Discovering God Through Jesus: Who Is God – Basic 1 Christian Religious Studies Lesson Note (Second Term)

God is our Creator, Father, Saviour, King, Provider, Protector and Friend. He is loving, holy, powerful, everywhere, all-knowing, faithful, just and merciful. Jesus taught us about God in the Gospels through His words and stories. He said, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9).

Behavioural objectives

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

• Name some of the things God is to us, such as Creator, Father and Provider.
• Say what God is like, using words such as love, holy, faithful and merciful.
• Name the four Gospels.
• Tell at least three stories Jesus told or acted out to show what God is like.
• Give one moral lesson from each story.

Who is God?

God is:

• Our Creator: He made everything
• Our Father: He loves us like a daddy
• Our Saviour: He saves us through Jesus
• Our King: He rules over everything
• Our Provider: He gives us what we need
• Our Protector: He keeps us safe
• Our Friend: He wants a relationship with us

What is God like? (Attributes of God)

God is love

• 1 John 4:8 says “God is love”
• He loves everyone
• His love never ends

God is holy

• God is pure and perfect
• He has no sin
• He is set apart

God is powerful (omnipotent)

• God can do anything
• Nothing is too hard for God
• He is almighty

God is everywhere (omnipresent)

• God is here, there and everywhere
• We cannot hide from God
• He is always with us

God is all-knowing (omniscient)

• God knows everything
• He knows the past, present and future
• He even knows our thoughts

God is faithful

• God keeps His promises
• He never changes
• We can trust Him

God is just

• God is fair
• He judges rightly
• He rewards good and punishes evil

God is merciful

• God shows compassion
• He forgives us
• He gives us what we don’t deserve

How did Jesus teach about God in the Gospels?

The Gospels are: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. These are books that tell about Jesus’ life.

Jesus taught that God is our Father

• Jesus always called God “Father”
• He taught us to pray “Our Father in heaven” (Matthew 6:9)
• Jesus said God cares for us like a father cares for his children

Story: The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32)

• A son left home and wasted his money
• When he came back, the father ran to welcome him
• This shows how God welcomes us when we return to Him
• God is a loving, forgiving Father

Moral lesson: God loves us no matter what we do. He is always ready to forgive us when we come back to Him.

Jesus taught that God loves everyone

• Jesus said “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son” (John 3:16)
• God’s love is for EVERYONE
• It is for ALL people, and no one is left out

Story: Jesus and the Children (Mark 10:13-16)

• People brought children to Jesus
• The disciples tried to send them away
• Jesus said “Let the little children come to me”
• He blessed them
• This shows God loves children!

Moral lesson: You are never too young for God’s love. God loves children just as much as adults.

Jesus taught that God provides for us

• Jesus said “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap … yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” (Matthew 6:26)
• God takes care of the birds, so He will care for us much more!

Story: Jesus feeds 5,000 (John 6:1-15)

• A big crowd was hungry
• A boy had 5 loaves and 2 fish
• Jesus blessed the food
• Everyone ate and was satisfied
• They even had leftovers!

Moral lesson: When we give what we have to God, He multiplies it. God can do much with little. Trust God to provide!

Jesus taught that God forgives

• Jesus told many stories about forgiveness
• He said God forgives us when we say sorry

Story: The Lost Sheep (Luke 15:1-7)

• A shepherd had 100 sheep
• One got lost
• He left the 99 to find the one lost sheep
• When he found it, he rejoiced!
• This is how God feels when one sinner repents

Moral lesson: God doesn’t want anyone to be lost. He searches for us and rejoices when we come back to Him.

Jesus taught that God hears our prayers

• Jesus said “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened” (Matthew 7:7)
• God listens to our prayers

Story: Jesus calms the storm (Mark 4:35-41)

• Jesus and the disciples were in a boat
• A big storm came
• The disciples were afraid
• They woke Jesus
• Jesus said “Peace, be still!”
• The storm stopped immediately

Moral lesson: When we’re in trouble and cry out to God, He hears and helps us. Nothing is too big for God!

Jesus taught that God wants us to love others

Jesus said the greatest commandments are:

1. Love God with all your heart
2. Love your neighbour as yourself

(Matthew 22:37-39)

Story: The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)

• A man was robbed and left hurt on the road
• Many people passed by but didn’t help
• A Samaritan (a foreigner) stopped and helped him
• He bandaged his wounds and took care of him
• Jesus said “Go and do likewise”

Moral lesson: We should help everyone, even people who are different from us. Love means action: helping those in need.

Jesus taught that God is always with us

• Jesus promised “I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20)
• God never leaves us

Story: Jesus walks on water (Matthew 14:22-33)

• The disciples were in a boat
• Jesus came walking on water
• Peter stepped out to walk to Jesus
• He started sinking when he got scared
• Jesus caught him
• Jesus said “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”

Moral lesson: Even when things seem impossible or scary, God is with us. Keep your eyes on Jesus and don’t doubt!

Jesus taught that we should trust God

• Jesus said “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me” (John 14:1)

Story: Jesus heals a blind man (John 9:1-41)

• A man was born blind
• Jesus healed him
• He could see for the first time!
• The man believed in Jesus

Moral lesson: God can do the impossible. Trust Him even when you don’t understand. He can heal and help in any situation.

What other moral lessons do we learn from Jesus’ teachings?

1. Be humble
   • Jesus washed His disciples’ feet
   • He taught that the greatest should serve others
   • Don’t be proud
2. Forgive others
   • Jesus said forgive 70 times 7 (unlimited times)
   • Don’t hold grudges
   • God forgives us, so we should forgive others
3. Be honest
   • Jesus is the Truth
   • He taught us to be truthful
   • Don’t lie
4. Be kind
   • Jesus was kind to everyone
   • He helped the sick, the poor and outcasts
   • We should be kind too
5. Don’t judge others
   • Jesus said “Do not judge, or you too will be judged”
   • We’re all sinners
   • Only God can judge
6. Share with others
   • Jesus shared bread with thousands
   • He taught about giving
   • Don’t be selfish
7. Pray always
   • Jesus prayed all the time
   • He taught us to pray
   • Stay connected to God
8. Have faith
   • Jesus said “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed … nothing will be impossible”
   • Believe in God
   • Trust Him completely

What do we learn about God through Jesus?

Through Jesus, we learn that God:

• Loves us unconditionally
• Forgives our sins
• Provides for our needs
• Protects us
• Listens to our prayers
• Wants a relationship with us
• Wants us to love others
• Is always with us
• Can do miracles
• Wants us to trust Him

Jesus said: “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9).

This means that when we look at Jesus, we see what God is like.

Evaluation

Choose the correct answer.

1. Jesus taught us that God is our _____.
   a) enemy
   b) Father
   c) servant
2. The story of the Prodigal Son teaches about God’s _____.
   a) anger
   b) forgiveness
   c) rejection
3. Jesus fed _____ people with 5 loaves and 2 fish.
   a) 100
   b) 1,000
   c) 5,000
4. The Good Samaritan teaches us to _____.
   a) ignore people in need
   b) help everyone
   c) be selfish
5. Jesus said “I am with you _____.”
   a) sometimes
   b) never
   c) always

Assignment

1. Draw Jesus teaching about God.
2. Tell your parents one story Jesus told about God.
3. Write down 3 things you learned about God from Jesus.
4. Practise being kind to someone this week.