In the Lagos State Unified Scheme of Work for Junior Secondary School 1 (JSS1) Third Term Christian Religious Studies (CRS), the Sermon on the Mount is taught under the primary theme "Living in a Community Under God's Law", specifically focusing on "God's Law in the New Testament". [M
This complete, structured lesson note is ready for classroom instruction or study. [3]
📚 JSS1 CRS Third Term Lesson Note
- Subject: Christian Religious Studies (CRS)
- Class: JSS 1 (Basic 7)
- Term: Third Term
- Topic: God's Law in the New Testament: The Sermon on the Mount
- Bible References: Matthew 5, 6, and 7
- Duration: 40 Minutes per period (2 Periods)
🎯 Learning Objectives
By the end of this lesson, students should be able to:
- Define the Sermon on the Mount and state where it is found in the Bible.
- List and explain at least four Beatitudes taught by Jesus.
- Describe what Jesus meant by "Salt of the earth" and "Light of the world".
- Contrast God's Law in the Old Testament with Jesus' teachings in the New Testament.
- Identify the main moral lessons of the sermon for daily living.
📖 Content Outline
⛰️ 1. Meaning of the Sermon on the Mount
The Sermon on the Mount is a collection of moral and spiritual teachings delivered by Jesus Christ to His disciples and a large multitude on a mountainside in Galilee. It is recorded in Matthew chapters 5, 6, and 7.
- It represents the constitution of God's Kingdom.
- It outlines the ideal character, behaviour, and responsibilities of a true Christian.
- Jesus did not scrap the Old Testament laws (The Ten Commandments) but came to fulfill and give them their true spiritual meaning.
✨ 2. The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12)
The word "Beatitude" means exalted happiness or supreme blessedness. Jesus gave eight Beatitudes to show the rewards waiting for those who develop righteous inner qualities.
| The Quality / Character [5, 6, 12] | The Promised Blessing |
|---|
| Poor in spirit (Humble, recognizing spiritual need) | Theirs is the kingdom of heaven |
| Those who mourn (Sorrowful over sin and suffering) | They shall be comforted |
| The meek (Gentle, patient, and self-controlled) | They shall inherit the earth |
| Hunger and thirst for righteousness (Desiring God's will) | They shall be filled/satisfied |
| The merciful (Forgiving and compassionate to others) | They shall obtain mercy |
| Pure in heart (Clean thoughts, sincere intentions) | They shall see God |
| The peacemakers (Promoting unity and resolving conflict) | They shall be called sons of God |
| Persecuted for righteousness' sake (Suffering for doing right) | Theirs is the kingdom of heaven |
🧂 3. Christians as Salt and Light (Matthew 5:13-16)
Jesus used two common household elements to describe the social responsibilities of His followers in society:
A. The Salt of the Earth
- Preservation: Just as salt stops meat from spoiling, Christians must prevent moral decay and social vices (like corruption, cultism, and lying) in their community.
- Flavour: Christians should bring joy, peace, and goodness to the lives of people around them.
- Warning: Jesus warned that if salt loses its taste, it becomes useless and is thrown out to be trampled underfoot. [5, 13, 14, 15]
B. The Light of the World
- Guidance: Light drives away darkness and shows the way. Christians must show others the right way to live through their good deeds.
- Visibility: A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. Christians must not hide their faith or compromise with evil.
📜 4. Old Testament Law vs. New Testament Teaching
Jesus elevated the interpretation of the law from mere outward actions (Old Testament) to the motives of the heart (New Testament):
- On Murder: The Old Law said, "Do not murder". Jesus taught that uncontrolled anger and insults are steps toward murder and will face judgment.
- On Adultery: The Old Law said, "Do not commit adultery". Jesus taught that looking at someone lustfully means committing adultery in the heart already.
- On Revenge: The Old Law permitted, "An eye for an eye". Jesus taught non-retaliation—turn the other cheek and do not answer evil with evil.
- On Enemies: The practice was to love your neighbor and hate your enemy. Jesus commanded, "Love your enemies" and pray for those who persecute you.
🏡 5. The Two Builders (Conclusion of the Sermon)
Jesus concluded His sermon with the Parable of the Two Builders (Matthew 7:24-27):
- The Wise Builder: Hears Jesus’ teachings and practices them. He is like a man who builds his house on a rock. When storms (trials) come, the house stands firm.
- The Foolish Builder: Hears the words but does not practice them. He builds on sand. When the storm hits, the house collapses completely.
🌟 Moral Lessons for Students
- We must remain humble and avoid boasting or looking down on classmates.
- We must practice forgiveness instead of planning retaliation or fighting back when wronged.
- As "light", JSS1 students must refuse to participate in school vices like cheating, stealing, or joining bad gangs.
- True religion is about inner purity of heart, not just pretending to be good outwardly.
📝 Classroom Evaluation Questions
- Where in the New Testament can we find the Sermon on the Mount?
- Define the word "Beatitude" and list four examples.
- Explain the functions of a Christian as the "Salt of the earth".
- How did Jesus change the Old Testament law regarding how we treat our enemies?
- Describe the outcome for the wise builder and the foolish builder.
📌 Assignment
- Memorize Matthew 5:16 and write it out in your notebooks.
- State three differences between how hypocrites pray and how Jesus taught His disciples to pray in Matthew 6.
💡 Teacher's Note Context: You can transition into this topic immediately after teaching "Living in a Community under God's Law: The Ten Commandments" to show students how the New Testament expands on the Old Testament framework.
To help you tailor this content for your classroom or revision, would you like to explore related topics?
- We can look at the previous weeks' topics on the Ten Commandments and Old Testament laws to build a stronger comparative chart.
- I can generate a multiple-choice quiz (MCQ) matching Lagos State terminal examination standards to test your students.
- We can expand on Matthew Chapter 6 focusing specifically on Jesus' teachings on Almsgiving, Fasting, and the Lord's Prayer
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