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

Jesus is the Son of God. His name means “The Lord Saves”. He lived on earth as a man, died on the cross for our sins and rose from the dead on the third day. He is our Saviour because He saves us from sin, death and the devil and gives us eternal life.

Behavioural objectives

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

• say what the name Jesus means
• say what a saviour is
• name ways in which Jesus saves us
• tell the stories of some people Jesus saved in the Bible
• say the steps to being saved and recite John 3:16

What does the name Jesus mean?

Jesus is a special name that means:

• “The Lord Saves”
• “God Saves”
• “Saviour”

An angel told Mary and Joseph to name the baby JESUS because: “He will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).

Who is Jesus?

Jesus is:

• The Son of God
• Born in Bethlehem
• Lived on earth as a man
• Died on the cross for our sins
• Rose from the dead
• Went back to Heaven
• Coming back again!

What is a Saviour?

A Saviour is:

• Someone who rescues
• Someone who saves from danger
• Someone who delivers
• Someone who protects

Example: If you are drowning and someone pulls you out, that person is your saviour!

Why is Jesus our Saviour?

• He saves us from sin
• He saves us from death
• He saves us from the devil
• He gives us eternal life

How did Jesus save us?

Jesus did many things to save people.

1. Jesus saved us from sin

• All people have sinned (Romans 3:23)
• Sin separates us from God
• The punishment for sin is death
• Jesus took our punishment
• He died on the cross for our sins
• He paid the price we could not pay
• Now we can be forgiven!

2. Jesus saved us from death

• Because of sin, we would die forever
• Jesus died and rose again
• He defeated death!
• Now we can live forever with God
• John 3:16 says whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life

3. Jesus saved us from the devil

• The devil wants to destroy us
• Jesus came to destroy the devil’s work (1 John 3:8)
• Jesus has more power than the devil
• He protects us from evil

4. Jesus saved us by His blood

• On the cross, Jesus shed His blood
• His blood washes away our sins
• We are made clean
• We can come to God

5. Jesus saved us through His resurrection

• Jesus did not stay dead
• He rose on the third day
• He is alive!
• Because He lives, we can live too

Which people did Jesus save in the Bible?

1. Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10)

• Zacchaeus was a tax collector
• He was short and climbed a tree to see Jesus
• Jesus called him down
• Jesus went to his house
• Zacchaeus’s life changed
• Jesus said, “Today salvation has come to this house”
• Jesus saved Zacchaeus from his sinful life

2. The thief on the cross (Luke 23:39-43)

• Two criminals were crucified with Jesus
• One mocked Jesus
• The other said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom”
• Jesus said, “Today you will be with me in paradise”
• Jesus saved him even at the last moment!

3. Peter (Matthew 14:22-33)

• Peter was sinking in water
• He cried, “Lord, save me!”
• Jesus reached out and caught him
• Jesus saved Peter from drowning

4. The woman at the well (John 4:1-42)

• A Samaritan woman came to get water
• She had a sinful past
• Jesus talked to her
• She believed in Jesus
• Her life was changed
• Jesus saved her

5. Mary Magdalene (Luke 8:2)

• Mary had seven demons
• Jesus cast them out
• She became His follower
• Jesus saved her from evil spirits

6. The paralysed man (Mark 2:1-12)

• A man could not walk
• His friends brought him to Jesus through the roof
• Jesus said, “Your sins are forgiven”
• Then He healed him
• Jesus saved him from sin and sickness

7. Blind Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46-52)

• Bartimaeus was blind and begging
• He cried, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
• Jesus stopped and healed him
• He could see!
• Jesus saved him from blindness

8. Jairus’s daughter (Mark 5:21-43)

• Jairus’s daughter died
• He begged Jesus to help
• Jesus said, “Don’t be afraid, just believe”
• Jesus raised her from the dead!
• Jesus saved her from death

9. The demon-possessed man (Mark 5:1-20)

• A man had many demons
• He lived in tombs
• He was wild and hurting himself
• Jesus cast out the demons
• The man was healed and in his right mind
• Jesus saved him

10. The Samaritan leper (Luke 17:11-19)

• One of ten lepers came back to thank Jesus
• Jesus said, “Your faith has made you well”
• Jesus saved him from leprosy

How does Jesus save us today?

Jesus still saves people today! These are the steps to being saved.

1. Believe in Jesus

• Believe He is the Son of God
• Believe He died for your sins
• Believe He rose from the dead

2. Confess your sins

• Admit you are a sinner
• Tell God you are sorry
• Ask for forgiveness

3. Accept Jesus as your Saviour

• Invite Jesus into your heart
• Make Him Lord of your life
• Follow Him

4. Be baptised

• Show publicly that you belong to Jesus
• Obey His command

Prayer to accept Jesus

“Dear Jesus,
I believe You are the Son of God.
I know I am a sinner.
I am sorry for my sins.
Please forgive me.
I believe You died on the cross for me.
I believe You rose from the dead.
Please come into my heart.
Save me, Jesus.
I want to follow You all my life.
Thank You for saving me.
In Your name I pray, Amen.”

If you prayed this prayer and meant it, YOU ARE SAVED!

Bible verse to remember

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

Evaluation

Choose the correct answer.

1. Jesus means _____.
   • a) God is great
   • b) The Lord saves
   • c) King of kings
2. Jesus saved us from _____.
   • a) happiness
   • b) sin
   • c) food
3. Jesus died on the _____.
   • a) bed
   • b) cross
   • c) floor
4. Zacchaeus climbed a _____ to see Jesus.
   • a) mountain
   • b) house
   • c) tree
5. Jesus rose from the dead on the _____ day.
   • a) first
   • b) third
   • c) seventh

Assignment

1. Draw Jesus on the cross saving us.
2. Learn John 3:16 by heart.
3. Tell someone that Jesus is your Saviour.
4. Thank Jesus for saving you.