Christian Religious Knowledge JSS1
Week 9
Topic: RECONCILIATION AND THE LAWS OF CHRIST
LESSON 1
RECONCILIATION
Reconciliation is defined as the act of finding a satisfactory way of dealing with or settling an argument or disagreement. The ultimate aim of reconciliation is to make people become friends again after an argument, a disagreement or quarrel.
Conditions Necessary for Reconciliation
Before reconciliation can take place successfully, people must observe the following.
Sincerity: Those people involved in an argument must be very sincere with each other. They should be ready to accept their wrongs
Humility: The people involved should be humble, the offender should humbly tender his apology while the offended should be ready to forgive and forget.
There should be three parties on the reconciliation table; The offender, The offended and The settling party.
Impartiality: There should be total avoidance of partiality. The people involved in settling the dispute or disagreement must play fair. They should be men or women of integrity, honesty and must possess strong moral principles.
LESSON 2
THE PRODIGAL SON’S RECONCILIATION
Bible Reference: Luke 15 vs. 11 – 32
Prayer: Lord give me grace to forgive others
A noble man had two son’s. The younger one called his father and demanded for his inheritance, the father didn’t argue but he quietly gave him his own portion. Few days later the younger son took all his possessions and travelled out. He wasted all what he had with friends and worthless people. He finished all he had in a grand prodigal style of living. He had nothing and he became a servant and fed on food belonging to animals. One day he came to his senses and said to himself that he would rather go home and reconcile with his father. I will arise and go to my father and I will say to him father I have sinned against heaven and before you and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servant (Luke 15 vs. 18 – 19)
He arose and went home to meet his father, when his father saw him afar off, he rushed to welcome him. His father embraced and kissed him. His father forgave him. Oh!!! what a wonderful reconciliation
MORAL LESSONS
Strong Desire for power and Greed can cause people to kill, destroy, cheat, oppress and act unfaithfully. As a Christian student, we must not allow greediness to overtake us.
Christians are expected to take steps of reconciliation and restoration after committing sin. Always seek for forgiveness.
As Christian’s student, God expects us to reconcile with everyone who has wronged with us.
We are not expected to be proud so that reconciliation can be done easily.
Reconciliation can be done when an individual recognizes the root cause of his problems. It may require restitution or apologies, as in the case of the prodigal son.
LESSON 3
LIVING IN A COMMUNITY UNDER GOD’S LAW
Law is a set of rules, regulations established to govern people. It is true that the people want freedom but it is always good to guide freedom so that it will not be misused or abused. The behavior and conduct of the members of the society have to be guided in such a way that it will bring peace, coexistence, good relationship with others. Without law, members of a society will have conflicts, confusions, irregularities, cheating and misbehaviour amongst people will be greatly increased.
IMPORTANCE OF LAWS
- Laws help to maintain order in the society.
- Laws help the society to set a pattern to the people’s way of life
- Laws help to preserve justice and fair play. When the society is living without conflict, there will be no partiality and everything will be done according to the rules and regulations. Everyone in the society will caution his 0r herself.
- Laws bring happiness. When there are no conflicts, the society will be at peace, live happily and members will have good relationship with each other.
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
- You shall have no other God beside me
- You shall not make for yourself a golden image
- You shall not take the names of the lord your God in vain
- Remember to keep the Sabbath day holy and honor it by doing no work
- Honor your father and mother that your days may be long on earth
- You shall not murder or kill
- You shall not commit adultery
- You shall not steal
- You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor
- You shall not covert your neighbor’s house, wife, servant and property. (Exodus 29:17. Matthew 5:1 – 3, john 15: 9 – 17)
LESSON 3
THE LAWS OF CHRIST
Bible Reference: John 15:9 – 17
The New Testament Contains the Law of Christ
The New Testament is the fulfillment of the covenant and the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel: Heb 12 vs. 24. The New covenant is the law of love, it is the law that generates happiness, endurance, patience because the law was written while Jesus moved with his disciples. Jesus told his disciples to abide in his love. He told them to love one another as he loved them. Jesus on the mount spoke to the multitude about the law of love. The quality of mind that produces genuine love must be regenerated by the blood of Jesus.
THE BEATITUDES.
It simply means blessedness, success, happiness, joy, fullness and prosperity in all area.
Blessed are the poor in spirit for there is the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5: 3).
Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the weak for they shall inherit the earth (Matthew 5: 5).
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy (Matthew 5: 7).
Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God (Matthew 5: 8).
Blessed are the peace makers, they shall be called sons of God (Matthew 5: 9).
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5: 10).
MORAL LESSONS
No society can exist peacefully and happily without laws. When the law is put in place, it is the responsibility of us all to see that they are fully complied with. We are to show good examples for others to follow.
Ten Commandments was written by God so that we can obey it and have a good relationship with him and with other members of the society. The Beatitudes were written out of love while Ten commandments as a law to the Israelites.
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