before him to find out whether the allegation was true. On finding out from
them that the allegations were true, he proposed to give them “soft landing” if they would
comply and worship the image. But Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego openly refused to
worship the image or serve the king’s god. They pointed out to the king without reservation that
their God whom they serve would deliver them from the burning fiery furnace and from him the
king.
Sub-Topic 3: PUNISHMENT FOR REFUSAL AND GOD’S DELIVERANCE. DANIEL
3:19-28
The response of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego greatly angered the king and the expression
on his face changed against them. He ordered the fiery furnace to be heated seven times more
than its normal heat. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were then bound by mighty men of the
king’s army and cast into the overheated burning fiery furnace. The furnace was so hot that the
flames killed those men who cast the three Hebrew young men into the furnace.
The king together with everybody was surprised when they saw four men walking in the midst of
the fire unhurt. Nebuchadnezzar immediately asked his counsellors, “Do we not cast three men
bound into the fire?... “But I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not
hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods”Dan.3:24,25. He came near the
burning fiery furnace and called “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High
God, come forth, come out here”. When they came out, the officers of the province and the king
inspected them and discovered that the fire had no single effect on them. The expression of
boldness, courage a nd faith by these three Hebrew young men demonstrated to king
Nebuchadnezzar, picture of God by saying, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach and
Abednego who had sent His Angel and delivered His servants who trusted in Him and set at
naught the king’s command and yielded their bodies rather than serve and worship any god
except their own God”. (Daniel 3:28)
Sub-Topic 4: EFFECTS OF THEIR FAITH AND COURAGE ON THE PEOPLE –
BABYLONIANS AND JEWS. (DANIEL 3:29)
Having recognised the supremacy and power of God through the miraculous deliverance of
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, Nebuchadnezzar therefore promulgated a new decree which
made it unlawful for any person, nation or language to speak against the God of Shadrach,
Meshach and Abednego. Anybody who did so would be destroyed with his household. He
declared, “There is no other god who is able to deliver in this way, as the God of Shadrach,
Meshach and Abednego”. He then promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.

WEEK 4
SUBJECT: CHRISTIAN RELIGIOUS STUDIES

CLASS: SS2

DATE:… ……..

TOPIC: FAITH AND POWER OF GOD

CONTENT:
1. A decree to worship the king. (Daniel 6:1-9)
2. Daniel expresses his faith in God. (Daniel 6: 10-15)
3. Daniel in the lion’s den (Daniel 6:11-18)
4. The power of God manifested. (Daniel 6: 19-24)
 5. Effects of Daniel’s faith (Daniel 6:19-24)
6. Qualities of Daniel. (Daniel 1:3-8; 6:3-5; 10:16; 6:22-23)

Sub-Topic 1: A DECREE TO WORSHIP THE KING. (DANIEL 6:1-9)

Daniel was one of the Jewish captives taken to Babylon. While in Babylon, his faithfulness,
honesty and peculiar divine endowment made him to progress in that foreign land.
King Darius had divided his kingdom into one hundred and twenty provinces for administrative
convenience. Each of these provinces was headed by a Satrap (i.e. a governor). He further
appointed three presidents to oversee these Satraps. Daniel happened to be one of the three
presidents. He distinguished himself and became popular in the kingdom and the most favoured
of the three presidents because he was filled with an excellent spirit. The king planned to set him
over the whole kingdom. This move by the king attracted jealousy and hatred against Daniel
from the other presidents and Satraps hence they sought ways of bringing him into disrepute
before the king, so as to bring his downfall. When they could not find grounds to bring about his
fall, they decided to use his religion to establish an offence against him before the king because
they knew well that Daniel loved God and served Him continually.
The conspirators (the other two presidents and the officers in the land) went to the king,
persuading him to establish a law which would cause an offence to pray to any other god or man
other than the king, for a period of thirty days. The penalty for such offence was to cast the
person into the den of lions. They further requested the king to make the law, not subject to
change, in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians.
Daniel disregarded the law and prayed in his house three times a day, as was his practice, giving
thanks to the Almighty God.
Sub-Topic 2: DANIEL EXPRESSES HIS FAITH IN GOD. DANIEL 6:10-15
After learning that the document had been signed by the king, Daniel went to his house where he
had windows in his upper chamber opened towards Jerusalem and prayed to God three times
every day. The men who wanted to implicate him came and found Daniel praying to his God and
immediately reported him to the king. They further reminded the king that his law concerning
worship was not subject to change, implying that the punishment must be strictly inflicted on
Daniel.
Sub-Topic 3: DANIEL IN THE LION’S DENS DANIEL 6:11-18
When king Darius heard of Daniel’s violation of his decree on worship, he was greatly worried.
He was reluctant to inflict the harsh punishment of the law on Daniel. He tried to free him but
following the persuasion of the other officers of the land, especially those who hated Daniel, that
the law of Medes and Persians was unchangeable and must be applied accordingly, the king
ordered that Daniel be cast into the den of lions.
However, the king said to Daniel, “May your God whom you serve continually deliver you”. The
king having acted against his wish went back home, fasted and was without sleep due to his
unhappiness over what had happened to Daniel.
Sub-Topic 4: THE POWER OF GOD MANIFESTED. DANIEL 6:19-24
The next day, as early as possible, the king hurried to the den of lions. He wanted to see whether
Daniel was dead or alive. When he came near the den, he cried with a loud voice “Daniel,
servant of the Living God, has your God whom you serve continually been able to deliver you
from the lion?” Daniel greeted the king and informed him that the Lord sent His Angel to close
the mouth of the lions because he was blameless before God and before the king. The king was
very happy when he found out that Daniel was alive, he immediately ordered that he be brought
out of the den. When he was brought out, he was found unhurt. The king being convinced that it
was a plot against Daniel, immediately ordered that the accusers of Daniel be cast into the den of
lions with their wives and children. The lions broke their bones into pieces before they reached
the bottom of the den.
The king commended the God of Daniel as the only Living God.
Sub-Topic 5: EFFECTS OF DANIEL’S FAITH
Following Daniel’s deliverance by God, king Darius promulgated a decree directing everybody
in his kingdom to worship the God of Daniel as the Living God who rescues, works signs and
wonders in heaven and on earth, whose kingdom shall never be destroyed and whose dominion
shall be to the end. Daniel’s popularity and greatness increased throughout the reign of king
Darius and of Cyrus, the Persian king.
Sub-Topic 6: QUALITIES OF DANIEL. DANIEL 1:3-8; 6:3-5; 10:16; 6:22-23
The qualities of Daniel cannot be overlooked. The following are some of the qualities seen in
Daniel:
i. Daniel was from a royal family.
ii. He was endowed with knowledge and understanding
iii. He was learned and competent in many things
iv. He had an excellent spirit. This was the reason he was able to interpret the king’s dream.
(Daniel 5:12, 6:3)
v. He was faithful and no error was found in him. This was his enemies’ testimony about him
(Daniel 6:4-5)
vi. He was an upright man and blameless in the things of God.
vii. He had an absolute and unshakable faith and trust in God. (Daniel 6:23)
viii. He was a devout worshipper of God.
ix. He was uncompromising

WEEK 5

SUBJECT: CHRISTIAN RELIGIOUS STUDIES

CLASS: SS2

DATE: ……………

TOPIC: TRUE RELIGION AND SOCIAL JUSTICE

CONTENT:
1. True religion: it is not merely attending church services and programmes. Amos 5:21-
23, 25; 4:5. It demands purity of heart, honest desire and justice.
1. Social vices of the time of Amos. Amos 2:6-8; 4:1-2; 5:7-13
2. Opposition against Amos by Amaziah, priest of the royal sanctuary. (Amos 7:10-17).
3. Divine judgment of evil doers (Amos 4:2-3, 6-10).
4. Risks often faced by those who carry out divine messages.
5. The need to remain steadfast.
Sub- Topic 1: TRUE RELIGION

True religion is the combination of our worshipping God and the practice of righteousness at all
time. It is the combination of the ceremonial aspect of our faith with the moral requirements. The
ceremonial aspect involves our regular attendance to church services on Sundays or holy days,
and payment of tithes, offerings and church dues or levies. The moral aspect of our faith is the
practicing of righteousness in human relationship through the works of kindness, love,
hospitality, honesty, justice, forgiveness etc.

Amos was the earliest eighth century prophet. Before his call to prophetic work, he was a
shepherd and dresser of sycamore tree. He was a native of Tekoa in Judea but prophesied in the
northern kingdom during the reigns of Jeroboam and the time of Uzziah in Judea. During this
period, there was an economic boom in the northern kingdom (Israel) which resulted in increased
disparity between the rich and the poor. Oppression of the poor by the rich became rampant and
social evil increased in the society. This social evil co-existed with religious insincerity.

Amos observed that Jewish religion was highly established on the ceremonial side, and totally
lacking on the spiritual and moral aspect. The religion was characterized with hypocrisy, idolatry
and empty formalism. The people assembled regularly for worship; made costly offerings and
had magnificent places of worship, yet social evils still prevailed. This according to prophet
Amos showed that the people were not practicing true religion. Some of the religious practices
unacceptable to God outlined in Amos that displeased God include the following:

1. Festivals and merry making that lacked true, interpersonal communication and a real
communication with God.
2. Holding of sacred services that were shallow and hypocritical.
3. The people followed religious double standards- they worshipped idols at Bethel and
Gilgal.
4. Pollution of the land by the people’s moral corruption- they were going to Bethel and
Gilgal not to worship but to engage in all forms of evil practices such as cultism,
prostitution, drunkenness and unnecessary fines which affected only the poor.
5. Little regard for holy periods.

DEMANDS OF TRUE RELIGION. (Amos 5:14-15, 24)

True religion demands purity of heart, honest, desires and justice, humility and fair play. It is not
characterized by regular worship and offerings. This was what Amos meant by declaring that
God demanded justice and righteousness from his people and sacrifice (Amos 5:21-24). The kind
of worship God demanded from the Israelites according to Amos includes:

1. Seeking God with passion so that they will live.(Amos 5: 4)

2. Doing everything good and with honest report while shunning evil (Amos 5:14)
3. Justice, fair play and being seen to be constantly doing what is right (Amos 5:15, 24)
4. Righteousness should be allowed to reign in the lives of the people(Amos 5: 24)
5. Repentance and returning to God for forgiveness.
 6. It is necessary to note here, that God does not condemn regular worship, sacrifices- tithe
and offerings etc, rather Amos meant that religious activities that are not followed by
righteousness are meaningless.

Sub-Topic 2: SOCIAL VICES OF THE TIMES OF AMOS (AMOS 2:6-8; 4:1-2; 5:7-13)

The society of Amos’ time was characterized by and enmeshed in official injustice, corruption,
greed and false worship. Their social vices were so excessive and unbearable that God had to
send Amos to warn them of the disastrous consequence of their actions if they failed to repent: in
condemning the social vices of his time, Amos said that God is not only one-time and universal
God, but also a just and righteous one, who demands justice and righteousness from his people.
He then exposed and condemned the social vices of the day which among others include:

1. Bribery and corruption which was the order of the day: The judges perverted justice by
collecting bribes from the rich. The poor were denied justice as the judges could easily be
bought over, even with a pair of shoes (Amos 2:6-8; 5:10).
2. Dishonesty of the merchants (they use false measures): in most cases, they sold refuse as
wheat to the poor (Amos 8:4-6).
3. Greed and drunkenness: the women of Samaria were making excessive demands on their
husbands who in turn robbed and crushed the poor to meet their wives’ demands. Those
women were overfed and Amos described them as cows of Bashan, who must consequently
be taken captive to Harmon in Assyria.
4. Selfish luxury of the rich: the wealthy became abundantly prosperous and lived in affluence,
dwelling in expensive buildings (stone houses) and using costly beds made of ivory at the cost
of the poor in the society (Amos 6:4-6).
5. Licentiousness: indiscriminate sex pervaded the society. A son and father went in to the same
maiden (Amos 2:7)

Sub-Topic 3: OPPOSITION AGAINST AMOS BY AMAZIAH, PRIEST OF THE

ROYAL SANCTUARY. (AMOS 7:10-17)
Amos’ prophecy against the sanctuaries, especially the destruction of Bethel, the exile of the
whole people of Israel including king Jeroboam II, and members of his family, did not go down
well with Amaziah, the priest of Bethel. Amaziah saw Amos’ prophesy as conspiracy and
treason to overthrow the government of king Jeroboam. He therefore reported the prophet to the
king. He also ordered Amos to go back to his country, the southern kingdom (Judah) and
prophesy there, to earn a living and stop prophesying any longer at Bethel because it was the
king’s sanctuary and court.
Responding, Amos politely told Amaziah that he was neither a prophet nor a prophet’s son but
God called him out of his former occupation as a shepherd and a dresser of sycamore trees to go
and prophesy to the people of the northern kingdom (Israel). He was God’s mouth-piece hence a
prophet of God (Amos 7:10-14).
He further prophesied about the impending exile, during which their wives would be harlots in
the city and their sons and daughters would fall by the sword.
Sub-Topic 4: DIVINE JUDGEMENT OF EVIL DOERS (AMOS 4:2-3; 4:6-10; 5:14-20;
7:16-17; 8:9-10)
God tried to make the people of Israel to return to him by visiting them with drought, famine and
pestilence, yet, they remained unrepentant and continued with the prevalent social and religious
vices. Amos therefore prophesied and outlined the impending divine judgment.
1. The sanctuaries would be destroyed.
2. The people of Israel would suffer captivity through Assyria. The rampaging enemy forces
would be so vicious and heartless.
3. Natural disasters in form of famine, drought, crop failure and plagues such as wind and
sand storms, lice, locust invasion, natural calamities etc.
4. The upper class of the society would be the first to go into exile and would lead the
columns of refugees (Amos 6: 6-7).
5. Lack of safety as one who ran to the house for safety, leaning his hand on the wall would
be bitten by snake (Amos 5:19).
6. Amaziah would be taken to a defiled land where he would cease to perform his priestly
duty, and would die in land of captivity.
7. Amaziah’s wife would be left alone as a widow. She would end up being a prostitute for
a living.
8. The so called day of the Lord, the Jews were hoping for would be a doom-day and a day
of darkness.

Sub-Topic 5: RISKS OFTEN FACED BY THOSE WHO CARRY OUT DIVINE

MESSAGES (1 PETER 3:17, 4:12-19, ACTS 9:10-16; 20:22-24, 1 KINGS
19:1-3)
Risks mean exposing oneself to danger or something harmful. The carriers of divine messages
are not immune from risks. By the virtue of the messages they carry, they can be called men of
God, servants of God, evangelists, pastors, preachers, apostles, prophets etc.

These messengers stand the risk of being molested, physically abused, harassed, intimidated or
even murdered in the course of spreading the divine message of salvation especially to a
predominantly pagan society.

They run the risk of being rejected, falsely accused and assaulted. There are examples of such
messengers in the bible who suffered such fate e.g. Elijah at the hand of Ahab and Jezebel his
wife; Amos accused of treason by Amaziah who reported him to king Jeroboam.

Jesus Christ is a perfect example. He suffered more than one can think of. He was brutalized,
persecuted and finally crucified on the cross (a shameful death) because of the divine message of
salvation he brought to the dying world. Having known that his disciples (followers) would
suffer the same fate of suffering persecution, he forewarned and encouraged them to be of good
cheers.

The main reason why the messengers of God and human defender face threats to their safety and
lives is because people hate the truth. Pride also makes people refuse to listen to the truth that
will set them free. They prefer to hear what will favour them hence they oppose and persecute
those who speak the truth to them.
Sub-Topic: 6. THE NEED TO REMAIN STEADFAST
Steadfastness is demanded from everyone that believes in God (Jesus) and propagates the
goodness of salvation for mankind. Christians (including men of God, evangelists, preachers,
pastors, prophets, apostles etc.) are encouraged to endure persecution and suffering and to see
them as test of their faith.
Jesus made it clear that those who will lead a godly life, standing on the truth must suffer
persecution. Persecution is temporary; and it is something that strengthens the believers’ hope in
the glory he will share with Christ at the end. Christians should therefore entrust their souls into
the hands of God and remain steadfast in faith as they deliver God’s messages.
i. Steadfastness in the faith has and will continue to lead to the extension and spread of the
gospel to the Gentiles.
ii. Steadfastness makes it easy for a believer to carry out his mission without hesitation.
iii. Steadfastness attracts God’s presence to remain with believers.
iv. Christians who are steadfast in the faith bring glory and honour to God while those who
advocate for social justice bring glory to their nation.

WEEK 6

SUBJECT: CHRISTIAN RELIGIOUS STUDIES

CLASS: SS2

DATE: ………………………………..

TOPIC: DIVINE LOVE

CONTENT:
1. God asked Hosea to marry Gomer a harlot and raise children by her, to illustrate
Israel harlotry (Hosea 1).
2. The unfaithfulness of Israel to God and his continuous love for her. Hosea 2-3.
3. Israel superficial response to God’s love. Hosea 6:1-11

Sub-Topic 1: GOD ASKED HOSEA TO MARRY GOMER, A HARLOT AND RAISE

CHILDREN BY HER (HOSEA 1)

Hosea is referred to as the “prophet of love” because his messages centred on God’s love for the
children of Israel in spite of their unfaithfulness. His marital experience served as a practical
example to his message of love. His message was against immorality, political and religious
corruption. He encouraged the people to repent and turn back to God. His period of prophecy
spread through the reigns of king Uzziah, Jothan and Ahaz in the southern kingdom and
Jeroboam in the northern kingdom.
Unlike Amos, he was a native of Israel (i.e. Northern kingdom), and he delivered his message
there. At the time of his prophetic ministry, northern kingdom was witnessing a period of
political instability and religious syncretism. At this point, God instructed Hosea the son of Beeri
to marry a harlot, Gomer, the daughter of Diblaim, and have children of harlotry through her.

Hosea obeyed God’s order and eventually had three children with Gomer- two sons and one
daughter. These children were given symbolic names that expressed God’s anger at the people of
Israel who had forsaken their God to play harlotry with other gods.

The name of the first son was Jezreel which meant that God would punish the house of Jehu for
the “blood of Jezreel”. This refers to the innocent blood which the wicked Jehu shed at the valley
of Jezreel during his revolution.

The second child – the daughter’s name was Lo-ruhamah or ‘Not pitied’ or ‘No mercy’. This
signified that God would no longer have pity upon the house of Israel.

The third child – the son’s name was Lo-anmi or “Not my people” this means that God would
no longer regard Israel as his people as they had forsaken him. God later promised His love to
Israel by saying that He would multiply them greatly like the sea sand that could not be
numbered. Also He would forgive and restore the whole nation of Israel- the Northern kingdom
and Judah (southern kingdom) after the corrective punishment. Both kingdoms would be united
under one leader.

Sub-Topic 2: UNFAITHFULNESS OF ISRAEL TO GOD AND HIS CONTINUOUS

LOVE FOR HER (HOSEA 2-3)

Hosea had provided and cared for his Wife Gomer. Yet, after giving birth to her three children,
she left Hosea and ran after her worthless lover she had hoped to benefit more from. Gomer
became unfaithful; due to Hosea’s persistent love for her, he continued to plead with her to come
back because he knew that she was not going to benefit from those other men but to suffer.
Gomer refused to come back. He sent her children to plead with her but she ignored them as
well. In spite of Gomer’s unfaithfulness, Hosea still persisted in his love for her. At last, not
knowing what else to do, Hosea divorced her. Nevertheless, he reclaimed her back to himself
eventually.

The marital experience of Hosea was synonymous with God’s relationship with the Israelites.
God, as the husband, had demonstrated a lot of love to the Israelites right from the time he set
them free from Egypt with a lot of signs and wonders to the period of Hosea’s ministry; God had
also established covenant with them, but Israel had never been faithful in keeping the lord’s
commandments. They indulged in sin of idolatry- running after other gods like Hosea’s wife
Gomer who ran to other men.

As Hosea divorced Gomer for refusing to come back to him after many pleadings, so God had
sent many prophets to appeal to the Israelites to turn from their evil ways and return to God but
all appeals were in vain. God had no option but to divorce Israel. Nevertheless, God’s love for
Israel still persisted in spite of their unfaithfulness. God still hoped and expected they would
repent and come back to him. He pleaded with them severally to forsake Baal and worship Him.
Hosea pointed out that the priests and prophets who refused to rebuke Israel for their
unfaithfulness would equally be punished.

The bottom line in Hosea messages is the willingness and readiness of God to accept his people
back if they genuinely repented.

Sub-Topic 3: ISRAEL’S SUPERFICIAL RESPONSE TO GOD’S LOVE (Hosea 6:1-11)

Israel’s response to God’s love was a typical example of man’s negative response to God’s love
and call. The people of Israel immediate response were not genuine. They worshipped God with
their lips but hearts were far from him. They thought that to affect a superficial return to God
would be enough to alleviate their suffering. They care with much sacrifice and burnt offerings
in order to please God but their hearts were far away from him.

They did not return with repentant heart, rather, they returned because they were suffering. Their
concern was just to be free from God’s chastisement. They did not care to know where and how
they offended God so as to repent and forsake that very sin. The cause of their broken
relationship with God was lack of love and knowledge of God hence Hosea declared that God
desired steadfast love and knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

WEEK 7: MID TERM BREAK

WEEK 8

SUBJECT: CHRISTIAN RELIGIOUS STUDIES

CLASS: SS 2

DATE: ………………………………..

TOPIC: DIVINE LOVE

CONTENT:
1. God demands steadfast love and knowledge of him (Hosea 6:6)
2. Positive response to God’s love requires penitent (Hosea 6: 1-4)
3. God promises restoration to those who return to him in repentance.
(Hosea 14).

Sub-Topic 1: GOD DEMANDS STEADFAST LOVE AND KNOWLEDGE OF HIM

(HOSEA 6:6)
Hosea appealed to the people of Israel to genuinely return to their God for they had stumbled and
failed because of their sins and iniquities. He advised them to manifest genuine repentance,
confess their sins and accept only those things that are good in the sight of God. He also advised
them to show mercy to the needy; and to desist from idolatry. He warned them to stop their
political alliance with the Assyrians as that would not bring solution to their political crisis.
These, according to prophet Hosea were the only things that would deliver and save them from
divine judgment and not their numerous offerings and sacrifices without corresponding
righteousness and holiness.

Sub-Topic 2: POSITIVE RESPONSE TO GOD’S LOVE REQUIRES PENITENT

(HOSEA 6: 1-4)

God’s love for Israel was a steadfast and persisting love. This was demonstrated with Hosea’s
marital experience. God was like Israel’s husband. As a husband is normally jealous seeing his
wife run after other men, so was God not happy that Israel forsook Him for other gods. In His
effort to see persuade Israel to return back to Him, He sent prophets to them, warning them to
desist from their evil ways and come back to God. As a husband would naturally divorce an
unfaithful and wayward wife, God threatened to divorce Israel by allowing a nation to
overwhelm them and carry them away in captivity.

To avert God’s punishment, they pretended to have repented while in their mind, there was no
genuine love for God. However, God still persisted in loving them in spite of their unfaithfulness
and was prepared to take them back to Himself once they showed sign of genuine repentance.

In the same vein, God’s love for man generally, is steadfast and persistent. He protects and
provides abundantly for man to enjoy. But man, on his part has not been faithful to God. Many
people profess to love God but their love is hypocritical and conditional. They only come to God
when they have problems for solution.

Since God does not want anyone to perish, He expects us to respond positively to His love by
genuine repentance with sincerity of heart and confession. As we desist from superficial,
negative and selfish repentance, our relationship will be established based on His love for man.

Sub-Topic 3: GOD PROMISES RESTORATION TO THOSE WHO RETURN TO HIM

IN REPENTANCE. (HOSEA 14)
God responded to Israel’s superficial and fake repentance by expressing His love for them. He
reminded them that what He required from them was sincere and genuine repentance not mere
plea for mercy. Their rituals and sacrifices were not good enough until they were matched with
genuine repentance. Then He promised to heal them of their unfaithfulness so that they would
return to Him and worship Him in sincerity; He would restore them by making them return to
their land after His corrective punishment; Israel and Judah would be united under a divinely
appointed leader who would rule them in the fear and knowledge of God, unlike their corrupt
leaders that had led them astray. This divinely appointed leader would come from the dynasty of
David – a reference to the coming of the Messiah.

God promises restoration to Christians who return to Him in genuine repentance from their sins
and backsliding state. The mercy of God is available to those who acknowledge, confess, and
forsake their sins, and exercise faith in God.