Sovereignty of God – JSS1 Christian Religious Studies Lesson Note (First Term)

The sovereignty of God means that God is the Supreme Being, the Creator of the universe and the Lord over all. God is a Spirit. He is eternal, all-knowing, present everywhere, all-powerful and unchanging. Nigerian peoples know Him by many names, such as Olodumare (Yoruba), Chineke (Igbo) and Ubangiji (Hausa).

Behavioural objectives

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

1. say who God is;
2. explain why we start the word God with a capital letter;
3. list and explain the attributes of God;
4. write the names of God in different Nigerian languages and state their meanings.

Who is God?

• God is a Spirit (John 4:24).
• God is a Supreme Being.
• God is the Creator of the universe (Isa. 45:12, Rev. 4:11).
• God is “I AM THAT I AM” (Exod. 3:14).
• God is “Alpha and Omega”, the beginning and the ending (Rev. 1:8).
• God is the Ancient of Days.
• In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (John 1:1).
• God is the Lord of all Lords, the King of all Kings, the Invisible, the Miracle Worker, the Most High, etc.
• God is also called Yahweh, Jehovah, etc.

Why do we write God with a capital letter?

Whenever we refer to God, we must start with a capital letter. If we do not, it will mean that we are referring to smaller gods.

What are the attributes of God?

The following are the attributes of God:

1. God is Eternal: This means that there never was a time when He was not. He is, He was, and forevermore He shall be.
2. God is Omniscient: This means that God knows all things.
3. God is Omnipresent: This means that God is present everywhere, at the same time (Ps. 139:17).
4. God is Omnipotent: This means that He is Almighty God, and He is all-powerful. He can do all things (Luke 1:37).
5. God is Immutable: This means that God cannot change. God is the same yesterday, today, and forevermore.
6. God is Invincible: This means that God is too strong to be overcome or defeated.
7. God is Holy: This means that God cannot sin.
8. God is Glorious: Holy and fearful in praises, doing wonders, all the time.
9. God is Merciful: He loves to inhabit the praises of His people.

What are the names of God in Nigerian languages?

In the Traditional religion, all the various tribes have their names for God. For example, the Yoruba call God Olodumare, the Igbo call God Chineke and the Hausa call God Ubangiji. The names tell us that God is the Supreme Being, the source of all life in heaven and on earth. The table below shows some Nigerian names for God in African Traditional Religions.

Evaluation

1. Who is God?
2. Mention five attributes of God.
3. List the names of God according to the Igbo, Yoruba and Hausa.
4. Write the names of God in four Nigerian languages and state the meanings.

Assignment

Reading assignment

1. Christian Religious Education for JSS Bk 1 by Adeyinka et al., page 4.
2. Christian Religious Education for JSS Bk 1 by T.N.O. Quarcoopone et al., page 30.
3. Holy Bible (R.S.V): John 4:24, 1 Cor. 3:7, Rev. 1, 2, 3, 4:1-11, Ezekiel 1, 2, Gen. 1, 2, 3, Daniel 10:1-21.

Weekend assignment

1. ____ was regarded as Supreme Being. (a) god (b) gods (c) God
2. The word “Alpha” means ______. (a) beginning (b) ending (c) beginning and end
3. God is omniscient because ____. (a) He possesses all power (b) He is present everywhere (c) He knows everything
4. According to the Edo, God is called ________. (a) Abasi (b) Osanobuwa (c) Ubangiji
5. Which of the tribes in Nigeria referred to God as the “Great Artist”? (a) Igbo (b) Edo (c) Ibibio

Theory

1. Does God exist? Give reasons for your answer.
2. Write the names of God in five Nigerian languages.