WAEC Christian Religious Studies 2006 past questions and answers

Only an all-powerful God can bring things into being simply by speaking (Genesis 1:3; Psalm 33:9).

The promise of Canaan passed through Isaac and Jacob to the Hebrews, the Israelites (Genesis 12:7; 26:3; 28:13).

Slavery, false accusation and prison shaped Joseph; he later said God meant it for good (Genesis 39–41; 50:20).

God would draw Sisera and his army to Barak at the river Kishon (Judges 4:7).

Deborah said this to Barak when he would not go without her (Judges 4:8-9).

Eli's sons Hophni and Phinehas treated the Lord's offering with contempt (1 Samuel 2:12-17).

Samuel's sons were Joel and Abijah (1 Samuel 8:2).

God said He would tear the kingdom away, leaving only one tribe for David's sake (1 Kings 11:11-13).

"If you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments… then I will lengthen your days" (1 Kings 3:14).

"If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him" (1 Kings 18:21).

Nathan told David the parable of the ewe lamb and said, "You are the man" (2 Samuel 12:1-7).

"Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon", who then besieged Jerusalem (2 Kings 24:20–25:1).

"I will write it upon their hearts" (Jeremiah 31:33).

The scroll held God's message, which Ezekiel then spoke to Israel (Ezekiel 3:1-4).

The king planned to set Daniel over the whole kingdom, so the other officials sought a charge against him (Daniel 6:3-5).

Joseph did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took his wife, but knew her not until she bore a son (Matthew 1:24-25).

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

Jesus demanded full commitment without looking back (Luke 9:57-62; 14:26-33).

Jesus told them to take no gold, bag or spare clothing (Matthew 10:5-10).

The tiniest seed becomes the greatest shrub: the kingdom grows from small beginnings (Matthew 13:31-32).

He said, "I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; only say the word", and Jesus praised his faith (Matthew 8:8-10).

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works" (Matthew 5:14-16).

Elijah stands for the prophets (Matthew 17:3; 5:17).

Jesus said this before healing the man born blind (John 9:1-7).

At the Transfiguration the voice from the cloud said, "This is my beloved Son… listen to him" (Matthew 17:5).

Jesus' miracles showed His power and care and called for faith; He did not seek fame (Mark 1:44; John 6:15).

"The one I shall kiss is the man; seize him" (Matthew 26:48).

The temple curtain divided the holy place from the holy of holies, where only the high priest could go. When it was torn from top to bottom at Jesus' death (Mark 15:38), the barrier was removed, showing that the way into God's presence was now open (Hebrews 10:19-20).

Acts 2:46-47 lists daily temple attendance, breaking bread at home and praising God, not marriages.

"Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ" (Acts 2:38).

The crowds at Lystra cried this in Lycaonian after Paul healed a man crippled from birth (Acts 14:8-11).

Peter preached to Cornelius and commanded him and his household to be baptised (Acts 10:1, 44-48).

Through Adam sin and death came to all; through Christ come righteousness and life (Romans 5:12-19).

Christians give in response to God's generosity in Christ, not to earn anything (2 Corinthians 8:9; 9:15).

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

"That day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first" (2 Thessalonians 2:3).

"By grace you have been saved through faith… it is the gift of God" (Ephesians 2:8; Romans 3:24).

"A man is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ" (Galatians 2:16).

Paul told the idle to work quietly and earn their own living, showing that honest work is honourable (2 Thessalonians 3:10-12).

Paul asks Philemon to forgive his runaway slave Onesimus and welcome him as a brother (Philemon 15-18).

Sin, doubt and greedy motives hinder prayer (James 1:6-7; 4:3); perseverance helps it.

Ask in faith, with no doubting (James 1:6; 5:15).

"The prayer of faith will save the sick man" (James 5:15).

Peter's titles are "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people" (1 Peter 2:9).

Governors are sent "to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right" (1 Peter 2:14).

(a) His sons Hophni and Phinehas were worthless men who did not know the Lord (1 Samuel 2:12).
They took meat by force and treated the Lord's offering with contempt (1 Samuel 2:13-17).
They lay with the women serving at the tent of meeting (1 Samuel 2:22).
Eli only rebuked them mildly and did not restrain them (1 Samuel 2:23-25; 3:13).
He honoured his sons above God by sharing in the fat portions (1 Samuel 2:29).
(b) Any six: worshippers were robbed and offerings despised (2:17); women were abused at the sanctuary (2:22); Israel was defeated by the Philistines, losing 4,000 and then 30,000 men (4:2, 10); the ark of God was captured (4:11); Hophni and Phinehas were killed (4:11); Eli died (4:18); Phinehas' wife died in childbirth and the child was named Ichabod — the glory departed (4:19-22); the priesthood was taken from Eli's house (2:31-36); the word of the Lord was rare (3:1).
(c) Any three: parents must discipline their children; honour God above family; leaders' failures affect the whole nation; sin brings judgement; accept God's judgement humbly as Eli did (3:18).

Show Eli's failure, six results for Israel from 1 Samuel 2–4, then three lessons.

(a) Elisha healed Naaman of leprosy and refused his gifts (2 Kings 5:14-16).
Gehazi thought his master had spared Naaman and resolved to get something from him (2 Kings 5:20).
He ran after Naaman, who stopped and asked if all was well (2 Kings 5:21).
He lied that Elisha had sent him to ask for a talent of silver and two festal garments for two young prophets (2 Kings 5:22).
Naaman gave him two talents and two garments, carried by servants (2 Kings 5:23).
Gehazi hid them in the house and sent the men away (2 Kings 5:24).
Elisha asked where he had been; he lied, "Your servant went nowhere" (2 Kings 5:25).
Elisha said his spirit had gone with him; was it a time to accept money and goods? (2 Kings 5:26).
Naaman's leprosy would cling to Gehazi and his descendants for ever; he went out a leper white as snow (2 Kings 5:27).
(b) Any three: greed leads to lying and other sins; nothing is hidden from God; greed brings disgrace and punishment; servants should be loyal to their masters; God's gifts should not be turned into business; be content.

Narrate 2 Kings 5:20-27, then three lessons.

(a)(i) In Susa, Hanani and some men from Judah came; Nehemiah asked about the Jews who escaped exile and about Jerusalem (Nehemiah 1:1-2).
They said the survivors were in great trouble and shame, the wall of Jerusalem broken down and its gates burnt (Nehemiah 1:3).
He sat down and wept, mourned for days, fasted and prayed (Nehemiah 1:4).
(ii) He called on the great and terrible God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love Him (Nehemiah 1:5).
He asked God to hear his prayer day and night for Israel (Nehemiah 1:6).
He confessed the sins of Israel, including himself and his father's house, for not keeping God's commandments (Nehemiah 1:6-7).
He reminded God of His word to Moses: if they were unfaithful they would be scattered, but if they returned He would gather them (Nehemiah 1:8-9).
They are God's people whom He redeemed (Nehemiah 1:10).
He asked God to give him success and mercy before the king (Nehemiah 1:11).
(b) Any three: concern and love for one's people; humility in confessing sin; prayerfulness; faith in God's promises; fasting and self-denial; courage.

Answer (i) and (ii) from Nehemiah 1, then three virtues.

(i) Judah forsook the Lord, the fountain of living waters, and hewed broken cisterns (Jeremiah 2:13).
They changed their glory for worthless idols, gods that are no gods (Jeremiah 2:11).
They served Baal and burnt incense to other gods (Jeremiah 2:8; 11:13).
They burnt their sons and daughters in the fire at Topheth (Jeremiah 7:31).
They trusted in "the temple of the Lord" while stealing, murdering, committing adultery and swearing falsely (Jeremiah 7:4, 9-10).
They oppressed the alien, orphan and widow (Jeremiah 7:6).
Prophets prophesied falsely and priests ruled at their direction; all were greedy for gain (Jeremiah 5:31; 6:13).
They refused to repent though warned (Jeremiah 5:3; 7:13).
(ii) Any two: invasion by the foe from the north, Babylon (Jeremiah 1:14-15); destruction of Jerusalem and the temple (Jeremiah 7:14; 2 Kings 25); exile for seventy years (Jeremiah 25:11); death by sword, famine and pestilence (Jeremiah 14:12); the land made desolate.

Outline Judah's sins with references, then two consequences.

(a) Jesus fed five thousand with five barley loaves and two fish (John 6:5-13).
The people wanted to make Him king by force, so He withdrew (John 6:14-15).
Next day the crowd looked for Him and found Him at Capernaum (John 6:22-25).
He said they sought Him because they ate their fill of the loaves, not because they saw signs (John 6:26).
He told them not to labour for food that perishes but for food that endures to eternal life (John 6:27).
They asked for a sign, recalling that their fathers ate manna in the wilderness (John 6:30-31).
He said it was His Father who gives the true bread from heaven, which gives life to the world (John 6:32-33).
They said, "Lord, give us this bread always" (John 6:34).
Jesus said, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall not hunger" (John 6:35).
(b) Any three: seek spiritual things above material things; Jesus alone satisfies; believe in Jesus to have eternal life; do not follow Jesus for selfish gain; share what we have (the boy's loaves); avoid waste (fragments gathered).

Trace John 6:1-35, then three lessons.

(a)(i) Do not lay up treasures on earth where moth and rust consume and thieves steal; lay up treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19-20).
Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matthew 6:21).
The eye is the lamp of the body; a sound eye fills the body with light (Matthew 6:22-23).
No one can serve two masters; you cannot serve God and mammon (Matthew 6:24).
(ii) Do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, drink or wear; life is more than food (Matthew 6:25).
Look at the birds: they do not sow or reap, yet the Father feeds them (Matthew 6:26).
Who by being anxious can add one cubit to his span of life? (Matthew 6:27).
Consider the lilies: even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of them (Matthew 6:28-30).
The Gentiles seek these things; your Father knows you need them (Matthew 6:31-32).
Seek first His kingdom and righteousness, and all these will be added (Matthew 6:33).
Do not be anxious about tomorrow (Matthew 6:34).
(b) Any three: put God first; trust God to provide; avoid materialism and greed; do not worry; use wealth for God's purposes; heavenly treasures last.

Summarise Matthew 6:19-34 under the two headings, then three lessons.

(a) On the first day of the week at early dawn, the women went to the tomb with spices (Luke 24:1).
They found the stone rolled away but did not find the body (Luke 24:2-3).
Two men in dazzling apparel asked, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen" (Luke 24:4-6).
They reminded them that Jesus said He would be crucified and rise on the third day (Luke 24:6-8).
Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James and others told the apostles, who thought it an idle tale (Luke 24:9-11).
Peter ran to the tomb, saw the linen cloths and went home wondering (Luke 24:12).
Jesus appeared to two disciples going to Emmaus and was known in the breaking of bread (Luke 24:13-35).
He appeared to the eleven, showed His hands and feet and ate fish before them (Luke 24:36-43).
He opened their minds to the scriptures and told them to wait for power from on high (Luke 24:44-49).
(b) Any three: Jesus truly rose and lives; God keeps His promises; women can be faithful witnesses; doubt can be overcome by evidence; believers will also rise; Christians must be witnesses.

Follow Luke 24 in order, then three lessons.

(a) After the ascension the apostles returned to Jerusalem and devoted themselves to prayer (Acts 1:12-14).
About 120 believers gathered; Peter stood up (Acts 1:15).
He said the scripture had to be fulfilled concerning Judas, who guided those who arrested Jesus (Acts 1:16-17).
Judas bought a field with his reward, fell headlong and died; the field is called Akeldama (Acts 1:18-19).
Peter quoted, "His office let another take" (Acts 1:20).
The new apostle must have been with them from John's baptism to the ascension, to be a witness to the resurrection (Acts 1:21-22).
Two were put forward: Joseph called Barsabbas (Justus) and Matthias (Acts 1:23).
They prayed for the Lord to show His choice and cast lots; the lot fell on Matthias (Acts 1:24-26).
(b) Any three: candidates should be qualified and of good character; elections should be free and fair; seek God's guidance through prayer; follow rules agreed in advance; accept the result peacefully; avoid bribery and violence.

Narrate Acts 1:12-26, then three guidelines.

(a) Seek the things that are above, where Christ is (Colossians 3:1-2).
You have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3).
Put to death immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire and covetousness (Colossians 3:5).
Put away anger, wrath, malice, slander and foul talk; do not lie (Colossians 3:8-9).
Put off the old nature and put on the new, renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator (Colossians 3:9-10).
No distinction of Greek or Jew, slave or free; Christ is all (Colossians 3:11).
Put on compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, patience; forgive one another; above all love (Colossians 3:12-14).
Let the peace and word of Christ dwell in you; sing with thankfulness; do everything in Jesus' name (Colossians 3:15-17).
(b) Any three: gossip and slander; tribalism and discrimination; greed and corruption; immorality; quarrelling and unforgiveness; pride; lying.

Outline Colossians 3:1-17, then three harmful practices.

(a) He commanded them to keep away from brothers living in idleness (2 Thessalonians 3:6).
He reminded them of his own example: he worked night and day so as not to burden anyone (2 Thessalonians 3:7-9).
He repeated his rule: "If any one will not work, let him not eat" (2 Thessalonians 3:10).
He rebuked the busybodies and commanded them to work quietly and earn their own living (2 Thessalonians 3:11-12).
He urged the others not to grow weary in well-doing (2 Thessalonians 3:13).
Those who disobey should be noted and avoided so they will be ashamed, but warned as brothers, not enemies (2 Thessalonians 3:14-15).
He had earlier urged them to work with their hands and be dependent on nobody (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12).
(b) Any three: to provide for oneself and family (1 Timothy 5:8); to avoid being a burden on others; to have something to give the needy (Ephesians 4:28); to earn respect of outsiders; to use God-given talents; to contribute to society; idleness leads to sin.

Explain 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15, then three reasons.

(a) Faith without works cannot save (James 2:14).
Wishing a needy brother well without helping him is useless (James 2:15-16).
Faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead (James 2:17).
Faith is shown by works: "I by my works will show you my faith" (James 2:18).
Even demons believe and shudder; belief alone is not enough (James 2:19).
Abraham was justified by works when he offered Isaac; faith worked with his works (James 2:21-23).
Rahab was justified by works when she received the spies (James 2:25).
As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead (James 2:26).
Be doers of the word, not hearers only (James 1:22).
(b) Any three: helping the poor and needy; visiting the sick, orphans and widows; honesty at work; controlling the tongue; forgiving others; obeying God's word; living a pure life.

Explain James 2:14-26, then three ways.

(a) Love one another earnestly from the heart (1 Peter 1:22).
Put away malice, guile, insincerity, envy and slander (1 Peter 2:1).
Servants be submissive to masters, even the overbearing (1 Peter 2:18).
Wives be submissive to husbands; husbands live considerately with wives (1 Peter 3:1-7).
All should have unity of spirit, sympathy, love of the brethren, a tender heart and a humble mind (1 Peter 3:8).
Do not return evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but bless (1 Peter 3:9).
Hold unfailing love for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8).
Practise hospitality without grumbling (1 Peter 4:9).
Use each gift to serve one another (1 Peter 4:10).
Elders tend the flock willingly; the young be subject to elders; all clothe themselves with humility (1 Peter 5:2-5).
(b) Any three: injustice and oppression; tribalism and religious intolerance; poverty and unemployment; greed and corruption; pride; misunderstanding and poor communication; struggle for power or land.

List Peter's teaching with references, then three causes of conflict.