Jesus Gives Us a New Life for Primary 4

Jesus Gives Us a New Life

Performance Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. explain the meaning and significance of new life in Jesus;
2. enumerate the evidence of a new life in Jesus;
3. identify the characteristics of a new life in Jesus;
4. discuss the benefits of living the new life in Jesus.

Memory Verse

The memory verse for this lesson is:

Colossians 3:1: “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.”

Bible Reading

The Bible passages that support this lesson are:

1. Colossians 3:1-6
2. John 15:5
3. Romans 5:1
4. Romans 6:14
5. Romans 6:22
6. Romans 8:9
7. Acts 16:31-34
8. 2 Corinthians 4:16
9. 2 Corinthians 5:17
10. Ephesians 1:7

Meaning and Significance of New Life in Jesus

New life in Jesus means a big change in a person’s life. It is like starting fresh, leaving behind old ways that are not pleasing to God, and choosing to follow Jesus’ teachings. When a person accepts Jesus as their Lord and Saviour, God gives them a new spirit and helps them to live differently.

This new life is very important because it connects people to God. It means that God forgives their sins and helps them to live a good life that honours Him. It also gives them hope for eternal life with God in heaven.

Colossians 3:1-5 teaches us that because we have been raised with Christ, we should focus on heavenly things, not earthly things. This means our thoughts and actions should be guided by God’s will, not by worldly desires.

Evidence of a New Life in Jesus

When a person truly has a new life in Jesus, there are clear signs that show this change. These signs are like fruits that grow from a healthy tree. They are not just words, but actions and attitudes that others can see.

The evidence of a new life in Jesus includes:

1. Obeying God’s Word: A person with new life tries to follow what the Bible teaches. They listen to God’s commands and do their best to obey them.
2. Turning Away from Sin: They stop doing bad things they used to do. They try to avoid lying, stealing, fighting, and other actions that displease God. Romans 6:22 says that when we have new life, we become servants of God, leading to holiness.
3. Loving Others: They show love, kindness, and forgiveness to people around them, even those who may have wronged them.
4. Bearing Good Fruit: Just as a healthy tree bears good fruit, a person with new life produces good actions. John 15:5 says that if we remain in Jesus, we will bear much fruit. This fruit includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
5. Believing and Being Baptised: Acts 16:31-34 tells the story of the Philippian jailer who, after believing in Jesus, was baptised with his whole family. This act showed his new faith and commitment to Jesus.
6. Desiring to Learn More About God: They want to read the Bible, pray, and go to church to learn more about Jesus and grow in their faith.

Characteristics of a New Life in Jesus

The characteristics of a new life in Jesus describe what a person becomes like when they follow Him. Colossians 3:1-6 guides us on these characteristics. It tells us to put away old, sinful ways and put on new, godly qualities.

The characteristics of a new life in Jesus include:

1. Seeking Heavenly Things: A person with new life thinks about God and His kingdom more than earthly possessions or pleasures. Their focus is on what pleases God.
2. Putting Away Earthly Desires: This means turning away from bad habits and sinful desires such as anger, malice, slander, and dirty talk. It also means being honest and not lying to one another.
3. Living a Holy Life: They strive to live a life that is pure and set apart for God. They try to avoid anything that would dishonour God.
4. Showing Compassion and Kindness: They feel for others and treat them with gentleness and goodness.
5. Being Humble: They do not think too highly of themselves but are modest and respectful towards others.
6. Being Patient and Forgiving: They are able to wait calmly and forgive those who hurt them, just as Christ forgave them.
7. Having Love: Love is the most important characteristic. It binds all other good qualities together.

Benefits of Living the New Life in Jesus Christ

Living a new life in Jesus brings many wonderful benefits. These are the good things that God gives to those who follow Him.

The benefits of living the new life in Jesus Christ include:

1. Forgiveness of Sins: Ephesians 1:7 tells us that in Jesus, we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. This means God wipes away all our past wrongs.
2. Peace with God: Romans 5:1 says that since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. This means we are no longer enemies of God but His friends.
3. The Holy Spirit Living in Us: Romans 8:9 explains that if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. When we have new life, God’s Spirit lives inside us, guiding and helping us.
4. Freedom from the Power of Sin: Romans 6:14 assures us that sin will no longer be our master, because we are not under the law but under grace. This means we have strength to overcome temptation.
5. Inner Renewal: 2 Corinthians 4:16 teaches that though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. God constantly makes us stronger and better on the inside.
6. Becoming a New Creation: 2 Corinthians 5:17 declares that if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: the old has gone, the new is here! This means God makes us completely new people.
7. Hope for Eternal Life: This new life is a promise of living forever with God in heaven.