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Lit SS1 Week 1 | Lit SS1 Week 2 | Lit SS1 Week 3 | Lit SS1 Week 4 | Lit SS1 Week 5 | Lit SS1 Week 7 |Lit SS1 Week 8 | Lit SS1 Week 9 | Lit SS1 Week 11 | CRS SS3| CRS SS1 | CRS SS2

WEEK 1

EFFECTIVE PRAYER (James 1:2-8; 5:13-18)

Prayer is the means through which we relate to God. It is an important instrument in the life of Christians. A prayer less Christian is a powerless Christian. Right attitude to prayer is necessary to make it effective.Prayer is a channel through which we communicate with God, in sadness, joy, or need. Talking on the importance of prayer, James advised all Christians to pray always, in all situations. He explained this with the following examples:

1. During trials, which could sometimes be the testing of our faith, to produce steadfastness perfection and completeness in us. We should pray to be able to stand firm and not be shaken.

2. God, who gives generously and without re-proach. While asking or requesting things from God, we should avoid doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, which is driven and tossed by the wind. To make it clearer, James, in his teaching, says that a double minded man is unstable in all his ways, and would receive nothing from God.

3. In sickness, one should call the elders of the church to pray for him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up.

4. When we commit sin, we should pray, confessing our sins to one another. The sins will be forgiven, for the prayer of a righteous man has great power and effect. James used Elijah as an example. Elijah, being a righteous man, prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months, it did not rain. There was famine on earth. Then he prayed again for God to send rain, and God did, and the famine ended.

TYPES OF PRAYERS.

Different types of prayers as indicated in the above passages are:

1. Petition: Refers to requesting things from God.

2. Thanks Giving: An expression of gratitude to God for His goodnessto us.3. Confession : A means of exposing our sins in humility and with the conviction of not falling back to them. It is a sign of repentance.

4. Intercession: Praying on behalf of others; this signifies concern for one another.

Condition for Effective Prayer

There are certain rules that will make our prayers effective, and answerable. Some of them are:

1. Faith: Faith is defined in Hebrews 11:1 as, “The assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen”. It is an absolute trust in God and in His power. James advised that while we are addressing our problems to God, we should ask in faith, without doubt.

2. Righteousness: This means purity of heart. For our prayers to be effective, we must endeavor to abstain from sin. However, James, having known the moral weakness of man, advised that in order to place ourselves and our prayers at an acceptable status before God, we should confess our sins to one another. We should also show remorse and ask for forgiveness. The prayer of a righteous man has great effect and power.

3. Fervency: for our prayers to be effective, we must pray with concentration, seriousness and sincerity. A good example was the prayer of Elijah. He prayed fervently to God that it might not rain. For three years and six months, it did not rain on earth. When he prayed again, heaven sent rain.

4. Perseverance: Praying persistently with steady effort, and trusting God is necessary for fruitfulness in our prayer life.

5. Patience: This is built on the belief that God’s time is the best. It involves praying and trusting God, and allowing Him to have his way.

6. It means lowliness of Heart and absence of self-exaltation. For our prayers to be effective, we must show total surrender and submission to God.

THE CAUSES OF UNANSWERED PRAYER

i. Unbelief: He who doubts is a double minded person. He is like a wave of sea blown by wind and tossed. God is not pleased with a double minded person.

ii. An unforgiving Spirit: A forgiving attitude towards others as well as faith in God is essential for effective prayer.

iii. Iniquity: The Psalmist says, “If I regard iniquity un my heart, the Lord will not hear me”.

iv. Ask amiss: Asking with wrong motive or out of the will of God. Abeliever does not receive what he asks for, if he asks with wrong motive.

WEEK 2

Christians Living in the Community

Christian living involves an exemplary life of Christ. In his epistle, peter exhorted Christians to practice holiness.

They are special people because God has preserved them for himself to declare the praises of him to other. They are to serve as witnesses of the glory and grace of god who called them out of darkness into his wonderful light.

Peter encouraged that Christians should behave differently beforethe world as citizens, slaves, wives, husbands and children.Christians Living Among Non-Christrians (1Peter 2:9-25)- Submission to the civil Authorities Peter described the Christian as a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people who are called out of darkness into the marvellous light of God, and who have received His mercy. As God’s own people in the midst of the gentiles, peter advised them to maintain good conduct, so that those who might speak against good them could see their good deeds and glorify God in the end. They were to be subject to every human institution such as the emperor or governors, since such authorities exist to punish the wrong doers and to praise those who do right. They were to honour all men, love the brotherhood, fear God and honour the emperor.

Christians To Live Examplary Lives (1Peter 4: 1-11)

The Christian in dispersion were advised by peter to live above the sinful and worldly lives of the gentiles, by abstaining from such sins as licentiousness, passions, drunkenness, revelling, carousing, lawlessness and idolatry.

Those who indulge in such acts of sinfulness must give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.The Christians are to love one another, since love covers a multitude of sins. They should practise hospitality without complaining to one another. All gift or talentshould be used for the benefit of one another, so that god maybe glorified though Jesus Christ.

Suffering is the pain or problem people go through in life, it could be physical, mental or spiritual. Peter advised the servants to be submissive to their masters in all respects, not only the kind and gentle ones, but even the difficult ones.

According to Peter, there is no gain in suffering for an offence one has committed, but one is approved of God when one suffers patiently for a right done.The suffering of Jesus Christ is an example which should be emulated Christ committed no sin and littered no evil words. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return, and when he suffered, He did not threaten, but trusted in God who Judges rightly. The same Jesus bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might be free from sin and live in righteousness.

The Privilege of Suffering for Christ Peter warned the Christians of the likelihood of experiencing serious suffering as God's own people, which might appear very strange to them. Under this condition they were to rejoice because it was their own share of Christ's suffering which would qualify them to rejoice and be glad when his glory would be revealed. If their suffering was for the sake of Christ, they would be blessed, because the spirit of glory and of God rested upon them.

There were warned against suffering as a result of committing criminal offences such as murder theft, wrongdoing, mischief - making, but if one suffered for the name of Christ, one should glorify God. They should therefore suffer according to God's will.

WEEK 3

Social Vices

Social vices are deviant behaviors such as illicit sex, drug addiction, evil or immoral behavior such as murder, examination malpractice, thuggery and such other criminal tendencies.Some of the social vices in the society such as corruption, drug abuse, sexual problems.

a. Corruption: According to Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary, Corruption is dishonest or illegal behavior, especially of people in authority.

b. Drug Abuse: This is the use of an illegal drug or a medicine that changes their feelings or behavior in a way that is harmful to them physically and mentally. It is alsowhen a drug is used for a different purpose than intended, or in excessive amounts. Drug abuse can involve illegal drugs, as well as medicines.

c. Sexual Promiscuity: Sexual promiscuity refers to mating with more than one partner in a relatively short-time period.Causes of Social VicesSome causes of Social Vices or deviant behavior include poverty, mental illness, learned behaviors, inherited traits, broken homes; Social vices or deviant behavior is caused by complex interactions of psychological, sociological, economic and biological forces that encourage individuals to rebel against societal norm

How to curb Social Vices

Government and stakeholders should collaborate and ensure drug abuse counseling, sex counseling, counseling with families concerning children, vocational/career counseling, educational counseling, and crisis counseling.

Tolerance

Definition of Tolerance: According to the Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary, Tolerance is the willingness to accept or TOLERATE, especially opinions or behavior that you may not agree with or people who are not like you.

Peaceful Co-existence According to Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary, Peaceful means not involving a war, violence or argument. And co-existence means, the state of being together in the same place at the same time. Therefore, Peaceful Co-existence means living together in peace rather than in constant hostility

Importance of Tolerance and Peaceful Co-existenceTolerance will produce a more empathetic society. Tolerance produces a more productive, empathetic, peaceful society by emphasizing the importance of diversity. Peaceful co-existence allows us to create a more empathetic and understanding community where we can reach agreements and solve problems more efficiently.

Civic Responsibility

Civic Responsibility means the active participation in the public life of a community in an informed, committed, and constructive manner, with a focus on the common good. It also means the duties which the citizens of a country are expected to perform to ensure peace, progress and the unity of their country

Some of the civic responsibility in the community includes voting in elections, signing up for the military, volunteering in the community, participation in government, volunteers and memberships of voluntary associations.

WEEK 4

Social Vices Social vices are deviant behaviors such as illicit sex, drug addiction, evil or immoral behavior such as murder, examination malpractice, thuggery and such other criminal tendencies.

Some of the social vices in the society such as corruption, drug abuse, sexual problems.

a. Corruption: According to Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary, Corruption is dishonest or illegal behavior, especially of people in authority.

b. Drug Abuse: This is the use of an illegal drug or a medicine that changes their feelings or behavior in a way that is harmful to them physically and mentally. It is alsowhen a drug is used for a different purpose than intended, or in excessive amounts. Drug abuse can involve illegal drugs, as well as medicines.

c. Sexual Promiscuity: Sexual promiscuity refers to mating with more than one partner in a relatively short-time period.Causes of Social VicesSome causes of Social Vices or deviant behavior include poverty, mental illness, learned behaviors, inherited traits, broken homes; Social vices or deviant behavior is caused by complex interactions of psychological, sociological, economic and biological forces that encourage individuals to rebel against societal norms. How to curb Social Vices:

Government and stakeholders should collaborate and ensure drug abuse counseling, sex counseling, counseling with families concerning children, vocational/career counseling, educational counseling, and crisis counseling. ToleranceDefinition of Tolerance: According to the Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary, Tolerance is the willingness to accept or TOLERATE, especially opinions or behavior that you may not agree with or people who are not like you.Peaceful Co-existenceAccording to Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary, Peaceful means not involving a war, violence or argument. And co-existence means the state of being together in the same place at the same time.

Therefore, Peaceful Co-existence means living together in peace rather than in constant hostility.

Importance of Tolerance and Peaceful Co-existence

Tolerance will produce a more empathetic society. Tolerance produces a more productive, empathetic, peaceful society by emphasizing the importance of diversity. Peaceful co-existence allows us to create a more empathetic and understanding community where we can reach agreements and solve problems more efficiently.

Civic Responsibility

Civic Responsibility means the active participation in the public life of a community in an informed, committed, and constructive manner, with a focus on the common good.

It also means the duties which the citizens of a country are expected to perform to ensure peace, progress and the unity of their country.Some of the civic responsibility in the community includes voting in elections, signing up for the military, volunteering in the community, participation in government, volunteers and memberships of voluntary associations.

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