SS2 CHRISTIAN RELIGIOUS STUDIES

FIRST TERM LESSON NOTES

SCHEME OF WORK

Wee Topic Content Breakdown

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1 Leadership of Joseph, Moses, Early life and call of Joseph, Moses, Joshua, and Deborah;
Joshua and Deborah I qualities of godly leadership.
2 Leadership of Joseph, Moses, Achievements, challenges and lessons from their
Joshua and Deborah II leadership experiences.
3 Leadership of Joseph, Moses, Relevance of their leadership examples to contemporary
Joshua and Deborah III Christian life.
4 and God Cares for His People – God's protection of Israel in the wilderness; meaning of
5 Protection divine care and protection today.
6 Midterm Test
7 Parental Responsibility (Eli and Duties of parents to children; Eli's failure; consequences of
His Sons) neglect of parental responsibility.
8 Consequences of Obedience and Biblical examples of obedience and disobedience;
Disobedience blessings and punishments.
9 Friendship David and Jonathan as a model of true friendship;
Christian perspective on loyalty and sacrifice.
10 Trust in God (Submission to the Biblical characters who trusted God (Abraham, Job,
Will of God) Jesus); importance of submission to God's will.
11 Revision
12 Examination

WEEK 1: LEADERSHIP OF JOSEPH, MOSES, JOSHUA AND DEBORAH I

Introduction
The Old Testament presents a rich gallery of men and women whom God raised up to lead His people at critical moments
in their history. Among the most outstanding of these are Joseph, Moses, Joshua and Deborah. Each of them was called by
God from an ordinary background into an extraordinary task of leadership, and each demonstrates that true leadership is
not self-appointed but divinely initiated.
This week's lesson examines the early life and the call of these four leaders, drawing out the essential qualities of godly
leadership that their lives illustrate. Understanding how God prepares and calls leaders equips students to recognise God's
hand in their own lives and to develop the character required for leadership in the home, school, church and nation.

Meaning of Leadership
Leadership may be defined as the ability to influence, guide and direct a person or a group of people towards the
achievement of a set goal. In the biblical sense, godly leadership goes further: it is the divine enablement given to a person
to guide God's people according to God's will and purpose, for the glory of God and the good of the people being led.
Biblical leadership is therefore always accountable to God first, and only secondarily to the people being led. A true
leader in Scripture does not seek position for personal gain but sees leadership as service and stewardship.

The Early Life and Call of Joseph (Genesis 37, 39–41)

Joseph was the eleventh son of Jacob and the first son of his beloved wife Rachel. As a young shepherd boy, Joseph
received two prophetic dreams in which his brothers and even his parents would one day bow before hi m (Genesis 37:5–
11). Rather than being received with joy, these dreams provoked envy in his brothers, who sold him into slavery in Egypt.

Genesis 37:5–7 (NKJV)

"Now Joseph had a dream, and he told it to his brothers; and they hated him even more... There we
were, binding sheaves in the field. Then behold, my sheaf arose and also stood upright; and indeed
your sheaves stood all around and bowed down to my sheaf."

In Egypt, Joseph rose from slavery to become the overseer of Potiphar's house, was later falsely imprisoned, and while in
prison earned a reputation for interpreting dreams accurately. It was this gift, exercised faithfully in obscurity, that
eventually brought him before Pharaoh, who made him prime minister of Egypt (Genesis 41:37–44).
Joseph's call to leadership was therefore not sudden; it was forged gradually through seasons of betrayal, servanthood,
temptation and unjust suffering, during which he remained faithful to God in small responsibilities before being entrusted
with great ones.

The Early Life and Call of Moses (Exodus 2–4)

Moses was born to Hebrew parents at a time when Pharaoh had decreed the death of every Hebrew male child. Hidden for
three months and then placed in a basket on the Nile, he was providentially found and raised by Pharaoh's daughter,
receiving the finest Egyptian education while never losing his Hebrew identity (Exodus 2:1–10).
As a grown man, Moses killed an Egyptian who was beating a Hebrew slave and fled to Midian, where he spent forty
years as a humble shepherd. It was there, at the burning bush, that God called him to return to Egypt and lead Israel out of
bondage.

Exodus 3:10–11 (NKJV)

"Come now, therefore, and I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring My people, the children of
Israel, out of Egypt. But Moses said to God, Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should
bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?"

Moses' hesitation reveals genuine humility; God answered his fears not with a list of Moses' qualifications, but with the
assurance, 'Certainly I will be with you' (Exodus 3:12). This shows that godly leadership rests on God's presence and
enabling, not on the leader's natural ability alone.

The Call of Joshua (Joshua 1:1–9)

Joshua had served for many years as Moses' personal assistant and as one of the twelve spies sent into Canaan, where he
and Caleb alone brought back a report of faith (Numbers 14:6–9). After the death of Moses, God directly commissioned
Joshua to lead Israel into the Promised Land.

Joshua 1:6–9 (NKJV)

"Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I
swore to their fathers to give them... Only be strong and very courageous... for the Lord your God is
with you wherever you go."

God's repeated charge to Joshua to 'be strong and of good courage' shows that courage rooted in obedience to God's word
and confidence in God's presence is central to effective leadership.

The Call of Deborah (Judges 4:4–7)

Deborah is introduced in Scripture as a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, who judged Israel during a time of national
oppression under the Canaanite king Jabin. She held court under a palm tree, and the Israelites came to her for judgment,
indicating that she was already recognised for wisdom and spiritual discernment before she was called into military
leadership.
When Israel needed deliverance, Deborah summoned Barak and, speaking with prophetic authority, instructed him on
God's battle plan against Sisera's army (Judges 4:6–7). Her leadership stands out because it arose in a period when 'there
was no king in Israel' and combined spiritual, judicial and military authority.

Qualities of Godly Leadership Illustrated by These Four Leaders

● Divine Call – None of the four leaders appointed themselves; each was called and equipped by God for a specific
assignment.
● Humble Beginnings – Joseph was a slave, Moses a fugitive shepherd, Joshua an assistant, and Deborah a woman
in a patriarchal society; God delights in raising leaders from unlikely places.
● Faithfulness in Small Things – Each proved trustworthy in obscure responsibilities before being given greater
authority (cf. Luke 16:10).
● Courage – Joshua's charge to 'be strong and of good courage' and Deborah's willingness to confront Sisera's army
exemplify boldness rooted in faith.
● Dependence on God – Moses' reliance on God's presence rather than his own eloquence models true spiritual
dependence.
● Wisdom and Discernment – Joseph's interpretation of dreams and Deborah's role as judge show that godly
leaders are marked by spiritual insight.

WEEK 2: LEADERSHIP OF JOSEPH, MOSES, JOSHUA AND DEBORAH II

Introduction
Having examined the early life and call of Joseph, Moses, Joshua and Deborah last week, this lesson considers the
achievements of these leaders, the challenges they faced while leading God's people, and the enduring lessons their
leadership experiences offer to every generation of believers.

Achievements of Joseph
● As prime minister of Egypt, Joseph administered a wise economic policy that stored grain during seven years of
plenty and distributed it during seven years of famine, saving Egypt and the surrounding nations from starvation
(Genesis 41:46–57).
● He preserved his own family, reconciling with the brothers who had betrayed him and relocating them to the
fertile land of Goshen (Genesis 45:4–11).
● He remained a man of integrity even at the height of power, refusing to take revenge on his brothers and instead
recognising God's overruling hand in his life (Genesis 50:20).

Achievements of Moses
● Moses confronted Pharaoh through ten plagues and led Israel out of four hundred years of Egyptian bondage
(Exodus 7–12).
● He led the nation through the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea (Exodus 14).
● He received the Law, including the Ten Commandments, at Mount Sinai, giving Israel its moral, civil and
religious constitution (Exodus 19–20).
● He organised Israel's system of judges and leaders, laying a foundation for orderly national governance (Exodus
18:13–26).

Achievements of Joshua
 ● Joshua led Israel across the River Jordan on dry ground, repeating the miracle of the Red Sea for a new generation
(Joshua 3).
● He directed the conquest of Jericho and numerous Canaanite cities, fulfilling God's promise of the land to Israel
(Joshua 6; 11).
● He supervised the division of the Promised Land among the twelve tribes (Joshua 13–21).
● He renewed Israel's covenant with God at Shechem shortly before his death, calling the nation to serve the Lord
(Joshua 24:14–15).

Achievements of Deborah
● As a prophetess and judge, Deborah provided spiritual and judicial leadership to Israel during a period of moral
and national decline.
● She directed the military strategy that led to Barak's defeat of Sisera's nine hundred iron chariots (Judges 4:14–
16).
● Following the victory, she and Barak composed the Song of Deborah, one of the earliest and most celebrated
victory hymns in Scripture, giving God the glory for the triumph (Judges 5).
● Her leadership secured forty years of peace for Israel (Judges 5:31).

Challenges Faced by These Leaders

● Joseph: Betrayal by his own brothers, false accusation by Potiphar's wife, and years of unjust imprisonment.
● Moses: Constant complaints and rebellion from the Israelites, the burden of settling disputes for over a million
people, and his own moments of anger and doubt (Numbers 11; 20).
● Joshua: The pressure of succeeding Moses, military opposition from Canaanite coalitions, and the deception of
the Gibeonites (Joshua 9).
● Deborah: Leading in a male-dominated society, a demoralised army, and the need to inspire courage in Barak,
who was initially reluctant to go to battle without her (Judges 4:8).

Lessons from Their Leadership Experiences

1. God can turn betrayal and suffering into a platform for greater usefulness, as seen in Joseph's life.
2. Leadership involves bearing the burdens and complaints of the people one leads with patience and reliance on God.
3. Every leader eventually faces a transition; Joshua shows that a successor who has been faithfully mentored can carry
a vision forward.
4. God can use anyone, regardless of gender or social status, who is willing, wise and courageous, as Deborah
demonstrates.
5. Achievements in leadership are never free of opposition; character is proven in how a leader responds to challenges.

Summary
Joseph, Moses, Joshua and Deborah each achieved great things for God and His people, yet none of them led without
difficulty. Their combined experiences teach that true leadership requires resilience, humility under pressure, and
unwavering trust in God's faithfulness through every challenge.

WEEK 3: LEADERSHIP OF JOSEPH, MOSES, JOSHUA AND DEBORAH III

Introduction
Having studied the call, achievements and challenges of Joseph, Moses, Joshua and Deborah, this final lesson in the series
draws together the relevance of their leadership examples for the contemporary Christian, particularly the Nigerian
student who will one day be called upon to lead in the home, school, workplace, church or nation.

Recap of the Four Leaders

Joseph modelled integrity and forgiveness in administration; Moses modelled dependence on God and patient endurance
amid a difficult people; Joshua modelled courageous obedience to God's word in fulfilling a vision; and Deborah
modelled wise counsel and spiritual authority exercised for the good of the nation. Together they present a rounded
picture of what it means to lead under God.

Leadership Principles Applicable Today

● Servant leadership: Like Joseph, a true leader uses position and privilege to serve and preserve others rather than
to exploit them.
● Vision under God: Like Moses and Joshua, a leader must be able to receive a vision from God and pursue it
despite opposition.
● Accountability: Deborah's leadership was exercised in the open, under a palm tree, accessible to the people she
served and a model of transparency.
● Courage to act: All four leaders had to act decisively at critical moments, showing that leadership requires both
conviction and boldness.

Application to School and Church Life

Students who serve as class prefects, society executives, or fellowship leaders can apply these principles directly: leading
by example rather than by force, treating classmates fairly regardless of personal grievances (as Joseph did with his
brothers), and being willing to take responsibility even when the task is difficult, as Joshua did in leading the conquest of
Canaan.

Application to National Leadership in Nigeria

Nigeria, like ancient Israel, needs leaders who govern with integrity, who consult God and wise counsel before making
major decisions, and who are willing to serve the nation rather than exploit it for personal gain. The Scripture warns that
'when the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when a wicked man rules, the people groan' (Proverbs 29:2).
The example of these four biblical leaders challenges Christian students to aspire to and prepare for positions of
leadership with godly character.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

● Pride and self-reliance and Moses' later disobedience at Meribah (Numbers 20:10–12), where he struck the rock in
anger rather than speaking to it as commanded, cost him entry into the Promised Land and warns leaders against
acting in personal frustration rather than obedience.
● Compromise with wrong counsel and Joshua's treaty with the Gibeonites without consulting God (Joshua 9:14)
reminds leaders always to seek God's guidance before major decisions.
● Fear of unpopular decisions and leaders must, like Deborah, be willing to take bold, God-directed action even
when it is not the easy or popular choice.

Practical Applications for Students

1. Begin practising servant leadership now, in small responsibilities at home and school.
2. Seek God's guidance through prayer and Scripture before making significant decisions.
3. Cultivate integrity, being trustworthy in private before seeking public recognition.
4. Develop courage by taking responsibility for tasks, even difficult ones, rather than avoiding them.
5. Study the lives of godly leaders, ancient and contemporary, to learn transferable leadership principles.

Summary
The leadership examples of Joseph, Moses, Joshua and Deborah remain profoundly relevant today. Their lives teach that
godly leadership is measured not merely by achievements but by character and integrity, courage, humility and
dependence on God and qualities every Christian student is called to develop for future leadership roles in society.
 WEEK 4: GOD CARES FOR HIS PEOPLE AND PROTECTION I

Introduction
After Israel's dramatic exodus from Egypt, the nation faced the harsh realities of the wilderness and no clear roads, no
reliable water supply, no food, and dangerous enemies. Yet throughout this journey, God demonstrated that His care for
His people did not end at their deliverance from slavery; it continued in constant, practical protection. This lesson begins a
two-part study of God's protection of Israel in the wilderness and what it teaches about God's care today.

Meaning of Divine Care and Protection

Divine care refers to God's continuous provision for and attention to the needs of His people, while divine protection
refers to God's active shielding of His people from danger, harm and destruction. Together, they reveal God not as a
distant Creator but as a present, involved Father who watches over those who belong to Him.

The Pillar of Cloud and Fire (Exodus 13:17–22)

As Israel left Egypt, God did not lead them by the shortest route through Philistine territory, knowing the people were not
yet ready for war. Instead, He led them by the way of the wilderness, guiding them visibly by a pillar of cloud by day and
a pillar of fire by night.

Exodus 13:21–22 (NKJV)

"And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of
fire to give them light, so as to go by day and night. He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day or
the pillar of fire by night from before the people."

This constant, visible guidance assured Israel of God's continual presence and protected them from wandering into danger
or losing their way in the vast desert.

Protection at the Red Sea (Exodus 14)

When Pharaoh's army pursued Israel and trapped them against the Red Sea, the people panicked. Moses reassured them,
'The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace' (Exodus 14:14). God then parted the sea, allowing Israel to
cross on dry ground, before closing the waters over the pursuing Egyptian army.
This event stands as one of the greatest demonstrations of divine protection in Scripture: God did not merely rescue Israel
from danger but decisively destroyed the threat that pursued them.

Provision of Manna and Quail (Exodus 16)

In the Wilderness of Sin, the people complained of hunger. God responded by raining bread from heaven and manna and
every morning, and providing quail for meat, sustaining well over a million people daily for the entire forty years of
wilderness wandering.

Water from the Rock (Exodus 17:1–7)

At Rephidim, when the people had no water and quarrelled with Moses, God instructed Moses to strike the rock at Horeb,
and water flowed out abundantly for the whole community and their livestock. This miracle demonstrated that even in the
driest and most hopeless circumstances, God can provide from unexpected sources.

Lessons on God's Protection

● God's protection is continuous, not occasional and the pillar of cloud and fire never departed from the people
throughout their journey.
● God's protection often involves both shielding His people from danger and providing for their practical needs.
● God can use unlikely means (a sea, a rock, bread from the sky) to meet His people's needs; nothing is impossible
with Him.
● God's protection does not exempt His people from the journey, but ensures they are sustained throughout it.
Summary
Through the pillar of cloud and fire, the parting of the Red Sea, the provision of manna and quail, and water from the
rock, God demonstrated to Israel and and to us and that His care for His people is active, continuous and sufficient for
every circumstance of the journey of faith.

WEEK 5: GOD CARES FOR HIS PEOPLE AND PROTECTION II

Introduction
Last week we saw how God protected and provided for Israel through the pillar of cloud and fire, the parting of the Red
Sea, and the provision of manna, quail and water. This week we continue the study of God's wilderness protection and
consider what divine care and protection mean for the Christian believer today.

The Bronze Serpent (Numbers 21:4–9)

When the Israelites again complained against God and Moses, God allowed venomous serpents among them as discipline.
Yet when the people repented, God provided a means of protection: Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a pole, and
everyone who was bitten and looked at it lived.

Numbers 21:8–9 (NKJV)

"Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and it shall be that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at
it, shall live. So Moses made a bronze serpent, and put it on a pole; and so it was, if a serpent had
bitten anyone, when he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived."

This account shows that God's protection is available even in the midst of consequences for sin, provided His people turn
back to Him in obedience and faith. Jesus Himself later referred to this event as a picture of His own crucifixion and the
salvation available through faith in Him (John 3:14–15).

Deuteronomy 8 and The Purpose of the Wilderness Journey

As Israel prepared to enter Canaan, Moses reminded them that the forty years in the wilderness were designed by God to
humble them, test them, and teach them that 'man shall not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that proceeds
from the mouth of the Lord' (Deuteronomy 8:3). Moses also reminded them that throughout those years, 'your garments
did not wear out on you, nor did your foot swell' (Deuteronomy 8:4) and a remarkable, sustained provision of God's
protective care.

Characteristics of God's Protective Care

● Constant: God's care did not fail even for a single day of the forty-year journey.
● Corrective: God's protection sometimes comes after discipline, teaching His people obedience through the
journey (Deuteronomy 8:5).
● Comprehensive: It covered physical needs (food, water, clothing) and safety from enemies and dangers.
● Conditional on trust: As with the bronze serpent, protection was received by those who looked to God in faith
and obedience.

God's Protection and Care Today

The New Testament affirms that God's care for His people continues. Jesus taught His disciples not to be anxious about
food, drink or clothing, because their Heavenly Father knows their needs and cares for them even more than for the birds
of the air (Matthew 6:25–34). Psalm 121 assures believers that 'the Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall
preserve your soul' (Psalm 121:7).
For the Christian today, divine protection may be experienced through God's providence in daily life, answered prayer, the
guidance of the Holy Spirit, and the shielding of believers from spiritual and physical harm as they walk in obedience to
Him.
Human Responsibility Amid God's Protection
While God's protection is freely given, Scripture shows that Israel was still expected to obey, trust and act in faith and
following the pillar, gathering manna daily, looking at the bronze serpent. Likewise, believers today are called to pray,
trust, obey God's word and use wisdom, rather than presuming upon God's protection through carelessness or
disobedience.

Practical Applications
● Trust God for daily needs rather than being consumed with anxiety.
● Obey God's instructions even when they seem unusual, as the Israelites had to look at the bronze serpent in faith.
● Recognise that trials in life, like the wilderness journey, can be seasons in which God is teaching dependence on
Him.
● Give thanks for God's continued provision and protection, no matter how ordinary it may seem.

Summary
God's protection of Israel in the wilderness and through the bronze serpent and throughout their forty years of journeying
and reveals a God who cares constantly, corrects lovingly, and provides comprehensively for His people. This same God
continues to care for and protect believers today, calling them to respond with trust and obedience.

WEEK 6: MIDTERM TEST

WEEK 7: PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY (ELI AND HIS SONS)

Introduction
The family is the foundational unit of society, and parents bear the primary responsibility, under God, of raising their
children in godliness. The Bible presents Eli, the priest and judge of Israel, as a solemn example of what happens when a
parent, though otherwise devoted to God's service, fails to restrain and correct his children. This lesson examines Eli's
story and draws out biblical principles on parental responsibility.

Duties of Parents to Children

Scripture places clear responsibility on parents for the spiritual, moral and physical upbringing of their children.
● Instruction: Parents are to diligently teach God's commandments to their children (Deuteronomy 6:6–7).
● Discipline: Parents are to correct and discipline their children in love, not permitting wrongdoing to go unchecked
(Proverbs 22:6; 29:15).
● Example: Parents are to model godly living, since children learn as much from what they observe as from what
they are told.
● Provision and Protection: Parents are responsible for the physical needs and safety of their children (1 Timothy
5:8).

Eli's Position and Family (1 Samuel 1–2)

Eli served as high priest and judge of Israel at Shiloh, where the ark of the covenant and the tabernacle were located. His
two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, served as priests alongside him. Despite Eli's own high spiritual office, his sons grew up
to be wicked men who, Scripture says, 'did not know the Lord' (1 Samuel 2:12).

Eli's Failure to Restrain His Sons (1 Samuel 2:12–25, 29)

Hophni and Phinehas abused their priestly office: they took the choicest portions of the sacrificial meat by force before it
was offered to God, and they committed sexual immorality with the women who served at the entrance to the tabernacle
(1 Samuel 2:13–17, 22). When Eli heard of it, he only mildly rebuked them.

1 Samuel 2:23–25 (NKJV)

"Why do you do such things? For I hear of your evil dealings from all the people... If one man sins
against another, God will judge him. But if a man sins against the Lord, who will intercede for him?
Nevertheless they did not heed the voice of their father."

God's assessment of Eli's failure is direct: in 1 Samuel 2:29, God rebukes Eli for honouring his sons above God by
allowing them to grow fat on the best of Israel's offerings while failing to restrain their sin. Eli's fault was not that he
never spoke to his sons, but that his correction was weak, and he continued to permit them to serve in the priesthood
despite their unrepentant wickedness.

God's Judgment Pronounced (1 Samuel 2:27–36; 3:11–14)

Because of Eli's failure, God pronounced judgment on his household: his sons would both die on the same day, his
priestly line would be cut off from continuing in honour, and a faithful priest would be raised up in their place. This
judgment was later confirmed directly to the young Samuel, who was being raised in the tabernacle under Eli.

Fulfilment of the Judgment (1 Samuel 4:10–18)

The prophecy was tragically fulfilled when Israel went to war against the Philistines. Hophni and Phinehas died in battle,
and the ark of God was captured. When the news reached Eli, he fell backward from his seat, broke his neck, and died and
a devastating end to a family that had failed to honour God through faithful parenting.

Consequences of Neglecting Parental Responsibility

● Children raised without proper discipline often grow into adults who dishonour both God and their families.
● Neglect of correction, even by an otherwise godly or respected parent, invites God's judgment on the household.
● Position or spiritual office does not exempt a parent from the duty of raising children in obedience to God.
● The consequences of parental neglect can extend beyond the individual family to affect the wider community, as
Israel suffered defeat and lost the ark because of Eli's household.

Summary
Eli's story is a sobering reminder that spiritual position does not replace the responsibility of parents to instruct, correct
and restrain their children. Though Eli served God faithfully in many respects, his failure to discipline Hophni and
Phinehas brought judgment upon his household. Parents today are called to take seriously the God-given duty of raising
children who know and honour the Lord.

WEEK 8: CONSEQUENCES OF OBEDIENCE AND DISOBEDIENCE

Introduction
Obedience to God lies at the heart of the covenant relationship between God and His people. Scripture consistently
teaches that obedience brings blessing while disobedience brings consequence and loss. This lesson examines biblical
examples of both obedience and disobedience and the outcomes that followed, helping students understand the
seriousness of their choices before God.

Meaning of Obedience and Disobedience

Obedience is the willing submission to and compliance with the commands, will or instructions of a higher authority and
in the Christian context, submission to the revealed will of God. Disobedience is the deliberate refusal or failure to comply
with that same authority. In Scripture, obedience is presented not as blind conformity, but as an act of trust and love
towards God (John 14:15).
Biblical Examples of Obedience and Its Blessings
Abraham's willingness to offer his only son Isaac in obedience to God's command, even though it made no natural sense,
is one of the clearest examples of obedient faith in Scripture. Because Abraham did not withhold his son, God renewed
and expanded His covenant blessing upon him and his descendants.

Genesis 22:16–18 (NKJV)

"Because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son... blessing I will
bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven... because you
have obeyed My voice."

Noah's obedience in building the ark exactly as God instructed, despite having no prior experience of rain or flood,
resulted in the preservation of his family and the continuation of human life on earth (Genesis 6:22; 7:5).
Biblical Examples of Disobedience and Its Consequences
Adam and Eve's disobedience in eating the forbidden fruit, despite God's clear instruction, led to their expulsion from the
Garden of Eden and the entrance of sin, suffering and death into the human race (Genesis 3:6, 17–19, 23–24).
King Saul's disobedience in failing to fully destroy the Amalekites and their livestock as God had commanded, choosing
instead to spare King Agag and the best of the animals, led directly to his rejection as king over Israel.

1 Samuel 15:22–23 (NKJV)

"Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of
witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry."

Deuteronomy 28 and Blessings and Curses

Before Israel entered the Promised Land, Moses set before the nation the blessings that would follow obedience and
prosperity in the city and field, victory over enemies, and abundant fruitfulness (Deuteronomy 28:1–14) and and the
curses that would follow disobedience, including defeat, sickness, poverty and exile (Deuteronomy 28:15–68). This
chapter presents, in the clearest terms in the Old Testament, the direct link between covenant faithfulness and its
consequences.
Principles Governing Obedience and Disobedience
● Obedience is a matter of the heart, not mere outward performance (1 Samuel 15:22).
● God's commands, though sometimes difficult, are always for the ultimate good of His people (Deuteronomy
10:13).
● Consequences of disobedience may extend beyond the individual to affect their family or community, as seen
throughout Israel's history.
● God is merciful and welcomes repentance, but the natural consequences of disobedient choices often still remain.

Practical Application for Students

1. Obey school rules, not merely to avoid punishment, but out of respect for authority as taught in Scripture (Romans
13:1–2).
2. Practise honesty and diligence in academic work as an expression of obedience to God's standards of integrity.
3. Choose obedience to parents and teachers even when instructions are inconvenient or not fully understood.
4. Recognize that small, consistent acts of obedience build the character needed for greater faithfulness later in life.

Summary
The lives of Abraham, Noah, Adam and Eve, and Saul demonstrate that obedience to God brings blessing, favour and life,
while disobedience brings loss, judgment and separation from God's best. Deuteronomy 28 sets this principle before Israel
in unmistakable terms, and it remains true for every believer today: obedience is the pathway to the fullness of God's
blessing.
 WEEK 9: FRIENDSHIP (DAVID AND JONATHAN)

Introduction
Friendship is one of the most treasured relationships in human life, and the Bible presents the friendship between David
and Jonathan as its finest model. Their bond, formed in extraordinary and difficult circumstances, teaches timeless lessons
about loyalty, sacrifice and selfless love that every Christian is called to emulate.

Meaning of True Friendship

True friendship may be defined as a bond of mutual affection, trust and loyalty between individuals, marked by
selflessness rather than self-interest. Unlike relationships built on convenience or advantage, biblical friendship is
covenantal and it commits to the good of the other person even at personal cost. Proverbs 17:17 describes a friend as one
who 'loves at all times' and 'is born for adversity.'

The Covenant Between David and Jonathan (1 Samuel 18:1–4)

David and Jonathan met shortly after David's victory over Goliath. Despite the fact that Jonathan, as Saul's son, stood to
inherit the throne that God had already promised to David, Jonathan's soul was 'knit to the soul of David,' and he loved
him as his own soul.

1 Samuel 18:3–4 (NKJV)

"Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul. And Jonathan
took off the robe that was on him and gave it to David, with his armour, even to his sword and his bow
and his belt."

By giving David his royal robe and armour, Jonathan symbolically acknowledged David's future kingship, setting aside
his own claim to the throne out of love and loyalty to his friend and submission to God's will.

Jonathan's Loyalty and Sacrifice (1 Samuel 19–20)

As King Saul grew increasingly jealous and sought to kill David, Jonathan repeatedly risked his own safety to protect his
friend. He spoke on David's behalf before his father (1 Samuel 19:4–6), warned David of Saul's murderous intentions even
at the cost of Saul's anger being turned against him (1 Samuel 20:30–34), and helped David escape to safety.
Jonathan's actions were costly: he knowingly protected the man who would take the throne he might otherwise have
inherited, and he endured his own father's rage, including being publicly humiliated and nearly killed by Saul's spear (1
Samuel 20:33).

Qualities of True Friendship Illustrated

● Selflessness: Jonathan set aside personal ambition (the throne) for the sake of his friend and God's will.
● Loyalty: Jonathan remained faithful to David even when it endangered his relationship with his own father.
● Covenant commitment: Their friendship was sealed with a formal covenant, showing that true friendship
involves deliberate, lasting commitment, not mere convenience.
● Courage: Jonathan spoke truth to his father and took personal risks to protect David.
● Emotional intimacy: Their parting in 1 Samuel 20:41–42 shows deep, unashamed affection and grief at
separation.

Christian Perspective on Loyalty and Sacrifice

The New Testament echoes the loyalty and sacrifice modelled by Jonathan when Jesus says, 'Greater love has no one than
this, than to lay down one's life for his friends' (John 15:13). Christian friendship is meant to reflect Christ's own
sacrificial love and a willingness to put another's welfare above personal ambition, comfort or safety. David and
Jonathan's friendship stands as an Old Testament picture of this New Testament ideal.

Practical Applications for Students

1. Choose friends who encourage godly character rather than those who lead towards compromise (1 Corinthians
15:33).
2. Be loyal to true friends, standing by them in difficult times rather than abandoning them when it becomes costly.
3. Practise selflessness in friendship, celebrating a friend's success rather than harbouring jealousy, as Jonathan did
towards David.
4. Speak truth and offer godly counsel to friends, even when it is uncomfortable to do so.

Summary
The friendship between David and Jonathan remains the Bible's supreme example of loyalty, selflessness and sacrificial
love between friends. Jonathan's willingness to set aside his own claim to the throne and risk his safety for David's sake
illustrates the depth of true friendship, which Christians are called to reflect in their own relationships, following the
pattern of Christ's own sacrificial love.

WEEK 10: TRUST IN GOD (SUBMISSION TO THE WILL OF GOD)

Introduction
Trust in God, expressed through submission to His will even in difficult or painful circumstances, is one of the highest
marks of Christian maturity. This concluding lesson of the term examines three of Scripture's most powerful examples of
trust and submission and Abraham, Job and Jesus Christ and and draws out the importance of submitting to God's will in
the life of every believer.

Meaning of Trust and Submission to God's Will

Trust in God is the confident reliance on God's character, wisdom and goodness, even when His ways are not fully
understood. Submission to God's will is the deliberate yielding of one's own desires, plans and comfort to what God has
ordained, believing that His purposes are ultimately good (Romans 8:28).

Abraham's Trust and The Sacrifice of Isaac (Genesis 22:1–18)

God commanded Abraham to offer his beloved son Isaac and the son of promise, through whom God's covenant was to be
fulfilled and as a burnt offering. Without argument or delay, Abraham obeyed, journeying three days to Mount Moriah,
prepared to carry out God's instruction.

Genesis 22:8, 12 (NKJV)

"God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering... Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do
anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only
son, from Me."

At the crucial moment, God provided a ram as a substitute, and Isaac's life was spared. Abraham's willingness to submit
fully to God, even regarding the promise closest to his heart, remains the supreme Old Testament model of faith and
submission (Hebrews 11:17–19).

Job's Trust Amid Suffering (Job 1–2, 42)

Job, described as 'blameless and upright,' lost his wealth, his ten children and his health in rapid succession, through
calamities permitted by God within the limits set for Satan. Despite immense suffering and the counsel of his wife to
'curse God and die' (Job 2:9), Job refused to renounce his trust in God.

Job 1:21; 13:15 (NKJV)

"The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. Though He slay me,
yet will I trust Him."

Although Job questioned and wrestled honestly with God throughout the book, he ultimately submitted to God's sovereign
wisdom when God spoke to him out of the whirlwind, and God restored Job's fortunes twofold (Job 42:1–6, 10).

Jesus' Submission in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36–46)

On the night before His crucifixion, Jesus, fully aware of the suffering that awaited Him, prayed in deep anguish in the
Garden of Gethsemane. Though He asked that, if possible, the cup of suffering might pass from Him, He ultimately
submitted His will entirely to the Father's purpose.

Matthew 26:39 (NKJV)

"O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will."

Jesus' submission in Gethsemane, followed by His obedience even to death on the cross (Philippians 2:8), stands as the
ultimate example of trust in and submission to the Father's will, accomplishing salvation for humanity.

Importance of Submission to God's Will

● Submission acknowledges that God's wisdom and plans exceed human understanding (Isaiah 55:8–9).
● Trusting God in difficulty deepens faith and often results in blessing, restoration or greater purpose being
fulfilled, as seen in the lives of Abraham and Job.
● Submission to God's will, even in suffering, glorifies God and testifies to others of His faithfulness.
● Christ's own example teaches that submission to God may involve real struggle and honest prayer, but must end
in trust and obedience.

Practical Applications
1. Bring honest struggles and fears to God in prayer, as Jesus did in Gethsemane, rather than suppressing them.
2. Trust God's plan for your life even when circumstances and such as academic setbacks, family difficulties or
disappointments and are hard to understand.
3. Avoid the temptation, as Job's wife suggested, to turn away from God during hardship; instead, draw closer to Him.
4. Practise daily submission in small matters and accepting correction, adjusting plans, obeying instructions and to
build the capacity to submit in larger matters of life.

Summary
Abraham, Job and Jesus Christ each faced circumstances that tested their trust in God to the utmost, and each ultimately
submitted to God's will despite the cost. Their examples teach that trust in God is not the absence of struggle, but the
choice to yield to God's purposes even when they are difficult to understand, confident that God is good and sovereign
over every circumstance.