Protection – SS2 Christian Religious Studies Lesson Note (First Term)

Protection in Christian Religious Studies is God’s care and defence of his people, even when all hope seems lost. The Bible shows this in God’s rescue of Israel at the Red Sea, his protection of Daniel in the lions’ den, and the promise of Psalm 91 that God shields all who abide in him.

Bible reading: Exodus 16:1-21; 17:1-7

Behavioural objectives

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

• describe how God protected the Israelites at the Red Sea;
• narrate how God protected Daniel in the lions’ den;
• state why the officials plotted against Daniel;
• explain what Psalm 91 teaches about God’s protection of all people.

How did God guide and protect Israel at the Red Sea?

Even at the most critical times, when all hope is lost, God always guides and protects his people. This is shown in the marvellous work God did for the people of Israel, as recorded in Exodus 14.

The Israelites were terrified to see the chariots of soldiers approaching. They found themselves between the devil and the deep blue sea. Moses followed the instructions of God and stretched forth his rod towards the Red Sea. The sea parted right and left, and the children of Israel walked on dry ground.

As the Egyptians pursued them, Moses repeated the act and the sea came back to its normal flow. All the Egyptians drowned. This was how God guided and protected Israel that day from the Egyptians.

How did God protect Daniel? (Daniel 6:1-28)

God also protects those who honour him. This can be seen in the life of Daniel, who was the most preferred of the three presidents who presided over the empire of Darius, the king of Medes and Persia.

Those who were envious of Daniel initiated a decree that nobody should pray to any god or any man except the king for the next thirty days. They did this because they knew the only way to incriminate Daniel was through his religious beliefs. The king was not aware of their motive and he signed the decree, which could not be changed.

When Daniel heard this, he returned to his house and continued to pray to his God as usual, morning, afternoon and night. His detractors spied on him and reported him to the king. The king felt bad but had no choice but to order that Daniel be thrown into the lions’ den. The king could not eat or sleep, and he fasted all night.

As the day broke, the king rushed to the den and asked Daniel, in a sorrowful voice, whether the God he served continually was able to save him. Daniel answered that God had sent his angel to shut the mouths of the lions, because he was found blameless before God and the king. The king immediately ordered the release of Daniel, and that all his detractors and their families be thrown into the lions’ den.

How does God protect all people? (Psalm 91)

God also protects those who abide in him from all pestilence, from the arrows of the wicked that fly by day, and from destruction of all kinds. People must see God continually as their shield and exceeding great reward.

Evaluation

1. How did God protect the Israelites from the Egyptians at the Red Sea?
2. Why did the envious officials decide to attack Daniel through a decree about prayer?
3. What did Daniel do when he heard about the decree?
4. What happened to Daniel’s detractors and their families?
5. From Psalm 91, name two things God protects those who abide in him from.

Assignment

In your own words, write a short account of how God protected Daniel in the lions’ den, and state one lesson Christians can learn from it.