God Is Our Father (Duties and Responsibilities) – Basic 1 Christian Religious Studies Lesson Note (First Term)

God is our Heavenly Father. Like an earthly father, He created us, loves us, protects us, provides for us, disciplines us, forgives us, listens to us and guides us. Earthly fathers have duties to their children, and children have duties to their parents. This lesson explains both, with Bible examples.

Behavioural objectives

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

• say what a father does for his family;
• explain how God is like a Father to us;
• state some duties of fathers to their children;
• state some duties of children to their parents;
• name three Bible examples of good father-child relationships.

What is a father?

• A father is a daddy, a man who has a child.
• A father takes care of his children.
• A father loves his family.
• A father provides for his home.

How is God our Father?

Just like our earthly fathers, God is our Father in Heaven.

The Bible says: “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1)

Ways God is like a father

1. He created us. God made us and gave us life.
2. He loves us. His love never ends.
3. He protects us. God watches over us and keeps us safe.
4. He provides for us. God gives us food, clothes and shelter.
5. He disciplines us. When we do wrong, God corrects us to teach us, because He loves us.
6. He forgives us. When we make mistakes and say sorry, God forgives us.
7. He listens to us. When we pray, God hears us.
8. He guides us. God shows us the right way and teaches us.

What are the duties and responsibilities of fathers to their children?

1. Provide for their needs: food, clothes, a place to live and school fees.
2. Protect their children: keep them safe from danger and look after them.
3. Love their children: show affection, hug them and tell them “I love you”.
4. Train and teach them: teach right from wrong, good behaviour and about God.
5. Correct them: when children do wrong, correct them lovingly and help them learn.
6. Spend time with them: play with them, talk to them and listen to them.
7. Pray for them: ask God to bless and protect them.
8. Be a good example: live a good life so that children can look up to them.

What are the duties of children to their parents?

The Bible says: “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honour your father and mother'” (Ephesians 6:1-2)

1. Obey your parents: listen to what they say and do what they tell you.
2. Respect your parents: speak politely to them and do not be rude.
3. Love your parents: show them you love them. Say “I love you, Mummy and Daddy”.
4. Help your parents: help with house chores and keep your room clean.
5. Pray for your parents: ask God to bless them and keep them in good health.
6. Make your parents proud: behave well and do well in school.
7. Take care of them: be there for them when they are old or sick.
8. Say thank you: thank them for food, clothes and everything they do for you.

What are some Bible examples of good father-child relationships?

1. Abraham and Isaac: Abraham loved Isaac, and Isaac obeyed his father.
2. Jacob and Joseph: Jacob loved Joseph and gave him a special coat. Joseph respected his father and obeyed him.
3. David and Solomon: David advised Solomon, and Solomon listened to his father.

Why is God our perfect Father?

Our earthly fathers may not be perfect, but God is a perfect Father. Sometimes a father makes mistakes, or he is far away. God is still our Heavenly Father, and He is always with us.

Prayer

“Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for being our Father. Help us to be good children to our earthly parents and to You. Help our fathers to be good fathers too. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Evaluation

Choose the correct answer.

1. God is our _____ Father.
   • a) earthly
   • b) Heavenly
   • c) school
2. Children should _____ their parents.
   • a) disobey
   • b) obey
   • c) ignore
3. Fathers should _____ their children.
   • a) neglect
   • b) love and provide for
   • c) abandon
4. The Bible says “Honour your _____ and mother.”
   • a) teacher
   • b) father
   • c) friend
5. We should _____ for our parents.
   • a) pray
   • b) fight
   • c) complain

Answer key for teachers

1. b) Heavenly
2. b) obey
3. b) love and provide for
4. b) father
5. a) pray

Assignment

1. Obey your parents this week without complaining.
2. Help your mother or father with one chore.
3. Say “I love you” to your parents.
4. Draw your family and write “God gave me my parents.”