WAEC SSCE - Christian Religious Studies - 2020

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Simon of Cyrene, who was compelled to carry Jesus' cross, was the father of Alexander and Rufus. According to the New Testament, Simon of Cyrene was a passerby who was pressed into service to carry Jesus' cross as Jesus was on his way to be crucified. The Gospels of Mark (15:21) and Matthew (27:32) mention Simon by name, and the Gospel of Luke (23:26) refers to him as "the father of Alexander and Rufus." These two individuals are not otherwise mentioned in the New Testament, but they may have been known to the early Christian communities to which Luke was writing, as they are identified by name. The fact that they are mentioned suggests that Simon of Cyrene and his family were seen as important witnesses to the events of Jesus' crucifixion, and their testimony was remembered and valued by the early Church.

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Andrew was a brother to Peter. In the New Testament, Andrew and Peter are referred to as brothers. They were both fishermen from Bethsaida in Galilee and were called by Jesus to become his disciples. Andrew was the first disciple that Jesus called, and he then brought his brother Peter to Jesus. The two brothers became close associates of Jesus and were among his inner circle of disciples. Throughout the Gospels, Andrew is mentioned several times, but he is not as prominent as his brother Peter. Nevertheless, he played an important role in the early Christian Church and was one of the twelve apostles chosen by Jesus to be a witness to his life, death, and resurrection.

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During King Josiah's religious reforms, his first attack was on the Canaanite divinities - Baal and Asherah. King Josiah, the king of Judah, was known for his religious reforms to eradicate idolatry and to restore the worship of Yahweh. The reforms began in the eighteenth year of his reign, where he ordered the repair of the temple in Jerusalem. During the repairs, the Book of the Law was found, and King Josiah was shocked to learn that his kingdom had not been following Yahweh's law. He immediately set out to reform the kingdom's religious practices. His first attack was on the worship of the Canaanite gods Baal and Asherah, as they were believed to be in conflict with Yahweh.

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The election of Matthias to succeed Judas was the fulfillment of scripture. According to the biblical account in Acts 1:15-26, the apostles were looking for a replacement for Judas, who had betrayed Jesus and then taken his own life. They prayed and asked for guidance, and then used casting lots to choose Matthias as the new apostle to join the twelve. This was seen as fulfilling the scripture that said there would be twelve apostles, and was a way of ensuring that the number of apostles was complete again. The election of Matthias was not a command from Peter or an instruction given by Jesus, but was instead a way of following the guidance of God as revealed in the scripture.

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David's servants could not report the death of Bathsheba's child to him because they feared that David could harm himself. In the story from the book of 2 Samuel, David had committed adultery with Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah the Hittite, and had arranged for Uriah to be killed in battle. As a result of this sin, the child that was conceived died soon after birth, despite David's prayers and fasting for the child's life. David's servants were afraid to tell him that the child had died because they knew how much he loved Bathsheba and the child, and they feared that he would be overcome with grief and do something rash or harmful to himself. When David learned that the child had died, he was heartbroken, but he did not harm himself or anyone else. Instead, he got up from his place of mourning, worshiped God, and comforted Bathsheba. David's reaction showed that he had accepted the situation and trusted in God's mercy and forgiveness. In this story, the fear of David harming himself demonstrates the deep emotional attachment he had to Bathsheba and the child, as well as the potential for extreme reactions to grief and loss.

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The disciple who was called from the tax office by Jesus was Levi. Levi was a tax collector, also known as Matthew, and Jesus called him to become one of his disciples. At the time, tax collectors were often despised by their fellow Jews because they worked for the Roman government and were viewed as traitors. However, Jesus saw something in Levi that made him worthy of becoming a disciple, and Levi responded to the call by leaving his tax-collecting business and following Jesus. Therefore, the correct option is "Levi."

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According to 1 Peter 2:9, Christians have become a chosen race in order to declare the good works of God. This means that Christians have been chosen by God to be His representatives on earth and to make known to the world His goodness and love through their words and actions. Peter encourages believers to live holy and blameless lives, shining the light of God's love to those around them. By doing so, they fulfill their calling to declare the good works of God to a world that desperately needs to hear the message of hope and salvation that only Jesus Christ can bring.

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The recognition of Deborah as an outstanding leader in Israel signifies that God can choose women as leaders. This means that it doesn't matter if someone is a man or a woman, if they have the qualities and skills to be a good leader, they can be chosen by God to lead. Deborah was a strong and wise leader, and her recognition as such shows that God can choose anyone, regardless of gender, to be a leader.

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One of the behaviours listed in the options was not exhibited by the sons of Eli. The behavior that was not exhibited by them is "taking bribes and perverting justice". Eli's sons were accused of treating the offering of God with contempt and taking raw meat from the offering. They also forcefully took meat offered to God. However, there is no record of them taking bribes or perverting justice in the Bible.

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The task master in charge of forced labor in Israel during the reign of Rehoboam was Adoram. Adoram was a high-ranking official in the government of King Rehoboam, who ruled over the kingdom of Israel in the 10th century BCE. As the task master, Adoram was responsible for overseeing the conscripted labor of the people, which was a common practice in the ancient world. This involved forcing people to work on various projects, such as building roads, fortifications, and other public works. Adoram's role was to ensure that the labor was carried out efficiently and effectively.

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Pure and undefiled religion, according to James, involved all these practices except going to church daily. In the book of James in the New Testament, the author speaks about the importance of pure and undefiled religion. He says that true religion involves caring for orphans and widows in their suffering and affliction, and keeping oneself unstained from the world. While going to church is an important part of many people's religious practice, James does not mention it as a requirement for pure and undefiled religion. Instead, he emphasizes the importance of putting faith into action by helping those in need.

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James advised that Christians should sing praises when they are suffering. In the book of James in the New Testament, James writes about the importance of perseverance and endurance in the face of trials and difficulties. He encourages Christians to consider their suffering as an opportunity to mature and grow in their faith. He writes, "Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praises" (James 5:13). This verse suggests that singing praises can be a way for Christians to express their joy and gratitude, even in the midst of suffering. By singing praises, they can express their trust in God and their hope for his deliverance, and they can also encourage one another.

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Jabin the King of Canaan oppressed the Israelites for 20 years. In the Bible, Jabin was the king of the Canaanite city-state of Hazor and he ruled over the Israelites during a difficult time in their history. For 20 years, the Israelites were forced to live under his cruel and oppressive rule. However, with the help of a judge named Deborah and a military leader named Barak, the Israelites were able to defeat Jabin and gain freedom from his rule.

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According to Peter, the Church elders would receive their rewards at Jesus's second coming. This means that when Jesus returns to Earth, the elders who served the church with diligence and faithfulness will be rewarded by God. The exact nature of these rewards is not specified, but they are likely to include blessings, honors, and recognition for their service to the Lord.

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The Sonship of Jesus was declared during His baptism. When Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, a voice from heaven declared, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased" (Matthew 3:17). This event marked the beginning of Jesus' public ministry and affirmed his divine Sonship as the second person of the Trinity.

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Joshua's daily meditation on the book of the law enabled him to lead his people. Joshua was chosen by God to succeed Moses as the leader of the Israelites. To be an effective leader, he needed to have a clear understanding of God's law and how it applied to the Israelites. By meditating on the book of the law, Joshua was able to gain a deeper understanding of God's will and develop the wisdom and guidance he needed to lead his people effectively.

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Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were punished because they refused to bow down to the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. The king had commanded everyone to worship the golden image, but the three men, who were followers of the God of Israel, refused to do so. As a result, they were thrown into a fiery furnace as punishment. However, they were miraculously saved by their God, who sent an angel to protect them from the flames. This story is told in the Old Testament book of Daniel, chapter 3.

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According to the biblical account in Genesis 2:10-14, the river that flowed out of Eden divided into four branches or streams. These four branches are named Pishon, Gihon, Tigris, and Euphrates.

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For Peter, Christian liberty should not be used as a cover-up for sin. In other words, Peter believed that Christians should not use their freedom as an excuse to engage in sinful behavior. Instead, they should use their freedom to serve and love others, as well as to honor God. This is based on the teachings in the Bible that tell us to live a life that is pleasing to God and to not use our freedom as a license to sin. So, in a simple and understandable way, Christian liberty is not meant to be used as a way to hide or justify sinful actions, but rather as a way to live a life of love, service, and obedience to God.

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Renting of clothes in Israel was an expression of disappointment and grief. This was a way of showing sadness, mourning or distress. When someone rent their clothes, they were tearing them apart as a symbol of their strong emotions and the depth of their feelings. This was a common way of expressing sorrow or mourning in biblical times and it was usually done in response to something that was seen as very sad or tragic.

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Pharaoh ordered the Hebrew midwives to kill every Israelite baby boy at birth. This was an attempt to control the growing population of the Israelites in Egypt. However, the midwives feared God and did not carry out Pharaoh's order, instead, they lied to Pharaoh that the Hebrew women give birth before their arrival. As a result, the Israelite population continued to grow despite Pharaoh's orders.

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Moses named his son Gershom to demonstrate that he was a stranger in Midian. When Moses fled Egypt after killing an Egyptian taskmaster, he went to Midian and married a woman named Zipporah, the daughter of Jethro, a Midianite priest. Moses had a son with Zipporah and named him Gershom, which means "a stranger there." Moses chose this name to remind himself and others that he was a foreigner in Midian, a land where he did not belong. This name also reflected Moses' feelings of displacement and his longing to return to his own people and his true home.

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Joseph's intelligence was revealed when he interpreted Pharaoh's dreams. In the story from the book of Genesis, Joseph was sold into slavery by his own brothers and taken to Egypt. While he was there, he was falsely accused and thrown into prison. However, he was eventually released and brought before Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. Pharaoh had been troubled by two dreams that he couldn't understand, and none of his wise men or magicians could interpret them for him. But when Joseph was brought before him, he was able to explain the meaning of the dreams, and to offer a solution to the problem they presented. Joseph correctly interpreted Pharaoh's dreams as a prediction of seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine. He advised Pharaoh to store up food during the years of plenty, in order to have enough to survive the years of famine. Pharaoh was impressed by Joseph's intelligence and insight, and he appointed him to be the second most powerful person in Egypt, after the king himself. Joseph's ability to interpret the dreams and provide a practical solution to the problem was a clear demonstration of his intelligence and wisdom.

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In this statement, Judas Iscariot, who had agreed to betray Jesus, identified Jesus to the chief priests and elders of the people by telling them that he would greet Jesus with a kiss. The kiss was therefore significant in identifying Jesus to those who had come to arrest him, since he had often been in the midst of large crowds, and it was important to ensure that they captured the right person. Thus, the kiss was a signal that led to the arrest of Jesus.

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According to Luke's account of the Bible, the third temptation of Jesus was to jump down from the pinnacle of the temple. The devil took Jesus to the top of the temple in Jerusalem and tempted him to throw himself down, saying that the angels would save him. Jesus refused, saying that he would not test God. This story can be found in Luke 4:9-12.

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Joseph's brothers pastured their father's flock near Shechem. Shechem was a city in the northern part of ancient Israel, located in the region of Samaria. The city was situated in a valley between two mountains and had a well that provided water for the flocks of sheep and goats. Joseph's brothers took their father's flock to pasture in this area because there was plenty of grass for the animals to eat and water for them to drink. They would have spent their days watching over the flock, making sure the animals were safe from predators and that they didn't wander too far from the grazing area. This location becomes important later in the story of Joseph, as it is where he is sent by his father to check on his brothers, and where he is eventually sold into slavery by them.

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According to the book of Matthew in the Bible, the first to see Jesus after His resurrection were the women who went to the tomb. This is described in Matthew 28:1 which states, "Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave." The women then encountered an angel who told them that Jesus had risen from the dead, and they went to tell the disciples.

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The content of the Ark of the Covenant was the two tablets of stone. According to the Old Testament, the Ark of the Covenant was a sacred chest made by the Israelites under the direction of God. It was used to carry the tablets of the Ten Commandments that were given to Moses on Mount Sinai. The Ark also contained other sacred objects, including Aaron's staff and a pot of manna. The Ark was a symbol of the presence of God and was kept in the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle and later in the Temple in Jerusalem.

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The authorities Peter quoted as being fulfilled on the day of Pentecost were Joel and David. In the book of Acts, chapter 2, Peter quotes the prophet Joel and King David during his sermon on the day of Pentecost. Peter was speaking to a crowd of Jews who had gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate the festival of Pentecost, and he was explaining the events of the day, which included the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the apostles and the speaking of tongues by the believers. Peter quoted Joel to explain that the events of the day were a fulfillment of the prophecy in Joel 2:28-32, which spoke of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the last days. He also quoted David from Psalm 16:8-11, which spoke of the resurrection of Jesus and his ascension to the right hand of God. These quotes by Peter demonstrate the significance of the events of Pentecost and their connection to the prophecy of the Old Testament. They also provide important evidence for the early Christian belief in the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecy in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

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The words "Is it you, you troubler of Israel?" were said by King Ahab to Elijah. King Ahab was the king of Israel in the Old Testament of the Bible. Elijah was a prophet of God who spoke out against the evil ways of King Ahab and his queen, Jezebel. Elijah challenged the king and the people to turn back to God and follow His ways. Because of this, King Ahab saw Elijah as a troublemaker for Israel.

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The addressee was Pharaoh's daughter. This statement is from the Bible, specifically from the book of Exodus. In the story, Moses, a Hebrew baby, was placed in a basket and floated down the Nile River. Pharaoh's daughter found the baby and decided to take care of him. She then hired a Hebrew woman, Moses' biological mother, to nurse the baby and be his caregiver.

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This question is asking about the order of creation in the book of Genesis. According to the Bible, God created the land, sea, and vegetation on the third day of creation. Therefore, the correct answer is "third day."

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(a) The different ways David resisted taking Saul's life at the wilderness of Ziph (1 Samuel 26).

The Ziphites had gone to Saul at Gibeah and betrayed David, telling the king that David was hiding on the hill of Hachilah. Saul therefore came down to the Wilderness of Ziph with three thousand chosen men of Israel to seek David. David sent out spies and confirmed that Saul had indeed come. He arose and went to the place where Saul had encamped and saw the place where Saul lay, with Abner the son of Ner, his commander, and the army encamped around him. The account shows David resisting the temptation to kill Saul in the following ways:

1. David asked Ahimelech and Abishai who would go down with him into the camp; Abishai volunteered to go with him.
2. By night David and Abishai came to the sleeping army and found Saul lying asleep within the camp, with his spear stuck in the ground at his head, while Abner and the people slept around him, for a deep sleep from the Lord had fallen on them.
3. Abishai offered to strike Saul with the spear, pinning him to the ground with one thrust so that he would not need to strike a second time. But David refused, forbidding Abishai to destroy the king.
4. David declared that no one could stretch out his hand against the Lord's anointed and be guiltless.
5. He reasoned that Saul's death should be left to God: either the Lord would strike him, or his day would come to die, or he would go into battle and perish. God forbid that David should stretch out his hand against the Lord's anointed.
6. Instead of killing Saul, David only took the spear and the jug of water that were at Saul's head, and they went away; no one saw or knew it or awoke.
7. From a safe distance on top of a hill, David called out to Abner, rebuking him for failing to guard the king, and showed the spear and jug as proof that he could have killed Saul but spared him.
8. When Saul recognised David's voice and confessed his sin, David asked that his life be as precious in the sight of the Lord as Saul's life had been precious to him that day, and Saul blessed him.

(b) Four benefits one can derive from self-control.

1. Self-control preserves good relationships and prevents needless conflict, quarrels and bloodshed.
2. It earns a person respect, honour and a good reputation in society.
3. It saves one from regret and from the consequences of rash actions taken in anger.
4. It promotes peace of mind and a clear conscience.
5. It draws God's favour and blessing, as it did for David, who was later established as king.

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(a) The instructions God gave to Joshua on his assumption of leadership over Israel (Joshua 1:1-9).

After the death of Moses, God spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, and charged him with the following instructions:

1. God told him that Moses His servant was dead and that Joshua should now arise and cross over the Jordan, he and all the people, into the land which God was giving to the children of Israel.
2. God assured him that every place the sole of his foot would tread upon had been given to them, as He had promised Moses.
3. He defined the boundaries of the land: from the wilderness and Lebanon to the great river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun.
4. God promised that no man would be able to stand before Joshua all the days of his life, and that as He was with Moses, so He would be with him; He would not fail him nor forsake him.
5. He commanded him to be strong and of good courage, for he would divide the land among the people as an inheritance.
6. He charged him to observe carefully to do according to all the law which Moses commanded him, not turning from it to the right hand or to the left, that he might prosper wherever he went.
7. He told him that the Book of the Law should not depart from his mouth, but that he should meditate on it day and night, so as to do all that was written in it, for then he would make his way prosperous and have good success.
8. God repeated the charge to be strong and of good courage, and not to be afraid nor dismayed, for the Lord his God was with him wherever he went.

(b) Lessons political leaders can learn from Joshua's experience.

1. Leadership is a divine appointment and a call to service. Joshua rose to lead because God appointed him; leaders should therefore see their office as a trust to be discharged faithfully, not as a personal possession.
2. Courage is indispensable in leadership. Political leaders must be strong and courageous in the face of challenges and opposition, rather than being timid or fearful.
3. Leaders must be guided by law and principle. Just as Joshua was told not to turn from the law to the right or left, leaders should govern by the constitution and rule of law, and must not be partial.
4. Meditation on and obedience to God's word brings success. Leaders who reverence God and obey His commands are more likely to prosper and lead their people rightly.
5. Leaders should draw confidence from God's presence. The assurance that God would not forsake Joshua teaches leaders to depend on God rather than on their own strength.
6. Continuity of vision. Joshua took over Moses' unfinished task; leaders should carry forward good policies and complete projects begun by their predecessors.
7. A leader must work with and for the people. Joshua was to lead the whole nation into the inheritance, teaching leaders to seek the welfare of all citizens.

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(a) An account of Solomon's prayer during the dedication of the temple (1 Kings 8:22-53).

When Solomon had finished building the temple and the ark had been brought in, he stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, spread out his hands toward heaven, and prayed:

1. He praised God, declaring that there is no God like the Lord in heaven above or on earth beneath, who keeps covenant and mercy with His servants who walk before Him with all their heart.
2. He thanked God for keeping the promise made to his father David, that a son of his would sit on the throne and build a house for God's name.
3. He acknowledged God's greatness, asking how God, whom even the heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain, could dwell in a house that Solomon had built.
4. He asked God to hear the prayer that he offered, and that God's eyes might be open toward the temple night and day, toward the place of which God said, "My name shall be there."
5. He prayed that when a man sinned against his neighbour and swore an oath before the altar, God would judge, condemning the wicked and justifying the righteous.
6. He prayed that when Israel was defeated by enemies because of sin, and they turned again and confessed, God would forgive and bring them back to the land.
7. He prayed that when the heavens were shut up and there was no rain because of sin, God would hear from heaven, forgive, and send rain.
8. He prayed that in times of famine, plague, blight, mildew, locust or siege, when anyone spread out his hands toward the temple, God would hear, forgive and act, rendering to each according to his ways.
9. He prayed that the foreigner who came from a distant land because of God's name would also be heard, so that all peoples of the earth might know and fear God.
10. He prayed that when the people went out to battle, and when they were carried captive to an enemy land, if they repented and prayed toward the land, city and temple, God would hear and forgive, and grant them compassion before their captors.
11. He concluded by asking God to keep His eyes open to the pleas of His servant and of Israel, for He had separated them from all peoples as His inheritance.

(b) Three ways leaders can use their resources for the development of society.

1. Leaders can provide social amenities and infrastructure such as good roads, water, electricity, schools and hospitals for the benefit of all.
2. They can build and support places of worship, education and welfare, as Solomon dedicated the temple for the spiritual good of the people.
3. They can create employment and empower citizens through skills training, loans and support for agriculture and industry.
4. They can care for the poor, the widow, the orphan and the needy through relief and welfare programmes.
5. They can promote peace, justice and security so that the society can develop in a stable environment.

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(a) The circumstances that led to Jesus saying, "Do not be afraid; henceforth you will be catching men" (Luke 5:1-11).

1. As Jesus stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, the crowd pressed upon Him to hear the word of God.
2. He saw two boats standing by the lake, for the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets.
3. Jesus got into one of the boats, which belonged to Simon Peter, and asked him to put out a little from the land. He then sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.
4. When He had finished speaking, He told Simon to put out into the deep water and let down the nets for a catch.
5. Simon answered that they had toiled all night and caught nothing, but at Jesus' word he would let down the nets.
6. When they had done this, they enclosed a great shoal of fish, so many that their nets began to break.
7. They signalled to their partners in the other boat to come and help; both boats were filled so full that they began to sink.
8. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord," for he and all with him were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken. James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon's partners, were also amazed.
9. Then Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; henceforth you will be catching men." When they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed Him.

(b) Three factors that prevent people from becoming committed Christians.

1. Love of worldly pleasures and materialism: the pursuit of wealth, comfort and sensual pleasure draws people away from wholehearted devotion.
2. Fear of persecution and ridicule: some fear rejection, mockery or suffering from family, friends or society.
3. Ignorance of the word of God: lack of proper knowledge of the Scriptures leaves people without a firm foundation for commitment.
4. Bad company and ungodly influence: associating with people of low morals weakens one's resolve to follow Christ.
5. Doubt and weak faith: unbelief and half-heartedness prevent people from surrendering fully to God.

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(a) All that Peter expected from the people when he said, "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation" (1 Peter 2:9-25).

1. Because they were a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation and God's own people, they were to declare the wonderful deeds of Him who called them out of darkness into His marvellous light.
2. They were to remember that once they were not a people, but now they were God's people; once they had not received mercy, but now they had received mercy, and were to live worthy of that mercy.
3. As aliens and exiles in the world, they were to abstain from the passions of the flesh that wage war against the soul.
4. They were to maintain good conduct among the Gentiles, so that though the Gentiles spoke against them as wrongdoers, they might see their good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.
5. They were to be subject, for the Lord's sake, to every human institution: to the emperor as supreme, and to governors sent to punish those who do wrong and praise those who do right.
6. By doing right they were to silence the ignorance of foolish men.
7. They were to live as free people, yet not use their freedom as a cover-up for evil, but to live as servants of God.
8. They were to honour all men, love the brotherhood, fear God and honour the emperor.
9. Servants were to be submissive to their masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the overbearing.
10. They were to endure suffering unjustly while doing right, as having God's approval, following the example of Christ, who suffered for them, committed no sin, and when reviled did not revile in return but entrusted Himself to God who judges justly.

(b) Four factors that prevent Christians from doing the will of God.

1. Fleshly desires and sinful passions that war against the soul.
2. Love of the world, wealth and pleasure.
3. Fear of persecution, suffering and rejection.
4. Ignorance of God's word and weak faith.
5. Bad companionship and ungodly influence.
6. Pride and disobedience to constituted authority.

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(a) How James addressed the subject of prayer (James 5:13-18; also 1:5-8; 4:2-3).

1. James taught that prayer is appropriate for every situation of life: whoever is suffering should pray, and whoever is cheerful should sing praise.
2. Concerning the sick, he directed that anyone who is ill should call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.
3. He assured that the prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
4. He encouraged believers to confess their sins to one another and to pray for one another, that they may be healed.
5. He declared that the prayer of a righteous person has great power in its effects, that is, it is powerful and effective.
6. He gave Elijah as an example: Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, yet he prayed earnestly that it might not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. Then he prayed again, and the heavens gave rain and the earth bore its fruit.
7. Elsewhere James taught that if anyone lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
8. He warned, however, that one must ask in faith, with no doubting, for the doubter is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind, and such a person should not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord.
9. He further warned that people do not have because they do not ask, and that when they do ask, they do not receive because they ask wrongly, to spend it on their passions.

(b) Two roles prayer can play in the life of a Christian.

1. Prayer brings healing, deliverance and restoration in times of sickness and trouble.
2. Prayer secures the forgiveness of sins and reconciliation with God.
3. Prayer provides divine wisdom, guidance and strength for daily living.
4. Prayer deepens fellowship with God and strengthens faith.

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(a) In the creation story found in Genesis 1, the Bible describes the steps God took to transform a formless and empty earth into a place of life and activity. The steps are as follows:

1. Light: God created light and separated it from darkness, creating day and night.
2. Sky: God created an expanse to separate the waters and called it the sky.
3. Dry land: God gathered the waters and made the dry ground appear, creating land and sea.
4. Vegetation: God created plants and trees to grow on the land, yielding fruits and seeds.
5. Sun, moon, and stars: God created the sun, moon, and stars to govern the day and night and to mark seasons, days, and years.
6. Sea creatures and birds: God created sea creatures and birds to fill the waters and the sky.
7. Land animals and humans: God created land animals, including livestock, wild animals, and small creatures, and then created humans in His own image to rule over the earth and take care of it.

(b) Human beings are responsible for many forms of destruction of God's creation. Here are four ways they do so:

1. Pollution: Human activities, such as industrial processes, transportation, and waste disposal, release harmful chemicals and pollutants into the air, water, and soil, which can harm plants, animals, and human health.
2. Deforestation: Human activities such as logging and clearing of forests for agriculture or development destroys habitats and disrupts ecosystems, leading to loss of biodiversity and soil erosion.
3. Overfishing: Uncontrolled fishing practices by humans can lead to depletion of fish populations, which can negatively impact ocean ecosystems, food security, and the livelihoods of fishermen.
4. Climate change: Human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation have led to increased concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, causing global temperatures to rise, sea levels to rise, and weather patterns to change, which can negatively impact ecosystems and human life.

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(a) The circumstances under which Peter was rescued from prison (Acts 12:1-19).

1. About that time King Herod (Agrippa) laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church, and he killed James the brother of John with the sword.
2. When he saw that this pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also, during the days of Unleavened Bread.
3. He put Peter in prison, delivering him to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people.
4. So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.
5. On the very night before Herod was to bring him out, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, while sentries before the door guarded the prison.
6. Suddenly an angel of the Lord stood beside him, and a light shone in the cell. The angel struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, "Get up quickly," and the chains fell off his hands.
7. The angel told him to dress himself, put on his sandals, wrap his cloak around him and follow.
8. Peter followed, not knowing that what was being done by the angel was real; he thought he was seeing a vision.
9. They passed the first and the second guard and came to the iron gate leading into the city, which opened for them of its own accord. They went out and along one street, and immediately the angel left him.
10. Then Peter came to himself and said that the Lord had sent His angel and rescued him from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.
11. He went to the house of Mary the mother of John Mark, where many were gathered together praying. A servant girl named Rhoda recognised his voice at the gate and, in her joy, ran in without opening it. The others did not believe her, but Peter continued knocking, and when they opened they were amazed.
12. When day came there was no small commotion among the soldiers over what had become of Peter. Herod searched for him, did not find him, examined the sentries and ordered that they be put to death.

(b) Three lessons that can be learnt from the incident.

1. God answers earnest and persistent prayer: the fervent prayer of the church brought about Peter's deliverance.
2. God protects and delivers His faithful servants, even from seemingly hopeless situations.
3. Nothing is impossible with God: chains, guards and iron gates could not hold back God's purpose.
4. The wicked will not go unpunished: Herod, the persecutor, later met a terrible end.
5. Christians should remain calm and trust God even in danger, as Peter slept peacefully in prison.

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(a) An account of the burial of Jesus as narrated by the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23).

1. When evening had come, and because it was the Day of Preparation, that is, the day before the Sabbath, a rich man of Arimathea named Joseph, a respected member of the council who was himself looking for the kingdom of God and a good and righteous man who had not consented to the council's decision, came forward.
2. Joseph took courage and went to Pilate to ask for the body of Jesus.
3. Pilate was surprised that Jesus was already dead. He summoned the centurion and asked whether Jesus had been dead for some time; when he learned from the centurion that He was dead, he granted the body to Joseph.
4. Joseph bought a linen shroud, took the body down from the cross, and wrapped it in the clean linen cloth.
5. He laid the body in his own new tomb, which had been hewn out of the rock, where no one had yet been laid.
6. He rolled a great stone against the door of the tomb and went away.
7. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary (Mary the mother of Joses) were sitting opposite the tomb and saw where the body was laid; the women who had come with Him from Galilee then returned and prepared spices and ointments, resting on the Sabbath according to the commandment.
8. In Matthew's account, the chief priests and Pharisees went to Pilate the next day, recalling that Jesus had said He would rise after three days, and asked that the tomb be made secure. Pilate gave them a guard, and they made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting the guard.

(b) Three ways money is overspent during funerals in society.

1. Elaborate and expensive coffins and caskets: people spend heavily on costly, ornate coffins to display status.
2. Lavish feasting and entertainment: large amounts are spent on food, drinks, live bands and refreshments for mourners.
3. Buying of expensive uniform cloth (aso-ebi) and mourning attire: families incur great cost on matching clothes and accessories.
4. Renting canopies, halls, hiring photographers, videographers and hearses, and printing costly funeral programmes and posters.
5. Prolonged wake-keeping ceremonies that run for days and consume large sums of money.