Jesus Our Saviour (Emmanuel) – Basic 1 Christian Religious Studies Lesson Note (Third Term)

Emmanuel is another name for Jesus. It means “God with us”. Jesus is called Emmanuel because God came to earth as a baby to be with people, became like us, and promised to be with us always. In the story of the woman caught in adultery, Jesus showed that He forgives, saves and does not condemn.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

• say what Emmanuel means;
• give reasons why Jesus is called Emmanuel;
• tell the story of the woman caught in adultery;
• say what the story teaches about Jesus and about how we treat others;
• name some ways Jesus has saved us.

What does Emmanuel mean?

Emmanuel is another name for Jesus.

Emmanuel means:

• “God with us”
• God is here
• God is near
• God came to be with us

The Bible says: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God with us’)” (Matthew 1:23).

Why is Jesus called Emmanuel?

1. God came to earth
   • God could have stayed in Heaven
   • But He loved us so much
   • He came down as a baby
   • To be WITH us
2. God became like us
   • Jesus was born as a human
   • He experienced what we experience
   • He knows how we feel
   • He understands us
3. God is always with us
   • Jesus promised, “I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20)
   • He never leaves us
   • He is here right now
   • We are not alone!

What is the story of the woman caught in adultery? (John 8:1-11)

What is adultery?

• Adultery is a sin
• It means being unfaithful in marriage
• God says it is wrong

The story

1. The woman was caught
   • A woman was caught doing something wrong
   • She committed adultery
   • The religious leaders brought her to Jesus
2. They wanted to trap Jesus
   • The leaders wanted to test Jesus
   • They said, “Moses’ law says stone her to death”
   • They asked, “What do You say?”
   • If Jesus said “stone her”, He would not be merciful
   • If Jesus said “let her go”, He would be breaking the law
   • It was a trap!
3. Jesus did not answer right away
   • Jesus bent down
   • He wrote on the ground with His finger
   • (We do not know what He wrote)
4. They kept asking
   • The leaders kept pressing Jesus
   • They wanted an answer
5. Jesus’ wise response
   • Jesus stood up
   • He said: “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her”
   • This was a very wise answer
   • Everyone has sinned
   • No one is perfect
6. They all left
   • Starting with the oldest
   • One by one, they dropped their stones
   • They all walked away
   • They knew they were sinners too
7. Jesus and the woman
   • Soon, only Jesus and the woman were left
   • Jesus asked, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”
   • She said, “No one, sir”
   • Jesus said: “Then neither do I condemn you. Go now and leave your life of sin.”

What does this story teach us?

1. Jesus forgives
   • The woman deserved punishment
   • But Jesus forgave her
   • He did not condemn her
   • Jesus is merciful!
2. Jesus does not condemn us
   • Even when we sin
   • Jesus does not want to punish us
   • He wants to save us
3. Jesus gives second chances
   • The woman had done wrong
   • Jesus gave her another chance
   • He told her to stop sinning
   • Jesus gives us new beginnings!
4. We are all sinners
   • The religious leaders thought they were better
   • But they were sinners too
   • No one is perfect except Jesus
   • Romans 3:23 says, “All have sinned”
5. Do not judge others
   • Only God can judge
   • We should not condemn others
   • We should show mercy
   • We all need forgiveness
6. Jesus saves and does not condemn
   • Jesus came to save, not to condemn
   • John 3:17 says, “God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him”
   • Jesus is our Saviour!

In what ways has Jesus saved us?

Think about how Jesus has saved us:

1. Saved from sin
   • We all sin
   • But Jesus forgives us when we ask
   • His blood washes us clean
   • We are saved!
2. Saved from punishment
   • Sin deserves punishment
   • Jesus took our punishment on the cross
   • We do not have to pay
   • We are free!
3. Saved from death
   • Without Jesus, we would die forever
   • But Jesus gives us eternal life
   • We will live forever in Heaven
   • Death is not the end!
4. Saved from fear
   • We do not have to be afraid
   • Jesus is with us
   • He protects us
   • We have peace
5. Saved from loneliness
   • Jesus is Emmanuel, God with us
   • We are never alone
   • He is always by our side
   • We have a Friend
6. Saved from a meaningless life
   • Without Jesus, life has no purpose
   • But Jesus gives us meaning
   • We have a reason to live
   • We can make a difference!
7. Saved from bad habits
   • Jesus can break bad habits
   • He gives us power to change
   • He makes us new
   • Old things pass away
8. Saved to have joy
   • Jesus gives us true happiness
   • His joy lasts, even in hard times
   • His joy is our strength
9. Saved to be God’s children
   • Through Jesus, we become children of God
   • We belong to His family
   • We have a Heavenly Father
   • We are heirs of Heaven!
10. Saved to help others
    • Jesus saved us so we can tell others
    • We can share the good news
    • We can help people meet Jesus
    • We are His ambassadors

Prayer: thank you, Jesus

Let us thank Jesus for saving us:

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for being my Saviour.

Thank You for dying on the cross for me.

Thank You for forgiving my sins.

Thank You for being Emmanuel, God with me.

Thank You that I am never alone.

Help me to live for You.

Help me to tell others about You.

I love You, Jesus.

Amen.

Evaluation

Choose the correct answer.

1. Emmanuel means _____.
   a) God is great
   b) God with us
   c) God is holy
2. The woman was caught in _____.
   a) a storm
   b) adultery
   c) a net
3. Jesus said, “Let anyone without _____ throw the first stone.”
   a) money
   b) sin
   c) food
4. Jesus told the woman to _____.
   a) keep sinning
   b) go and sin no more
   c) leave town
5. Jesus came to _____ the world, not condemn it.
   a) destroy
   b) save
   c) forget

Assignment

1. Tell the story of the woman caught in adultery to your parents.
2. Write: Emmanuel means “God with us.”
3. Thank Jesus for being with you always.
4. Draw Jesus forgiving the woman.