Basic 2 · Our World and Our People · Nature of God
God Sustains Life
In this topic you will learn that God sustains (keeps alive) all living things by giving rain, sunshine and air.
By the end of these notes you should be able to:
- Explain what "sustainer of life" means
- Name ways God sustains life
- Say names of God in Ghanaian languages
What you already know
- God's creation (Basic 1)
Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.
- Strand
- All About Us
- Sub-strand
- Nature of God
- Indicator
- B2.1.1.1.1 – Identify the attributes of god that reveal his nature the sustainer of life
Introduction
After the rain, the farmer's maize grows tall. The sun shines and dries his cocoa. We believe God gives the rain and the sun. God keeps all living things alive.
1. God the Sustainer
Sustainer: One who keeps something alive and going.
| God gives | It helps us |
|---|---|
| rain | water for drinking and crops |
| sunshine | light and warmth; plants make food |
| air | we breathe to live |
| soil | plants grow in it |
2. Names of God
| Language | Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Akan | Onyankopɔn | the Great One |
| Ewe | Mawu | God, the Supreme Being |
| Ga | Ataa Naa Nyɔŋmɔ | Father-Mother God |
| Dagbani | Naawuni | God the King |
Remember: We thank God for rain, sun and air every day.
New words
- sustain
- To keep alive.
- sustainer
- One who keeps life going.
- sunshine
- Light and heat from the sun.
- soil
- The top layer of the earth where plants grow.
Summary
- God sustains life by giving rain, sunshine and air.
- Without these, living things cannot live.
- Ghanaian languages have many names for God.
Class activity: Thank-You Chart
- Look at the leaves, flowers and landscape photographs.
- Make a chart: "God gives us…"
- Add the name for God in your language.
You need: Local leaves, Flowers, Stones, Printed photographs of Ghanaian landscapes
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. What does "sustainer" mean?
- A. One who keeps life going
- B. One who sleeps
- C. One who cooks
- D. One who sings
Show answer
Answer: One who keeps life goingGod keeps living things alive.2. What is the Ewe name for God?
- A. Mawu
- B. Naawuni
- C. Onyankopɔn
- D. Allah
Show answer
Answer: MawuEwe speakers say Mawu.3. Plants need sunshine to make food.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueSunlight helps plants make food.4. We do not need air to live.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: FalseWe breathe air to live.5. God gives ______ for drinking and for crops.
Show answer
Answer: rainRain gives water.6. Write two ways God sustains life.
Show answer
Answer: Any two: rain, sunshine, air, soil.These keep living things alive.
Homework
- Ask an elder the name of God in your language and what it means.