Basic 5 · Religious and Moral Education · God the Creator
Qualities of God: Love, Mercy and Patience
In this topic you will state some qualities of God, especially love, mercy and patience, and how people should show them.
By the end of these notes you should be able to:
- Name qualities of God taught by the three religions
- Explain love, mercy and patience
- Show these qualities in daily life
What you already know
- Every person is special
Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.
- Strand
- God’s Creation & Attributes
- Sub-strand
- God the Creator
- Indicator
- B5.1.1.1.2 – State the qualities of God that humankind should demonstrate
Introduction
Children often behave like the parents who raise them. In the same way, religions teach that people should copy the good qualities of God who created them.
1. Names That Show God's Qualities
| Religion | Names and meaning |
|---|---|
| Christianity | God is Love (1 John 4:8); Father; Shepherd |
| Islam | Ar-Rahman (the Most Gracious); Ar-Raheem (the Most Merciful); Al-Wadud (the Loving) |
| Traditional (Akan) | Onyankopɔn (the Great One); Ɔbɔadeɛ (the Creator); Tweduampɔn (the One you lean on and do not fall) |
2. Love
Love means caring for others and wanting the best for them. Christians believe God showed His love by sending Jesus (John 3:16). Muslims say God's love and grace are shown in His provision of food, rain and life to all people. Traditional believers say God gives rain and harvest to everyone. People show love by sharing, helping the sick, comforting the sad and caring for family members.
3. Mercy
Mercy means not punishing someone as much as they deserve, and showing kindness to those who are suffering. Every chapter of the Qur'an except one begins with "In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful." Jesus taught, "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy" (Matthew 5:7). We show mercy when we forgive a classmate who offended us or help someone who is in trouble.
4. Patience
Patience means waiting calmly and not getting angry quickly. God is patient with people and gives them time to change their ways. A patient pupil keeps trying when a lesson is hard. A patient farmer waits for crops to grow. The Akan say "Nkakrankakra akokɔ bedi abura mu nsu" (Little by little, the fowl drinks the water in the well).
| Quality | How I can show it |
|---|---|
| love | share with others; visit the sick |
| mercy | forgive; help people in trouble |
| patience | wait my turn; keep trying; control my temper |
New words
- quality
- A feature of a person's character.
- love
- Caring deeply for others.
- mercy
- Kindness and forgiveness towards those who do not deserve it.
- patience
- Waiting calmly without anger.
- Ar-Raheem
- Islamic name meaning the Most Merciful.
- Tweduampɔn
- Akan name for God meaning the dependable One.
Summary
- All three religions describe God's good qualities through His names.
- God is loving, merciful and patient.
- People should copy these qualities.
- We show them by sharing, forgiving and keeping calm.
Class activity: Quality Cards
- Pick a scenario card (e.g. a friend breaks your pencil).
- Act out how to respond with love, mercy or patience.
- The class names the quality shown.
You need: Bible, Qur’an, Printed Ghanaian moral-scenario cards, Manila quality-and-action cards
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. Which Bible verse says "God is love"?
- A. 1 John 4:8
- B. Genesis 1:1
- C. Psalm 23:1
- D. Exodus 20:3
Show answer
Answer: 1 John 4:8It describes God's nature.2. Ar-Raheem means…
- A. the Most Merciful
- B. the Creator
- C. the King
- D. the Strong
Show answer
Answer: the Most MercifulOne of Allah's names.3. Forgiving a classmate who offended you shows…
- A. mercy
- B. pride
- C. anger
- D. greed
Show answer
Answer: mercyIt is kindness to someone who wronged you.4. Patience means waiting calmly.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueWithout anger.5. Only Christians believe God is merciful.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: FalseAll three religions teach it.6. The Akan name for God meaning "Creator" is ______.
Show answer
Answer: ƆbɔadeɛGod made all things.7. Give two ways a pupil can show love.
Show answer
Answer: Sharing food and helping a sick classmate (or comforting someone sad).Any two.8. Explain the proverb "Little by little, the fowl drinks the water in the well."
Show answer
Answer: With patience and steady effort, even a big task can be completed, as the fowl takes small sips until it drinks much water.Patience brings reward.
Homework
- Write about a time someone showed you mercy or patience.