Week Three
Subject: Christian Religious Studies (CRS)
Class: Primary Three
Week of the Third Term: 3rd Week
Topic: Showing Love and Unselfishness
Subtopic: Moral Responsibility and Unselfish Love
Scripture Reference: Philippians 2:3, 1 Corinthians 13:4-6
Instructional Objectives
At the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
- Explain the importance of showing unselfish love to others, based on Philippians 2:3 and 1 Corinthians 13:4-6.
- Identify and describe characteristics of unselfish love such as humility, kindness, and patience.
- Demonstrate understanding of moral responsibility by practicing unselfish love in their daily interactions.
Entry Behaviour
Before starting this lesson, pupils should already know:
- The meaning of love and kindness in a general sense.
- Basic knowledge of Bible verses and stories of love, especially from Jesus’ teachings.
Instructional Materials
- Textbook: Christian Religious Studies for Primary School Book 3 by Tolulope Kusimo.
- Visual Aids: Flashcards or charts illustrating the characteristics of unselfish love (e.g., patience, kindness, humility).
- Bible (for reference to the scriptures Philippians 2:3 and 1 Corinthians 13:4-6).
Reference Materials
Kusimo, T. (2022). Christian Religious Studies for Primary School Book 3. Metropolitan Publishers, Lagos.
Ogunniyi, D., M.cOliver, O.J.E., & Ekwukoma, V. (2022). Christian Religious Studies for Primary School Book 3. Spectrum Book Limited, Lagos.
Content
Moral Responsibility in Unselfish Love
Being morally responsible means doing what is right, even when it is not easy. It is our duty to love others and help them whenever we can. The Bible teaches us that we should love others the way Jesus loves us. In Philippians 2:3, it says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” This means we should always think about others first and put their needs ahead of our own.
Why is Unselfish Love Important?
- It Helps Us Grow as Kind People:
When we show unselfish love, we grow into kind and caring individuals. Helping others without expecting something in return makes our hearts grow kinder. For example, if you help a classmate with their homework or share your toys, you are showing unselfish love and helping them in a kind way. - It Makes the World a Better Place:
When everyone shows love and helps others, the world becomes a better and happier place. Small acts of kindness, like smiling at someone or helping them with their bags, make a big difference. If everyone practiced unselfish love, there would be more peace and happiness in the world. - It Follows Jesus’ Example:
Jesus showed us the best example of unselfish love. He helped and cared for people, even when they didn’t ask for it. He loved everyone, including those who were not kind to Him. Jesus’ love for us was unselfish because He gave His life for us, even though we didn’t deserve it. In 1 Corinthians 13:4-6, it says, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking.” This reminds us that love is about being kind, not being selfish. - It Builds Strong Relationships:
When we love others unselfishly, we build strong friendships and trust. People like to be around those who are kind and generous. If you help your friends and care about them, they will also help you when you need it. This creates strong bonds of love and friendship. - It Teaches Us to Share and Care:
Unselfish love teaches us to share what we have with others. This could be sharing your lunch with someone who doesn’t have any or offering your seat to someone who needs it. When we share, we show love, and that makes us feel good inside.
Lesson Presentation (Step-by-Step Procedure)
Step 1: Introduction
Start with a question: “Can you think of a time when someone did something kind for you, without expecting anything in return?” Encourage pupils to share their experiences of unselfish love, and discuss how it made them feel. This will help them relate to the concept of showing love without selfishness.
Step 2: Explanation
Explain that unselfish love is about putting the needs of others before our own desires. Share the verses from Philippians 2:3 and 1 Corinthians 13:4-6, highlighting the importance of humility, patience, and kindness in showing love. Tell the pupils that moral responsibility means we have a duty to show love and care for others, especially when it’s not convenient or when we expect nothing in return.
Step 3: Demonstration
Using the visual aids, demonstrate the qualities of unselfish love:
- Kindness: Helping a classmate without expecting anything in return.
- Patience: Waiting for your turn in a game or class activity without complaining.
- Humility: Apologizing when you make a mistake, even if it’s difficult.
Show the pupils how these actions reflect the true meaning of love as taught in the scriptures.
Step 4: Guided Practice
Ask pupils to role-play different scenarios where they can show unselfish love. For example, one pupil can pretend to be a friend who needs help, and another can act out offering help without expecting anything in return. Guide them in practicing these behaviors and discussing how they reflect the teachings of Philippians 2:3 and 1 Corinthians 13:4-6.
Step 5: Independent Practice
Ask pupils to create a “Unselfish Love Journal,” where they will write down three acts of unselfish love they can show to others during the week (e.g., helping a friend, sharing something they like, being patient). Encourage them to reflect on how these actions demonstrate unselfish love.
Step 6: Feedback
Walk around as pupils work on their journals, offering encouragement and ensuring they understand the lesson. After the role-playing activity, ask the pupils to reflect on how they felt while acting out unselfish love. Discuss any challenges they faced in practicing unselfishness.
Evaluation
Formative Assessment:
Observe pupils during the role-playing and journal activities. Ask them to explain how their actions reflect unselfish love and why those actions are important. Provide feedback to ensure understanding.
Summative Assessment:
At the end of the lesson, pupils will write a short reflection on how they can show unselfish love in their own lives, citing examples from the scriptures Philippians 2:3 and 1 Corinthians 13:4-6.
Summary/Conclusion
To summarize, unselfish love is about caring for others without expecting anything in return. It involves humility, kindness, and patience, as we learn from Philippians 2:3 and 1 Corinthians 13:4-6. As Christians, we have a moral responsibility to show love and care for others, reflecting Jesus’ example of unselfishness. Encourage pupils to practice these qualities every day and to treat others with kindness and respect.
Assignment
For homework, pupils will write about a time when they showed unselfish love to someone, describing how they felt and how the other person might have felt. They should reference Philippians 2:3 or 1 Corinthians 13:4-6 in their reflection.