WAEC Christian Religious Studies 2004 past questions and answers

The people found fault with Moses: "Why did you bring us up out of Egypt, to kill us… with thirst?" (Exodus 17:2-3).

The first commandments deal with no other gods, no idols, God's name and the sabbath: our duties to God (Exodus 20:3-11).

Quails and manna were first given in the wilderness of Sin (Exodus 16:1, 13-15).

Moses told them, "Your murmurings are not against us but against the Lord" (Exodus 16:7-8).

Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem (Joshua 24:1).

Deborah sat under her palm between Ramah and Bethel (Judges 4:5).

Samuel's sons took bribes and perverted justice (1 Samuel 8:3-5).

Jericho fell under Joshua long before Saul (Joshua 6).

"Who can put forth his hand against the Lord's anointed, and be guiltless?" (1 Samuel 26:9).

David took Bathsheba, wife of Uriah (2 Samuel 11:2-4).

Ahab coveted the vineyard and Jezebel had Naboth killed; Elijah said, "Have you killed, and also taken possession?" (1 Kings 21:19).

King Josiah reformed Judah's worship (2 Kings 23).

Naaman's leprosy clung to Gehazi (2 Kings 5:27).

"They have broken my covenant… they have gone after other gods" (Jeremiah 11:10; 2:8).

The accusers, with their families, were cast into the lions' den (Daniel 6:24).

"Your love is like a morning cloud, like the dew that goes early away" (Hosea 6:4).

John saw the Spirit descend like a dove and remain on Him (John 1:32-34).

Salt that loses its taste is useless; Christians must show the gospel in their lives (Matthew 5:13-16).

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God" (Matthew 5:9).

Whoever eats the living bread will live for ever (John 6:35, 51).

Jesus told of the man who counts the cost before building a tower (Luke 14:27-30).

"God so loved the world that he gave his only Son" (John 3:16).

Branches bear fruit only by abiding in the vine; apart from Him they can do nothing (John 15:4-5).

"They began to beg Jesus to depart from their neighbourhood" (Mark 5:17).

There is joy before the angels over one sinner who repents, like the woman finding her coin (Luke 15:8-10).

The priest examined and declared a leper clean (Leviticus 14:2-3; Mark 1:44).

"Then Jesus told them plainly, 'Lazarus is dead'" (John 11:11-14).

Jesus entered the temple and drove out those who sold and bought (Matthew 21:10-12).

"Those who had seized Jesus led him to Caiaphas the high priest" (Matthew 26:57).

Cleopas asked this on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-18).

They still expected an earthly, political kingdom for Israel (Acts 1:6-8).

Paul was stoned at Lystra (Acts 14:19).

Stephen said this to the high priest and the council (Acts 7:1, 51).

At Joppa Peter raised Tabitha (Dorcas) (Acts 9:36-41); Aeneas was at Lydda.

We are "justified by his grace as a gift" through faith (Romans 3:24; Ephesians 2:8).

All have sinned and "are justified by his grace as a gift" (Romans 3:23-24).

Prophecy builds up the church and, when an unbeliever hears it, he is convicted and worships God (1 Corinthians 14:3-5, 24-25).

"He who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully… God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:6-7).

Paul reminded them that Christ died, was buried and was raised; without the resurrection the gospel and faith are empty (1 Corinthians 15:3-4, 14).

Paul thanked them for the gifts sent through Epaphroditus (Philippians 4:14-18).

"Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged" (Colossians 3:21).

Paul lists those who saw the risen Christ, including more than five hundred brethren (1 Corinthians 15:5-8).

"Let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober" (1 Thessalonians 5:6).

Sin, doubt and selfish desires hinder prayer (James 1:6-7; 4:3); diligence does not.

(a) Jericho was shut up because of Israel (Joshua 6:1).
The Lord told Joshua He had given Jericho into his hand (Joshua 6:2).
The armed men were to march round the city once a day for six days, with seven priests carrying trumpets of rams' horns before the ark (Joshua 6:3-4, 8-9).
The people were not to shout until Joshua commanded (Joshua 6:10).
On the seventh day they marched round seven times (Joshua 6:15).
At the seventh time the priests blew the trumpets and Joshua said, "Shout; for the Lord has given you the city" (Joshua 6:16).
The city and all in it were devoted to the Lord; silver, gold, bronze and iron went into the Lord's treasury (Joshua 6:17-19).
The people shouted and the wall fell down flat; they went straight in and took the city (Joshua 6:20).
Rahab and her family were spared because she hid the spies (Joshua 6:22-25).
They burnt the city; Joshua cursed anyone who would rebuild it (Joshua 6:24, 26).
(b) Any three: God fights for His people; obedience to God's instructions brings victory; faith and patience; God keeps His promises; God rewards kindness (Rahab); nothing is impossible with God.

Narrate Joshua 6, then three lessons.

(a) At Gilgal Saul offered the burnt offering himself instead of waiting for Samuel; Samuel said his kingdom would not continue (1 Samuel 13:8-14).
Samuel told Saul to utterly destroy the Amalekites and all they had, for opposing Israel on the way from Egypt (1 Samuel 15:1-3).
Saul warned the Kenites to leave, then defeated the Amalekites (1 Samuel 15:6-7).
He spared Agag the king and the best of the sheep, oxen and all that was good, destroying only what was worthless (1 Samuel 15:8-9).
God told Samuel He repented that He had made Saul king (1 Samuel 15:10-11).
Saul claimed he had obeyed and blamed the people, saying the animals were for sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:13-21).
Samuel said, "To obey is better than sacrifice… Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has also rejected you from being king" (1 Samuel 15:22-23).
When Saul seized Samuel's robe and it tore, Samuel said the Lord had torn the kingdom from him and given it to a better neighbour (1 Samuel 15:27-28).
(b) Any three: obedience is better than sacrifice; partial obedience is disobedience; leaders must accept responsibility, not blame others; disobedience brings loss of position and blessing; God's commands must be followed exactly; pride and fear of people lead to sin.

Narrate 1 Samuel 13 and 15, then three lessons.

(a) When Shaphan read the book to the king, Josiah tore his clothes (2 Kings 22:10-11).
He sent Hilkiah, Shaphan and others to inquire of the Lord, for great was God's wrath because their fathers had not obeyed the book (2 Kings 22:12-13).
They consulted Huldah the prophetess (2 Kings 22:14-20).
He gathered the elders and all the people and read the book of the covenant to them in the temple (2 Kings 23:1-2).
He made a covenant before the Lord to keep His commandments with all his heart, and all the people joined (2 Kings 23:3).
(b) Any four: removed from the temple all vessels made for Baal, Asherah and the host of heaven and burnt them (2 Kings 23:4); deposed the idolatrous priests (23:5); burnt the Asherah (23:6); broke down the houses of the male cult prostitutes (23:7); defiled the high places (23:8); defiled Topheth so none could sacrifice children to Molech (23:10); removed the horses and chariots of the sun (23:11); destroyed the altar at Bethel (23:15); put away mediums and wizards (23:24); kept the Passover (23:21-23).

Describe his reaction, then four reforms with references.

(a) Among the exiles by the river Chebar, the heavens opened and Ezekiel saw visions of God (Ezekiel 1:1-3).
He saw a stormy wind, four living creatures, wheels and above them a throne with the likeness of the glory of the Lord (Ezekiel 1:4-28).
He fell on his face and heard a voice (Ezekiel 1:28).
The Spirit entered him and set him on his feet (Ezekiel 2:1-2).
God sent him to rebellious, impudent and stubborn Israel; whether they heard or refused, they would know a prophet had been among them (Ezekiel 2:3-5).
He was told not to fear them though briers, thorns and scorpions surrounded him (Ezekiel 2:6-7).
He was given a scroll with lamentation, mourning and woe to eat; it was sweet as honey (Ezekiel 2:8–3:3).
God made his forehead hard against their hardness (Ezekiel 3:8-9).
He was appointed a watchman for Israel, responsible to warn the wicked (Ezekiel 3:17-21).
(b) Any two: God calls people to serve Him; a servant of God must not fear opposition; God equips those He calls; we must take in God's word before sharing it; we are responsible to warn others.

Narrate Ezekiel 1–3, then two lessons.

(a) Caesar Augustus decreed that all the world should be enrolled, when Quirinius was governor of Syria (Luke 2:1-2).
Joseph went from Nazareth to Bethlehem, the city of David, with Mary his betrothed, who was with child (Luke 2:4-5).
While there she gave birth to her first-born son, wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no room in the inn (Luke 2:6-7).
Shepherds keeping watch by night saw an angel and the glory of the Lord (Luke 2:8-9).
The angel announced good news of a Saviour, Christ the Lord, born in the city of David; the sign was a baby in a manger (Luke 2:10-12).
A heavenly host praised God: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace" (Luke 2:13-14).
The shepherds went, found the baby, and told what they had heard; Mary kept these things in her heart (Luke 2:15-19).
They returned glorifying God (Luke 2:20).
(b) Any two: humility — the Saviour was born in a lowly place; God fulfils His promises (born in David's city); the good news is for ordinary people like shepherds; obedience to authority (the census); God's care for the poor; we should praise God for His gift.

Outline Luke 2:1-20, then two lessons.

(a)(i) The law said "You shall not commit adultery", but anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery in his heart (Matthew 5:27-28).
If your eye or hand causes you to sin, remove it; better to lose a member than go to hell (Matthew 5:29-30).
Whoever divorces his wife except for unchastity makes her an adulteress, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery (Matthew 5:31-32).
(ii) It was said "love your neighbour and hate your enemy", but Jesus said love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you (Matthew 5:43-44).
So you will be sons of your Father, who makes His sun rise on the evil and the good (Matthew 5:45).
Loving only those who love you is no better than tax collectors; greeting only brothers is what Gentiles do (Matthew 5:46-47).
Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect (Matthew 5:48).
(b) Any two: sin begins in the heart and thoughts; marriage is sacred and should be permanent; avoid anything that leads to sin; faithfulness in marriage; self-discipline.

Explain Matthew 5:27-32 and 43-48, then two lessons.

(a) He who enters the sheepfold by the door is the shepherd; others are thieves and robbers (John 10:1-2).
The sheep hear his voice; he calls them by name and leads them out, and they follow because they know his voice (John 10:3-4).
"I am the door of the sheep"; whoever enters by Him will be saved, go in and out and find pasture (John 10:7, 9).
The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy; He came that they may have life abundantly (John 10:10).
"I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep" (John 10:11).
The hireling flees when the wolf comes because he does not care for the sheep (John 10:12-13).
He knows His own and they know Him; He has other sheep to bring, and there will be one flock, one shepherd (John 10:14-16).
He lays down His life of His own accord and takes it again (John 10:17-18).
(b) Any two: salvation comes only through Jesus; Jesus cares for and protects believers; believers should listen to and follow Him; church leaders should care for their members sacrificially; all believers are one flock.

Explain John 10:1-18, then two points of relevance.

(a) The believers were of one heart and soul and had everything in common (Acts 4:32).
Those who owned land or houses sold them and laid the proceeds at the apostles' feet for distribution to the needy (Acts 4:34-35).
Barnabas sold a field and brought the money (Acts 4:36-37).
Ananias with his wife Sapphira sold property and, with her knowledge, kept back part of the proceeds, bringing only part to the apostles (Acts 5:1-2).
Peter asked why Satan had filled his heart to lie to the Holy Spirit; the land and money were his own; "You have not lied to men but to God" (Acts 5:3-4).
Ananias fell down and died; young men buried him (Acts 5:5-6).
Three hours later Sapphira came, not knowing; she lied about the price (Acts 5:7-8).
Peter asked how they agreed to tempt the Spirit of the Lord; she fell down and died (Acts 5:9-10).
Great fear came upon the whole church (Acts 5:11).
(b) Any two: God hates lying and hypocrisy; giving should be honest and voluntary; one cannot deceive God; sin in the church is punished; husbands and wives should not agree to do evil.

Narrate Acts 4:32–5:11, then two lessons.

(a) Every person should be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God (Romans 13:1).
Resisting the authorities is resisting what God has appointed and incurs judgement (Romans 13:2).
Rulers are not a terror to good conduct but to bad; do what is good and receive approval (Romans 13:3).
The ruler is God's servant for your good, bearing the sword to punish wrongdoers (Romans 13:4).
Be subject also for conscience' sake (Romans 13:5).
Pay taxes, revenue, respect and honour to whom they are due (Romans 13:6-7).
Pray for kings and all in high positions (1 Timothy 2:1-2).
(b) Any three: obeying the law; paying taxes; voting and taking part in elections; respecting and praying for leaders; avoiding violence and corruption; reporting crime; protecting public property; community service.

Explain Romans 13:1-7, then three ways.

(a) Aspire to live quietly, mind your own affairs and work with your hands, so as to command the respect of outsiders and be dependent on nobody (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12).
Keep away from any brother who is living in idleness (2 Thessalonians 3:6).
Paul and his companions were not idle; they did not eat anyone's bread without paying but worked night and day (2 Thessalonians 3:7-8).
They did this to give an example, though they had the right to support (2 Thessalonians 3:9).
"If any one will not work, let him not eat" (2 Thessalonians 3:10).
Busybodies should work quietly and earn their own living (2 Thessalonians 3:11-12).
Do not be weary in well-doing (2 Thessalonians 3:13).
Note those who disobey and have nothing to do with them, but warn them as brothers (2 Thessalonians 3:14-15).
(b) Any three: skills acquisition and vocational training programmes; preaching against laziness and begging; employing members and giving loans for small businesses; schools and universities run by churches; harvest/thanksgiving that honours work; rewarding diligent workers.

Use 1 Thessalonians 4 and 2 Thessalonians 3, then three ways.

(a) If anyone lacks wisdom let him ask God, who gives generously (James 1:5).
Ask in faith with no doubting; the doubter will receive nothing (James 1:6-8).
You do not have because you do not ask; you ask wrongly to spend it on your passions (James 4:2-3).
The suffering should pray; the cheerful should sing praise (James 5:13).
The sick should call the elders to pray over them, anointing with oil; the prayer of faith will save the sick (James 5:14-15).
Confess sins to one another and pray for one another that you may be healed (James 5:16).
The prayer of a righteous man has great power, like Elijah's, who prayed and it did not rain for three and a half years, then prayed and it rained (James 5:16-18).
(b) Any three: doubt; selfish motives; unconfessed sin; unforgiveness; pride; disobedience to God; quarrels.

Summarise James on prayer, then three hindrances.