WAEC SSCE - Christian Religious Studies - 2013 (Essay)

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(a) The message of Isaiah to the people of Judah (Isaiah 1)

Isaiah brought God's charge against Judah and Jerusalem, calling heaven and earth to witness:

• Accusation of rebellion and ingratitude: "Sons have I reared and brought up, but they have rebelled against me." Even the ox knows its owner, but Israel did not know or understand God. They were a sinful nation, laden with iniquity, who had forsaken the LORD and were utterly estranged.
• Description of their ruined state: Because of sin the whole nation was sick, from the sole of the foot to the head there was no soundness; their country was desolate, cities burned, and Zion was left like a besieged hut.
• Rejection of empty worship: God declared He was weary of their multitude of sacrifices, burnt offerings, incense, new moons and appointed feasts; their hands were full of blood, so He would not listen to their prayers.
• Call to repentance and righteous living: "Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your doings... cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; defend the fatherless, plead for the widow."
• Offer of forgiveness and warning: "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow." If they were willing and obedient they would eat the good of the land, but if they refused and rebelled they would be devoured by the sword.

(b) Two ways Christians can ensure God's holiness in their country

1. By living righteous, just lives and promoting social justice: defending the weak, the poor, orphans and widows, resisting oppression and corruption, so that the nation reflects God's holy standards.
2. By sincere worship and genuine repentance: turning from sin to God with true hearts rather than mere outward religious rituals, and encouraging others through evangelism and godly example to obey God.

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(a) Jesus' teaching about Himself as the Resurrection and the Life (John 11:1-44)

Lazarus of Bethany, the brother of Mary and Martha, fell sick. His sisters sent word to Jesus, "Lord, he whom you love is ill." Yet Jesus stayed two days longer where He was, saying the illness was not unto death but for the glory of God. By the time He came, Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days.

Martha met Jesus and said, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you." Jesus told her, "Your brother will rise again." Martha replied, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day." Then Jesus made His great declaration:

"I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?" Martha answered, "Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world."

Jesus taught that:

• He Himself is the source of both resurrection and eternal life, not merely a future event.
• Whoever believes in Him, even though he dies physically, will live.
• Whoever lives and believes in Him will never truly die (spiritually).

To confirm His words, Jesus went to the tomb, and after prayer cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out." The dead man came out, bound with grave clothes, and Jesus said, "Unbind him, and let him go," proving His power over death.

(b) Two assurances Christians have in Christ as the Resurrection and the Life

1. The assurance of eternal life: Those who believe in Christ have everlasting life and will never suffer spiritual death, even though they die physically.
2. The assurance of resurrection from the dead: Believers are confident that, because Christ conquered death, they too will be raised to life to be with Him for ever, so death is not the end.

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(a) Peter's guidelines on Christian living among non-Christians (1 Peter 2:11-17)

Peter addressed believers as "aliens and exiles" in the world and gave the following guidelines for their conduct among the Gentiles (non-Christians):

• Abstain from sinful desires: "I beseech you... to abstain from the passions of the flesh that wage war against your soul."
• Maintain good conduct: "Maintain good conduct among the Gentiles, so that... they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation." Their upright lives should silence the ignorant accusations of those who speak against them as wrongdoers.
• Submit to civil authority: "Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution," whether the emperor as supreme, or governors sent by him to punish those who do wrong and praise those who do right.
• Do good to silence critics: It is God's will that by doing right they should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.
• Live as free servants of God: "Live as free men, yet without using your freedom as a pretext for evil; but live as servants of God."
• Show proper respect to all: "Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the emperor."

(b) Three challenges Christians can face among non-Christians

1. Persecution, ridicule and false accusation: Christians may be mocked, slandered or opposed because of their faith and moral standards.
2. Temptation to compromise: pressure to conform to sinful practices such as immorality, dishonesty, idolatry and ungodly customs.
3. Discrimination and hostility: being treated unfairly, marginalized or denied opportunities because they refuse to follow ungodly ways.

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(a) Joshua's farewell address (Joshua 23-24)

When Joshua was old and well advanced in years, after the LORD had given Israel rest from all their enemies, he summoned all Israel, their elders, heads, judges and officers, and delivered his farewell charge.

• He reminded them of all that the LORD their God had done, fighting for them and driving out great nations before them, so that not one of God's good promises had failed.
• He charged them to be very strong and courageous, to keep and do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, turning aside neither to the right hand nor to the left.
• He warned them not to mix with the remaining nations, not to mention the names of their gods, not to serve or bow down to them, but to cleave (hold fast) to the LORD.
• At Shechem he rehearsed the history of Israel from Abraham, through the deliverance from Egypt, the wilderness, and the conquest of Canaan, showing that it was God's grace, not their own strength, that gave them the land.
• He then challenged them, "Choose this day whom you will serve... but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."
• The people responded that they too would serve the LORD. Joshua warned them of God's holiness and jealousy, made a covenant with them, set up a great stone as a witness, and dismissed them each to his inheritance.

(b) Two leadership qualities Joshua manifested

1. Godliness and personal commitment (exemplary faith): He led by example, publicly committing himself and his household to serve the LORD, thereby inspiring the people to do the same.
2. Courage and firm, visionary guidance: He boldly challenged the people to make a decisive choice, warned them plainly of the consequences of disobedience, and provided clear moral and spiritual direction for the nation's future.

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(a) Luke's account of Jesus' appearance to the men going to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35)

On the day of the resurrection, two of the disciples were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, discussing all the things that had happened. While they talked, Jesus Himself drew near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing Him.

He asked what they were discussing. One of them, named Cleopas, answered in surprise, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?" They spoke of Jesus of Nazareth, a prophet mighty in deed and word, whom the chief priests and rulers had crucified, adding, "We had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel." They also reported that some women had found the tomb empty and had seen a vision of angels who said He was alive.

Jesus said to them, "O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?" Then, beginning with Moses and all the prophets, He interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.

As they drew near the village, He appeared to be going further, but they constrained Him, "Stay with us, for it is toward evening." So He went in. When He was at table, He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him; and He vanished out of their sight. They said to each other, "Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the scriptures?" That same hour they returned to Jerusalem and told the eleven how the Lord had risen and was known to them in the breaking of bread.

(b) Two lessons from this encounter

1. The risen Christ is present with His people: Jesus draws near to believers, especially in their moments of confusion and discouragement, even when they do not immediately recognize Him.
2. Understanding of Christ comes through the Scriptures and fellowship: The disciples' hearts were opened as Jesus expounded the Scriptures and as He broke bread with them, showing the importance of God's word and Christian fellowship.

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(a) The healing of the paralytic (Mark 2:1-12)

When Jesus returned to Capernaum, it was reported that He was at home, and so many gathered that there was no longer room, not even about the door, and He preached the word to them. Four men came carrying a paralytic (a man sick of the palsy). Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd, they went up and removed the roof above Him, and having made an opening, let down the pallet (bed) on which the paralytic lay.

When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, "My son, your sins are forgiven." Some scribes sitting there reasoned in their hearts, "Why does this man speak thus? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?"

Jesus, perceiving in His spirit their thoughts, asked, "Why do you question thus in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, Your sins are forgiven, or to say, Rise, take up your pallet and walk? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins," He said to the paralytic, "Rise, take up your pallet and go home." Immediately the man rose, took up his pallet and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!"

(b) Three ways faith is relevant to the Christian

1. Faith brings healing and answers to prayer: As the faith of the four friends led to the paralytic's healing, so a Christian's faith opens the way for God's power to work in his life.
2. Faith is necessary for the forgiveness of sins and salvation: It is through faith in Jesus Christ that a believer receives forgiveness and eternal life.
3. Faith produces action and perseverance: True faith is shown in deeds; like the friends who overcame obstacles to reach Jesus, Christians persevere and act boldly in trusting God despite difficulties.

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(a) Paul's teaching on the Dignity of Labour (2 Thessalonians 3:6-13; 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12)

Some members of the Thessalonian church had stopped working, living in idleness and becoming busybodies, partly because of a mistaken belief that the Lord's coming was immediate. Paul corrected this with strong teaching on the value of honest work:

• He commanded the believers, in the name of the Lord Jesus, to keep away from any brother who is living in idleness and not according to the tradition they received.
• He pointed to his own example: "We were not idle when we were with you... we worked night and day, that we might not burden any of you." Though as an apostle he had the right to be supported, he laboured with his own hands to set an example.
• He laid down the rule: "If any one will not work, let him not eat."
• He rebuked those who were mere idlers and busybodies, commanding them to work in quietness and to earn their own living (to eat their own bread).
• He exhorted the faithful, "Do not be weary in well-doing," encouraging them to continue in honest labour and good works.
• In 1 Thessalonians he added that they should "aspire to live quietly, to mind their own affairs, and to work with their hands," so that they may command the respect of outsiders and be dependent on nobody.

Paul thus taught that work is honourable and God-ordained, that idleness is sinful and disgraceful, and that every believer should earn his living by honest labour.

(b) Two ways Christians should uphold this teaching

1. By engaging in honest and diligent work: Christians should be industrious, avoid laziness and idleness, and earn their living lawfully rather than depending on others or on dishonest means.
2. By working to support themselves and to help others: They should labour so as to provide for their own needs, contribute to the church and society, and be able to assist the poor and needy, not becoming a burden to others.

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(a) The healing of Naaman (2 Kings 5:1-14)

Naaman was commander of the army of the king of Syria (Aram), a great and honourable man, but he was a leper. On one of their raids the Syrians had carried off a little Israelite girl who served Naaman's wife. She told her mistress, "Would that my lord were with the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy."

The king of Syria sent Naaman with a letter and rich gifts to the king of Israel. The king of Israel tore his clothes in dismay, thinking the Syrian king was seeking a quarrel, for he could not cure leprosy. When Elisha the prophet heard of it, he sent word, "Let him come now to me, that he may know there is a prophet in Israel."

Naaman came with his horses and chariots and stood at Elisha's door. Elisha did not come out but sent a messenger, saying, "Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored." Naaman was angry and turned away, offended that the prophet did not come out to him personally and call on the name of the LORD, and complaining that the rivers of Damascus, Abana and Pharpar, were better than all the waters of Israel.

But his servants reasoned with him, "My father, if the prophet had commanded you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much rather, then, when he says to you, Wash, and be clean?" So Naaman went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God, and his flesh was restored like that of a little child, and he was clean.

(b) Three lessons from the story

1. Humility and obedience are necessary to receive God's blessings: Naaman had to swallow his pride and obey a simple command before he was healed.
2. God can use anyone, even the lowly: The testimony of a captive little maidservant led to the healing of a great commander, showing that God uses even the humble and the young.
3. Healing and salvation come from God, not from wealth, position or human effort: Naaman's riches and rank could not cure him; it was faith and obedience to God's word through His prophet that made him whole.

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(a) How greed was demonstrated in the life of Gehazi (2 Kings 5:15-27)

After Naaman the Syrian was healed of his leprosy, he returned to Elisha and urged him to accept a present. Elisha firmly refused, saying, "As the LORD lives, whom I serve, I will receive none," even though Naaman pressed him. Naaman then departed.

But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha, said to himself, "My master has spared this Naaman the Syrian, in not accepting from his hand what he brought. As the LORD lives, I will run after him and get something from him." His greed showed itself in the following ways:

• He pursued Naaman secretly, without his master's knowledge or permission.
• When Naaman got down from his chariot to meet him, Gehazi lied, saying his master had sent him because two young men of the sons of the prophets had just come from the hill country of Ephraim, and asked for a talent of silver and two festal garments for them.
• Naaman gladly gave two talents of silver, bound in two bags, and two garments, sending two of his servants to carry them.
• Gehazi took the goods, sent the servants away, hid the treasure in the house, and then went in and stood before his master as though nothing had happened.
• When Elisha asked, "Where have you been, Gehazi?" he lied again, saying, "Your servant went nowhere."

Elisha revealed that his spirit had gone with Gehazi and rebuked him: this was not the time to accept money, garments, olive orchards, vineyards, sheep, oxen and servants. As punishment, the leprosy of Naaman clung to Gehazi and his descendants for ever, and he went out from Elisha's presence a leper, as white as snow.

(b) Three areas in society where greed is prevalent

1. Politics and government (embezzlement of public funds and abuse of office).
2. Business and commerce (hoarding, cheating in weights and prices, fraud).
3. Religious circles (exploitation of worshippers and misuse of offerings for personal gain). Other examples include the civil service (bribery and corruption) and the family (inheritance disputes).

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(a) Peter's teaching on humility (1 Peter 5:1-7)

Peter, writing as a fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, gave instructions promoting humility in the Christian community:

• To the elders (leaders): He exhorted them to tend (shepherd) the flock of God that was in their charge, not by constraint but willingly; not for shameful gain but eagerly; and not as domineering over those in their charge (not lording it over God's heritage), but being examples to the flock.
• He promised that when the chief Shepherd (Christ) is manifested, they will receive the unfading crown of glory.
• To the younger: "Likewise you that are younger be subject to the elders."
• To all: "Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."
• He urged them to humble themselves under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt them.
• He assured them to cast all their anxieties on God, for He cares for them.

The essence of Peter's teaching is that both leaders and members should serve willingly and be lowly-minded, submitting to one another and to God, who honours the humble but resists the proud.

(b) Three qualities of a humble person

1. Submissiveness and obedience: he willingly submits to God and respects lawful authority.
2. Meekness and gentleness: he is not proud, boastful or domineering, but modest in speech and conduct.
3. Selflessness and a servant heart: he serves others willingly, puts others before himself, and is content rather than greedy for gain or recognition.

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(a) James' exposition on partiality in the church (James 2:1-13)

James warned, "My brethren, show no partiality as you hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory." He illustrated the sin: suppose a man with gold rings and fine clothing comes into the assembly, and also a poor man in shabby clothing. If the church honours the well-dressed man, saying, "Have a seat here, please," while telling the poor man, "Stand there," or "Sit at my feet," they have made distinctions among themselves and become judges with evil thoughts.

James condemned this favouritism with several arguments:

• God has chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom He promised to those who love Him; to dishonour the poor is to insult those God has honoured.
• It is the rich who often oppress believers, drag them into court and blaspheme the honourable name by which they are called.
• The royal law of Scripture is, "You shall love your neighbour as yourself." If they show partiality they commit sin and are convicted as transgressors of the law.
• Whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point is guilty of all; partiality is therefore a serious breach of God's law.
• They should speak and act as those to be judged under the law of liberty, for judgement is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy, yet mercy triumphs over judgement.

(b) Three ways impartiality is promoted in our society

1. Equality before the law and fair justice: courts and law-enforcement treating all citizens equally regardless of wealth, tribe or status.
2. Equal opportunities in employment, education and social services: selecting people on merit rather than favouritism, bribery or connections.
3. Fair and unbiased leadership and public service: leaders, employers and officials treating rich and poor alike, and respecting the rights and dignity of all people without discrimination.

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(a) Jesus' answer to the question, "Who is my neighbour?" - the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)

A lawyer stood up to test Jesus, asking what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus turned the question to the law, and the lawyer answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart... and your neighbour as yourself." Jesus approved, but the lawyer, desiring to justify himself, asked, "And who is my neighbour?" Jesus answered with a parable:

A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho when he fell among robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. By chance a priest was going down that road; when he saw the man he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite came, looked at him, and passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where the man was; and when he saw him he had compassion. He went to him, bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine, then set him on his own beast, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, "Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back."

Jesus then asked, "Which of these three, do you think, proved neighbour to the man who fell among the robbers?" The lawyer said, "The one who showed mercy on him." Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise." Thus Jesus taught that a neighbour is anyone in need, regardless of race, religion or status, and that neighbourliness is shown through active mercy.

(b) Three ways Christians can show good neighbourliness

1. Helping those in need, the sick, the poor, the stranded and the afflicted, with practical care and material support.
2. Showing love, kindness and compassion to all people without discrimination of tribe, religion or status.
3. Sacrificing one's time, money and comfort to relieve the suffering of others, as the Samaritan did.