GRADE 8 NOTE

CRE

STRAND1-CREATION

1.1-OriginandConsequencesofSin.

Origin of sinfrom the creation accounts.

• Sinisrebellion againstthe lawof God.
• Itis disobedienceto God.
• Itisalso adeliberate andpurposeful violationof thewill ofGod.
• Originmeans source.
• Godplaced AdamandEve in the gardenof Eden to cultivateand guard it.
• Hegavethemthefreedomtoeatthefruitofeverytreeinthegardenexceptthetreethatgives knowledge of what is good orbad.
• Godwarned them that if they ate the forbidden fruit,they would die the same day.
• Thesnakebeingacunninganimal, cheatedEvethatifsheate thefruit,shewouldnot die,but be like God.
• Eve was convinced by the snake. She ate thefruit and gave some to Adam Who also ate.
• Aftereatingthefruit,AdamandEveweregivenunderstanding.Theyrealizedtheywerenaked.
• Sin originated from the disobedience of Adam and Eve. They disobeyed God by eating theforbiddenfruit, thus, rebellion against Him.

Adamand Eve fell intosinbecause of thefollowing reason:

• Theyfell in temptation of Satan who appearedto Evein form of a snake.
• Theydesired to belike God.
• TheydisobeyedGod’sinstructionsandrebelledagainstHim.
• Theywere greedyand selfish.

Consequencesof sin afterthe fallof man.

Consequence refers to results or effect of an action or a situation.Thefollowing arethe consequences ofsin from Bible.

~   Thesnake wascursed and givenapunishmentto crawl onitsbelly andeat dust.

~   Enmitydeveloped betweenthesnake andthe woman andtheir offsprings.

~   Woman would experience trouble in pregnancy and increased pain while giving birth andshewould also besubject to her husband.

~    Theground wascursed and itstarted producingweeds and thorns.

~   Man had totoil inorder to produceenough food fromthe ground.

~   Adam andeve were sent out of thegarden of Eden.

~   Humanbeing would become moreprone to sin.

~   Humanbeings started killingone another.

Causesofsinamongyoungpeople today.

~   FailuretokeepGod’scommandmentsandbibleteachings.

~   Lackof faithin God.

~   Failure to pray toGod when tempted.

~   Failureto applyteachings of theBible in theirday-to-day life.

~   Negativeinfluence fromfriends.

~   Negativeinfluence fromsocial media, radioand television

~   Carelesslivingandlackofself-control.

~   Lackof respectfor oneself andother people.

~   Lowself-esteem.

~   Greed formoneyand power.

~   Imitating negativerole models.

Moral values and life skills needed to overcome temptations.Overcoming temptations shows that we obey God’s commands.We can overcome temptations by:

• Prayto God forstrengthwhen facing temptations.
• Turnto God in repentanceand faith when you fall into temptations.
• Avoidpeople andsituationslikelyto lead intotemptations.
• Choosefriends thatinfluence you positively.
• Sharewith trustedfriends orrelatives when tempted.
• Developself confidenceso thatyou areto sayNo totempting situations.
• MediateandobeyGod’sword.

Moralvaluesneededto overcometemptations andsinareas follows:

• Honesty-tellingtruth.
• Respect– respecting each other among young people enables them to refuse to engage inactions notacceptable.
• Responsibility-youngpeople accountablefor alltheiractions avoidtemptationsatall costs.
• Love-lovingyourselfandother helpstoavoidtemptations.
• Integrity-havingstrongmoralprinciples helps onetoavoid sinandtemptingsituations.
• Empathy – it helps young people to identify with the feelings and emotions of others. Thismakes them to avoid putting othersinto temptations.

Examplesoflife skillsneeded toovercome temptations.

ûCriticalthinking-examine andanalyse informationbefore takingan action.

ûDecisionmaking-helps to make the right choice and avoid wrong ones.

ûCreativethinking-helpspeopletocomeupwithnewways tocarryouttasksandsolveproblems.

ûSelf-awareness-helps oneto recognizeand understand one’sownemotions, thoughts,strengthand weaknessso as to beable to avoid tempting situations.

Otherskillsneededtoovercometemptations:

~   Assertiveness.

~   Creative thinking.

~   Effectivecommunication.

~   Self-esteem.

Prayingto Godto overcometemptations inday-todaylife.

• Throughprayer Godgives usstrengthto overcome temptations.
• 1 John 1:9 teaches that we should confess our sins then God will forgive our sins and purifyusfrom our wrong doings.

1.2-God’s PlanforRedemption.

HowGoddemonstratedHisloveforhumankindafterthefallof man.

• Hegaveapromisetothewomaningenesis3:15that “heroffspringwouldcrushthe

serpent’s head” God put enmity between serpent and the woman. This shows that God caredfor humankind and did not want evil to take over.

• In the garden of Eden, God looked for Adam and Eve to find out where they were. They hadhidden themselves among the trees in the garden. God called out to Adam and asked “whereareyour?” Godcalled out toAdamandEve because Heloved and caredfor them.
• Godmade clothesforAdamand Eveto cover theirbodies.
• In the Old Testament God demonstrated his love for humankind by appointing prophets atdifferenttimes tobring back his people back toHim.

HowGod’splanforsalvationisfulfilledthroughJesuChrist.

• Salvationmeansdeliverancefromsinand itsconsequences.
• Salvationcomesthroughhaving faithin JesusChrist.
• Salvation starts in the Old Testament and is concluded in the New Testament through thedeathand resurrection of Jesus Christ.
• Jesus Christ died on the cross to redeem us from our sinful nature. His death reconciled us toGod.

Lessons welearnabout salvationfromtheBible.

   Genesis3:15.

• TeachesthatGod broughtenmity betweensnake, thewoman andtheir offsprings.
• Theoffspring ofwoman is Jesus Christwho would defeat Satan and hisevil deeds.
• Crushingtheserpentshead isapromisefulfilled inChrist’svictoryover Satan.

   Genesis 12:1-3

• Givesan account God madeto Abraham.
• God promised to make Abraham great and famous and to bless him so that he would be ablessingto other.
• Godsaidthat throughAbraham, allnations ofthe earthwould beblessed.
• Allpeopleonearth areblessedthrough Abraham.Abrahamislookedatas theancestorofJesus Christ.
• ThroughJesusChrist, allwho believeinHim areblessedand becomechildren ofGod.

   Isaiah53:5-12

• Teachesus thatJesus Christsuffered becauseofoursins.
• HissufferingwasGod’swillandwasasacrificeforforgiveness ofoursins.
• JesusChrist’sdeathwasmeanttoreconcileustoGod.
• Jesus Christsufferedtobring salvationofhumankind.

   Isaiah63:5

• TeachesisthatGod inHispower overcometheenemy.

   Galatians 1:3-5

• TeachesusthatJesus Christ obeyed thewill of God.
• HegaveHimselftodieinordertosetus freefromsin.

   Colossians1:13-15

• Teachesus thatGodrescued usfromthepower ofdarknessandbrought ustothekingdomof Hisdearson.

   2 peter 3:9

• Statesthat Goddoesnot wantany ofus tobe destroyedby sin.
• Hewants allpeople to turnaway from sinand be savedthrough JesusChrist.

Importanceof Redemption afterthe fall ofman.

Redemptionis important inthe followingways:

ûWearedeliveredfrom sinandits consequencesthroughredemption.

ûOursinsare forgiven throughJesusChrist.

ûThosewhobelieveinJesus Christareassuredof eternallife.

ûWebecomepart ofGod’sfamily.

ûThroughredemption we become childrenof God whowalk inHis light.

ûWeare reconciled with God through redemption. We becomefriendswith God.

ûWeexperience God’slove andgrace.

ûWerecognizethat Jesus Christsufferedand diedforoursins.

ûThroughredemption, we acknowledgethat it isimportant to havefaith in Jesus Christ.

Takingpartin sharingthe loveof Godwith others.

Acts of mercy are actions people do to show kindness and concern to others especially duringtimesof f need.

Through acts of mercy, we are able to share love of God as we provide necessary support toother people.

Waysof sharingthe love ofGod toothers inschooland communitythrough actsofmercy.

• Prayingforandvisiting thesick.
• Providingor giving food tothosewho are hungry.
• Providing clothesto those who lack.
• Building housesfor the homeless.
• Payingschool feesforchildren fromdisadvantaged families.
• Providingwatertothose whoarethirsty.
• Encouraging thosewho are going through pain.
• Providingcomfort to thosewhose lovedones have died.
• Visitingchildren’shomesandorphanagestosharethewordofGodandprovidingmaterialsupport.

StatethevaluesthatguideusinsharingGod’slovewithothers.

ûUnity.

ûRespect.

ûLove.

ûObedience.

ûEmpathy.

STRAND2-THEBIBLE.

Backgroundto thecall of Abraham.

• Abraham’sfatherwascalledTerah.
• Abrahamhad a wife by the nameSarah and anephew called Lot.
• LotwasasontoAbraham’sbrother,Haram.TheyweresematicnomadsfromatribecalledAmorite.
• Theycame from theancient cityof Ur, whichwas near riverEuphrates in Babylon.
• In Ur, the god of moon was worshipped. There were also other gods and goddessesworshiped in thearea.
• AtUr,Haran(Lot’s father)died.
• Terahmigrated together with Abraham, Sarah andhis grandson, Lotfrom Ur to Haran.
• WhileatHaran,GodcalledAbrahamattheageof77 years. he toldhim to leave hiscountryand hisrelatives andgo to a place, whichHe

wasgoing toshow him.

WaysinwhichAbrahamdemonstratedfaithtoGod.

Faithiscompletetrustorconfidenceinsomebodyorsomething.Faithin Godtherefore mean totaltrust andconfidence in God.

Hebrew11:1-6 teachesthe followingabout faithinGod:

• Faithis being sureofthings wehopefor.
• Tohave faithistobe certain ofthings wecannot see.
• Byfaith we understandthat God created theuniverseby His word.
• FaithhelpedAbel toofferan acceptablesacrificeto Godascompared toCainwhosesacrificewasrejected by God.

ûAbrahamisreferred toas the fatheroffaith.HedemonstratedfaithinGod in variousways afollows:

~AbrahamobeyedGod.WhenhewasinstructedbyGodtoleavehislandandpeopletogotoan unknown land,Abrahamobeyed Godwithout questioning.

~Abraham obeyed Godwithout questioning whenGod appeared tohim and promisedthatHewould shield him from alldangers andreward him greatly.

~Abraham agreedto circumcise allmale membersofhis household.

~Abraham waswillingto sacrificehisonlysonIsaac.

Situationsinlifewhereoneneeds to exercisefaithin God.

• Domesticviolence athome.
• Poorsocial skills.
• Needtoimprove inacademicperformance.
• Poorhealthof selfor relatives.

Thepromises Godmade toAbrahamand theirimportance.

Apromiseisapledgeoradeclarationthatsomethingwillhappenorwillbedone.WhenGod calledAbraham, he made promises to him.

Someof the promised Godmadeto Abraham were:

⭸Godwouldgivehimmanydescendantswhowouldbecomeagreatnation.

⭸Hewouldbeblessedandhisnamemadefamous.

⭸Godwouldblessthosewhoblesshimandcursethosewhocursehim.

⭸ThroughAbraham,allthenationsoftheearthwouldbeblessed.

⭸Godwouldshieldhimfromdangerandrewardhim.

⭸GodwouldgiveAbrahamasonwhowouldinherithisproperty.

⭸AbrahamandhisdescendantswouldbegiventhelandofCanaantolivein.

⭸Hisdescendantswouldbeenslavedinaforeignlandfor400yrs.However,Godwouldpunishthe nationthatenslaves them andfree his descendants from captivity.

⭸SomeofAbraham’sdescendantswouldbemadekings.

⭸Abrahamwouldlivetoaripeoldage,dieinpeaceandbeburied.

⭸GodwouldestablishaneverlastingcovenantwithAbrahamandhisdescendants.

ImportanceofGod’spromisestoAbrahamtoChristianstoday.

1. Justlike Abraham,Christians todayarecalled fromdifferent backgrounds toserve God.
2. God’spromisetoAbrahamthatHewouldbehisshieldofprotectionisseeninChristians’lives.Godcontinues toprotect them in many circumstances.

• FromGod’sdealingwithAbraham,ChristianslearnthatGodvaluesapersonalrelationship withhuman beings.

1. AsAbrahamlefthis ownpeople,Christians shouldleavesinful livesandput theirtrustinGod.
2. The promise to Abraham of Canaan (the promised land) is to Christians the hope of newland (heaven).
3. Abrahamis thefather of faithtoChristians inthesameway heistothe Jews.ThisisbecauseChristiansareAbraham’sdescendantsthroughfaithinJesusChrist.

ChristianvaluesthathelpinapplyingGod’spromisesinday-to-daylife.

⮑Patience.

⮑Love.

⮑Respect.

⮑Responsibility.

Meaningof termCovenant.

• Acovenantis aformal agreement betweentwo people orgroups of people.

•                Therearetwotypesof covenants namely:

• Conditionalcovenant-thistypeof covenantis madebetween twoequalparties.
• Unconditional covenant-this is a covenant that involves unequal parties for example, acovenantbetween God and human beings or between aking and his subjects.

Elements(characteristics)ofacovenant.

Covenantshave thefollowing elements.

🢖    Itinvolvesmorethanone party.

🢖    In a covenant promise are made.

🢖    Thereare witnesspresent.

🢖    Thereisasign ora symbol.

🢖    Thereis aceremony.

🢖    Theconsequencesof breaking thecovenant are made clear.

Covenantsinmodern lifeandtheir importance.

Thefollowing areexamples ofcovenant in modern life:

a.)Landbuying contracts.

b.)Contractson employment.

c.) Agreements signed by learners.d.)Oath of loyalty.

e.) Marriage.f.)Baptism.

Covenantsinmodernlifeareimportantbecause:

• They promote peace especially when signed between two fighting communities ornations.
• Theyshow dutiesand commitments of the people or parties involved.
• Theyenhanceeconomic growthforexample, incasesof businessagreements.
• Theypromoteorder andharmony amongpeople involved.
• Theypromote integrity in leaders.
• They enhance diligence at work for example people are reminded they will be evaluatedaccording to contracts they signed.

Differencebetween a godly and ungodlycovenant.

¶Agodlycovenant isonewhosepurposeandprocessofmakingdoesnotcontradictthecommandment or teachings of God.

¶Anungodlycovenant isonewhosepurposeandprocess ofmakingdoesnotgivehonourtoGod.

Examplesofungodlycovenants are:

• Thosedone bygangs of robbers.

CharacteristicsofUngodlycovenants.

Ungodlycovenants havethefollowingcharacteristics.

• They do not bringhonour to God.
• Theyare highly secretiveunlike Godly covenants.
• They are not legally recognized.
• Theymay not promote thedignity of human life.
• Sometimes someof the peopleinvolved may be forcedinto the covenant.
• Theymay lead toloss of life.

Waysinwhich onecandiscern (recognizeorfind out) thata covenantis ungodly.

~Ifthe actionsglorify the deviland notGod.

~Bycarefully looking at the actions of thepeople involved.

Waysofresistingungodlycovenants:

• Trustingin God for strength andpower to overcome the temptations.
• Remindingoneself of what theword ofGod teaches.
• Beingalert soas to noticethe temptationsto enter intoungodly covenants.
• Beingfirminfaithin God.
• Prayforstrength toresistthe temptationsto get involvedin ungodly covenants.

ImportanceofGods covenant withAbraham.

• Marks God’s initiativetoenterintoapersonalrelationshipwithhumanbeings.
• Itshowsthat God can choosean individual anduse himor her for Hisdivinepurpose.
• Thecovenant signifiesthe rewardof faithand obedienceto God.
• It was a confirmation of God’s willingness, commitment and determination to fulfill thepromiseshe made.
• The covenant was a beginning of a lasting relationship between God and all the nations onearth.

GodscovenantwithAbrahamisimportanttoChristiantodaybecause:

• ChristiansaredescendantsofAbrahamthrough faithinJesuChrist.
• Asdescendants ofAbraham,Christians are partakersof Godspromises.
• Itshowsthat Christianstodaycan bechosen byGodand beusedforHisdivine purpose.

CircumcisionwasimportanttoAbrahamandhisdescendantsbecause:

• Itwas a sign ofcovenant between God and Abraham.
• It was the mark ofidentity for allJews as the chosenpeople of God.
• Itwas an outwardsignof innerfaith in God.
• Throughcircumcision,AbrahamandhisdescendantswereassuredofinheritingGod’spromises.
• AbrahamandhisdescendantswereassuredofGodsblessingsthroughtheircontinuousfaith in God.