CRE Paper 1 Questions and Answers - Kapsabet Mocks 2020/2021

1.  
   1. Explain the circumstances which made the early Christians to put into writing the oral traditions about the life and teachings of Jesus a few years after his ascension. [7marks]
   2. Outline seven teachings about marriage from the creation accounts in Genesis chapter 1 and 2 [7marks]
   3. Give six reasons why Christians use songs as a way of spreading the word of God today. [6marks]
2.  
   1. What instructions did God give to Abraham on circumcision? [5 Marks]
   2. State eight similarities between the Jewish and African practice on circumcision [8 Marks]
   3. Explain the relevance of God’s promises to Abraham to Christians today. [7 Marks]
3.  
   1. Identify eight ways through which King David demonstrated his faith in God. [8 Marks]
   2. From the stories of King Saul and King David, state six characteristics of Israelite Kings in accordance with Yahweh’s expectations. [6 Marks]
   3. Give lessons modern leaders can learn from the failures of King Solomon. [6 Marks]
4.  
   1. Identify five characteristics of false prophets in the Old Testament. [5Marks]
   2. Explain the evils that prophet Amos condemned against foreign nations surrounding Israel. [8Marks]
   3. State seven reasons which render the way some Christians worship unacceptable before God. [7Marks]
5.  
   1. Describe seven teachings of prophet Jeremiah on hope and restoration of Israel. [7Marks]
   2. Give the promises which the Israelites made during the renewal of the covenant under Nehemiah [7Marks]
   3. State the reasons why Nehemiah carried out religious reforms in Judah. [6Marks]
6.  
   1. Describe the characteristics of divinities in traditional African communities [6Marks]
   2. How are ancestors venerated in traditional African communities? [8Marks]
   3. What factors have undermined veneration of ancestors in African communities today? [6Marks]

Marking Scheme

1.  
   1. Explain the circumstances which made the early Christians to put into writing the oral traditions about the life and teachings of Jesus a few years after his ascension.
      • There was need to preserve information from eyewitnesses as the first disciples were being killed
      • The large number of new converts necessitated instructions on fundamental Christian doctrines
      • The authors needed to preserve information when they realized that end time was not imminent as they thought.
      • When Christianity expanded, problems arose which needed solution from knowledgeable leaders
      • There was need to teach the same doctrines to all Christians
      • The early Christians wanted to counteract false doctrines
      • In order to evangelize the Christians who were spread in other parts of the world.
      • In order to preserve an orderly account of Biblical themes. [7x1=7mks]
   2. Outline seven teachings about marriage from the creation accounts in Genesis chapter 1 and 2
      • Marriage is ordained by God
      • It is between a man and a woman
      • Marriage is a covenant/permanent
      • It is for procreation
      • It is a continuation of God’s work of creation
      • Man and woman complement each other/Help each other
      • Husband and wife should not be ashamed of each other
      • Marriage is for companionship
      • Marriage is for love
        [7x1=7mks]
   3. Give six reasons why Christians use songs as a way of spreading the word of God today.
      • In order to attract attention of the audience
      • It is a way of entertaining the people/remove boredom
      • In order to showcase their talents/to develop their talents
      • They follow the Biblical examples in which psalms were used
      • As a way of teaching the people/pass information on Biblical teachings
      • To set stage for the preacher to deliver the word of God/create an atmosphere of expectation
      • Songs are used to teach moral values/Good behavior
      • Christians are inspired by God to compose/sing songs
      • Make the people participate by singing along [6x1=6mks]
2.  
   1. What instructions did God give to Abraham on circumcision?
      • Every male child in Abraham’s family was to be circumcised
      • Circumcision was to be done in the flesh of the foreskin
      • Circumcision would be a sign of an everlasting covenant between God and Abraham
      • The male child was to be circumcised when he is eight days old.
      • He who was born in his house or bought with money from any foreigner would be circumcised
      • The rite was to be kept throughout all generations as a sign of an everlasting covenant
      • Any uncircumcised male would be cut off from his people because he has broken God’s covenant
        [5x1=5mks]
   2. State eight similarities between the Jewish and African practice on circumcision [8mks]
      • In both circumcision on male children
      • There is cutting of the foreskin in both
      • In both circumcision is compulsory/pass on from one generation to another
      • It is a mark of identity of a person to a particular community
      • In both circumcision has a religious significance
      • The practice makes one a member of the community
      • Operation is carried out by special people/religious leaders in both communities
      • In both circumcision unites members to the ancestors
      • In both cases the ritual is a communal affair
      • In both cases the initiates receive new names
        [8x1=8mks]
   3. Explain the relevance of God’s promises to Abraham to Christians today.
      • The promises are part of God’s plan of salvation
      • Through Abraham Christians receive the blessings of God
      • Christians are assured of God’s protection as the spiritual descendants of Abraham
      • Just as Abraham’s descendants were promised land Christians are given assurance of eternal life/a home in heaven
      • Christians view themselves a great nation of God/New Israel as promised to Abraham.
      • Through faith/obedience to God Christians become acceptable to him as Abraham become God’s friend
      • Just as Abraham had a personal relationship with so do Christians have a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ
      • Christians have an everlasting covenant with God through Jesus who is a descendant of Abraham
      • Christians are assured of God’s providence as promised to Abraham
      • Christians learn to be patient for God to fulfill his promises as Abraham was patient
        [7x1=7mks]
3.  
   1. Identify eight ways through which King David demonstrated his faith in God.
      • King David composed psalms which were used in worship of God/sang praises to God
      • He sought advice from God through prophet Nathan whenever he wanted to do anything
      • He obeyed the prophets of Yahweh/obeyed God’s instructions delivered through the prophets
      • He made preparations for the building of the Temple of God by assembling materials
      • He demonstrated faith in God by challenging and killing Goliath using a sling and a stone
      • King David gave credit/praises to God for his achievements
      • He repented when he sinned/accepted God’s punishment for his sins
      • He prayed to God/fasted as a demonstration of his faith
      • King David offered sacrifices to God
      • He advised others to obey God’s law/Advised Solomon to obey Mosaic law
        [8x1=8mks]
   2. From the stories of King Saul and King David, state six characteristics of Israelite Kings.
      • Kings were chosen by God himself
      • They had to obey the law/not above the law
      • Kings were not allowed to mistreat citizens/uphold the covenant brotherhood
      • Kingship was not hereditary but a King was appointed according to his charisma
      • Kings had to acknowledge the overall headship of Yahweh
      • Kings had to consult/seek advice form religious leaders
      • They were filled with the spirit of God
      • Kings would be punished by God when they erred
      • Success of the Kings was based on loyalty to God/Kings were custodians were mosaic law
        [8x1=8mks]
   3. Give lessons modern leaders can learn from the failures of King Solomon.
      • Leaders should obey God/Have faith in God
      • They should worship only one God
      • Leaders should be morally upright/Be people of high integrity
      • They should treat their subjects with justice/should not oppress the people
      • Leaders should make proper use of national resources/should not be extravagant
      • Should protect territorial integrity of the nation
      • They should not be influenced to do what is wrong by others
        [6x1=6mks]
4.  
   1. Identify five characteristics of false prophets in the Old Testament.
      • False prophets were not called by God
      • Their prophecies did not come to pass/They lied to the people
      • They gave false hopes to the people
      • They did not lead exemplary lives/were hypocrites
      • False prophets taught doctrines that were contrary to the covenant way
      • They spoke what people wanted to hear/wanted to please the people/Didn’t condemn evil practices
      • They asked for payment for their services/prophesied for material gains
      • They were not ready to suffer for the truth
      • Undermined the work of true prophets
      • They wanted to please Kings and told them what they wanted to hear even if it was not the will of God.
        [5x1=5mks]
   2. Explain the evils which prophet Amos condemned against foreign nations surrounding Israel.
      • Damascus (Syria) is condemned for mistreatment of prisoners of war/Savage cruelty against Gilead
      • Gaza/Philistia) condemned for carrying a whole people into slavery
      • Tyre (Phoenicia) carried other people to exile in violation of a covenant brotherhood
      • Edom is condemned for pursuing/attacking the Israelites with the sword, and not showing any pity
      • Ammon ripped open pregnant women in order to expand their territory
      • Moab is condemned for committing sacrilege through burning of bones of an enemy King to lime
        [4x2=8mks correct nation and correct crime committed to earn to 2mks]
   3. State seven reasons which render the way some Christians worship unacceptable before God
      • People are insincere in their worship/lack inner faith
      • Some worshippers do so in order to show off/to impress the others
      • There are people who are hypocrites/They disobey God/Engage in sexual immorality
      • Copying of secular music/syncretism
      • Songs used primarily to entertain the people instead of praising God
      • Commercialization of worship/doing it for material gains
      • Using he opportunity to give false prophecy
      • Worshippers may be scantily clad/inappropriately dressed
      • Overdoing certain acts of worship at the expense of others
        [7x1=7mks]
5.  
   1. Describe seven teachings of prophet Jeremiah on hope and restoration of Israel.
      1. The Israelites would return home from exile
      2. They will be in exile for seventy years then regain freedom
      3. God would restore their land
      4. God will break the power of those who enslaved them/they will never be slaves again
      5. The city of Jerusalem will be rebuilt
      6. The Israelites will plant vineyards on mountains of Samaria and eat from them /Their land will become productive
      7. The Israelites will become many/multiply
      8. There will be peace and security in Israel/mourning will be turned into joy.
      9. Israel will be ruled by a righteous King from the house of David
      10. God will be their God and they will be his people
      11. The Israelites will dwell in Zion forever
      12. The Kingdoms of Judah and Israel will be reunited
      13. God will make a new covenant with them
          [7x1=7mks]
   2. Give the promises which the Israelites made during the renewal of the covenant under Nehemiah
      • To live according to God’s law/obey the commandments
      • To cancel debts every seventh year/Not to farm every seventh year
      • They would not intermarry with foreigners living in the land
      • They would contribute to annual Temple expenses/ensure that the Temple was not neglected
      • Arrange for provision of wood for burnt offering as per the law
      • They would offer first fruits of the crops/dedicate their firstborns/flocks
      • To pay tithes as per the law
      • Observe the Sabbath/Not to do business on the Sabbath
        [7x1=7mks]
   3. State the reasons why Nehemiah carried out religious reforms in Judah.
      • To preserve the identity of the Israelites as the people of God
      • To separate the Jews form foreign influence
      • To purify the Temple which had been defiled by foreigners
      • To reinstate the services of the Levites and priests in the temple
      • To restore the tithing system which had been neglected
      • To end violation of the Sabbath law
      • In order to cleanse the Jews who had intermarried with foreigner
      • To restore the true worship of God
        [6x1=6mks]
6.  
   1. Describe the characteristics of divinities in traditional African communities
      • Divinities are created by God
      • They are less powerful than God/Subordinate to God
      • Divinities are given functions to perform by the Supreme Being
      • They personify God’s activities on earth/Manifest the activities of God on earth
      • Divinities are intermediaries between God and human beings
      • They are invisible
      • They are more powerful than human beings
      • They are associated with natural phenomena
      • In charge of provision of human needs such as wealth/fertility /medicine
        [6x1=6mks]
   2. How are ancestors venerated in traditional African communities?
      • Through naming of children after them
      • By making libations in honour of them
      • Praying to God through them
      • Taking care of their graves/Building tombs for them
      • Inviting ancestors during major functions/ceremonies
      • Invoking/chanting/reciting their names
      • Teaching children about them
      • Holding commemoration ceremonies in honour of them
      • Offering sacrifices/giving offerings to them
        [8x1=8mks]
   3. What factors have undermined veneration of ancestors in African communities today?
      • Introduction of Christianity/foreign religions
      • Formal education has changed people’s perspective
      • Influence of foreign culture
      • Migration has alienated people from their community
      • Urbanization has made people cut links with their homeland
      • Weakening of kinship ties/Loss of traditions
        [6x1=6mks]