Basic 4 · Religious and Moral Education · The Environment
Human Beings are Unique
In this topic you will identify what makes human beings different from other creatures.
By the end of these notes you should be able to:
- Explain how humans are different from animals
- Explain what it means to be made in God's image
- Appreciate human gifts
What you already know
- Grouping the things God created
Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.
- Strand
- God’s creation and attributes
- Sub-strand
- The Environment
- Indicator
- B4.1.1.2.1 – Identify the uniqueness of humankind from other creatures
Introduction
A goat can walk and eat, but it cannot write a letter, build a school or pray. Human beings have special gifts that make them unique among God's creatures.
1. Made in God's Image
The Bible says God created human beings in His own image (Genesis 1:27).
The Qur'an says God honoured the children of Adam above many creatures (Qur'an 17:70).
2. What Makes Humans Unique
| Gift | Meaning |
|---|---|
| reason | the ability to think and solve problems |
| speech and language | the ability to talk and write |
| conscience | knowing right from wrong |
| free will | the ability to choose |
| creativity | the ability to invent and make new things |
| worship | knowing and praying to God |
Remember: These gifts come with responsibility. We must use them well.
New words
- unique
- The only one of its kind.
- image
- Likeness.
- reason
- The ability to think.
- conscience
- The inner sense of right and wrong.
- free will
- The ability to make choices.
- creativity
- The ability to make new things.
Summary
- Humans are made in God's image.
- Humans can reason, speak, choose and create.
- Humans have a conscience and can worship God.
- These gifts make humans unique among creatures.
Class activity: Human or Animal?
- Look at the photographs of people and animals.
- List things only humans can do.
- Discuss how we should use these gifts.
You need: Hand mirror, Printed photographs of Ghanaian people with local animals, Plants, Drawing sheets, Pencils
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. Knowing right from wrong is…
- A. Conscience
- B. Strength
- C. Speed
- D. Hunger
Show answer
Answer: ConscienceThat is conscience.2. Which Bible verse says humans are made in God's image?
- A. Genesis 1:27
- B. Psalm 23:1
- C. John 3:16
- D. Mark 12:31
Show answer
Answer: Genesis 1:27That is the verse.3. The ability to choose is called…
- A. Free will
- B. Instinct
- C. Habit
- D. Luck
Show answer
Answer: Free willHumans can choose.4. Humans can invent new things.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueThat is creativity.5. Animals write letters like humans.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: FalseWriting is a human ability.6. The ability to make new things is ______.
Show answer
Answer: creativityThat is creativity.7. Name three gifts that make humans unique.
Show answer
Answer: Any three: reason, speech, conscience, free will, creativity, worship.These are human gifts.8. Why do these gifts come with responsibility?
Show answer
Answer: Because we can choose to use them for good or bad, and God expects us to choose good.Free will means responsibility.
Homework
- Write one way you will use your gift of speech well this week.