Relationships in the Community and Church for JSS 1

Relationship in Community and Church

Performance Objectives

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

1. Identify leaders of their communities.
2. State ways of maintaining relationships in the community.
3. Mention ways to maintain relationships in the church.

Memory Verse

“Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” — Galatians 6:2 (KJV)

Bible Reading

The principal Bible passages supporting this lesson are:

1. Galatians 6:2
2. Romans 12:9-21
3. Hebrews 10:25
4. 1 Peter 3:8-13
5. Romans 13:1-7

Meaning of Community

A community is a group of people who live in the same area, share common interests, values, and goals, and interact with one another.

Communities exist in various sizes and forms. A school, a village, a town, a city, and a nation are all examples of communities. For any community to grow and remain peaceful, there must be healthy relationships among its members. People must cooperate, support one another, and respect the established order.

Types of Community Leaders

Leaders are individuals chosen, appointed, or elected to guide, direct, and make decisions for the progress of a community. In Nigerian communities, different types of leaders perform various roles to maintain peace and order.

The main types of community leaders include:

1. Traditional Leaders: These are custodians of culture and tradition. Examples include Obas, Obis, Emirs, Chiefs, and Baales. They settle local disputes, preserve cultural heritage, and promote peace among their subjects.
2. Political and Government Leaders: These are elected or appointed officials who govern the community according to the laws of the nation. Examples include Local Government Chairmen, Councillors, Governors, and legislators. They provide public social amenities, maintain security, and implement government policies.
3. Religious Leaders: These are spiritual guides who lead people in worship and moral development. Examples include Pastors, Priests, and Imams. They teach moral values, offer spiritual counsel, and encourage peaceful coexistence among different religious groups.
4. Community Development Leaders: These are individuals who lead local associations aimed at improving the welfare of the community. Examples include Town Union Presidents, Landlord Association Chairmen, and Youth Leaders. They organize community projects, such as security watches and sanitation exercises.

Ways of Sustaining Relationships in the Community

Sustaining relationships means keeping them strong, healthy, and peaceful over a long period. A harmonious community relies on the positive actions of its members.

The primary ways of sustaining relationships in the community include:

1. Respect for Elders and Leaders: Elders and leaders possess wisdom and experience. Showing them respect by greeting them, listening to their advice, and honoring their positions fosters mutual respect and social order.
2. Obeying the Laws of the Land: Laws are rules made to guide human behavior and prevent chaos. When citizens obey traffic rules, pay taxes, and avoid criminal activities, they contribute to a safe and orderly environment.
3. Participating in Community Development Programmes: Active participation in local projects helps the community grow. Examples of such programmes include environmental sanitation, building community security posts, and contributing to the maintenance of local roads or water sources.
4. Caring for the Needy: Showing kindness to the less privileged, orphans, widows, and the sick strengthens community bonds. Galatians 6:2 instructs believers to bear one another’s burdens, which means helping others carry their physical, emotional, or financial difficulties.
5. Religious Tolerance: In a diverse society, people belong to different religious groups. Respecting the religious beliefs of others and living peacefully with them prevents conflict and promotes national unity.

Relationship in the Church

The church is a community of Christian believers who worship God together. Just like the wider society, the church requires strong, loving relationships among its members to function as the body of Christ.

The key ways of maintaining relationships in the church include:

1. Showing Genuine Love: According to Romans 12:9-21, love must be sincere and without hypocrisy. Church members are expected to hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good, and show deep affection to one another. This involves rejoicing with those who rejoice and weeping with those who weep.
2. Regular Fellowship and Gathering: Hebrews 10:25 admonishes believers not to neglect meeting together. Attending church services, Bible studies, and fellowship groups helps Christians encourage, support, and build up one another in faith.
3. Living in Harmony and Peace: As stated in 1 Peter 3:8-13, believers should be of one mind, compassionate, loving, tenderhearted, and courteous. Instead of returning evil for evil or insult for insult, Christians are called to bless others and seek peace.
4. Submission to Church and Civil Authorities: Romans 13:1-7 teaches that all authority is established by God. Church members must respect and obey church leaders, as well as civil authorities, to maintain divine order and peace.
5. Forgiveness and Patience: Since the church is made up of imperfect people, misunderstandings may occur. Forgiving offenses quickly and bearing with one another’s weaknesses prevents division and keeps the church united.

Review Questions

The following questions help to evaluate the understanding of this lesson:

1. Who are the main types of leaders found in the community?
2. State four ways through which individuals can maintain a good and harmonious relationship in the community.
3. Identify three scriptural ways to promote healthy relationships among members of the church.