The Importance of Christian Religious Education in Secondary Schools in Kenya

(a) Benefits of Learning Christian Religious Education in Secondary Schools in Kenya

Christian Religious Education offers a variety of advantages for learners:

• Spiritual Growth: It equips learners with an understanding of God, fostering spiritual growth.
• Life Skills: Students acquire essential life skills to effectively handle challenges in their lives.
• Respect for Diversity: CRE encourages respect for one’s own religion and that of others, promoting coexistence.
• Moral Values: Learners gain insight into fundamental principles and teachings essential for Christian living and moral values.
• National Unity: It helps students understand how to relate to others, contributing to national unity.
• Answers to Life’s Mysteries: The subject provides answers to profound questions and mysteries of life.
• Understanding Human Purpose: It explains the origin and purpose of human beings on earth.
• Career Opportunities: Finally, it can lead to various employment and career opportunities.

(7 x 1 = 7 marks)

(b) Versions of the Bible Used in Churches in Kenya

In Kenya, various versions of the Bible are utilized across churches, including:

• Revised Standard Version
• Living Bible
• Amplified Bible
• Jerusalem Bible
• New International Version
• King James Version
• The Gideon International
• New English Bible
• Common Bible
• Good News Bible

(5 x 1 = 5 marks)

(c) Results of Sin from the Genesis Stories of the Fall of Human Beings (Genesis 3:2-13)

The Genesis narrative of the fall highlights several consequences of sin:

• Death: All human beings were subject to death.
• Fear and Alienation: The friendship between humans and God shifted to fear, as God withdrew from their company.
• Shame and Guilt: Humans experienced shame and guilt, becoming aware of their nakedness.
• Subjugation: Women became subject to men.
• Pain: Human beings would experience pain in their lives.
• Toil for Survival: They would have to toil and struggle to eat and live.
• Disrupted Relationships: The good relationship between humans and wild animals was destroyed.
• Cursed Ground: The ground was cursed due to human actions.
• Murderous Feelings: A feeling of murder entered people’s hearts.
• Confusion of Language: Human language became confused.
• Expulsion: Human beings were expelled from the Garden of Eden.
• Destruction: The flood resulted in the destruction of humans, animals, and plants.

(8 x 1 = 8 marks)