Call to Service – JSS1 Christian Religious Studies Lesson Note (Second Term)

Service is the act of providing something of value that meets the needs of the public and society.

Behavioural objectives

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

1. state the meaning of service;
2. say where service is needed;
3. name people in the Bible who responded to God’s call;
4. describe how each of these people responded;
5. name some people who served Nigerian society faithfully.

What is service?

Service means providing something of value that meets the needs of the public and society.

• Service to people: helping others meet their needs, such as a nurse caring for the sick.
• Paid service: working for a person, country or organisation for a reward such as wages or salary.
• Service to God: doing the work God gives a person, as the people called in the Bible did.

What is a call to service?

A call to service is God’s invitation to a person to do a special work for him.

• God chooses: he picks the people he wants to work with and calls them.
• God gives the task: the work may be to lead, to deliver, to teach or to speak for him.
• The person must respond: he or she can obey, make excuses or refuse.

Where is service needed?

Service is needed in the family, school, community, society and nation.

• Family: children run errands, clean the house and help their parents.
• School: students keep the classroom clean, and prefects help teachers keep order.
• Community: people take part in clearing drains and keeping the environment clean.
• Society: doctors, teachers, police officers and farmers meet the needs of the public.
• Nation: leaders and public workers serve the country.
• Church: members serve as choir members, ushers, teachers and helpers.

Everyone should give their best whenever they have the opportunity to serve.

Who responded to God’s call in the Bible?

Six people who responded to God’s call in the Bible are Abraham, Moses, Joseph, Joshua, Isaiah and Jeremiah.

How did Abraham respond to God’s call?

• The call: God called him to leave his father’s house and go to a land he was not told about beforehand.
• Where: the call came while he was in Haran.
• The response: he obeyed and followed God.
• Lesson: we should obey God even when we do not know the full plan.

How did Moses respond to God’s call?

• The call: God called and chose him to deliver the children of Israel from bondage in Egypt.
• The response: he accepted the task and led the people out of Egypt.
• Lesson: God gives help to those he sends.

How did Joseph respond to God’s call?

God called Joseph indirectly, through the events that followed his brothers’ actions.

1. His brothers sold him to the Ishmaelites.
2. The Ishmaelites took him to Egypt.
3. He first served in the house of Potiphar.
4. God tested him, and he passed the test.
5. He was unjustly imprisoned on a false accusation.
6. In time he was vindicated, and God remembered him.
7. He was released from prison to fulfil God’s mandate in Egypt.

• Lesson: faithful service continues even when treatment is unfair.

How did Joshua respond to God’s call?

• The call: God called him to continue from where Moses stopped, after the death of Moses.
• The response: without hesitation, he obeyed all of God’s instructions.
• The result: he led the people of Israel to the promised land.
• Lesson: obedience brings success in God’s work.

How did Isaiah respond to God’s call?

• The call: Isaiah heard the voice of the Lord.
• The response: he said, “Here I am, send me, Lord.”
• Lesson: we should be willing to serve at once.

How did Jeremiah respond to God’s call?

• The call: Jeremiah heard the call of God.
• The excuse: he first felt he was too young to speak.
• The response: he accepted the call and served God.
• Lesson: age or fear should not stop us from serving God.

What can we learn from those who answered God’s call?

The people God called teach us how to answer a call to service.

• Obedience: Abraham and Joshua did what God told them.
• Willingness: Isaiah offered himself at once.
• Courage: Jeremiah overcame his fear of being too young.
• Faithfulness: Joseph stayed faithful in the house of Potiphar and in prison.
• Commitment: Moses stayed with the task of leading Israel out of Egypt.

Who served Nigerian society faithfully?

Many Nigerians served their society faithfully, including the following, among others:

• Dr Dora Akunyili: led NAFDAC and worked to stop fake drugs.
• Chief Obafemi Awolowo: a political leader who worked for the development of the Western Region.
• Herbert Macaulay: an early nationalist who worked for Nigerians’ rights under colonial rule.
• Funmilayo Kuti: a campaigner for the rights of women.

What are the qualities of faithful service?

Faithful service is service done honestly, willingly and with the best effort.

• Honesty: do not cheat or steal from those you serve.
• Obedience: follow the instructions given by those in authority.
• Diligence: work hard and finish what you start.
• Humility: do not look down on any kind of work.
• Willingness: serve gladly, without complaining.

Evaluation

1. What is service?
2. Mention three places where service is needed.
3. Name four people in the Bible who responded to God’s call.
4. What did Isaiah say when he heard the voice of the Lord?
5. How did Jeremiah respond when God called him?

Assignment

1. Apart from the people mentioned above, name five other people you know who served faithfully in our time.
2. Why is it important to render faithful and acceptable service to God?