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Christian Religious Studies Notes

God Cares For His People

Guidance  – Exodus 14

When the Israelites left Egypt, God directed Moses to lead the Israelites back and encamp in front of Pihahiroth near the sea. Moses did as God told him. When Pharaoh was told that the Israelites had left Egypt, Pharaoh and his servants changed their mind towards the Israelites. Pharaoh took his army and chariots and pursued the Israelites. When the Israelites saw them approaching, they were so afraid but Moses told them not to be afraid because God will fight for them.

EVALUATION

Who led the Israelites out of Egypt?

God told Moses to stretch his rod to the Red sea and it parted to the right and left so as to allow the people pass through o dry land. Moses did as he was instructed. Immediately, a strong east wind caused the sea to divide into two, forming walls on both sides and all the Israelites crossed the sea on dry land. The Egyptians tried to cross to the other side like the Israelites did but God told Moses to stretch his rod and Moses did as he was told. Immediately, the waters came back upon the Egyptians and they were drowned. This event made the Israelites to fear God and they believed in Him and Moses.

EVALUATION

Narrate the crossing of the Red Sea event.

HOW GOD LEAD PEOPLE TODAY 

God’s guidance is possible only for those who are ready to do God’s will and accept his guidance.  Apart from Israel, God guides all people called Christians.  He sent his son into the world to die and redeem them from sin, which is the first step. Jesus Christ sent the Holy Spirit to guide all believers in their daily activities. God also gave us the Bible as our guide which shows His person, attitude and most of all His love over the issues of life.

EVALUATION

1.         Discuss the different ways God provided for the Israelites in the wilderness.

2.         List examples of how you have received  guidance  from God.

GENERAL EVALUATION/REVISION QUESTIONS

  1. Mention four ways that God leads people.
  2. Narrate the crossing of the Red Sea event.
  3. How did Paul differentiate between Law and Grace?
  4. What is the significance of these two concepts in the life of a Christian?

READING ASSIGNMENT

Comprehensive Christian Religious Knowledge for SS 1-3 by Martins. I Amaechi pages 39-43.

WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT

  1. The Israelites were encamped in____ when the Egyptians approached them.

A.Siloam B.  Pihahiroth C. Perazim D. Gilead

  • ____ led the Israelites out of captivity. A.Joshua B. Moses C. Caleb D. Aaron
  • The manual of Christians is the_____. A.scroll B.bible C. Parchment D. Tablet
  • Jesus sent the___ to guide all believers. A. dove B. Holy Spirit C. fire D.cloud
  • “Stand firm and see the salvation of the Lord”. What complaint led to this statement by Moses? A. water B. food C. the approaching Egyptians D. Moses’ delay

THEORY

  1. Mention four ways that God leads people.

Narrate the crossing of the Red Sea event.

PROVISION: Exodus 16:1-21; 17: 1-7

Another form in which God manifest his care for his people is in the provision of their material needs.  The people had murmured and rebelled against Moses and Aaron on account of hunger.  This was at the wilderness of sin.  They openly accused Moses of bringing them out to the wilderness to starve them to death.  Moses turned to God for an answer.  This agitation gave rise to the provision of manna – “a fine flake – like thing, fine as hoarfrost on the ground.” The people were instructed to gather as much as they could eat.  Some gathered more than enough.  It got bad the following day.  In the course of their journey they became thirsty and as usual murmured and demanded for water God responded immediately by telling Moses what to do; God showed him a rock which He commanded Moses to strike. Moses did and fresh water rushed out and the people drank and became satisfied. This happened at a place called Rephidin; Moses called the place ‘’Massa’’ and Meribah’’ because here the people found fault and questioned if at all the Lord was with them or not.

EVALUATION

Mention five basic needs of man.

Lessons to Learn and Significance

1.         The food (manna) that came from heaven signifies that they (Israelites) belong to the one in heaven (God).

2.         In times of crisis, God can never forsake His people as long as they trust him.

3.         God is always ready and willing to fight those who fight us as He Fought the Egyptians.

4.         God is ever vigilant.  He is our guardian, refuge and sanctuary.

5.         There is no problem God cannot solve.

6.         He is patient and endures.  Several times, God provided for the people, but several times they remained ungrateful.

GOD PROVIDES FOR ELIJAH AND THE WIDOW OF ZAREPHATH

God instructed Elijah to announce a period of dryness in the land as a result of the sins of the Israelites in neglecting the worship of God and worship Baal. This drought lasted for three years. God told  Elijah to the Brook of Cherith to drink and that ravens will come to feed him there. The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and evening. As a result of the drought, the brook dried up.

God instructed Elijah to go to Zarephath and meet a poor widow who will take care of him. At the gate of Zarephath, he met the widow who was preparing her last meal. Elijah asked her to give him water. She obliged him but Elijah added that she should give a morsel of bread in addition. The widow told him that she wants to prepare her last meal so that she and her son will eat and die. However, Elijah assured her that she will have abundance supply which will not stop until God sends rain to the land.

EVALUATION

Describe the provision of food by God to the widow of Zarephath.

GENERAL EVALUATION/REVISION QUESTIONS

  1. What happened to the left over Manna the following day?
  2. Narrate the provision of water for the Israelites.
  3. Mention at  least, three parables that describe the kingdom of God
  4. Narrate the parable of the sower and outline its significance.

READING ASSIGNMENT

Comprehensive Christian Religious Knowledge for SS 1-3 by Martins. I Amaechi, pages 39-43.

WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT

1.         God provided water for the Israelite from a rock at wilderness of:

            (a) Paran         (b) Massah         (d) Sin           (e) Rephidim

2.         “Massa” and “Meribah” mean

            (a) Proof and Contention        (c) Proof and Contention         (c) Rebellion and  

              murmuring

3.         God provided water for the people at mount ________

            (a) Sinai           (b) Horeb           (c) Camel

4.         God provided Manna for the people _________ everyday.

            (a) once           (b) twice          (c) thrice

5.         “Stand Firm and see the salvation of the Lord”.  What complaint prompted this statement by Moses?  Complaint over _____

            (a) The approaching Egyptians           (b) Food           (c) Scorching heat of the wilderness

THEORY

1.         Discuss the different ways God provided for the Israelites in the wilderness.

2.         Mention five basic needs of man.

PROTECTION: Exodus 16:1-21; 17;1-7

Even at most critical times where all hope is lost, God always guide and protects his people.  This is exemplified in the marvelous 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, the children of Israel walked on dry ground.  As the Egyptians pursued further towards them, Moses repeated the act and the sea came back to its normal flowing rhythm.  All the Egyptians got drowned.  This was how God guided and protected Israel that day from the Egyptians.

EVALUATION

Describe the protection of God over the Israelites.

GOD PROTECTS DANIEL (Dan. 6: 1-28)

God also protects those that honour him. This could be seen in the life of Daniel, who was the most preferred among the three presidents that presides over the empire of Darius, the king of Medes and Persia. A decree was initiated by those that were envious of Daniel that nobody should pray to any god or any man except to the king for the next thirty days. They did this because they knew that the only way that they could incriminate Daniel was through his religious beliefs. The king was not aware of their motive and he signed it which cannot be changed.

When Daniel heard this, he returned to his house and continue 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 than to ask that Daniel be thrown into the lions’ den. The king could not eat nor sleep; he fasted all night.

As the day broke, the king rushed to the den and asked Daniel vaguely if God who he serves continually was able to save him. Daniel responded that God had sent his angels and they shut the mouth of the lions because he was found blameless before God and the king. Immediately, he ordered for the release of Daniel and that all his detractors and their families be thrown into the lions’ den.

EVALUATION

Narrate the protection of God over Daniel.

GOD PROTECTS ALL PEOPLE (Psa. 91)

God also protects those that abide in him from all pestilence, arrows of the wicked that flies by day and destructions of all kinds. It is imperative that people should see God continually as their shield and exceeding great reward.

GENERAL EVALUATION/REVISION QUESTIONS

  1. Describe the protection of God over the Israelites.
  2. Discuss the effect of the Red Sea event on the Israelites.
  3. Narrate the parable of the prodigal son.
  4. What is Christian giving?

READING ASSIGNMENT

Comprehensive Christian Religious Knowledge for SS 1-3 by Martins. I Amaechi pages 39-43.

WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT

1.         The major way God protects believers is through______.

            (a) the bible     (b)dreams (c) angels (d)seasons

2.         The protection of God is____. A. seasonal B. everyday C. yearly D. conventional

3.         God protected the Israelites during their wilderness experience through_______.

            (a)cloud and fire(b) smoke  (c) incense D. the priest

4.         Daniel was cast into the lions’ den because______. A. he was a Jew B. he prayed to his  

             God C. he insulted the king D. he took part in a coup

5.         “Stand Firm and see the salvation of the Lord”.  What complaint prompted this statement by Moses?  Complaint over _____

            (a) The approaching Egyptians           (b) Food           (c) Scorching heat of the wilderness

THEORY

1.         Describe the role of prayer as regards God’s protection.

2.         List examples of how you have received protection, guidance and provision from God.

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