Christian Religious Education

Paper 1

Time: 2 ½ hours

Instructions:

• Answer all questions.

1.

(a) Give reasons why Christians read the Bible.
(8 marks)

(b) Regarding the Genesis stories of creation in chapters 1 and 2, outline the attributes of God.
(7 marks)

(c) What are the consequences of breaking taboos in traditional African communities?
(5 marks)

2.

(a) How did God prepare the Israelites for making the Mt. Sinai covenant?
(8 marks)

(b) Give six reasons why the Israelites broke the covenant while at Mt. Sinai.
(6 marks)

(c) State the lesson learned about the nature of God from the Exodus.
(6 marks)

3.

(a) State seven functions of the temple in the Jewish community.
(7 marks)

(b) Identify six ways that show King Solomon turned away from the covenant way of life.
(6 marks)

(c) Give seven factors that have led to increased Christian denominations in Kenya today.
(7 marks)

4.

(a) Give four reasons why Prophet Amos was against the way the Israelites worshipped God.
(8 marks)

(b) State six ways God punished Israel for her evils according to Prophet Amos.
(6 marks)

(c) How does the church in Kenya punish errant members?
(6 marks)

5.

(a) Outline six rituals performed during the birth of a baby in traditional African communities.
(6 marks)

(b) Give six reasons why children are important in traditional African communities.
(6 marks)

(c) Explain four ways children are made responsible members in traditional African communities.
(8 marks)

6.

(a) Explain the importance of rituals performed during a naming ceremony in traditional African communities.
(10 marks)

(b) Identify the moral values acquired during marriage in traditional African communities.
(5 marks)

(c) Why is death feared in traditional African communities?
(5 marks)

Marking Scheme

1. (a) Reasons why Christians read the Bible. (8 marks)

• It provides Christians with moral values.
• It is a source of spirituality.
• It is used in Christian worship.
• It inspires them/hope.
• It helps them understand their relationship with God.
• It is a source of Christian beliefs/practices.
• It reveals God to them and helps them understand His will.
• It is a source of knowledge.
• It is the word of God, inspired by God.

Any 4 x 2 = 8 marks

(b) Attributes of God as portrayed in Genesis stories of creation. (7 marks)

• God is all-powerful (omnipotent).
• God is a God of order (orderly/perfect).
• He is everywhere (omnipresent).
• He is the provider/sustainer.
• He is the creator.
• He is all-knowing (omniscient).
• He commands moral authority.
• He is loving.
• He is everlasting (self-existent).
• He is a spirit.
• God is the source of goodness.
• God is holy.

Any 7 x 1 = 7 marks

(c) Consequences of breaking taboos in traditional African communities. (5 marks)

• Paying a fine.
• Excommunication/banishment/ostracism/exile.
• Punishment/ridicule/pain to the body.
• Being killed.
• Undergoing rituals for cleansing.
• Making sacrifices to appease ancestors/God/spirit.
• Offering compensation.
• Being cursed/mysterious happenings.
• Denial of privileges.

Any 5 x 1 = 5 marks

2. (a) How God prepared the Israelites for the making of the covenant at Mt. Sinai. (8 marks)

• God instructed Moses to remind the Israelites of how He brought them out of Egypt.
• He expressed His desire to make a special relationship with Israel, making them a kingdom of priests.
• Moses communicated God’s message to all the leaders.
• God wanted the Israelites to obey Him.
• The Israelites promised to do all that the Lord had said.
• God promised to come down and meet with the people on the third day.
• The people were to abstain from sexual relationships.
• On the third day, there was a thick cloud upon the mountain, a loud trumpet blast, and an earthquake.
• Moses led the people out of the camp to meet God at the foot of the mountain.
• The Lord came down to the top of the mountain and called Moses to Him.

Any 8 x 1 = 8 marks

(b) Reasons why the Israelites broke the covenant while at Mt. Sinai. (6 marks)

• Moses delayed in coming down from the mountain.
• Aaron, left in charge, was a weak leader.
• The people demanded a god they could see/feel.
• They were influenced by Egyptian worship/idolatry.
• Moses’ teaching had faded from their minds.
• They lost faith in their invisible God.

Any 6 x 1 = 6 marks

(c) Lessons learned by Christians about the nature of God from the Exodus. (6 marks)

• God is caring.
• He is patient.
• He communicates.
• He is merciful.
• He provides.
• He is jealous.
• He is powerful.
• He is faithful.
• He guides.
• He protects.
• He commands.
• He punishes those who disobey Him.
• He is holy.

Any 6 x 1 = 6 marks

3. (a) The functions of the temple in the Jewish community. (7 marks)

• It was used for worship/prayers.
• It was the place where the law was taught to children/people.
• Priests burnt sacrifices and offered incense in the temple.
• It served as a home for priests and a residential for Levites.
• Purification rituals were conducted there.
• Dedication/presentation of babies was carried out in the temple.
• It was a commercial centre for Jews.
• The Jewish council (Sanhedrin) held their sessions here.
• All Jewish festivals were celebrated here.

Any 7 x 1 = 7 marks

(b) Ways which show that King Solomon turned away from the covenant way of life. (6 marks)

• He married foreign wives/concubines.
• He allowed the worship of foreign gods/idols.
• He murdered his half-brother Adonijah, fearing rivalry.
• He heavily taxed the Israelites for his upkeep.
• He disobeyed his father David’s instructions to rely on God.
• He built places of worship for false gods.
• He signed treaties with neighbouring kingdoms for protection.
• He sold land to Hiram, king of Tyre.
• He spent more time building his palace than the temple of God.

Any 6 x 1 = 6 marks

(c) Factors that have led to increased Christian denominations in Kenya. (7 marks)

• Rivalry for leadership/hunger for power.
• Differences in biblical interpretation.
• Resistance to change among older church members.
• Material gain and greed where establishing a church has become a business.
• Poor role models among leaders.
• Nepotism/tribalism/racialism among Christians.
• The Kenyan constitution allows freedom of worship, leading to disagreements on ethical issues.

Any 7 x 1 = 7 marks

4. (a) Reasons why Amos was against the worship of God in Israel. (8 marks)

• The Israelites neglected God and worshipped idols.
• They practised insincere worship and lacked inner faith.
• Worshippers mistreated fellow Israelites, contrary to God’s teachings.
• They practised syncretism, worshipping both God and Baal.
• They were impatient during worship, wanting to return to their businesses.
• Sacrifices were given as a show of pride, not love for God.
• They held many ceremonial festivals.
• They disrespected God’s name through sexual immorality.
• They defiled places of worship with drinking.
• They built high places for foreign gods.

Any 4 x 2 = 8 marks

(b) Ways in which God punished Israel for her evils according to Prophet Amos. (6 marks)

• Israel would be surrounded by an enemy nation.
• The Israelites would face exile.
• Amaziah, the priest/king, would die by the sword.
• The holy place of worship would be destroyed.
• The land would experience a hunger/thirst for the word of God.
• God would cover the land with total darkness.
• There would be earthquakes.

Any 6 x 1 = 6 marks

(c) How the church punishes errant members. (6 marks)

• The church suspends them.
• They may be denied participation in church activities.
• They may be denied leadership positions or demoted.
• They may be publicly condemned and asked to repent.
• They may receive warnings.
• Some may be transferred to less desirable areas.
• They may lose their jobs.
• They may be excommunicated.
• They may have to pay fines.

Any 6 x 1 = 6 marks

5. (a) The promises that Israelites made when they renewed their covenant with God during Nehemiah. (8 marks)

• They promised to live according to God’s law and obey His commandments.
• They would not intermarry with foreigners.
• They agreed not to farm every seventh year and to cancel debts.
• They committed to making annual contributions for temple expenses.
• They would provide wood for burning sacrifices.
• They would offer the first fruits of their harvest and dedicate their firstborn.
• They would pay their tithes according to the law.
• They would not conduct business on the Sabbath day.

Any 4 x 2 = 8 marks

(b) The final reforms carried out by Nehemiah to restore the worship of God in Judah. (6 marks)

• Cleansing of the temple.
• Reinstatement of Levites and other temple workers.
• Closure of Jerusalem for proper Sabbath observance.
• Separation of Jews from foreigners.
• Purifying the priesthood.
• Expelling Tobiah’s household from the temple chambers.
• Returning the vessels of the house of God.
• Appointing treasurers over the storehouse.
• Stopping buying and selling on the Sabbath day.
• Ending mixed marriages with foreigners.

Any 6 x 1 = 6 marks

(c) The problems that Christian leaders face in their work today. (8 marks)

• Opposition from political leaders/society.
• Lack of cooperation and unity among church members.
• False prophets and cult affiliations.
• Misinterpretation of scripture.
• Drug abuse among members.
• Insufficient time for pastoral care.
• Poor infrastructure limiting outreach.
• Insecurity in some regions.
• Lack of resources for spreading the gospel.
• Inadequate professional training.

Any 4 x 2 = 8 marks

6. (a) The importance of rituals performed during naming in traditional African communities. (10 marks)

• Bathing the baby symbolizes the beginning of a new life.
• Shaving the mother and baby’s hair signifies a new status.
• Choosing an appropriate name incorporates the baby into society and honours ancestors.
• Feeding the baby symbolizes growth and sustenance.
• Holding the baby by community members expresses shared responsibility.
• Saying prayers or blessings signifies long life and protection.
• Slaughtering an animal is an act of thanksgiving to ancestors/God.
• Feasting symbolizes joy and acceptance of the baby.
• Giving presents to the mother signifies goodwill and ownership.
• Wearing charms signifies protection for the baby and mother.

Any 5 x 2 = 10 marks

(b) Moral values acquired during marriage in traditional African communities. (5 marks)

• Faithfulness/loyalty/obedience.
• Respect/courtesy.
• Responsibility/hard work.
• Hospitality/kindness.
• Tolerance/perseverance/endurance/patience.
• Love.
• Cooperation/unity.
• Humility.
• Honesty.
• Integrity.
• Courage.

Any 5 x 1 = 5 marks

(c) Reasons why death is feared in traditional African communities. (5 marks)

• It disrupts the rhythm of human life/activities.
• It is irrevocable and inescapable.
• It brings impurity to the family.
• It deprives the community of the individual.
• It involves many rituals.
• It comes unexpectedly.
• It separates loved ones and marks the end of earthly life.
• It obscures knowledge of life after death.
• It may cause misunderstandings within the community.
• Death rites reveal individuals’ characteristics.
• It can bring poverty to the affected family.

Any 5 x 1 = 5 marks