Civic Responsibility and Good citizen

 CONTENT

• The Need for Order in the Society Romans 13:1-7
• Submission to Those in Authourity
• People in Authority to Serve with the Fear of God  (Roman13:1-7)

Civics is the study of the right and responsibilities of citizenship. Therefore civic responsibilities are duties which the citizens of a country are expected to perform to ensure peace, progress and the unity of their country. For peace to reign in the society,  the citizens must be law-abiding and obedient and they must have respect for constituted authority.

The Need for Order in the Society (Rom. 13:1-7)

In St. Paul’s epistle to the Romans, he admonished Christians to be law-abiding. Every authority on earth belongs to God. No government on earth ever existed,  without the knowledge of God. If this is the case, to resist the government amounts to resisting God and such resistance may attracts the wrath or judgment of God.

St. Paul said rulers are not a terror to good conduct but to bad conduct. People should, therefore, not fear those in authority, provided they do what is good. For conscience purposes, people should be subject to those in authority.. St Paul expects Christians not only to be law- abiding but also do that which is expected of them at the right time and at the right place

Submission to Those in Authority

St. Peter admonished the Christians to subject themselves to civil authority. This means that Christians are expected to obey all human institutions. Peter established that those in authority can punish offenders and praise or reward those who do the right things. He said that men should obey authority because it is the Lord’s will and also to put to silence the ignorance of foolish men. Hence resistance to legitimate authority is wrong.

People in Authority to Serve with the Fear of God

The Jews believed that angelic powers stood behind the human authority to influence the affairs of the nation. Since they regard God as the supreme power, all other powers would be His offshoot, either authorized or permitted by Him. Moreover , the civil rule encourages good and suppresses evil. This means that those in authority are to execute their authority with the fear of God.

EVALUATION

1. Discuss Paul’s teaching on civic responsibility
2. Show how we can apply these instances in our daily Living.

GENERAL EVALUATION

1. Evaluate Peter’s teaching on civil responsibility
2. What is the best leadership quality according to the passage above?
3. Why should Christians subject to Authority?
4. Mention four qualities of a leader

READINNG ASSIGNMENT

Essential Christian Religious Knowledge for SS1-3 By Edmond Ugochukwu pg 242 – 245

WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT

1. People in authority should serve with the   A. fear of the unknown  B.  fear of the people  C. fear of God   D.  power  of God  
2. Which of the following is not good for people in authority A. boldness B. fear of God C. ego D. love
3. According to the Bible human institutions can perform the following roles for people except

A. punishment  B.  protection  C.  reward  D.  eternal judgment

4. St Peter  affirmed that authority is  A.  supreme  B. delegated by God  C.  supported by man  D. the highest
5. Civic responsibility teaches the following except  A.  obedience to law  B. respect for authority  C. attacks on criminals  D. peaceful coexistence

THEORY

1. What is civic responsibility?
2. What are the features of a good citizen?

TOPIC: GOOD CITIZENSHIP

CONTENT

• Meaning of Good Citizenship
• How To Be A Good Citizen

Good Citizenship (I Peter 2:13-17)

A good citizen is one who is law-abiding and who has respect for constituted authorities. He performs his civic duties and responsibilities promptly.

Peter in his epistle said, a good citizen is he who for God’s sake, subjects himself to every human institution or authority. He respects the authorities or the rulers who have been appointed by God to punish evil doers and praise those who do the right things, The good citizen puts to shame the ignorance of foolish men. A good citizen should live as a free man, without using his freedom as a pretext for evil, but he should live as a servant of God. Above all, he should honour all men, love the brotherhood of christians, fear God and honour the rulers and the king.

EVALUATION

1. What are the attributes of Civic Responsibility?
2. Show how we can apply three of instances in our daily living.

HOW TO BE A GOOD CITIZEN

1. A good citizen should pay taxes, rates, levies, electricity bills etc. promptly.
2. Self-discipline and obedience to the government are required
3. Teaching good ethics and moral through youth organizations
4. Keeping away from anti-social behaviours like drug addiction and trafficking, armed robbery etc.
5. Keeping ourselves under the authorities
6. Respecting court injunctions and orders
7. Obeying road signs
8. Not vandalizing government properties
9. Not aiding and abetting corruption
10. Not engaging in cult activities in schools
11. Refraining from sexual harassment.
12. Keeping the law and obeying the constitution
13. Refraining from nepotism, favouritism
14. Voting at elections
15. Shunning cultism
16. Taking part in public enlightenment campaigns to eradicate illiteracy, child abuse etc.
17. Honouring God

EVALUATION

1. How can christians show Good citizenship?
2. State four ways we can help the school authority to maintain law and order in the school.

GENERAL EVALUATION/REVISIONAL QUESTIONS

1. What is civic responsibility and what are its attributes?
2. How can christians show good citizenship?
3. Why should a christian perform civic responsibilities?
4. How far are today’s christians obeying Paul’s injunction on civic responsibility?
5. Trace the steps taken by Paul to teach Philemon the lesson of forgiveness.
6. What five lessons can we learn from Paul’s reconciliation bid?

READING ASSIGNMENT

Comprehensive Christian Religious Knowledge for SS 1- 3 by Martins . I Amaechi Pages 246 – 250

RSV Bible Read Romans 13:1-7 I Peter 2: 13-17

WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT

1. Which of these is not the obligation of a Christian citizen? A. Subjecting oneself to authority

B. Rebelling only when it is absolutely necessary C. paying tax  D. bribing others

2. By being subject to authority, one is unknowingly A. making himself inferior B. Practicing righteousness C. avoiding God’s wrath  D. praying to God
3. The centre of Peter’s message on civic responsibility is A. Good citizenship B. rights of the citizen

C. responsibilities of the authority  D.  humility

4. According to Peter, which of these is not a manifestation of good citizenship A. Being subject to human institutions B. Living a free man C. Honouring men  D. praying to God
5. Christian brothers should be subject to authority because A. all authority is from God B. Christians should show example C. It is an offence to rebel  D. man started authority

THEORY

1. Why should a christian perform civic responsibilities?
2. How far are today’s christians obeying Paul’s injunction of civic responsibility?