48 questions. Try each one, then open the answer to check yourself and read the explanation.
God created light in the firmament of the heavens so that they might
Answer: D (illuminate the earth and the heavens)
God set the lights in the firmament "to give light upon the earth" (Genesis 1:15, 17).
When Abram got to Shechem after his call, God appeared to him and said
Answer: A ('To your descendant I will give this land')
At Shechem the Lord appeared to Abram and said, "To your descendants I will give this land" (Genesis 12:6-7).
When Moses brought the people of Israel out to meet God on Mount Sinai, the Mount was wrapped in smoke because
Answer: E (the Lord descended upon it with fire.)
"Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke, because the Lord descended upon it in fire" (Exodus 19:18).
Who among the following did God direct Moses to appoint as his successor?
Answer: C (Joshua)
God told Moses to take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay his hand on him (Numbers 27:18-23).
Owing to Saul's rejection of the word of the Lord, Samuel told him that God had
Answer: D (rejected him as King over Israel)
"Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has also rejected you from being king" (1 Samuel 15:23).
Abner and Ishbosheth parted ways due to
Answer: C (an accusation on a fault concerning a woman)
Ishbosheth accused Abner over Saul's concubine Rizpah; Abner angrily turned to David (2 Samuel 3:7-10).
The effect of Solomon's marriage to foreign wives was that
Answer: C (his heart was turned away from God)
"When Solomon was old his wives turned away his heart after other gods" (1 Kings 11:4).
Cyrus, king of Persia, proclaimed that he had been charged to build a house in Jerusalem by
Answer: D (the God of heaven)
Cyrus said, "The Lord, the God of heaven… has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem" (Ezra 1:2).
Which of the following was not a feature of the return of the Exiles during the reign of Cyrus?
Answer: A (The return was initiated by Nehemiah)
The return under Cyrus came when God stirred up Cyrus' spirit, fulfilling Jeremiah (Ezra 1:1-4); Nehemiah came nearly a century later under Artaxerxes.
When Nehemiah delivered the king's letters to the governors beyond the River, Sanballat and Tobiah were displeased because
Answer: A (someone had come to seek the welfare of the children of Israel)
"It displeased them greatly that some one had come to seek the welfare of the children of Israel" (Nehemiah 2:10).
Jeremiah reminded the people of Jerusalem of their devotion to God during their youth, their love as a bride and then condemned them for
Answer: E (changing their glory.)
After recalling their early devotion, God says, "my people have changed their glory for that which does not profit" (Jeremiah 2:2, 11).
At Ezekiel's call, he was sent to speak to the people of Israel who were described as
Answer: D (impudent and stubborn)
God said, "The people also are impudent and stubborn: I send you to them" (Ezekiel 2:4).
Hosea called on Israel to return to the Lord by
Answer: B (steadfastly loving God)
Hosea urged Israel to return to God and hold fast to steadfast love and justice, for God desires steadfast love, not sacrifice (Hosea 6:6; 12:6; 14:1-3).
When God saw how the Ninevites turned from their evil ways, God repented of the evil He had planned for them 'God repented' means that He
Answer: C (forgave them)
When Nineveh repented, God did not bring the threatened destruction; He showed mercy and forgave them (Jonah 3:10; 4:2).
A significant difference between the Matthean and the Markan accounts of the Baptism of Jesus was that
Answer: C (Matthew alone said that John felt inferior to baptize Jesus)
Only Matthew records John saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" (Matthew 3:14; compare Mark 1:9-11).
Jesus' reply to the disciple who said 'I will follow you, but let me first say farewell to those at my home' was
Answer: B ('No one who puts his hand to the plough and looks back is fit for the Kingdom of God'.)
Jesus answered him, "No one who puts his hand to the plough and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God" (Luke 9:61-62).
The gathering up of twelve baskets full of broken pieces after the feeding of the five thousand indicated
Answer: A (that nothing was to be wasted even when the supply was ample)
Jesus said, "Gather up the fragments left over, that nothing may be lost" (John 6:12).
In Matthew's account of the Mission of the Twelve, Jesus instructed his disciples to restrict their work to the
Answer: E (lost sheep of the house of Israel.)
"Go nowhere among the Gentiles… but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel" (Matthew 10:5-6).
The Jews persecuted Jesus after he had healed the paralytic at the pool of Bethsaida because Jesus
Answer: E (claimed to be the Son of God.)
They sought to kill Him because He broke the sabbath and called God His own Father, making Himself equal with God (John 5:16-18).
The parable of the Lost Sheep illustrates the
Answer: B (joy in heaven over a sinner that repents)
"There will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents" (Luke 15:7).
The presence of Peter, James and John at the Transfiguration is significant because they
Answer: A (occupied a privileged position among the twelve)
Peter, James and John were Jesus' closest disciples, taken with Him at special moments such as Jairus' house and Gethsemane (Mark 5:37; 9:2; 14:33).
'My father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me'. The 'cup' here means
Answer: C (death)
In Gethsemane the "cup" was the suffering and death Jesus was about to face (Matthew 26:39).
Which of the following did Pilate ask Jesus during the trial?
Answer: D ('Are you the king of the Jews?')
Pilate asked Jesus, "Are you the King of the Jews?" (Matthew 27:11); A and C were the high priest's words.
St. John referred to Jesus' miracles as signs because they convey all the following except the
Answer: D (demand for more signs)
John's signs are written "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ… and that believing you may have life" (John 20:31); they do not invite demands for more signs.
The Jewish leaders opposed the Early Church because believers
Answer: C (preached Jesus Christ crucified)
The leaders were annoyed that the apostles taught and proclaimed in Jesus the resurrection, and charged them not to teach in His name (Acts 4:2, 18; 5:28).
Which of the following featured prominently at the first Christian Council in Jerusalem?
Answer: C (Circumcision)
The council met because some taught that Gentiles must be circumcised to be saved (Acts 15:1-6).
According to Paul in Romans, the law and the prophets bore witness to the righteousness of God but man could not be justified until he
Answer: B (had faith in Jesus)
The righteousness of God, witnessed by the law and prophets, comes "through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe" (Romans 3:21-22).
Paul recommended to the Romans that Christian attitude to others with regard to the gifts of the Spirit should be
Answer: B (not to regard others as inferior)
Paul tells them not to think of themselves more highly than they ought, since all are members of one body with differing gifts (Romans 12:3-6).
In his support for obedience to the governing authorities, Paul's view was that such authorities were exercising
Answer: E (power consistent with Christ's rule.)
Paul says authorities are instituted by God and are God's servants for good (Romans 13:1-4), so their power is under God's rule.
In the Epistle to the Romans, Jesus' death was a result of our trespasses but his resurrection was for the
Answer: B (justification of all mankind)
Jesus "was put to death for our trespasses and raised for our justification" (Romans 4:25).
In his metaphor of the body and the functions of its different parts, Paul, in Corinthians, emphasizes the individual's
Answer: D (duties)
Each part has its own function to perform for the good of the whole body (1 Corinthians 12:14-26).
According to 1 Corinthians, the significance of the resurrection of the dead is its assurance of
Answer: A (life eternal for the children of God)
Because Christ rose, in Him all shall be made alive; the perishable puts on the imperishable (1 Corinthians 15:20-22, 52-54).
Which of the following did Paul admonish the Philippians to manifest as a virtue of humility?
Answer: A (Counting other people as better than themselves)
"In humility count others better than yourselves" (Philippians 2:3).
St. Paul's prayer for the Philippians was that the God who inspired them to send him gifts would surely
Answer: A (supply all their needs)
"My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory" (Philippians 4:19).
In his teaching in Colossians on inter-personal relationships in a household, Paul stressed the
Answer: A (reciprocal nature of members' duties)
Each instruction is paired: wives and husbands, children and fathers, slaves and masters all have duties to one another (Colossians 3:18–4:1).
Before he sent Onesimus back to Philemon, Paul was convinced that Onesimus was no longer
Answer: A (useless to his master)
"Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me" (Philemon 11).
Which of the following was not listed by James as a case of partiality in the Church?
Answer: D (Love for one's neighbours)
Loving one's neighbour is the royal law James commends (James 2:8); the others are forms of partiality.
Peter enjoined Christians to remain faithful to the end because of the assurance of
Answer: E (the revelation of Jesus Christ at his Second Coming.)
"Set your hope fully upon the grace that is coming to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 1:13).
According to Peter, Christians have become 'a chosen race' so that they may
Answer: D (declare the good works of God)
"You are a chosen race… that you may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called you out of darkness" (1 Peter 2:9).
Section A (Themes from the Old Testament)
(a) Describe how Joshua was selected as Moses successor (b) Mention two previous associations of Moses and Joshua
(a) God told Moses to go up Mount Abarim and see the land, for he would die and not enter it because of his rebellion at Meribah (Numbers 27:12-14).
Moses asked God to appoint a man over the congregation so they would not be like sheep without a shepherd (Numbers 27:15-17).
God told him to take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay his hand on him (Numbers 27:18).
He was to stand him before Eleazar the priest and all the congregation and commission him in their sight (Numbers 27:19).
Moses was to invest him with some of his authority so that the people would obey him (Numbers 27:20).
Eleazar would inquire for him by the judgement of the Urim before the Lord (Numbers 27:21).
Moses did as commanded (Numbers 27:22-23; Deuteronomy 31:7-8; 34:9).
(b) Any two: Joshua led Israel's army against Amalek while Moses prayed on the hill (Exodus 17:8-13); he was Moses' minister/assistant who went up Mount Sinai with him (Exodus 24:13; 32:17); he stayed at the tent of meeting (Exodus 33:11); he was one of the twelve spies sent by Moses and gave a good report with Caleb (Numbers 13–14); Moses changed his name from Hoshea to Joshua (Numbers 13:16).
Use Numbers 27:12-23, then two earlier links between Moses and Joshua.
Narrate the first anointing of Saul by Samuel
The asses of Kish, Saul's father, were lost; Saul and a servant searched for them without success (1 Samuel 9:3-5).
The servant suggested consulting the man of God (Samuel) in the city (1 Samuel 9:6-10).
The day before, the Lord had told Samuel a man from Benjamin would come whom he should anoint as prince over Israel (1 Samuel 9:15-16).
When Saul came, God said, "Here is the man"; Samuel told Saul the asses were found and invited him to eat; he gave him the place of honour (1 Samuel 9:17-24).
Next morning, on the outskirts of the city, Samuel took a vial of oil, poured it on Saul's head, kissed him and said the Lord had anointed him prince over His heritage (1 Samuel 10:1).
He gave him signs: two men at Rachel's tomb would say the asses were found; three men going to Bethel would give him two loaves; at Gibeath-elohim he would meet a band of prophets and prophesy (1 Samuel 10:2-6).
He told Saul to go down to Gilgal and wait seven days for him (1 Samuel 10:8).
God gave Saul another heart; all the signs came to pass and he prophesied, so people said, "Is Saul also among the prophets?" (1 Samuel 10:9-12).
At home he told his uncle the asses were found but said nothing about the kingdom (1 Samuel 10:14-16).
Narrate 1 Samuel 9:1–10:16 in order, including the signs.
(a) Describe the experience of Jonah as he fled from the presence of God to Tarshish (b) State two lessons that could be learnt from his flight.
(a) God told Jonah to go to Nineveh and cry against it, for its wickedness had come up before Him (Jonah 1:1-2).
Jonah went down to Joppa, paid the fare and boarded a ship for Tarshish to flee from the Lord (Jonah 1:3).
The Lord sent a great wind; the ship was about to break up; the sailors were afraid, cried to their gods and threw the cargo overboard (Jonah 1:4-5).
Jonah was fast asleep in the inner part of the ship; the captain woke him and told him to call on his God (Jonah 1:5-6).
They cast lots and the lot fell on Jonah; he confessed he was a Hebrew who feared the Lord and was fleeing from Him (Jonah 1:7-10).
He told them to throw him into the sea; after trying to row to land, they prayed and threw him in, and the sea became calm (Jonah 1:11-15).
The sailors feared the Lord and offered sacrifice (Jonah 1:16).
A great fish swallowed Jonah; he was in it three days and nights, prayed, and was vomited on dry land (Jonah 1:17–2:10).
(b) Any two: no one can run away from God; disobedience brings trouble on oneself and others; God disciplines His servants to bring them back; God hears prayer even in distress; God's purpose will be fulfilled.
Narrate Jonah 1–2, then two lessons.
Section B (Themes from the Four Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles)
(a) How did Jesus describe himself to the Samaritan woman in St. John's Gospel? (b) In what two ways does the teaching apply to Christians?
(a) At Jacob's well in Sychar, Jesus asked a Samaritan woman for a drink; she was surprised a Jew would ask her (John 4:5-9).
He said if she knew the gift of God and who was asking, she would have asked Him for living water (John 4:10).
Whoever drinks His water will never thirst; it will become a spring of water welling up to eternal life (John 4:13-14).
He revealed He knew her life — five husbands and the present man not her husband — and she called Him a prophet (John 4:16-19).
He taught that true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth (John 4:21-24).
When she spoke of the coming Messiah, Jesus said, "I who speak to you am he" (John 4:25-26).
(b) Any two: Jesus satisfies our deepest spiritual needs; He offers salvation to all regardless of race, sex or past; worship should be sincere, in spirit and truth; believers should share Christ with others as the woman did (John 4:28-30, 39); Christians should break social barriers.
Show Jesus as giver of living water and as Messiah, then two applications.
(a) 'See, you are well! Sin no more that nothing worse befall you'. Trace the events that led to this statement in John's gospel. (b) What two lessons can be derived from this story?
(a) At a feast of the Jews Jesus went up to Jerusalem (John 5:1).
By the Sheep Gate was a pool called Bethzatha with five porticoes, where many sick lay waiting for the water to move (John 5:2-3).
One man had been ill for thirty-eight years (John 5:5).
Jesus asked him, "Do you want to be healed?" (John 5:6).
He said he had no one to put him into the pool when the water was troubled (John 5:7).
Jesus said, "Rise, take up your pallet, and walk"; he was healed at once and walked (John 5:8-9).
It was the sabbath; the Jews told him it was not lawful to carry his pallet; he said the man who healed him told him to (John 5:10-11).
He did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn in the crowd (John 5:13).
Later Jesus found him in the temple and said, "See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse befall you" (John 5:14).
(b) Any two: Jesus has compassion on the helpless; healing should lead to a changed life; sin can bring worse consequences; Jesus is Lord of the sabbath and acts out of love; we should obey Jesus' word in faith.
Trace John 5:1-14, then two lessons.
(a) What led to the selection of Matthias as one of the Apostles? (b) How was the selection conducted?
(a) Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, had betrayed Jesus, guiding those who arrested Him (Acts 1:16-17).
He bought a field with the reward of his wickedness, fell headlong and died; the field was called Akeldama (Acts 1:18-19).
Peter said scripture had to be fulfilled: "Let his habitation become desolate" and "His office let another take" (Acts 1:20).
The twelve had to be complete as witnesses before the coming of the Spirit.
(b) In the days after the Ascension, Peter stood among about 120 brethren (Acts 1:15).
The new apostle must be one who had been with them from John's baptism to the Ascension, a witness of the resurrection (Acts 1:21-22).
They put forward two: Joseph called Barsabbas (Justus) and Matthias (Acts 1:23).
They prayed, "Lord, who knows the hearts of all men, show which one of these two you have chosen" (Acts 1:24-25).
They cast lots; the lot fell on Matthias, and he was enrolled with the eleven apostles (Acts 1:26).
Explain Judas' fall and the need to replace him, then the selection steps.
Section C (Themes from Selected Epistles)
(a) What did Paul teach on the need for order in society? (b) List four ways by which a Christian can show that he is a responsible citizen.
(a) Every person should be subject to the governing authorities, since there is no authority except from God (Romans 13:1).
Whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed and will incur judgement (Romans 13:2).
Rulers are a terror not to good conduct but to bad; do what is good and you will receive approval (Romans 13:3).
The ruler is God's servant for your good; he does not bear the sword in vain but punishes wrongdoers (Romans 13:4).
Be subject not only to avoid wrath but for conscience' sake (Romans 13:5).
Pay taxes, revenue, respect and honour to whom they are due (Romans 13:6-7).
Owe no one anything but love; love fulfils the law (Romans 13:8-10).
Christians should pray for kings and those in authority so that all may live peaceful lives (1 Timothy 2:1-2).
(b) Any four: obeying the laws of the land; paying taxes; voting in elections; respecting and praying for leaders; keeping the environment clean; reporting crime and helping security agencies; avoiding violence, riots and cultism; taking part in community development.
Explain Romans 13:1-10, then four practical ways.
(a) What did James teach on partiality? (b) Identify two effects of partiality in society.
(a) Believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must show no partiality (James 2:1).
If a rich man with gold rings and fine clothing is given a good seat and a poor man in shabby clothes is told to stand or sit at one's feet, they have made distinctions and become judges with evil thoughts (James 2:2-4).
God has chosen the poor of the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom (James 2:5).
Yet they dishonoured the poor, while the rich oppress them, drag them into court and blaspheme the honourable name (James 2:6-7).
Fulfil the royal law, "You shall love your neighbour as yourself" (James 2:8).
Showing partiality is sin, and one is convicted by the law as a transgressor (James 2:9).
Whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point is guilty of all (James 2:10-11).
Speak and act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty; judgement is without mercy to one who shows no mercy (James 2:12-13).
(b) Any two: hatred, bitterness and division; injustice and oppression of the poor; corruption and favouritism in appointments; loss of talent when merit is ignored; conflict, crime and unrest; loss of trust in leaders.
Summarise James 2:1-13, then two effects in society.
(a) What did Peter mean when he referred to Christians as a chosen race? (b) How did he expect them to behave to civil authorities?
(a) Believers are like living stones built into a spiritual house, a holy priesthood offering spiritual sacrifices (1 Peter 2:4-5).
"You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people" (1 Peter 2:9).
They are chosen to declare the wonderful deeds of Him who called them out of darkness into His marvellous light (1 Peter 2:9).
Once they were no people, but now they are God's people; once without mercy, now they have received mercy (1 Peter 2:10).
As God's special people, they are aliens and exiles in the world and must abstain from fleshly passions and keep good conduct (1 Peter 2:11-12).
(b) Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether to the emperor as supreme or to governors sent by him (1 Peter 2:13-14).
Governors punish those who do wrong and praise those who do right (1 Peter 2:14).
By doing right they should silence the ignorance of foolish men (1 Peter 2:15).
Live as free men, yet without using freedom as a pretext for evil, but as servants of God (1 Peter 2:16).
Honour all men, love the brotherhood, fear God, honour the emperor (1 Peter 2:17).
Explain 1 Peter 2:9-10, then 2:13-17.