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Basic 3 · Religious and Moral Education · Religious Worship

Why Followers Study Their Scriptures

In this topic you will give reasons why followers of the three religions study their sacred scriptures.

By the end of these notes you should be able to:

  • Give reasons for studying scriptures
  • Name places where scriptures are studied
  • Explain how scriptures guide behaviour

What you already know

  • The Bible, the Qur'an and traditional knowledge

Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.

Strand
Religious Practices
Sub-strand
Religious Worship
Indicator
B3.2.1.1.2 – Give reasons for studying the sacred scriptures of the three major religions among their followers

Introduction

Children go to Sunday school to learn the Bible. Others go to Makaranta (Arabic school) to learn the Qur'an. Why do they study their scriptures?

1. Reasons for Studying Scriptures

Why followers study scriptures
ReasonExample
to know Godlearning about God's nature
for moral guidancelearning to be honest and kind
for worshipreciting prayers and passages
to know their historystories of the prophets
to teach othersparents teaching children

2. Places of Study

Where scriptures are studied
ReligionPlace
ChristianitySunday school, Bible study groups
IslamMakaranta, madrasa, mosque
Traditional Religionat home and at festivals, from elders
Children at Sunday school and children at a Makaranta
Figure 1: Learning scriptures Draw a place where scriptures are studied.Illustration: Sirbus

New words

guidance
Help on how to behave.
Sunday school
Church classes for children.
Makaranta
An Arabic and Qur'an school.
prophet
A messenger of God.

Summary

  • Followers study scriptures to know God, for moral guidance and for worship.
  • Christians attend Sunday school; Muslims attend Makaranta.
  • Traditionalists learn from elders.

Class activity: Why We Study

  1. List three reasons for studying scriptures.
  2. Match each religion to its place of study.
  3. Share one lesson you learnt from a scripture.

You need: Bible, Qur’an, Printed photographs of traditional Ghanaian worship, Exercise books

Exercises

Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.

  1. 1. Where do Christian children study the Bible?

    • A. Sunday school
    • B. Makaranta
    • C. Market
    • D. Farm
    Show answer
    Answer: Sunday schoolChurches hold Sunday school.

  2. 2. Which is a reason for studying scriptures?

    • A. Moral guidance
    • B. To sleep
    • C. To fight
    • D. To waste time
    Show answer
    Answer: Moral guidanceScriptures teach good behaviour.

  3. 3. Muslims study the Qur'an at a Makaranta.

    • A. True
    • B. False
    Show answer
    Answer: TrueIt is an Arabic school.

  4. 4. Scriptures teach people to lie.

    • A. True
    • B. False
    Show answer
    Answer: FalseThey teach honesty.

  5. 5. A messenger of God is a ______.

    Show answer
    Answer: prophetThat is a prophet.

  6. 6. Give two reasons why followers study their scriptures.

    Show answer
    Answer: Any two: know God, moral guidance, worship, history, teach others.These are reasons.

Homework

  1. Share one good lesson from your religion's teaching with your family.