WAEC SSCE - Christian Religious Studies - 1997

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According to Paul in Colossians, setting minds on things that are earthly is not a sign of newness of life in Christ. Paul encourages believers to seek the things that are above, put to death what is earthly, put off the old nature, and forbear one another. The focus on earthly things is seen as a hindrance to the new life in Christ, as believers are called to focus on spiritual things and grow in their relationship with God. Therefore, putting one's mind on things that are earthly is seen as a sign that one is still living in the old way of life, rather than experiencing the newness of life in Christ.

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Moses experienced the burning bush that was not consumed at Horeb. In the book of Exodus, chapter 3, it is stated that Moses was shepherding his flock in Horeb when he came across the burning bush. The bush was burning with fire, but it was not consumed. It was from this bush that God spoke to Moses and gave him the command to lead the Israelites out of Egypt.

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Jesus sent the man born blind to the pool of Siloam so that he could be completely healed. This was an act of obedience on the part of the man, who went and washed as Jesus instructed him. As a result of his obedience, he received his sight and was completely healed of his blindness.

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According to Luke, the third temptation by the devil was that Jesus should jump down from the pinnacle of the temple. The devil took Jesus to the pinnacle of the temple and said, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here; for it is written, 'He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you.'" (Luke 4:9-10).

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The instruction given by Jesus to the Seventy against any town which rejected them was to "wipe off the dust of their feet." This means that if a town did not receive them and their message, they were to show that they had nothing to do with that place by shaking off the dust from their feet. It was a symbolic act of rejecting that place and its rejection of their message. This instruction showed that rejection of the gospel had consequences, and that the messengers of the gospel were not to waste time on those who were unwilling to receive it.

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In the story of Ahab and Naboth's vineyard in the Bible, Ahab was the king of Israel who desired Naboth's vineyard for his own personal use. When Naboth refused to sell his inheritance, Ahab became angry and depressed. This exposed his envy and disregard for the law, as he was willing to break God's law in order to get what he wanted. This ultimately led to his downfall and punishment by God.

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The reaction of the chief priest and the Pharisees at the rising of Lazarus was that they reported Jesus to the Jewish council. When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, it caused many people to believe in him. This caused concern for the chief priest and the Pharisees, who saw Jesus as a threat to their authority and the Jewish nation. As a result, they reported Jesus to the Jewish council, hoping that they would take action against him. This event ultimately led to the crucifixion of Jesus.

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Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem is significant because it was the climax of His revelation as the Messiah. This event fulfilled the prophecy in Zechariah 9:9 that the Messiah would come riding on a donkey. The people welcomed Him as the long-awaited King of Israel and spread their cloaks and palm branches on the road before Him, shouting, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" This event marks a turning point in Jesus' ministry, as it showed His authority and power as the Messiah and King of Israel.

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The army of Israel led by Barak defeated the Canaanite troops led by Sisera. This is recorded in the book of Judges in the Bible. Deborah, Lappidoth, Heber, and Abinoam were all mentioned in the same book as well, but they were not the leaders of the opposing army that Barak fought against.

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When the Lord appeared to Abram at Shechem, Abram responded by building an altar to the Lord to worship Him. This is recorded in Genesis 12:7, which states that Abram "built an altar there to the LORD who had appeared to him."

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Peter urged all Christians to endure suffering in faith, conscious of the fact that suffering is temporary and leads to eternal glory. He reminded them that just as Jesus himself endured suffering, they too must be willing to suffer in order to receive the promised reward. Though the physical body may be affected, the soul and spirit will remain intact and ultimately receive a crown of glory that will never fade away. Therefore, Peter encouraged believers to remain steadfast and trust in God even in the midst of suffering, knowing that their faith and endurance would be rewarded in the end.

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According to Jeremiah, the main feature of the Covenant between God and Israel was that it was to be written in the hearts of the people. This meant that the people would internalize the Covenant and have a personal relationship with God, rather than just following the law externally. It emphasized the importance of faith and obedience to God from the heart, rather than just following religious rituals and traditions. This new covenant was to replace the old covenant, which had been broken by the people's disobedience and lack of faith.

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Jesus surrendered to his enemies when he was arrested at the Gethsemane because the scripture must be fulfilled. Jesus knew that His arrest, trial, and crucifixion were all part of God's plan for redemption. He also knew that by fulfilling the prophecies in the scripture, He would bring salvation to humanity. Although Jesus had the power to call on angels to fight for Him, He chose to submit to God's will and allow Himself to be arrested and ultimately crucified.

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The disciples that were at the Transfiguration of Jesus did not immediately tell their experience to other people because they were told by Jesus not to say it out. They were instructed to keep it to themselves until after Jesus had risen from the dead. This is recorded in the Gospel of Mark chapter 9, verses 9-10.

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When Nehemiah received the situation report on Jerusalem after the fall of the city, he wept, fasted, and prayed for days.

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When Jesus asked John to baptize him, he did so in order to fulfill all righteousness. This was to show that Jesus was submitting to God's plan and fulfilling all that was required of him as the Messiah. Baptism was seen as a symbol of repentance and spiritual renewal, and Jesus' baptism marked the beginning of his public ministry. By undergoing baptism, Jesus demonstrated his identification with humanity and his willingness to take on the sins of the world. Thus, Jesus' request for baptism was not for himself, but rather to fulfill the requirements of God's plan for humanity.

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David's attitude to Abner's death can be described as sincere shock. Abner was the commander of Saul's army and was considered an enemy of David. However, Abner had recently defected to David's side and was working towards a reconciliation between the two kingdoms. When Joab, one of David's commanders, killed Abner, David was genuinely shocked and saddened. He lamented Abner's death and cursed Joab and his family. Therefore, the best option to describe David's attitude towards Abner's death is sincere shock.

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The healing miracle of Jesus that resulted in the charge of blasphemy against him was that of the paralytic. In the story, Jesus was preaching in a crowded house when four men came carrying a paralytic on a mat. Since they could not get close to Jesus, they made a hole in the roof and lowered the man down to Jesus. Jesus saw their faith and said to the paralyzed man, "Son, your sins are forgiven." This caused the scribes, who were present, to accuse him of blasphemy, as only God could forgive sins. Jesus then performed a healing miracle, telling the man to get up, take his mat, and walk. The man was healed and walked out in full view of everyone, proving Jesus' divine power.

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Paul's teaching on humility demands all of the following, including that we should not be selfish, not regard ourselves better than others, show positive interest in the affairs of others, accept Christ's example as the standard for our daily life. Therefore, the correct answer is that the teaching does not demand that we should not allow others to have an advantage over us in anything. In fact, humility requires that we recognize the strengths and gifts of others and not always seek to be the one who has the advantage or is in control. Humility involves a willingness to serve and consider the needs of others above our own desires for power or recognition.

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Eli's lack of parental responsibility had a number of consequences in Israel, but one of them was not the institution of the monarchy. Rather, the Israelites continued to be ruled by judges until the time of Samuel, who anointed Saul as the first king of Israel. The other consequences of Eli's negligence include the collapse of his priestly lineage, the decisive defeat of Israel by the Philistines, the death of his two sons Hophni and Phinehas, and the capture of the Ark of the Covenant by the Philistines.

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The statement "Lord, it is well that we are here; if you wish, I will make three booths here..." was made during the Transfiguration. According to the Bible, the Transfiguration occurred when Jesus took three of his disciples, Peter, James, and John, up to a mountain to pray. While they were there, Jesus' appearance was transformed, and he appeared in a glorious, heavenly form, talking with Moses and Elijah. Peter, overwhelmed by the experience, suggested building three shelters or booths for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. This statement indicates Peter's desire to prolong the experience and to honor Jesus, Moses, and Elijah, who he recognized as important figures in Jewish history.

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The term "Lamb of God" refers to Jesus as a sacrificial lamb who takes away the sins of the world. In the Old Testament, lambs were often used as sacrifices to atone for sins. Jesus, being the Lamb of God, is the ultimate sacrifice, as he willingly gave up his life to pay the penalty for the sins of humanity. This signifies that Jesus was to bear the sins of the world like a paschal lamb. Through his sacrifice, he offers salvation to those who believe in him.

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Jesus performed healing miracles to manifest the kingdom of God. He came to bring salvation to humanity and to demonstrate the love and power of God. Healing miracles were a tangible way to show the people that the kingdom of God was present and that God cared for their physical and spiritual needs. Jesus did not perform miracles to prove his own greatness or to make people acclaim him, but rather to reveal God's love and power to all.

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Prophet Jeremiah saw the need for a new covenant for Israel because, in his view, inspite of the old covenant, Israel has proved faithless to God. The people had violated the terms of the covenant and had turned away from God by worshiping idols and engaging in other sinful acts. Jeremiah believed that a new covenant was necessary to re-establish the relationship between God and his people, one that would be based on mutual faithfulness and obedience. This new covenant would give the people a chance to start afresh, with a renewed commitment to follow God's laws and teachings. Ultimately, the new covenant would offer hope for the future, with the promise of a restored relationship between God and his people.

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In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." This means that those who have pure hearts, free from sin and corruption, will have the privilege of experiencing God's presence and glory. By living a life of purity, they will have a clear vision of who God is and what He desires from His people. This statement emphasizes the importance of having a clean heart and living a life that pleases God.

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The story of Gehazi in the Bible is a cautionary tale about the consequences of greed and the love of money. Gehazi was the servant of the prophet Elisha, and he witnessed the miraculous healing of Naaman, a Syrian general who had come to Israel seeking a cure for his leprosy. Naaman was healed by following Elisha's instructions, but he offered gifts of gold and silver to Elisha, which the prophet refused. However, Gehazi secretly followed Naaman and lied to him, saying that Elisha had changed his mind and wanted the gifts. Naaman gave Gehazi the gifts, but when he returned to Elisha, the prophet rebuked him for his greed and deceit, and cursed him with the leprosy that Naaman had been healed of. The story of Gehazi teaches us that greed and dishonesty can have serious consequences, and that we should always strive to be honest and content with what we have.

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After the death of King Solomon, the people of Israel approached his son Rehoboam and requested that he lighten their burden of taxes and labor. However, he refused and threatened to make their yoke even heavier. As a result, the northern tribes of Israel rebelled and appointed Jeroboam as their king, leading to the division of the kingdom into two parts: the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. Therefore, the immediate consequence of Rehoboam's rejection of Israel's request was the division of the Kingdom into two.

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(a) Paul's reaction to the gift from the Philippians (Philippians 4:10-20)

Paul rejoiced greatly in the Lord that the Philippian church had at last revived their care for him by sending him a gift through Epaphroditus. He was careful to explain that he did not speak out of want, for he had learned to be content in whatever state he was, whether abased or abounding, hungry or full; he had learned the secret of contentment, declaring, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

Nevertheless, he thanked them warmly and commended them for sharing in his trouble. He recalled that in the early days of the gospel, when he left Macedonia, no church shared with him in giving and receiving except the Philippians alone; even in Thessalonica they had sent him help more than once. Paul made clear that he valued not so much the gift itself as the fruit that increased to their credit before God. He described their offering as "a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God," and assured them that God would supply all their needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. He closed with praise to God.

(b) Two ways to manifest a true sense of giving in your community

1. Supporting the needy and the work of God: Contributing money, food, clothing or labour to help the poor, the sick, widows, orphans and the church's ministry.
2. Giving cheerfully and sacrificially: Offering help willingly and generously, not grudgingly or for show, sharing even out of one's own lack to meet others' needs.

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Hosea's marital experience and God's love for Israel (Hosea 1-3)

God commanded the prophet Hosea to take a wife of harlotry, and he married Gomer, the daughter of Diblaim. She bore him children whose names carried prophetic meaning for Israel: Jezreel (God will scatter, announcing judgment on the house of Jehu), Lo-ruhamah (not pitied, meaning God would no longer have mercy on Israel), and Lo-ammi (not my people, meaning Israel had ceased to be God's people).

In time Gomer proved unfaithful and left Hosea to follow other lovers, sinking into adultery and even slavery. Yet God commanded Hosea to go again, love his adulterous wife, and buy her back. Hosea redeemed her for fifteen shekels of silver and a homer and a half of barley, took her back, and required her to dwell with him faithfully, promising that he too would be faithful to her.

How it demonstrates God's love for Israel

Hosea's marriage is a living parable of the relationship between God and Israel:

• Gomer's unfaithfulness represents Israel's spiritual adultery: the nation had forsaken God to worship Baal and other idols and had broken the covenant.
• Hosea's grief and rejection mirror God's sorrow over a faithless people.
• Hosea's willingness to buy back and restore his fallen wife shows that despite Israel's sin, God's steadfast love (hesed) does not fail. God still yearns to redeem, forgive and restore His people if they return to Him.
• The renamed children, later called "my people" and "pitied," point to God's promise of ultimate mercy and reconciliation.

Thus Hosea's painful marriage dramatizes the tension between God's justice, which must punish sin, and His unfailing love, which longs to redeem and restore the wayward.

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(a) The first account of creation (Genesis 1:1 - 2:3)

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, darkness was upon the face of the deep, and the Spirit of God moved over the waters. God then created in six days by His spoken word:

• Day one: God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. He separated the light from the darkness, calling the light Day and the darkness Night.
• Day two: God made the firmament (the sky) to divide the waters above from the waters below.
• Day three: God gathered the waters together so that dry land appeared. He called the dry land Earth and the waters Seas, and He made the earth bring forth grass, herbs and fruit trees.
• Day four: God made the sun, the moon and the stars to give light and to mark seasons, days and years.
• Day five: God created the fish and other creatures of the sea, and the birds of the air, and blessed them to be fruitful and multiply.
• Day six: God made the land animals, cattle and creeping things, and finally created man, male and female, in His own image, giving them dominion over all creatures.

God saw that everything He had made was very good. On the seventh day He rested from all His work and blessed and sanctified the day.

(b) Two ways this account demonstrates the nature of God

1. God is almighty and sovereign: He created the whole universe out of nothing simply by His word, showing His unlimited power and authority over all things.
2. God is orderly, wise and good: He created in a logical, purposeful sequence, provided for every creature, and pronounced His work "very good," revealing His wisdom, care and goodness.

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The Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23; Mark 4; Luke 8)

Jesus told the crowd that a sower went out to sow his seed. As he scattered the seed, it fell on four kinds of ground:

• By the wayside (path): Some seed fell on the beaten path, and the birds came and devoured it.
• On rocky ground: Some fell on stony ground with little soil. It sprang up quickly, but because it had no depth of root, the sun scorched it and it withered away.
• Among thorns: Some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it so that it yielded no fruit.
• On good ground: Some fell on good soil and brought forth a rich harvest, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

Jesus later explained the meaning: the seed is the word of God, and the soils are types of hearers. The wayside stands for those who hear but Satan snatches the word away; the rocky ground for those who receive it with joy but fall away under trials; the thorny ground for those choked by the cares and riches of the world; and the good ground for those who hear, understand, keep the word and bear fruit.

Two lessons from the parable

1. The condition of the heart determines the fruitfulness of God's word: The same word produces different results depending on how it is received, so we must prepare our hearts to receive and obey it.
2. We must guard against distractions that kill spiritual growth: Persecution, worldly cares, riches and pleasures can choke the word, so believers must remain steadfast and bear lasting fruit.

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(a) Main features of Paul's letter to Philemon

Philemon is a short, personal letter written by Paul (with Timothy) while he was a prisoner, addressed to Philemon, a wealthy Christian of Colossae, together with Apphia, Archippus and the church that met in his house. Its main features are:

• Occasion: Onesimus, Philemon's runaway slave, had fled and possibly wronged his master, but had met Paul, been converted, and become useful to him. Paul now sends him back.
• Warm commendation: Paul opens by thanking God for Philemon's faith and love and for the refreshment he had brought to the saints.
• An appeal, not a command: Though as an apostle Paul could order Philemon, he appeals for love's sake, asking rather than commanding, so that the good deed may be voluntary.
• A plea for forgiveness and acceptance: Paul begs Philemon to receive Onesimus back, no longer as a mere slave but as a beloved brother in Christ.
• A pun and a pledge: Paul plays on the name Onesimus ("useful"), saying he was once useless but is now useful. He offers to repay personally any debt Onesimus owes, while reminding Philemon that he owes Paul his very self.
• Confidence and a personal note: Paul expresses confidence that Philemon will do even more than asked, requests that a lodging be prepared for him, and sends greetings from his companions.

The letter beautifully illustrates Christian brotherhood transcending the barrier between master and slave.

(b) Two reasons why a Christian should forgive others

1. Because God has forgiven us: Having received God's mercy through Christ, we are obliged to extend the same forgiveness to those who wrong us.
2. To maintain peace, unity and love: Forgiveness heals broken relationships, removes bitterness and revenge, and promotes reconciliation and harmony in the community.

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(a) Paul's advice on the use of individual talents (Romans 12:3-8)

Paul teaches that every believer has received grace and gifts from God, and that these differ from one member to another just as the human body has many members with different functions. He urges each Christian not to think of himself more highly than he ought, but to think soberly, according to the measure of faith God has given him. Just as the parts of one body work together, so believers form one body in Christ and are members one of another. Therefore each person should humbly recognise his own gift and use it faithfully for the good of the whole body. Paul lists examples of these gifts:

• Prophecy, to be used in proportion to one's faith.
• Service (ministry), to be devoted to serving.
• Teaching, to be used in teaching.
• Exhortation (encouragement), to be used in encouraging others.
• Giving (contributing), to be done with liberality and generosity.
• Leadership (ruling), to be exercised with diligence.
• Acts of mercy, to be shown with cheerfulness.

The gifts are not for personal pride but for building up the community in humility, love and cooperation.

(b) Two ways of applying your talents

1. Serving in the church and community: Using one's ability in teaching, singing, preaching, leadership or acts of mercy to build up others and advance God's work.
2. Generous giving and helping the needy: Sharing one's material resources, skills or time cheerfully to meet the needs of others in society.

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(a) Demands Jesus made of prospective disciples (Luke 9:57-62; Matthew 8:19-22)

As Jesus and His disciples were travelling along the road, a man said to Him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus replied, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” By this, Jesus demanded that anyone who wished to follow Him must be prepared for hardship, insecurity, sacrifice and self-denial.

Jesus said to another man, “Follow me.” The man replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” Jesus answered, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Jesus therefore demanded that commitment to Him and the proclamation of God’s kingdom must take priority over family, social and earthly obligations.

Another man said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say farewell to those at my home.” Jesus told him, “No one who puts his hand to the plough and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” Jesus demanded wholehearted, immediate and undivided loyalty from His disciples. A follower must not hesitate, look back or allow attachment to the former life to prevent commitment to the kingdom.

(b) Explanation of one demand

Jesus’ statement that “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head” shows that discipleship is not a life of comfort, pleasure or material gain. The man who promised to follow Jesus wherever He went may have expected honour, wealth and satisfaction. Jesus made him understand that He Himself had no permanent home or earthly comfort.

Therefore, anyone who wants to be a disciple of Jesus must be ready to sacrifice comfort, possessions, security and personal convenience for the sake of the gospel. Such a person must be prepared to endure hardship and suffering rather than seek an easy and pleasurable life. True discipleship requires total physical and spiritual commitment to Christ.

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(a) How David spared the life of Saul

King Saul, jealous of David, pursued him with three thousand chosen men to kill him. On one occasion (1 Samuel 24) Saul entered a cave at En-gedi to relieve himself, not knowing that David and his men were hiding in the recesses of that very cave. David's men urged him to seize the opportunity, saying the Lord had delivered his enemy into his hand. Instead of killing Saul, David quietly crept up and cut off a corner of Saul's robe. Even this troubled David's conscience, for he said he would not stretch out his hand against the Lord's anointed. After Saul left, David called out to him, showed him the piece of the robe as proof that he could have killed him but did not, and Saul wept and acknowledged David's righteousness.

On a second occasion (1 Samuel 26) David and Abishai entered Saul's camp by night while a deep sleep from the Lord had fallen on the men. Abishai offered to pin Saul to the ground with one thrust of the spear, but David refused, saying no one could harm the Lord's anointed and remain guiltless. David only took Saul's spear and water jug from beside his head, then crossed to a far hill and called out, rebuking Abner for failing to guard the king and again proving his innocence. Saul once more admitted his wrong and blessed David.

(b) Two lessons from the story

1. Respect for constituted authority: David refused to harm God's anointed king even when he had the chance, teaching that we must reverence and not take vengeance on those God has placed in authority.
2. Returning good for evil and trusting God: David spared his persecutor and left judgment to God rather than repaying evil with evil, showing self-control, forgiveness and faith that God vindicates the righteous.

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(a) The event at Bethany: the raising of Lazarus (John 11:1-44)

Lazarus of Bethany, the brother of Mary and Martha, fell seriously ill. His sisters sent word to Jesus, but Jesus said that the sickness was not unto death but for the glory of God, and He deliberately stayed two more days where He was. By the time He arrived at Bethany with His disciples, Lazarus had already died and had been in the tomb four days, and many Jews had come to console Mary and Martha.

When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet Him and said, \"Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died,\" yet she added that she still believed God would grant Jesus whatever He asked. Jesus told her, \"Your brother will rise again.\" Martha replied that she knew he would rise again in the resurrection at the last day. It was then that Jesus made the 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.\"

Martha confessed her faith, saying that He was the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world. Deeply moved and weeping, Jesus went to the tomb, which was a cave with a stone lying against it. He ordered the stone to be taken away. Martha objected that after four days there would be a stench, but Jesus reminded her that if she believed she would see the glory of God. Jesus lifted up His eyes, thanked the Father for hearing Him, and then cried with a loud voice, \"Lazarus, come out.\" The dead man came out, still bound hand and foot with grave clothes and his face wrapped in a cloth, and Jesus said, \"Unbind him, and let him go.\" As a result many of the Jews who had witnessed the miracle believed in Jesus.

(b) Two lessons we can draw from the declaration

1. Jesus is the source of eternal life and the conqueror of death. For those who believe in Him, physical death of the body is not the end; He gives resurrection and everlasting life, so the believer passes from death into life eternal with God.
2. Faith in Christ is the condition for sharing in this life. Only those who put their trust in Jesus receive the resurrection and life He offers, therefore we must believe in Him as the Christ, the Son of God, through whom the glory of God is made manifest.