WAEC SSCE - Christian Religious Studies - 2009 (Essay)

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(a) Paul's teaching on humility in his letter to the Philippians (Philippians 2:1-11)

• Paul appealed to the Philippians, on the basis of their encouragement in Christ and fellowship in the Spirit, to be of the same mind, having the same love and being in full accord.
• He urged them to do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility to count others better (more significant) than themselves.
• Each should look not only to his own interests but also to the interests of others.
• He set forth Christ as the supreme example of humility: though He was in the form of God, He did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped.
• Instead He emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
• Being found in human form, He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross.
• Therefore God has highly exalted Him and given Him the name above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
• The lesson is that true greatness comes through humility and self-giving service, and that God exalts the humble.

(b) Three ways this teaching is relevant to Christians

• It promotes humble service: Christians should serve one another selflessly, following Christ's example rather than seeking personal glory.
• It fosters unity and peace: counting others better than oneself removes rivalry, pride and division in the church and society.
• It teaches obedience and assurance of reward: as God exalted the obedient, humble Christ, believers are encouraged to be obedient and humble, trusting that God will honour them.

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(a) The events of the first six days of creation in chronological order (Genesis 1)

1. First day: God created light and separated the light from the darkness, calling the light Day and the darkness Night.
2. Second day: God made the firmament (the sky or heavens) to separate the waters above from the waters below.
3. Third day: God gathered the waters together so that dry land (earth) appeared, separating land from sea, and He created vegetation, plants and fruit trees.
4. Fourth day: God made the lights in the firmament, the sun to rule the day, the moon and the stars to rule the night, to mark seasons, days and years.
5. Fifth day: God created the creatures of the water (fish and sea animals) and the birds of the air, and blessed them to be fruitful and multiply.
6. Sixth day: God created the land animals, cattle, creeping things and wild beasts, and finally created man, male and female, in His own image.

(b) The concept of man as the image of God

• Being made in God's image means man resembles God in his spiritual and moral nature, not in physical form, for God is Spirit.
• Man is a rational and intelligent being, able to think, reason, speak, plan and make free moral choices.
• Man has a moral conscience, able to distinguish right from wrong and to be held responsible for his actions.
• Man is a spiritual being capable of fellowship and communion with God through worship and prayer.
• Man was given dominion over the earth, to rule, care for and subdue creation as God's steward.
• Man shares in God's creativity and capacity for love and relationship, living in community with others.

(c) Three implications of the sovereignty of God in the creation story

• God is the sole Creator and owner of all things; everything exists because He made it, and belongs to Him.
• God is supreme and all-powerful, able to bring the universe into being simply by His word.
• All creation, including man, is dependent on God and accountable to Him, so He deserves worship, reverence and obedience.

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(a) Elijah's flight to Mount Horeb (1 Kings 19:1-18)

• After Elijah had slain the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, Ahab told Jezebel all that he had done.
• Jezebel sent a messenger threatening to take Elijah's life by the next day, swearing by the gods.
• Afraid, Elijah fled for his life to Beersheba in Judah, left his servant there, and went a day's journey into the wilderness.
• He sat under a broom tree, prayed that he might die, saying he was no better than his fathers, and fell asleep.
• An angel of the LORD touched him and provided a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water; he ate, drank and slept again.
• The angel came a second time, and in the strength of that food Elijah journeyed forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God.
• There he lodged in a cave, and the word of the LORD asked, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" He complained that he alone was left and they sought his life.
• God told him to stand on the mount; a great wind, an earthquake and a fire passed by, but the LORD was not in them; then came a still small voice (a gentle whisper).
• God assured him that seven thousand in Israel had not bowed to Baal, and commissioned him afresh.

(b) Three ways God planned to punish the house of Ahab and Israel

• Elijah was to anoint Hazael to be king over Syria (Aram), who would come against Israel.
• He was to anoint Jehu son of Nimshi to be king over Israel, to destroy the house of Ahab.
• He was to anoint Elisha son of Shaphat as prophet in his place; and whoever escaped the sword of Hazael would be slain by Jehu, and whoever escaped Jehu would be slain by Elisha.

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(a) Jesus' teaching about himself as the living water and the bread of life

Living water (John 4:1-26, the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well):

• Tired from His journey, Jesus sat by Jacob's well and asked a Samaritan woman for a drink, surprising her because Jews did not associate with Samaritans.
• He told her that if she knew the gift of God and who was asking, she would have asked Him, and He would have given her living water.
• He explained that whoever drinks of ordinary well water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water He gives will never thirst; it will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.
• This living water represents the eternal life and satisfaction of the Holy Spirit that Christ gives, meeting the deepest spiritual thirst of the soul.

Bread of life (John 6:22-58, after feeding the five thousand):

• When the crowd sought Jesus for more bread, He told them not to labour for the food that perishes but for the food that endures to eternal life.
• He declared, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall not hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst."
• He contrasted Himself with the manna their fathers ate in the wilderness and yet died; He is the true bread that came down from heaven, giving life to the world.
• He said the bread He gives is His flesh, given for the life of the world, and that whoever feeds on Him (believes and receives Him) will live forever and be raised up at the last day.

(b) Three ways man is denied the bread of life today

• Through false teaching and false prophets that distort the gospel and lead people away from Christ.
• Through neglect of God's word, prayer and worship, so that people are starved spiritually.
• Through materialism, sin and worldliness, which turn people from Christ to the pursuit of earthly things.

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(a) Philip's missionary activities in Judea and Samaria (Acts 8:4-40)

• Following the persecution that arose after Stephen's death, the believers were scattered and went about preaching the word; Philip, one of the seven deacons, went down to a city of Samaria and proclaimed Christ to them.
• The crowds gave heed with one accord to what Philip said, as they heard him and saw the signs he did.
• Unclean spirits came out of many, crying with a loud voice, and many paralysed and lame people were healed, so there was great joy in that city.
• A magician named Simon, who had amazed the people with his sorcery, also believed and was baptized, and continued with Philip, astonished at the signs and miracles performed.
• When the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word, they sent Peter and John, who prayed for the converts to receive the Holy Spirit and laid hands on them.
• Simon offered the apostles money to obtain the power to give the Holy Spirit, but Peter rebuked him sharply, telling him to repent of his wickedness.
• An angel then directed Philip to the desert road from Jerusalem to Gaza, where he met an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of Candace, returning from worship and reading Isaiah in his chariot.
• The Spirit told Philip to join the chariot; beginning from that Scripture, Philip preached to him about Jesus.
• Coming to some water, the eunuch was baptized; then the Spirit caught Philip away, and he was found at Azotus, preaching in all the towns till he reached Caesarea.

(b) Three problems facing evangelism in our country

• Insecurity and persecution: violence, kidnapping and hostility in some areas make it dangerous for evangelists to reach people.
• Poor funding and logistics: lack of money for transport, materials and support hinders missionary work, especially in remote areas.
• Materialism and false prophets: the love of money and the activities of false teachers discredit the gospel and turn people away from the true message.

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(a) How Moses became the son of Pharaoh's daughter (Exodus 2:1-10)

• Pharaoh, fearing the rapid increase of the Israelites, had ordered that every Hebrew baby boy be thrown into the Nile.
• A man of the house of Levi married a Levite woman (Amram and Jochebed), and she gave birth to a son.
• Seeing that the child was beautiful (goodly), she hid him for three months.
• When she could no longer hide him, she made a basket (ark) of bulrushes, coated it with bitumen and pitch, placed the baby in it, and laid it among the reeds by the bank of the Nile.
• The baby's sister (Miriam) stood at a distance to see what would happen to him.
• The daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river, saw the basket among the reeds, and sent her maid to fetch it.
• Opening it, she saw the crying child, had compassion on him, and recognised that he was one of the Hebrew children.
• The child's sister approached and offered to fetch a Hebrew nurse; Pharaoh's daughter agreed, and the girl called the baby's own mother.
• Pharaoh's daughter told the mother to nurse the child for wages; when he grew, the mother brought him to Pharaoh's daughter, who adopted him as her son and named him Moses, saying, "Because I drew him out of the water."

(b) Three ways this prepared Moses for his future leadership roles

• Egyptian education and wisdom: growing up in the palace, Moses was instructed in all the learning, administration and skills of the Egyptians, equipping him intellectually to lead.
• Experience of court and administration: life in Pharaoh's household exposed him to leadership, governance and the workings of power, preparing him to organise and govern a nation.
• Dual identity with his people: though raised as an Egyptian prince, Moses was nursed by his own Hebrew mother and retained knowledge of his people and their God, giving him sympathy for the Israelites and understanding of both worlds.

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(a) The crucifixion and burial of Jesus Christ (Matthew 27; Mark 15; Luke 23; John 19)

• After His trial, Jesus was scourged and handed over to be crucified; the soldiers mocked Him, put a crown of thorns on His head and a purple robe on Him.
• He was led out to Golgotha (the place of a skull), carrying His cross, with Simon of Cyrene compelled to help bear it.
• They crucified Him there, nailing Him to the cross between two criminals, and cast lots for His garments; over His head was written the charge, "This is Jesus, the King of the Jews."
• He was mocked by the passers-by, the chief priests and one of the thieves, who challenged Him to save Himself.
• From the cross Jesus spoke, praying, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do," promising paradise to the penitent thief, and committing His mother to the beloved disciple.
• From the sixth to the ninth hour darkness covered the land; Jesus cried, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" and later, "It is finished," and "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit," then breathed His last.
• At His death the curtain of the temple was torn in two, the earth quaked, and the centurion confessed, "Truly this was the Son of God."
• Since it was the day of Preparation, a soldier pierced His side and out came blood and water, confirming His death.
• In the evening Joseph of Arimathea, with Nicodemus, obtained the body from Pilate, wrapped it in clean linen with spices, and laid it in a new rock-hewn tomb, rolling a great stone over the entrance; the women watched where He was laid.

(b) Two lessons Christians can learn from Jesus' words on the cross

• Forgiveness of enemies: in praying "Father, forgive them," Jesus taught believers to forgive those who wrong them, even in the midst of suffering.
• Complete trust and obedience to God: in saying "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit" and "It is finished," He taught total surrender to God's will and faithful endurance to the very end.

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(a) Solomon's request for wisdom (1 Kings 3:3-15)

• Solomon loved the LORD and walked in the statutes of his father David, though he still sacrificed at the high places.
• He went to Gibeon, the great high place, to offer sacrifice, and offered a thousand burnt offerings on the altar there.
• At night the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream and said, "Ask what I shall give you."
• Solomon replied with humility, acknowledging God's great steadfast love to his father David and to himself in making him king.
• He confessed that he was but a little child who did not know how to go out or come in, set over a people too numerous to count.
• Therefore he asked God for an understanding mind (a wise and discerning heart) to govern the people and to discern between good and evil, rather than for riches or long life.
• The request pleased the LORD, because Solomon had not asked for long life, riches or the death of his enemies, but for understanding to do justice.
• God granted him a wise and discerning heart, so that there was none like him before or after; and He also added what Solomon had not asked, riches and honour, and promised long life if he would walk in God's ways.
• Solomon awoke and realised it was a dream, then went to Jerusalem, stood before the ark, offered offerings and made a feast.

(b) Three ways Solomon's wisdom was tested and proved

• The judgment of the two harlots: he wisely discovered the true mother of the living child by ordering it to be divided, and all Israel stood in awe of his wisdom.
• The visit of the Queen of Sheba: she tested him with hard questions, and he answered them all, so that she was overwhelmed and confessed that his wisdom exceeded the report she had heard.
• His proverbs, songs and knowledge: he spoke thousands of proverbs and songs and had understanding of trees, animals, birds and fish, and people came from all nations to hear his wisdom.

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(a) Peter's admonition on inter-personal relationship among believers (1 Peter 3:8-12)

• Peter urged believers to have unity of spirit (be of one mind), living in harmony with one another.
• They should show sympathy, sharing in one another's joys and sorrows.
• They should have brotherly love (love as brethren), treating fellow Christians as members of one family.
• They should be tender-hearted (compassionate), full of pity and kindness toward others.
• They should have a humble mind (be courteous), not proud or self-seeking.
• They should not return evil for evil or insult for insult, but on the contrary bless, since they were called to this so that they might obtain a blessing.
• Quoting the Psalm, Peter added that whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit, turn away from evil and do good, and seek peace and pursue it.
• For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous and His ears open to their prayer, but His face is against those who do evil.

(b) Three major causes of conflict among Christians today

• Struggle for power, position and leadership within the church.
• Doctrinal and denominational differences and intolerance of other viewpoints.
• Love of money, mismanagement of church funds, gossip and tribalism, which breed suspicion and division.

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(a) The parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)

• A lawyer, seeking to test Jesus, asked what he must do to inherit eternal life; Jesus led him to the command to love God and to love one's neighbour as oneself.
• Wishing to justify himself, the lawyer asked, "And who is my neighbour?" and Jesus answered with a parable.
• A certain 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 came down that road; when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side.
• Likewise a Levite came to the place, looked at him, and also 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, set him on his own beast, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
• The next day he gave the innkeeper two denarii, asking him to take care of the man and promising to repay any extra on his return.
• Jesus then asked which of the three proved neighbour to the victim; the lawyer said, "The one who showed mercy," and Jesus said, "Go and do likewise."

(b) Three ways the parable illustrates concern for one another

• It teaches practical compassion: the Samaritan did not merely feel pity but acted, tending the wounds and meeting the man's real needs.
• It teaches love that crosses all barriers: the Samaritan helped a Jew, a member of a hostile group, showing that true neighbourliness ignores tribe, race and religion.
• It teaches sacrificial and selfless giving: he spent his own time, resources and money, and pledged more, putting the stranger's welfare above his own convenience.

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(a) Paul's teachings on the dignity of labour (2 Thessalonians 3:6-13; 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12; Ephesians 4:28)

• Paul commanded believers to keep away from any brother who is idle (living in idleness) and does not work.
• He pointed to his own example: he and his companions did not eat anyone's bread without paying, but worked night and day with toil and labour so as not to be a burden to anyone.
• He laid down the firm rule: "If anyone will not work, let him not eat."
• He rebuked those who were not busy working but were busybodies, meddling in others' affairs, and charged them to work quietly and earn their own living.
• He taught that every believer should aspire to live quietly, mind his own affairs, and work with his hands, so as to be dependent on nobody and to command the respect of outsiders.
• He taught that the thief must steal no longer but rather labour, doing honest work with his hands, so that he may have something to share with the needy.
• The dignity of labour therefore means work is honourable, God-ordained, a means of self-support and of helping others, and no one should be lazy or parasitic.

(b) Four roles the Church can play to encourage productivity among Christian youth

• Provide vocational and skills training through workshops, technical centres and apprenticeships to equip youth for productive work.
• Offer financial support such as loans, grants, seed capital and cooperative schemes to help young people start businesses.
• Provide mentorship, career guidance and counselling, linking youth with experienced professionals and role models.
• Teach the biblical dignity of labour and honesty, discouraging idleness, get-rich-quick schemes and fraud, while dignifying all lawful work.

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(a) Paul's teaching that Christians are children of God (Romans 8:12-17; Galatians 4:4-7)

• Paul taught that those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children (sons) of God.
• Christians have not received the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but the Spirit of adoption (sonship), by whom they cry, "Abba! Father!"
• The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.
• God sent forth His Son, born of a woman and under the law, to redeem those under the law so that we might receive adoption as sons.
• Because we are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father," so that each believer is no longer a slave but a son.
• And if children, then heirs, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him.
• This sonship is not by natural birth or by the works of the law, but by grace through faith in Christ.

(b) Two implications of the doctrine of the Sonship of God for Christians

• Freedom from fear and assurance of belonging: as adopted children, believers can approach God intimately as Father, live in confidence rather than the fear of slaves, and enjoy the assurance of their salvation.
• Inheritance and responsibility: being heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, Christians share in His glory but must also share in His sufferings and live holy, obedient lives worthy of their Father.