CRE QUESTION PAPER AND MARKING SCHEME MODEL20241009001

Christian Religious Education Paper 1

Time: 2 ½ Hours

Instructions: Answer all questions.

1. Creation and Salvation:

(a) Identify seven expectations God has for humanity, based on the creation accounts in Genesis 1 and 2. (7 marks)

(b) What biblical evidence supports the assertion that God had a plan of salvation for humankind? (7 marks)

(c) Explain the significance of forgiveness to Christians. (6 marks)

2. Abraham, the Sinai Covenant, and God’s Law:

(a) What lessons did Abraham learn from God during his call (Genesis 12:1-9)? (7 marks)

(b) Identify eight conditions stipulated during the renewal of the Sinai Covenant. (8 marks)

(c) Give five reasons why Christians should live according to God’s laws. (5 marks)

3. Canaanite Religion and Idolatry:

(a) Briefly explain the major characteristics of the Canaanite religion. (5 marks)

(b) Describe the effects of the Israelites’ turning to idolatry in the Promised Land. (7 marks)

(c) Identify ways Kenyans may be tempted to engage in idolatry today. (8 marks)

4. Prophecy, Reform, and Social Evils:

(a) Identify the forms of punishment God, as prophesied by Amos, would inflict on Israel for rejecting Him. (7 marks)

(b) Describe the religious reforms King Josiah undertook during the time of Prophet Jeremiah. (7 marks)

(c) State six ways the church in Kenya can combat social evils. (6 marks)

5. Nehemiah, Jerusalem, and Reform in Kenya:

(a) Explain seven reasons why Nehemiah believed the Jews needed to separate themselves from foreigners. (7 marks)

(b) Give reasons why rebuilding the broken walls of Jerusalem was important. (5 marks)

(c) Why is it difficult to implement reforms in Kenya? (8 marks)

6. Traditional African Beliefs and Practices:

(a) Describe practices in traditional African communities that demonstrate a belief in life after death. (8 marks)

(b) Give six reasons why the naming ceremony is important in traditional African communities. (6 marks)

(c) Identify six ways conflicts are resolved in traditional African communities. (6 marks)

Marking Scheme

1. Creation and Salvation

1. (a) Identify seven expectations God has for humanity, based on the creation accounts in Genesis 1 and 2. (7 marks)
   • To marry and bear children.
   • To worship him and observe the Sabbath.
   • To tend/till/care for the garden of Eden.
   • To name the rest of God’s creation.
   • To obey his commandments.
   • To rest on the seventh day.
   • To take care of the environment.
2. (b) What biblical evidence supports the assertion that God had a plan of salvation for humankind? (7 marks)
   • He found where Adam and Eve were after they had sinned.
   • God provided them with clothes and a garden.
   • He called Abraham to save other nations through him.
   • He sent prophets to guide and direct his people in the right way.
   • He gave Moses the Ten Commandments to guide his people.
   • Jeremiah’s teachings on the new covenant show that he had a plan of saving mankind.
   • Through Old Testament prophets, he promised mankind a Messiah who would save them.
   • During the time of Noah, he did not destroy everybody; he spared him and his family.
   • He saved the Israelites from slavery in Egypt where they would have perished.
   • He spared a remnant after the exile in Babylon.
3. (c) Explain the significance of forgiveness to Christians. (6 marks)
   • It promotes peace and harmony among people/Christians.
   • It is a way of winning people to Christ.
   • It is a way of following the example of Christ.
   • For them to be forgiven by God, they should also forgive.
   • It is a way of showing love to others.
   • It strengthens relationships among people.
   • It is a way of tolerating others.

2. Abraham, the Sinai Covenant, and God’s Law

1. (a) What lessons did Abraham learn from God during his call (Genesis 12:1-9)? (7 marks)
   • God is the source of blessings.
   • God demands obedience.
   • God provides for his people.
   • God punishes evil.
   • God protects his people.
   • God is faithful to his people.
   • God chooses anybody to carry out his plans.
   • God is universal.
   • God saves.
2. (b) Identify eight conditions stipulated during the renewal of the Sinai Covenant. (8 marks)
   • Israelites were to obey God’s commandments.
   • They were to destroy the altars of idols in the land they were to occupy.
   • The Israelites were not to make treaties with other nations.
   • They were not to worship any idols.
   • They were to keep and observe all festivals, e.g., Passover.
   • They were to dedicate their firstborn children and male domestic animals to God.
   • They were to celebrate the harvest festival and the festival of shelters.
3. (c) Give five reasons why Christians should live according to God’s laws. (5 marks)
   • It helps Christians to keep off idolatry.
   • Laws help one to respect other people’s property.
   • Help Christians to avoid telling lies and accusing other people falsely.
   • Laws help Christians to escape God’s judgment.
   • Obedience to the laws enables Christians to respect life and not take it away.
   • By obeying laws, Christians receive blessings.

3. Canaanite Religion and Idolatry

1. (a) Briefly explain the major characteristics of the Canaanite religion. (7 marks)
   • Had idols made of carved images.
   • Had many gods and goddesses.
   • Had high places of worship.
   • Had temple prostitution.
   • Had priests, prophets, and prophetesses.
   • Had both human and animal sacrifices.
   • Had feasts and festivals.
   • The religion was based on nature and cyclic seasons.
   • Had a family of gods with El as the chief god and his son Baal.
2. (b) Describe the effects of the Israelites’ turning to idolatry in the Promised Land. (7 marks)
   • This led to syncretism.
   • God withdrew his blessing from Israel.
   • There was an emergence of false prophets.
   • People turned away from the covenant way of life.
   • Worship places for God were neglected and left in ruins.
   • Kings had short reigns characterized by coups.
   • Kings who did not know God oppressed Israelites.
   • Israelites were defeated in wars and taken to exile.
3. (c) Identify ways in which Kenyans may be tempted to engage in idolatry today. (8 marks)
   • The promise of wealth by devil worship.
   • The promise of power by witchcraft.
   • Cultism lures people into it.
   • Celebrities are often idolized.
   • The desire for pleasure lures youth into modern idolatry.
   • Careers and education are over-emphasized, even on worship days.

4. Prophecy, Reform, and Social Evils

1. (a) Identify the forms of punishment God, as prophesied by Amos, would inflict on Israel for rejecting Him. (7 marks)
   • They were to be invaded by Assyrians.
   • They were to be attacked by epidemics.
   • God would use earthquakes to destroy the houses of both the rich and the poor.
   • God would cover the land with darkness.
   • There would be divine silence as God would withdraw from the people.
   • They will be taken to exile in Syria.
   • Some people will be killed during the invasion.
2. (b) Describe the religious reforms King Josiah undertook during the time of Prophet Jeremiah. (7 marks)
   • He repaired the temple.
   • He led the Israelites in a national ceremony to renew the covenant faith.
   • He ordered the destruction of idols.
   • He eliminated all priests associated with false gods.
   • He cleared the temple of Jerusalem of all idols and objects of foreign worship.
   • He restored the Sabbath worship.
   • He ordered the Israelites to obey God’s commandments.
   • He led the Israelites in the Passover celebration in Jerusalem to honour Yahweh as required by the covenant laws.
3. (c) State six ways through which the church in Kenya can fight social evils. (6 marks)
   • Preaching the gospel for people to change.
   • By repenting.
   • Reporting evil doers to the authorities.
   • Carrying out guidance and counselling.
   • Punishing those who go against the rules.
   • Educating the youths on moral issues.
   • Being role models.
   • Helping the needy.

5. Nehemiah, Jerusalem, and Reform in Kenya

1. (a) Explain seven reasons why Nehemiah believed the Jews needed to separate themselves from foreigners. (7 marks)
   • To keep the Jewish community pure after exile through birth and religious loyalty.
   • Intermarriage led Jews to idolatry.
   • Intermarriage posed a threat through heritage.
   • The reformed exiles needed to be isolated and united because the Jews who had remained behind were defiled through intermarriage.
   • There were Jewish conflicts between post-exilic Jews and those who had remained behind over land ownership.
   • Judah was small and a vulnerable nation to the large Persian Empire, which needed to remain united.
   • The Jews were an ethnic minority who needed to preserve their identity.
2. (b) Give five reasons why rebuilding the broken walls of Jerusalem was important. (5 marks)
   • To symbolize the spiritual/physical restoration of the people of Israel from exile.
   • To signify a new beginning in the Israelite’s relationship with God.
   • To fulfil the prophecies of preserving the remnant.
   • To enhance the Israelites’ self-esteem.
   • To enhance physical security.
   • To remind the Israelites about their status as the chosen nation.
3. (c) Why is it difficult to implement reforms in Kenya? (8 marks)
   • Lack of political will by leaders.
   • Corruption.
   • Tribalism/nepotism.
   • Weak institutes to carry out meaningful reforms.
   • Many political parties with conflicting reform agendas.
   • Selfishness and lack of vision among the reformers.
   • Lack of finance.
   • Lack of patriotism among the leaders.

6. Traditional African Beliefs and Practices

1. (a) Describe practices in traditional African communities that demonstrate a belief in life after death. (8 marks)
   • Giving names to children.
   • Burying the dead with some property.
   • Taking care of the graveyards.
   • Fulfilling the wishes of the dead, i.e., the will they gave while alive.
   • Burying the dead with respect, e.g., washing their bodies.
   • Holding commemoration ceremonies.
   • Offering sacrifices to the dead.
   • Invoking the names of the dead during problems and important occasions.
   • Burying the dead in particular positions/ancestral land.
2. (b) Give six reasons why the naming ceremony is important in traditional African communities. (6 marks)
   • Thanksgiving for the new child.
   • As a sign of acceptance/full membership.
   • To remember important events in the society.
   • For blessing the child.
   • To show respect between the living and the dead.
   • To welcome the baby to the society.
   • To provide security to the child.
   • To bring unity to the people as they come together.
   • To give identity to the child.
3. (c) Identify six ways conflicts are resolved in traditional African communities. (6 marks)
   • Peace-making agreements.
   • Returning what had been taken/stolen.
   • Sharing of meals.
   • Encouraging payment of fines and compensation.
   • Taking reconciliatory oaths.
   • Encouraging marriage between warring parties.