Table of Contents
A Saviour is someone who rescues, protects, or delivers others from harm, danger, or difficulty. In the context of Christianity, Jesus is called the Saviour and His name, Jesus, itself means "Yahweh is salvation" or "the Lord saves". This lesson explains the importance of Jesus as our Saviour and the reasons why.
Class: Primary 3
Term: 1st Term
Week: 3
Age: 8 years
Duration: 40 minutes
Subject: Christian Religious knowledge
Curriculum Theme:
Previous Lesson: The Type of Saviour the Jews Were Expecting
Topic: The Importance of the Saviour
Content/Learning Area: Reasons why Jesus is our Saviour, the kind of Saviour Jesus is, and the importance of a Saviour.
Performance Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
Cognitive Domain:
- Explain at least three reasons why Jesus is our Saviour.
- Describe the nature of Jesus as a caring and sacrificial Saviour.
- Mention at least four ways a Saviour is important in our lives.
Affective Domain:
- Show appreciation for the role of Jesus as the Saviour.
- Express a sense of security and hope in Jesus as their Saviour.
- Participate respectfully in discussions about Jesus.
Psychomotor Domain:
- Point to biblical pictures depicting Jesus’ saving acts.
- Role-play simple scenarios demonstrating the importance of a helper or saviour (optional).
Social Domain:
- Share their understanding of Jesus as Saviour with classmates.
- Listen attentively to others’ perspectives on the topic.
Instructional Materials
To deliver this lesson, the teacher will use the following materials:
- Bible (New Testament)
- Biblical pictures or drawings depicting Jesus’ arrest, trial, and crucifixion
- Visual aids illustrating the meaning of “Saviour” (e.g., a rescuer helping someone)
Reference Materials
The following resources were used in planning this lesson:
- Nigerian 9 – Years Basic Education Curriculum
- Abuja Educational Resource Centre Scheme of Work
- NAPPS National Unified Scheme of Work1
- What does it mean that Jesus is the Savior?: https://www.gotquestions.org/Jesus-Savior.html
- Why Did Jesus Have to Die to a Cross? – Bible Study Tools: https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/why-did-jesus-have-to-die.html
Rationale for the Lesson
Understanding Jesus as the Saviour is fundamental to Christian faith. This lesson aims to help pupils grasp why Jesus is essential for humanity’s relationship with God and to appreciate the significance of His sacrifice and saving acts.
Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge
Pupils can:
- Recall that the Jewish people were expecting a Saviour.
- Understand the basic concept of sin and its consequences.
Lesson Content
The Significance of Saviour
A Saviour is someone who rescues, protects, or delivers others from harm, danger, or difficulty. In the context of Christianity, Jesus is called the Saviour and His name, Jesus, itself means “Yahweh is salvation” or “the Lord saves” (Matthew 1:21).
Reasons Why Jesus Is Our Saviour
Jesus is our Saviour for many important reasons:
- He Makes Us Right with God: Sin separates us from God. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus provided a way for our sins to be forgiven, making us righteous in God’s sight.
- He Cleanses Our Sins: Jesus’ sacrifice washes away our wrongdoings, purifying us and making us clean before God.
- He Paid the Price for Our Freedom: The consequence of sin is death (spiritual separation from God). Jesus took the punishment for our sins upon Himself on the cross, paying the price for our freedom from sin and death.
- He Rescued Us from Death: By conquering death through His resurrection, Jesus offers us the hope of eternal life with God, rescuing us from the ultimate consequence of sin.
- He Gave Up His Life for Us: Jesus willingly sacrificed His life out of love for humanity, demonstrating the ultimate act of saving grace.
The Importance of a Saviour
Having a Saviour like Jesus is crucial because:
- To Save Us: He delivers us from the power and consequences of sin.
- To Protect Us: He offers spiritual protection from evil and guides us away from harmful paths.
- To Care for Us: As our Saviour, Jesus loves and cares for us, providing comfort and support in times of need.
- To Guide Us: He teaches us how to live according to God’s will and leads us on the path of righteousness.
- To Give Us Peace of Mind: Through faith in Jesus, we can have peace with God and experience inner peace knowing our sins are forgiven.
Memory Verse
Matthew 1:21: “She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
Bible2 Readings
Matthew 1:18-25, 2 Samuel 22:2-3, Hosea 13:4-5
Teaching Methods
To deliver this lesson, the teacher will adopt the following methods: Identification, Explanation, Storytelling, Question and Answer, Demonstration, Discussion.
Instructional Procedures
To deliver this lesson, the teacher will adopt the following steps:
| Content Development | Time | Teaching Skills | Teacher’s Activity | Pupils’ Activity | Learning Point |
| Step 1: Introduction | 5 minutes | Set Induction | The teacher revises the previous lesson by asking pupils about the type of Saviour the Jews were expecting. Then, the teacher introduces the new topic, “The Importance of the Saviour,” and asks pupils what they think it means to have a saviour. | Pupils recall information from the previous lesson and share their initial thoughts on what a saviour is. | Activating prior knowledge and introducing the lesson’s focus. |
| Step 2: Explaining “Saviour” | 7 minutes | Explanation | The teacher explains the meaning of the word “Saviour” in simple terms, using an analogy of someone rescuing another from danger. The teacher emphasizes that Jesus is our Saviour in a spiritual sense, saving us from sin. | Pupils listen attentively to the teacher’s explanation and ask for clarification if needed. | Understanding the basic meaning of “Saviour” and its relevance to Jesus. |
| Step 3: Reasons Jesus Is Our Saviour | 10 minutes | Explanation, Discussion | The teacher explains the different reasons why Jesus is our Saviour, using biblical references and the provided points. The teacher encourages pupils to ask questions and discuss each point. | Pupils listen to the explanations, ask questions, and participate in the discussion, offering their understanding of each reason. | Comprehending the multifaceted reasons for Jesus’ role as the Saviour. |
| Step 4: Importance of a Saviour | 8 minutes | Explanation, Question and Answer | The teacher explains the importance of having a Saviour using the listed points. The teacher asks pupils to provide real-life examples of why having someone to save, protect, care for, and guide is important. | Pupils listen to the explanations and share relevant examples from their own experiences or understanding. | Recognizing the practical significance of Jesus as a Saviour in their lives. |
| Step 5: Memory Verse and Bible Reading | 5 minutes | Memorization, Reading | The teacher introduces the memory verse (Matthew 1:21) and helps pupils recite it. The teacher then reads the selected Bible passages or shows relevant biblical pictures related to Jesus’ saving acts. | Pupils repeat the memory verse and listen attentively as the teacher reads the Bible passages or observe the pictures. | Reinforcing the lesson through scripture and visual representation. |
| Step 6: Note Taking | 3 minutes | Summarization | The teacher writes a short summary of the main points (Reasons and Importance of Jesus as Saviour) and the memory verse on the board for pupils to copy into their notebooks. | Pupils copy the notes from the board into their notebooks. | Consolidating learning through written records. |
| Step 7: Evaluation | 2 minutes | Question and Answer | The teacher asks the following questions: “Why is Jesus our Saviour?” and “Mention four ways Jesus is important as our Saviour.” | Pupils answer the teacher’s questions based on what they have learned during the lesson. | Assessing pupils’ understanding of the key concepts taught. |
| Step 8: Closure | – | Positive Reinforcement | The teacher commends the pupils for their participation and summarizes the importance of Jesus as their Saviour, encouraging them to trust in Him. | Pupils listen to the teacher’s concluding remarks. | Reinforcing the main message and providing a sense of closure. |
Lesson Keywords
- Saviour – One who saves or delivers from danger or suffering.
- Sin – An act against God’s will or a breaking of God’s law.
- Redemption – The act of saving or being saved from sin, error, or evil.
- Forgiveness – The act of pardoning an offense or giving up resentment.
- Sacrifice – An act of giving up something valued for the sake of something else.
Lesson Evaluation
- Pupils’ responses to the teacher’s questions during discussions.
- Pupils’ answers to the evaluation questions at the end of the lesson.
- Observation of pupils’ participation and engagement during the lesson.
- Review of pupils’ notebooks for the notes taken.
Assignment/Homework
- Write down the memory verse.
- In your own words, explain one reason why Jesus is your Saviour.
- Ask a family member to tell you one story from the Bible about Jesus saving someone.
Differentiation
For slower learners:
- Provide simplified explanations and use more visual aids.
- Break down the reasons and importance of the Saviour into smaller, manageable points.
- Allow them to answer evaluation questions orally.
For advanced learners:
- Encourage them to research other biblical titles of Jesus and discuss their meanings.
- Ask them to write a short paragraph explaining why the role of the Saviour is significant for the world.
For visual/auditory/kinesthetic learners:
- Visual: Use more pictures and illustrations of Jesus’ life and saving acts.
- Auditory: Engage in more discussions and storytelling.
- Kinesthetic: (Optional) Allow pupils to act out simple scenarios of rescue or helping to understand the concept of a saviour.
Note for Teachers
Emphasize the love and sacrifice of Jesus in a way that is age-appropriate and meaningful for the pupils. Use simple language and relatable examples. Encourage a spirit of reverence and appreciation for Jesus’ role as the Saviour. Be sensitive to pupils from diverse backgrounds and ensure the lesson is inclusive.