CRE QUESTION PAPER 1 AND MARKING SCHEME MODEL20241109001

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CHRISTIAN RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

PAPER 1

TIME: 2 ½ HOURS

INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES

1. Answer any five questions.
2. All questions carry equal marks.

QUESTIONS

1. a) State five contributions of Christian Religion Education to the development of a student. (5 marks)
   b) Outline the effects of the translation of the Bible into local languages. (8 marks)
   c) Give seven reasons why God called Abraham. (7 marks)
2. a) Identify eight ways in which the Israelites worshipped God while they were in the wilderness. (8 marks)
   b) Why did the Old Testament prophets condemn the way the Israelites worshipped? (6 marks)
   c) Discuss the circumstances which led to the exile of the Israelites in Babylon. (6 marks)
3. a) What was the importance of the Ten Commandments to the Israelites? (8 marks)
   b) List the qualities of Moses shown during his call at Mt. Sinai. (7 marks)
   c) Give five challenges that Christians face while practising faith in Kenya. (5 marks)
4. a) Mention the circumstances under which the Mount Carmel contest took place. (5 marks)
   b) Show seven pieces of evidence that syncretism was evident in Israel during the time of Prophet Elijah. (7 marks)
   c) State eight teachings of Prophet Jeremiah on the new covenant. (8 marks)
5. a) Identify six problems experienced by Nehemiah as the Governor of Judah while rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem. (6 marks)
   b) Explain Amos’s teachings on Israel’s election. (7 marks)
   c) State the purpose of God’s judgment on the Israelites. (7 marks)
6. a) Explain the religious significance of the environment in Traditional African Communities. (8 marks)
   b) Give reasons why cleansing rituals were performed in Traditional African Communities. (5 marks)
   c) Explain different occasions when songs were used in Traditional African Communities. (7 marks)

MARKING SCHEME

1. Christian Religious Education Contributions and Biblical Translation

a) Contributions of C.R.E. to the Development of a Student (5 marks)

1. Creates awareness of God/spiritual development.
2. Leads to moral development in careers related to it (e.g., law and teaching).
3. Develops a positive attitude toward other faiths.
4. Offers logical solutions to daily social problems and guides in difficult situations.
5. Promotes social interactions.
6. Cultivates respect for God’s creation, the environment, and life.
7. Helps students understand and achieve the national goals of education (e.g., self-fulfilment or individual development).

b) Effects of the Translation of the Bible into Local Languages (8 marks)

1. This led to the development of local languages.
2. Spread the Gospel to local communities and beyond as communication improved.
3. Enabled local people to read and interpret the Bible in their own language.
4. Revealed biblical teachings on equality and discrepancies in missionary practices.
5. Exposed contradictions related to polygamy.
6. Increased demand for formal education.
7. Made Africans literate and able to communicate confidently.
8. Facilitated the learning of African languages by later missionaries.
9. Resulted in the establishment of printing presses and bookshops.

c) Reasons Why Abraham Was Called by God (7 marks)

1. To be the father of a great nation.
2. To initiate the salvation history of the Israelites.
3. To establish the worship of one God (monotheism).
4. To restore the broken relationship from the time of Adam.
5. To bring salvation and blessings to the Israelites.
6. To demonstrate faith, obedience, and trust.
7. To teach mankind about God’s mercy and love.

2. Worship and Exile of the Israelites

a) Ways the Israelites Worshipped God in the Wilderness (8 marks)

1. Built altars.
2. Offered sacrifices.
3. Sang songs and danced.
4. Said prayers.
5. Held festivals.
6. Gave offerings/tithes.
7. Constructed sacred places of worship (tabernacle/tent of meeting).
8. Observed the Sabbath day.
9. Burned incense and offered burnt offerings.

b) Reasons Old Testament Prophets Condemned Israelite Worship (6 marks)

1. Focus on external practices while their hearts were far from God (hypocrisy).
2. Disobedience to the Ten Commandments.
3. Commercialization of religion, where money could buy favors from God.
4. Forgetting God’s saving works and worshipping foreign gods (e.g., Baal, Ashera).
5. Neglect of the poor, widows, and orphans.
6. Belief in false prophets and practice of syncretism.

c) Circumstances Leading to the Exile of the Israelites in Babylon (6 marks)

1. The Babylonians became the most powerful nation.
2. Israelites forsook the covenant lifestyle; and corrupt leadership.
3. Idol worship and syncretism.
4. Intermarriage with non-Israelites.
5. Persecution of Yahweh’s prophets.
6. Refusal to repent.
7. Weak leadership.
8. Nebuchadnezzar’s victory over the Egyptians allowed Babylonian advances.
9. The capture of Judah and forced acceptance of Babylonian rule.
10. King Jehoakim’s sudden death during attempts to overthrow Babylon.

3. Importance of the Ten Commandments and Qualities of Moses

a) Importance of the Ten Commandments to the Israelites (8 marks)

1. Guided them against foreign cultures.
2. Instructed them in the covenant way of life.
3. Directed their relationship with God.
4. Taught respect for others’ property.
5. Promoted respect for life.
6. Encouraged good relationships with others.
7. Motivated hard work and discouraged coveting.
8. Reminded them to observe the Sabbath, even in Canaan.

b) Qualities of Moses During His Call at Mt. Sinai (7 marks)

1. Carefulness.
2. Inquisitiveness.
3. Respect.
4. Patience.
5. Obedience.
6. Wisdom.
7. Courage.
8. Humility.

c) Challenges Christians Face While Practicing Faith in Kenya Today (5 marks)

1. Emergence of splinter groups within the church.
2. Rise of cults practising ungodly activities.
3. Emphasis on materialism by churches.
4. Lack of role models among leaders.
5. Conflicts between leaders and church members.
6. Misuse of resources by leaders.
7. State-church conflicts.
8. Confusion due to differing biblical interpretations.
9. Discrimination in leader-member relationships.
10. Negative effects of mass media and modern technology.

4. Mount Carmel Contest and Prophet Elijah

a) Circumstances of the Mount Carmel Contest (5 marks)

1. Ahab married Jezebel, introducing foreign god worship in Israel.
2. Ahab built a temple for Baal in Samaria.
3. A prolonged drought threatened Israel.
4. Jezebel ordered the killing of Yahweh’s prophets.
5. Israel strayed from Yahweh’s worship.
6. Religious syncretism became prevalent.
7. Elijah was sent by God to prove the truth about Yahweh.

b) Evidence of Syncretism in Israel During Elijah’s Time (7 marks)

1. Worship of Yahweh alongside other gods.
2. Conversion of Canaanite worship sites to Yahweh’s worship.
3. Adoption of Canaanite agricultural calendars by Israelites.
4. Use of Canaanite god names as substitutes for Yahweh.
5. Parents naming children after Baal.
6. Incorporation of Canaanite sacrificial systems into Israelite worship.
7. Adoption of festivals linked to agricultural life.

c) Teachings of Prophet Jeremiah on the New Covenant (8 marks)

1. God’s law is written in people’s hearts, not on stone tablets.
2. Personal knowledge and experience of God for everyone.
3. Spontaneous forgiveness of sin.
4. Individual responsibility for sin.
5. The universality of the covenant.
6. Fulfillment through the promised Messiah.
7. Sealed by the blood of Jesus.
8. Restoration of the broken covenant relationship with Israel.

5. Nehemiah’s Challenges and Amos’s Teachings

a) Problems Faced by Nehemiah as Governor of Judah (6 marks)

1. Opposition from Sanballat and demoralization of builders.
2. Plots against his life.
3. Traps to hide in the temple.
4. Hostility from local people not involved in the project.
5. Accusations of treason.
6. Exploitation of the poor by nobles.
7. Lack of cooperation from some builders.
8. Starvation and poverty due to focus on rebuilding over farming.

b) Teaching of Amos on Israel’s Election (7 marks)

1. Israelites as God’s chosen people.
2. Chosen to serve Him.
3. Expected to live according to the covenant and set an example.
4. Called to lead holy lives.
5. Delivered from Egyptian bondage.
6. God destroyed enemies in the wilderness.
7. Prophets and Nazarites were raised among them.
8. Being chosen meant responsibility, not privilege.
9. A reminder of their moral obligation to uphold the covenant.
10. No exemption from God’s anger.

c) Purpose of God’s Judgment on the Israelites (7 marks)

1. To correct them.
2. To encourage repentance and a return to God.
3. To restore the covenant relationship.
4. To demonstrate God’s love and mercy.
5. To show God’s control over historical events.
6. To reveal His power over nature through punishment.
7. To illustrate that He is a universal God.
8. To warn other nations of impending judgment.
9. To remind His people of His will.
10. To fulfil His plan of salvation.

6. Religious Significance of Environment in Traditional African Communities

a) Religious Significance of the Environment (8 marks)

1. The environment is sacred as God’s creation.
2. It is a gift from God.
3. Oaths are taken using soil as a symbol of the land.
4. Certain places (mountains, forests) are set aside as sacred.
5. Totemic animals and birds are revered.
6. The environment reflects the relationship between God and the people.
7. Religious obligation to care for the environment.
8. Nature reveals God’s characteristics (e.g., thunder).
9. Rites of passage are connected to the environment.
10. God communicates through environmental signs.

b) Reasons for Cleansing Rituals (5 marks)

1. To forgive wrongdoers of their sins.
2. To protect individuals and communities from repercussions.
3. To maintain good relationships in the community.
4. For purification of those deemed unclean.
5. Part of rites of passage.
6. To prepare the deceased for a new life.
7. To rid communities of evil and send away spirits.
8. To protect against calamities.

c) Occasions for Songs in Traditional African Communities (7 marks)

1. Sung during festive seasons for happiness.
2. During marriage ceremonies to praise the couple.
3. At burials to comfort mourners.
4. During initiation to drive away evil.
5. While passing time among elders.
6. Lullabies are sung to help babies sleep.
7. To praise and encourage warriors.
8. While working to pass the time.
9. Songs transmit historical facts and heroic characters.