WAEC SSCE - Christian Religious Studies - 2018 (Essay)

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(a) Jesus' response on forgiveness (Matthew 18)

• When Peter asked how often he should forgive his brother who sinned against him, suggesting as many as seven times, Jesus replied, "I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven." This means forgiveness should be limitless.
• To illustrate, Jesus told the parable of the unforgiving servant. The kingdom of heaven is likened to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants.
• One servant owed him ten thousand talents but could not pay. The master ordered him, his wife, children and possessions to be sold to make payment.
• The servant fell on his knees and begged for patience, promising to repay everything. Out of pity, the master released him and forgave the whole enormous debt.
• But that same servant went out and found a fellow servant who owed him a hundred denarii, a small sum. He seized him by the throat, demanding payment, and though the man begged in the same words, he refused and threw him into prison until he should pay.
• The other servants, greatly distressed, reported the matter to the master. The master summoned the wicked servant, rebuked him for not showing the mercy he himself had received, and in anger delivered him to the jailers till he should pay all his debt.
• Jesus concluded, "So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart."

(b) Three lessons

1. Christians should forgive others without limit and from the heart.
2. Those who have received God's great mercy must show mercy to others.
3. An unforgiving spirit invites God's judgement and forfeits His forgiveness.

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(a) James' advice to be doers of the word and not hearers only (James 1:22-25)

• James exhorts believers, "Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." Merely listening to the word without acting on it is a form of self-deception.
• He illustrates with the image of a mirror: anyone who hears the word but does not do it is like a man who observes his natural face in a mirror, for he looks at himself, goes away, and at once forgets what he was like.
• By contrast, the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres in it, being no hearer that forgets but a doer that acts, will be blessed in his doing.
• James therefore stresses that hearing must lead to obedience and practical action. The word must be received with meekness and translated into a changed life.
• He goes on to define true, undefiled religion before God as visiting orphans and widows in their affliction, and keeping oneself unstained from the world, showing that genuine faith is expressed in acts of mercy and holy living.

(b) Two factors that hinder Christians from doing the will of God

1. Worldliness and love of pleasure, which turn the heart away from obedience and toward selfish desires.
2. Weakness of will and self-deception, where believers hear the word but fail to act, comforting themselves with mere profession rather than practice.

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King Nebuchadnezzar set up a golden image on the plain of Dura and commanded that at the sound of music every person must fall down and worship it, on pain of being cast into a burning fiery furnace. Three Jewish officials, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, demonstrated their faith in God in the following ways:

• They refused to worship the golden image. When all others bowed, these three would not, remaining faithful to the first commandment that forbids idolatry.
• They boldly confessed their faith before the king. When accused and threatened, they told Nebuchadnezzar plainly, "We have no need to answer you in this matter."
• They trusted absolutely in God's power to deliver. They declared, "Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king."
• Their faith was unconditional. They added, "But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image." Their loyalty did not depend on rescue.
• They accepted the risk of death. They allowed themselves to be bound and cast into the furnace, heated seven times hotter, rather than deny God.
• God vindicated their faith. In the furnace they walked unharmed, and a fourth figure like a son of the gods appeared with them. The fire did not touch their bodies, hair, or garments, and no smell of smoke was on them.
• Their steadfastness led the king to glorify God. Nebuchadnezzar blessed the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, promoted them, and decreed that no one should speak against their God.

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(a) The events of the first creation story in chronological order (Genesis 1:1 - 2:3)

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep, and the Spirit of God moved over the waters. God then created in an orderly sequence of six days, and rested on the seventh:

1. First day: 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.
2. Second day: God made the firmament (the sky) to separate the waters above from the waters below, and called the firmament Heaven.
3. Third day: God gathered the waters under the heavens into one place so that dry land appeared. He called the dry land Earth and the gathered waters Seas, and He caused the earth to bring forth vegetation, plants and fruit trees.
4. Fourth day: God made the two great lights, the sun to rule the day and the moon to rule the night, and He also made the stars, setting them to give light and to mark seasons, days and years.
5. Fifth day: God created the creatures of the water and the birds of the air, and blessed them to be fruitful and multiply.
6. Sixth day: God made the land animals, cattle, creeping things and beasts. Then He created man, male and female, in His own image, and gave them dominion over all creatures and the command to be fruitful, multiply and subdue the earth.
7. Seventh day: God finished His work, rested, and blessed and sanctified the seventh day.

(b) Three reasons why man is regarded as the crown of creation

• Man was created in the image and likeness of God, possessing reason, conscience and the ability to relate with his Creator.
• Man was given dominion over all creation, to rule and care for the plants, animals and the whole earth.
• Man was created last, as the climax of God's work, and everything else was prepared for his use and wellbeing, showing his special honour and value.

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In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, the Lord stirred up his spirit so that he made a proclamation throughout his kingdom, releasing the Jews from exile in Babylon. His contributions to the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem were:

• He issued a royal decree of release. Cyrus proclaimed, "The Lord, the God of heaven... has charged me to build Him a house at Jerusalem." He acknowledged that his authority came from the God of Israel.
• He gave permission and a mandate to rebuild. He invited any of God's people to go up to Jerusalem and build the house of the Lord, the God of Israel, who is in Jerusalem.
• He encouraged the neighbours of the returnees to support them. He commanded that those who remained should assist the exiles with silver, gold, goods, livestock, and freewill offerings for the temple.
• He restored the sacred temple vessels. Cyrus brought out the vessels of the house of the Lord which Nebuchadnezzar had carried off from Jerusalem and placed in the temple of his gods.
• He handed the vessels over by count. Through Mithredath the treasurer, he numbered them out to Sheshbazzar the prince of Judah, totalling five thousand four hundred articles of gold and silver.
• He gave official backing and authority to Sheshbazzar to carry the vessels and the exiles back to Jerusalem, giving the project legal and political legitimacy within the empire.

By these acts Cyrus fulfilled the prophecy of Jeremiah and became the instrument through whom God began the restoration of the temple and the nation.

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On the night of the Last Supper, as Jesus and His disciples went to the Mount of Olives, Jesus foretold that all would fall away. Peter protested strongly, and his threefold denial followed exactly as Jesus predicted.

The prediction:

• Jesus said, "You will all fall away because of Me this night."
• Peter boasted, "Though they all fall away because of You, I will never fall away," and, "Even if I must die with You, I will not deny You."
• Jesus replied, "Truly, this very night, before the cock crows, you will deny Me three times."

The denial: While Jesus was being tried, Peter followed at a distance and sat in the courtyard of the high priest, warming himself by the fire.

• First denial: A servant girl said, "You also were with Jesus the Galilean." Peter denied it before them all, saying, "I do not know what you mean."
• Second denial: Another maid (or bystanders) said he was one of them. Peter again denied it, this time with an oath, "I do not know the man."
• Third denial: After a while, the bystanders said his accent (a Galilean) betrayed him. Peter began to invoke a curse and to swear, "I do not know the man."

The aftermath: Immediately the cock crowed. The Lord turned and looked at Peter, and Peter remembered the word of Jesus. He went out and wept bitterly, deeply repentant.

Lessons: Human resolve is weak without God's grace; overconfidence can lead to failure; and genuine repentance brings restoration.

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Following the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the early Church at Jerusalem lived a remarkable common life. Its main features were:

• Devotion to the apostles' teaching. The believers continued steadfastly in the doctrine passed on by the apostles.
• Fellowship (koinonia). They shared a deep sense of brotherhood and unity, being of one heart and one soul.
• Breaking of bread. They broke bread together from house to house, eating with glad and generous hearts, including the fellowship meal and the Lord's Supper.
• Prayers. They devoted themselves to constant prayer, both in the temple and in their homes.
• Sharing of property in common. They had all things in common; those who owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds to the apostles.
• Distribution according to need. The money was distributed to each as any had need, so that there was no needy person among them (for example, Barnabas sold a field and laid the money at the apostles' feet).
• Signs and wonders. Many wonders and signs were done through the apostles, and awe came upon everyone.
• Regular worship in the temple. They attended the temple together daily with one accord.
• Joy and sincerity of heart. They ate their food with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God.
• Favour with the people and daily growth. They had favour with all the people, and the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

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(a) Nine roles played by women in the resurrection stories according to the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew 28; Mark 16; Luke 24)

The Synoptic Gospels give women a prominent part in the events of the resurrection:

1. They had followed Jesus from Galilee and stood watching at the crucifixion, and they saw where His body was laid.
2. They prepared and brought spices and ointments to anoint the body of Jesus.
3. Very early on the first day of the week, at dawn, they went to the tomb.
4. On the way they wondered and asked among themselves who would roll away the heavy stone from the entrance.
5. They found the stone already rolled away and discovered that the tomb was empty.
6. They saw and received the message of the angel(s), who told them that Jesus had risen as He said and invited them to see the place where He had lain.
7. They remembered the words of Jesus, spoken while He was still in Galilee, that He would be crucified and rise on the third day.
8. They were commissioned to go and tell the disciples, and Peter, that Jesus was risen and was going before them to Galilee.
9. They ran from the tomb with fear and great joy and reported all these things to the eleven and the others; in Matthew, the risen Jesus met them, and they took hold of His feet and worshipped Him, becoming the first witnesses of the resurrection.

(b) Three roles played by women in the church today

• Evangelism and teaching. Women preach the gospel, teach in Sunday schools and lead Bible study and women's fellowships.
• Prayer and intercession. Women form strong prayer groups and support the spiritual life of the church.
• Service and charity. Women care for the needy, visit the sick, welcome and organise church activities, and give material and financial support to the work of God.

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The second creation story (Genesis 2:4-25) presents the institution of marriage by God in a personal and relational manner. It shows how God Himself established the union of man and woman.

• God formed man first. The Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, so that man became a living being.
• God observed man's loneliness. God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him," recognising man's need for companionship.
• The animals were found unsuitable. God formed the beasts and birds and brought them to man to name, but among them no suitable helper was found for the man.
• God created woman from man. God caused a deep sleep to fall on the man, took one of his ribs, and from it made a woman, then brought her to the man.
• Man joyfully accepted her. The man said, "This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man."
• God ordained the marriage bond. "Therefore a man leaves his father and mother and cleaves to his wife, and they become one flesh."
• Their union was pure. The man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed, signifying innocence and openness.

Teaching: Marriage is a divine institution ordained by God, meant to be a permanent, intimate, monogamous union of one man and one woman as complementary partners becoming one flesh.

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(a) Four punishments Amos warned Israel about

The prophet Amos declared that because of Israel's persistent sins the Lord would visit them with severe judgement. Among the punishments he warned about were:

1. Defeat in war and destruction of their strongholds. Their fortresses and palaces would be plundered, and an enemy would surround the land and bring down their defences (Amos 3:11).
2. Exile and captivity. The people would be taken away captive beyond Damascus into a foreign land, dragged out with hooks and fish-hooks (Amos 4:2-3; 5:27).
3. Famine, drought and natural disasters. God would send famine, withhold rain from their cities, strike their crops with blight, mildew and locusts, and bring pestilence upon them (Amos 4:6-10).
4. A famine of hearing the word of the Lord. He warned of days when God would send not a hunger for bread nor a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the Lord, so that people would wander seeking it and not find it (Amos 8:11-12). The destruction of the altars and high places of Bethel was also foretold (Amos 3:14).

(b) Three sins Amos condemned which are prevalent today

• Oppression and exploitation of the poor. The rich trampled the needy and crushed the poor, a wrong still common in unjust societies today.
• Bribery and corruption in judgement. They took bribes and turned aside the needy at the gate, denying the poor justice, just as corruption perverts justice today.
• Dishonest trade and cheating. They used false balances, made the measure small and the price great, and sold the refuse of the wheat, which reflects the cheating and fraud in trade today. (Empty religious worship without righteousness and love of luxury were also condemned.)

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(a) The events that led to the statement "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased" (Matthew 3:1-17)

In those days John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." He was the one foretold by the prophet Isaiah, a voice crying in the wilderness to prepare the way of the Lord. John wore a garment of camel's hair with a leather belt, and his food was locusts and wild honey. People from Jerusalem, all Judea and the region about the Jordan went out to him, confessed their sins and were baptized in the river Jordan. He rebuked the Pharisees and Sadducees, calling them a brood of vipers, and told them to bear fruit worthy of repentance. He declared that he baptized with water, but one mightier than he was coming who would baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John to be baptized. John tried to prevent Him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" But Jesus answered, "Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfil all righteousness." Then John consented. When Jesus was baptized, He went up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on Him. And a voice from heaven said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."

(b) Four steps to take to become committed to God

• Genuine repentance and turning from sin. One must confess and forsake sin, as John the Baptist preached, and seek God's forgiveness.
• Faith in and acceptance of Jesus Christ. Commitment begins with believing in Christ and receiving Him as Lord and Saviour.
• Regular prayer, worship and study of God's word. Constant fellowship with God through prayer, Bible study and worship deepens one's devotion.
• Obedience and a holy, fruitful life. One must obey God's commands, bear fruit worthy of repentance, and serve God and others faithfully.

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(a) The death of Saul on Mount Gilboa (1 Samuel 31:1-13)

The Philistines fought against Israel, and the men of Israel fled before them and fell slain on Mount Gilboa. The Philistines pressed hard after Saul and his sons, and they killed Jonathan, Abinadab and Malchishua, the sons of Saul.

The battle went heavily against Saul, and the archers found him and wounded him critically. In great distress Saul said to his armour-bearer, "Draw your sword and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through and make sport of me." But the armour-bearer would not, for he was terrified. So Saul took his own sword and fell upon it. When the armour-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he too fell upon his sword and died with him. Thus Saul died, along with his three sons, his armour-bearer and all his men that same day.

When the Israelites on the other side of the valley and beyond the Jordan saw that the army had fled and that Saul and his sons were dead, they abandoned their towns and fled, and the Philistines came and occupied them. The next day, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, they found Saul and his sons fallen on Mount Gilboa. They cut off Saul's head, stripped off his armour, and sent the news throughout the land of the Philistines to their idols and people. They put his armour in the temple of Ashtaroth and fastened his body, with those of his sons, to the wall of Beth-shan.

When the men of Jabesh-gilead heard what the Philistines had done, all the valiant men arose, travelled through the night, and took down the bodies of Saul and his sons from the wall of Beth-shan. They brought them to Jabesh, burned them there, buried their bones under the tamarisk tree, and fasted seven days.

(b) Two effects of disobedience

• It brings punishment, downfall and loss. Saul's disobedience to God led to the loss of his kingdom, his defeat and his shameful death.
• It causes separation from God and suffering for others. Disobedience withdraws God's favour and protection, and its consequences often fall on the offender's family and people, as Saul's sons and army perished with him.

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(a) Reasons why Christians should remain loyal to their masters in all situations (1 Peter 2:18-25; cf. Ephesians 6:5-8; Colossians 3:22-25)

The apostles taught that servants and workers should be obedient and loyal to their masters, whether the masters are kind and gentle or harsh and unjust. Twelve reasons for this loyalty may be drawn from their teaching:

1. Because it is God's will that they submit to those set over them.
2. Because loyalty is done for the Lord's sake and out of reverence for God, not merely to please men.
3. Because it finds favour with God when one endures unjust suffering while doing right.
4. Because Christ Himself is the supreme example: He suffered unjustly, did no sin, and committed Himself to God who judges justly.
5. Because their true Master is in heaven, and they ultimately serve Christ, not men.
6. Because faithful service will be rewarded by God, who repays each one for the good he does.
7. Because there is no partiality with God, and the wrongdoer will receive back for the wrong he has done.
8. Because sincere obedience is a form of worship and glorifies God.
9. Because good conduct adorns the gospel and gives a good testimony before unbelievers.
10. Because loyalty maintains peace, order and harmony in the household and society.
11. Because they should render service with singleness of heart, working heartily as unto the Lord.
12. Because grumbling, dishonesty or rebellion brings dishonour to the name of God and to the faith.

In all situations, therefore, the Christian worker is called to honesty, respect, patience and wholehearted service, following the pattern of Christ.

(b) Three virtues worthy of practice by Christians

• Humility. A modest and lowly spirit that does not boast but serves others.
• Patience (long-suffering). Endurance under hardship and provocation without bitterness.
• Honesty and faithfulness. Truthfulness and reliability in all dealings and duties.

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In James 2:1-13, James rebukes the practice of favouritism (partiality) within the Christian assembly and teaches that all people must be treated equally. His teaching may be summarised thus:

• Faith in Christ forbids partiality. He begins, "My brethren, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory." Snobbery is incompatible with genuine faith.
• An illustration of discrimination. If a man with gold rings and fine clothing enters, and also a poor man in shabby clothing, and you honour the rich man with a good seat while telling the poor man to stand or sit at your feet, you have made distinctions and become judges with evil thoughts.
• God has chosen the poor. God has chosen the poor of the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him. To dishonour the poor is to dishonour those God honours.
• Favouring the rich is illogical. It is the rich who oppress the believers, drag them into court, and blaspheme the honourable name by which they are called.
• The royal law of love. The command "You shall love your neighbour as yourself" is the royal law; fulfilling it means treating all equally.
• Partiality is sin. Whoever shows partiality commits sin and is convicted by the law as a transgressor.
• The law is a unity. Whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point becomes guilty of all, for the same God gave every command.
• Mercy triumphs over judgement. One must 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.

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Hophni and Phinehas, the sons of Eli, were priests at Shiloh but were wicked men who did not know the Lord. Their corrupt behaviour brought grievous effects upon Israel as a nation.

Their misconduct: They treated the offerings of the Lord with contempt, seizing meat by force before the fat was burned; they threatened worshippers, and they lay with the women who served at the entrance to the tent of meeting. Thus they made the people despise the offerings of the Lord.

Effects on Israel:

• Worship was corrupted and despised. The sin of the young men was very great before the Lord, and the people came to abhor the sacrifices.
• Divine judgement was pronounced. A man of God, and later the boy Samuel, prophesied that the house of Eli would be cut off and that both sons would die on the same day.
• Israel was defeated in battle. The Philistines defeated Israel at Ebenezer, killing about four thousand men.
• The Ark of God was captured. When Israel foolishly carried the Ark into battle for protection, the Philistines routed them and captured the Ark, and thirty thousand foot soldiers fell.
• Hophni and Phinehas died. Both sons were slain on the same day, fulfilling the prophecy.
• Eli died. On hearing that the Ark was captured, Eli fell backward, broke his neck, and died, having judged Israel forty years.
• National grief and the departure of God's glory. The wife of Phinehas gave birth and named her son Ichabod, saying, "The glory has departed from Israel," for the Ark of God had been captured.

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(a) The trials of Jesus before Pilate (Luke 23)

• The whole company of the Sanhedrin arose and brought Jesus before Pilate, the Roman governor.
• They accused Him of three things: perverting the nation, forbidding the payment of tribute to Caesar, and claiming to be Christ a king.
• Pilate asked Jesus, "Are you the King of the Jews?" and Jesus answered, "You have said so."
• After examining Him, Pilate declared to the chief priests and the crowds, "I find no crime in this man."
• But they were urgent, saying that Jesus stirred up the people throughout all Judea, from Galilee to Jerusalem. Learning that Jesus was a Galilean and under Herod's jurisdiction, Pilate sent Him to Herod, who was in Jerusalem.
• Herod questioned Jesus at length and his soldiers mocked Him, arraying Him in gorgeous apparel, but Jesus gave no answer; Herod then sent Him back to Pilate, and the two became friends that day.
• Pilate again called together the chief priests and the people and announced that neither he nor Herod had found Jesus guilty of the charges; he proposed to chastise Him and release Him.
• The crowd cried out for Barabbas, a man imprisoned for insurrection and murder, and demanded, "Crucify, crucify him!" Pilate appealed a third time, finding no crime deserving death, but their voices prevailed.
• Finally Pilate gave sentence that their demand should be granted; he released Barabbas and delivered Jesus up to their will to be crucified.

(b) Three elements of a fair trial

1. Impartiality of the judge, who must be unbiased and not swayed by the crowd or by pressure.
2. Presumption of innocence and sufficient evidence, so that no one is condemned without proven guilt.
3. The right of the accused to a hearing and defence, being allowed to answer the charges brought against him.

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In 1 Peter 5:1-11, Peter, writing as a fellow elder and witness of Christ's sufferings, instructs church elders on how they should relate to those under their care, and the followers on how they should respond.

Peter's charge to the elders:

• Tend the flock of God. They are to shepherd the flock of God that is among them, exercising oversight.
• Serve willingly, not by constraint. They must do so "not by constraint but willingly," according to the will of God.
• Serve without greed. They must not do it for "shameful gain but eagerly," free from love of money.
• Do not lord it over the flock. They must not domineer over those in their charge but lead humbly.
• Be examples to the flock. They should relate by setting a godly example rather than by force.
• Look to the reward. When the chief Shepherd (Christ) appears, they will receive the unfading crown of glory.

Peter's charge to the younger and to all:

• Submission. The younger must be subject to the elders.
• Humility to one another. All are to clothe themselves with humility, for "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."
• Humble under God's hand. Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.
• Cast your cares on God. "Casting all your anxieties on Him, for He cares for you."
• Be sober and watchful. Resist the devil, who prowls like a roaring lion, standing firm in the faith.

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(a) How greed was demonstrated in the life of Gehazi (2 Kings 5)

• Gehazi was the servant of the prophet Elisha. After Elisha had healed Naaman the Syrian commander of leprosy, Naaman offered a reward, but Elisha firmly refused to take anything, insisting he would receive nothing.
• Gehazi, coveting the gifts, said to himself that his master had spared Naaman by not accepting what he brought, and vowed, "As the Lord lives, I will run after him and take something from him."
• He pursued Naaman, who came down from his chariot to meet him. Gehazi lied, saying that Elisha had sent him because two young men of the sons of the prophets had just come, and requested a talent of silver and two festal garments for them.
• Naaman gladly gave him two talents of silver, bound in two bags, with two garments, and had them carried before Gehazi.
• Gehazi hid the goods in the house and dismissed the men, then went in and stood before his master, pretending he had gone nowhere.
• Elisha asked, "Where have you been, Gehazi?" and revealed that his spirit had gone with him. He rebuked Gehazi, asking whether it was a time to accept money, garments, olive orchards, vineyards, sheep, oxen and servants.
• As punishment for his greed and deceit, 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 public office, where leaders embezzle public funds and misappropriate resources.
2. Business and commerce, through hoarding, cheating, exorbitant pricing and fraud.
3. Religious and professional circles, where some exploit followers or clients for selfish material gain.

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(a) The persecution of Peter and John after the healing of the lame man (Acts 3-4)

• After Peter had healed the lame man at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple, a crowd gathered, and Peter preached boldly, proclaiming that it was through faith in the name of the risen Jesus that the man was made whole, and calling the people to repentance.
• While they were still speaking, the priests, the captain of the Temple and the Sadducees came upon them, greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
• They arrested Peter and John and put them in custody until the next day, since it was already evening. Yet many who heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.
• The next day the rulers, elders, scribes, the high priest Annas, Caiaphas and others of the high-priestly family gathered in Jerusalem and set Peter and John in their midst, demanding, "By what power or by what name did you do this?"
• Filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter boldly declared that it was by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom they had crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that the man stood before them well, and that there is no other name under heaven by which men must be saved.
• The council marvelled at the boldness of these uneducated, common men and recognized that they had been with Jesus. Seeing the healed man standing beside them, they could say nothing against it.
• They conferred and then charged and threatened Peter and John, commanding them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.
• But Peter and John answered, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge; for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard." After further threats they were released.

(b) Two lessons from the reaction of Peter and John

1. Courageous faithfulness to God. Christians should obey God rather than men and remain firm in the face of threats and persecution.
2. Boldness in witnessing to Christ. Believers should not be silenced but continue to proclaim what they have seen and heard, trusting in the power of the Holy Spirit.

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The circumstances under which Joseph was set free from prison (Genesis 41:1-44)

After two full years, Pharaoh had two troubling dreams in one night. In the first, he stood by the river Nile and saw seven fat, sleek cows come up out of the water and feed in the reed grass. Then seven thin, ugly cows came up after them and ate up the seven fat cows, yet remained just as lean as before. In the second dream he saw seven plump, good ears of grain growing on one stalk, and after them seven thin ears, blighted by the east wind, which swallowed up the seven good ears.

In the morning Pharaoh's spirit was troubled, so he sent for all the magicians and wise men of Egypt and told them his dreams, but none of them could interpret them. Then the chief cupbearer remembered Joseph. He confessed his own fault to Pharaoh, recalling how, when he and the chief baker were in prison, a young Hebrew servant of the captain of the guard had accurately interpreted their dreams, and everything had come to pass as he said, so that the cupbearer was restored and the baker hanged.

On hearing this, Pharaoh sent and called for Joseph, and he was quickly brought out of the dungeon. Joseph shaved himself, changed his clothes, and came in before Pharaoh. Pharaoh said he had heard that Joseph could interpret dreams. Joseph humbly replied, "It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favourable answer." Joseph then interpreted the two dreams as one: the seven fat cows and seven good ears were seven years of great plenty, and the seven lean cows and thin ears were seven years of severe famine that would follow and consume the plenty. The doubling of the dream meant that the matter was fixed by God and would soon happen.

Joseph advised Pharaoh to appoint a discreet and wise man over the land, and overseers, to gather and store one-fifth of the produce during the seven years of plenty as a reserve against the famine. The plan pleased Pharaoh and all his servants. Pharaoh recognised that the Spirit of God was in Joseph and said there was none so discreet and wise. He therefore set Joseph over all the land of Egypt, put his signet ring on Joseph's hand, clothed him in fine linen, placed a gold chain about his neck, made him ride in the second chariot, and gave him authority second only to himself. In this way, through the interpretation of Pharaoh's dreams, Joseph was released from prison and exalted to the position of governor over all Egypt.

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(a) Peter's miraculous escape from prison (Acts 12:1-19)

King Herod (Agrippa) laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. He killed James the brother of John with the sword, and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. It was during the days of Unleavened Bread. He put Peter in prison and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending to bring him out to the people after the Passover. So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.

On the very night before Herod was to bring him out, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the door. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. The angel struck Peter on the side, woke him and said, "Get up quickly." The chains fell off his hands. The angel told him to dress, put on his sandals and cloak, and follow. Peter did so, but thought he was seeing a vision. They passed the first and second guard and came to the iron gate leading into the city, which opened to them of its own accord. They went out and along one street, and then the angel left him.

When Peter came to himself, he said, "Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod." He went to the house of Mary the mother of John Mark, where many were gathered praying. A servant girl named Rhoda recognised Peter's voice and, in her joy, ran in without opening the gate, announcing that Peter stood outside. They did not believe her at first, saying it was his angel, but Peter kept knocking, and when they opened they were amazed. He described how the Lord had brought him out and told them to report it to James and the brothers, then departed to another place. In the morning there was no small stir among the soldiers over what had become of Peter, and Herod, after searching for him, ordered the sentries put to death.

(b) Three factors that motivate people to pray

• Trouble, danger or need. People pray when facing difficulties, threats or dangers, seeking God's help and deliverance, as the church prayed for Peter.
• The desire for fellowship with God. Believers pray out of love and devotion, to worship, give thanks and commune with God.
• Faith and the assurance of answered prayer. The belief that God hears and answers prayer, together with past experiences of His faithfulness, encourages people to keep praying.

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After the death of Solomon, his son Rehoboam went to Shechem to be made king over all Israel. The people, led by Jeroboam who had returned from Egypt, presented a genuine grievance: Solomon had laid a heavy yoke of forced labour and taxation upon them. They pleaded, "Lighten the hard service of your father and his heavy yoke that he put on us, and we will serve you."

Rehoboam lost the kingdom, and with it the greater part of his royal lineage, for the following reasons:

• He rejected the counsel of the elders. The older men who had served Solomon advised him to be a servant to the people and speak good words to them; if he did so, they would serve him forever. He despised their wise, moderating advice.
• He preferred the reckless advice of his young peers. The young men who had grown up with him urged him to increase the burden, telling him to say, "My little finger is thicker than my father's loins."
• He answered the people harshly. He told them, "My father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions," promising even harsher oppression rather than relief.
• His pride and inexperience. He wanted to appear stronger than his father and failed to understand the mood and legitimate suffering of the people.
• It was the fulfilment of God's word. The turn of events was from the Lord, that He might fulfil His word spoken through Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam, dividing the kingdom because of Solomon's idolatry.
• He mismanaged the crisis. When the people rebelled, he sent Adoram, who was over the forced labour, and the people stoned him to death. This inflamed matters further.

As a result, the ten northern tribes rejected him, crying, "What portion have we in David? To your tents, O Israel!" They made Jeroboam king, and only the tribe of Judah (with Benjamin) remained loyal to the house of David. Rehoboam fled to Jerusalem, and his royal rule over a united Israel was permanently broken.

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Peter's teaching on interpersonal relationship among Christians (1 Peter 5:1-11)

In this passage Peter gives directions on how Christians, especially within the church community, should relate to one another:

• Exhortation to the elders. Peter, himself a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, appeals to the elders to tend the flock of God that is in their charge. They are to do this not by constraint but willingly, not for shameful gain but eagerly, and not as domineering over those in their charge but being examples to the flock.
• Reward for faithful leaders. When the chief Shepherd, Christ, is manifested, faithful elders will receive the unfading crown of glory.
• Submission of the younger. Likewise the younger are to be subject to the elders, showing respect for those in authority.
• Mutual humility. All of them are to clothe themselves with humility toward one another, for "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." They should therefore humble themselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt them in due time.
• Casting anxieties on God. They are to cast all their anxieties on Him, for He cares for them.
• Watchfulness and resistance. They must be sober and watchful, for the devil prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour; they should resist him, firm in their faith, knowing that fellow believers throughout the world suffer the same afflictions.
• Assurance of God's grace. Peter assures them that after they have suffered a little while, the God of all grace will Himself restore, establish, strengthen and settle them, and he ascribes dominion to God for ever.

The core of Peter's teaching is that relationships in the Christian community should be marked by humble, sacrificial leadership, respectful submission, mutual humility, watchfulness and unfailing love, all grounded in trust in God's care.

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(a) The report brought to Moses by the twelve spies (Numbers 13:1-33; 14:1-19)

At the Lord's command Moses sent twelve men, one leader from each tribe, to spy out the land of Canaan. He told them to see what the land was like, whether the people were strong or weak, few or many, whether the towns were fortified, and to bring back some of the fruit of the land. They went up and searched the land for forty days, from the wilderness of Zin to Rehob. At the Valley of Eshcol they cut down a single cluster of grapes so large that it was carried on a pole between two men, and they also took pomegranates and figs.

On their return they reported to Moses, Aaron and the whole congregation. They agreed that the land truly flowed with milk and honey, and they showed its fruit. But ten of the spies gave a discouraging report: the people who lived there were strong, the cities were fortified and very large, and they had seen the descendants of Anak, the giants. They said, "We seemed to ourselves like grasshoppers, and so we seemed to them," and that the land devoured its inhabitants. Only Caleb (supported by Joshua) quieted the people and said, "Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it."

Because of the bad report the whole congregation wept, murmured against Moses and Aaron, and wished they had died in Egypt or the wilderness. They even proposed to choose a captain and return to Egypt. Joshua and Caleb tore their clothes and pleaded that the Lord would give them the land and that they should not rebel or fear. The congregation threatened to stone them. Then the glory of the Lord appeared, and God was angry; Moses interceded for the people, and God pardoned them but decreed that that faithless generation, except Joshua and Caleb, would not enter the land but would wander forty years in the wilderness.

(b) Three lessons political leaders can learn from the mission of the spies

• Courage and faith are essential in leadership. Like Joshua and Caleb, leaders should inspire hope and confidence rather than spread fear and despair.
• Leaders should give honest and balanced reports. Facts should be presented truthfully and constructively, not exaggerated or twisted to cause panic and division.
• A good leader avoids following the crowd into rebellion. Popular opinion can be wrong; leaders must stand for what is right even when the majority disagrees.

Akọwa Nkọwa

As Jesus went out beside the sea and taught the crowd, He passed by the tax office and saw Matthew (also called Levi, the son of Alphaeus) sitting at the place of toll. The encounter unfolded as follows:

• The call. Jesus said to him simply, "Follow Me."
• The immediate response. Matthew rose, left everything, and followed Jesus at once, abandoning his lucrative but despised profession.
• The feast in Matthew's house. Matthew held a great banquet for Jesus, and many tax collectors and sinners reclined at table with Jesus and His disciples, for there were many who followed Him.
• The objection of the Pharisees and scribes. Seeing this, they questioned the disciples, "Why does He eat with tax collectors and sinners?"
• Jesus' reply. Hearing them, Jesus said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

Lessons from the encounter:

• Jesus welcomes and calls sinners, offering everyone the chance of repentance and new life.
• True discipleship demands prompt and total response, as Matthew left all to follow.
• Christians should not despise or shun those regarded as social outcasts.
• Jesus came as a spiritual physician to heal the morally and spiritually sick.

Akọwa Nkọwa

(a) Religious tension in Israel during the reign of King Ahab (1 Kings 16-18)

• Ahab married Jezebel, daughter of the king of Sidon, and under her influence he served and worshipped Baal, erecting an altar and temple for Baal in Samaria and making an Asherah.
• This introduced the worship of a foreign god alongside, and in rivalry with, the worship of the Lord, the God of Israel, provoking severe religious conflict.
• Jezebel cut off the prophets of the Lord and sought to kill them; Obadiah hid a hundred of them in caves and fed them with bread and water.
• The prophet Elijah confronted Ahab and announced a drought as divine judgement, declaring there would be neither dew nor rain except by his word. Ahab regarded Elijah as the "troubler of Israel", while Elijah replied that it was Ahab and his father's house who had troubled Israel by forsaking the Lord and following the Baals.
• The tension came to a climax on Mount Carmel, where Elijah challenged the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal to a contest to determine whose God was truly God. He rebuked the people for wavering between two opinions.
• Baal failed to answer his prophets despite their frantic cries and self-mutilation, but the Lord answered Elijah with fire from heaven that consumed the sacrifice, and the people fell down and confessed, "The Lord, he is God."
• The prophets of Baal were then seized and slain, and the drought ended with rain.

(b) Three steps to minimize religious tension in society

1. Promote religious tolerance and mutual respect, allowing people freedom of worship without coercion.
2. Encourage dialogue and cooperation among religious groups on matters of common concern.
3. Enforce just laws and civic education that protect all faiths and discourage discrimination, provocation and fanaticism.

Akọwa Nkọwa

(a) James' argument that faith without works is dead (James 2:14-26)

James asked what good it is if a man says he has faith but does not have works. Can that faith save him? He gave a practical example: if a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking daily food, and one of them says, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? In the same way, faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.

He anticipated an objection: "You have faith and I have works." James replied, "Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works." He pointed out that even the demons believe that God is one, and shudder, yet such belief does not save them. Faith that produces no obedience is therefore useless.

He supported his argument with two examples from Scripture. Abraham our father was justified by works when he offered his son Isaac on the altar; his faith was active along with his works, and by works his faith was completed, so that he was called the friend of God. Likewise Rahab the harlot was justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way. James concluded that as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so faith apart from works is dead. True, living faith must express itself in good deeds and obedience.

(b) Three benefits of faith to a Christian

• Faith brings salvation and justification. Through faith in Christ a believer is saved and made right with God.
• Faith gives strength, courage and victory over trials. It sustains the believer in temptation and difficulty and produces steadfastness and endurance.
• Faith produces good works and pleases God. It moves the Christian to obey God, love others and do good, drawing him closer to God as a friend, as Abraham was.