JAMB Christian Religious Knowledge 2019 Past Questions & Answers

This statement is from the story of David and Bathsheba in 2 Samuel 11. After David committed adultery with Bathsheba, he arranged for her husband, Uriah the Hittite, to be killed on the battlefield. When the messenger brought news of Uriah's death, David said this to pretend that the death was just a normal, random casualty of war, in order to cover up his sin.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose Saul, as his death in battle was a major event during David's life, but David's reaction to Saul's death was one of great sorrow and mourning, not this cold statement.

This statement is found in 2 Samuel 11:25. After David committed adultery with Bathsheba, he arranged for her husband, Uriah, to be placed in the front line of a fierce battle to be killed. When the news of Uriah's death reached him, David made this comment to the messenger to pretend that it was just a normal, unfortunate event of war. This incident is a major event during King David's reign, highlighting his sin and abuse of power.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose Joab because he was the army commander who received David's order to have Uriah killed, confusing the agent of the plot with the victim.

This question is about a key event during King David's reign as he united Israel. According to the Bible in 2 Samuel chapter 3, after Joab killed Abner, David wanted to prove his innocence and show he had truly forgiven his former rival. By publicly weeping and fasting, David demonstrated his personal grief and sincere sorrow, which convinced the people he had no hand in the murder.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose option B because David did order an honourable burial for Abner, but the weeping and fasting was a more personal and emotional act that directly showed his sincere forgiveness.

This question refers to the consequences of David's sin with Bathsheba, a key event during his reign. The biblical account in 2 Samuel 12:20 states that after the child died, David got up from the ground, washed, anointed himself, changed his clothes, and went to the house of the Lord to worship. This showed his acceptance of God's judgement and his submission to God's will.

Common mistake: Students often mistakenly choose option A because they remember David fasting and praying, but they forget that he did this only while the child was still alive, not after he had died.

This question is based on James $5:17-18$. In this passage, James is teaching about the power of effective prayer and uses the prophet Elijah as an example of a righteous man whose prayers were answered by God. He points out that Elijah was a human being just like us, yet when he prayed earnestly for it not to rain, it did not rain for three and a half years, and when he prayed again, the heavens gave rain.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose Jesus Christ because He is the ultimate example of righteousness and prayer, but the book of James specifically names the prophet Elijah in this particular passage.

The correct answer is 'intercession', which is the special term for the act of praying on behalf of other people. This practice is a core part of Christian conduct, as it shows love and concern for others, which are key virtues taught throughout the New Testament. The Epistles, in particular, encourage believers to make intercession for everyone, including leaders and fellow Christians.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose 'interceding' because it is the verb form of the correct answer, but the sentence structure 'prayer of...' requires a noun.

This question is a direct quote from the book of James, chapter 5, verse 15. The passage teaches Christians how to care for the sick in their community, stating that a prayer offered with genuine faith will lead to healing and forgiveness. Therefore, 'faith' is the correct word, as it is the essential Christian virtue that makes the prayer powerful and effective.

Common mistake: Students may wrongly choose 'intercession' because praying for a sick person is an act of intercession, but the biblical text specifically emphasizes 'faith' as the key quality that makes the prayer work.

Prophet Elijah is famously known for his powerful prayers in the Bible, which demonstrated God's power. The most popular example is on Mount Carmel, where he challenged the prophets of Baal. Elijah prayed to God, and God answered by sending fire from heaven to consume the sacrifice, proving His supremacy over false gods.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose Elisha because he was Elijah's successor and also a powerful prophet, but Elijah is the one specifically renowned for the dramatic prayer contest on Mount Carmel.

The correct option is 'cheerful' because this reflects the biblical principle found in 2 Corinthians 9:7, which states that 'God loves a cheerful giver'. Although this verse speaks specifically about financial giving, the principle of having a willing and happy heart applies to all acts of worship, including prayer. Therefore, approaching God in prayer with a cheerful attitude, not a grudging or sad one, is believed to make our communication with Him more effective and pleasing.

Common mistake: Students may mistakenly choose 'careful', thinking that prayers must be worded cautiously, but the question focuses on the spiritual attitude of the heart rather than the technical correctness of the prayer.

This question refers to the specific instructions Jesus gave when He first sent out the twelve disciples in Matthew chapter 10. In verses $5-6$, Jesus explicitly commanded them not to go to the Gentiles or Samaritans. Instead, He told them to 'go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel,' which means their mission at that time was only to the Jews.

Common mistake: Students often mistakenly choose 'the Gentiles and Samaritans' because they confuse this initial, limited mission with the later Great Commission where Jesus sent his followers to all nations.

This question is taken directly from the Gospel of Luke 10:25, where a lawyer stands up to test Jesus. The lawyer's question, 'Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?', is a direct inquiry about Jesus' core teachings. This interaction leads Jesus to tell the famous Parable of the Good Samaritan to explain the concept of 'neighbor', which is central to His teachings on love and salvation.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose 'A Pharisee' because Pharisees were well-known for frequently testing Jesus, but the Bible specifically identifies the questioner in this particular story as a lawyer.

The Bible records that Jesus called a man named Levi, who was sitting at his tax booth, to follow Him. Levi, who is also known as Matthew, immediately left his job as a tax collector to become one of Jesus' twelve disciples. This story, found in Gospels like Mark 2 and Luke 5, shows that Jesus' call to discipleship is open to everyone, regardless of their past profession.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose Judas Iscariot because he is a very famous disciple who handled the group's money, but he was their treasurer, not a tax collector before he was called.

This question is about the specific mission Jesus gave to the seventy disciples as recorded in Luke's Gospel. While the twelve apostles were sent primarily to the Jews, the mission of the seventy is understood as a special assignment foreshadowing the future mission to the Gentiles (non-Jews). This is why their mission is identified as being to Gentile cities, representing the expansion of the gospel to all nations.

Common mistake: Many students mistakenly choose option A because Luke 10:1 literally states Jesus sent them to every town he was about to visit, but this question focuses on the symbolic significance of the seventy's mission as distinct from the twelve's.

The question tests your knowledge of the original twelve apostles chosen by Jesus. The correct option is Mark because he was not one of them. The lists in the Gospels $(e.g., Matthew 10:2-4)$ include Thaddeus, Matthew, and Simon the Zealot. Although Mark was a very important figure in the early church and the writer of the Gospel of Mark, he was a later follower and not part of the original twelve.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose Thaddeus because his name is less familiar than the others, and he is sometimes referred to by a different name (Jude) in the Bible.

This statement is a direct quote from the book of Hosea, specifically chapter 6, verse 6. The prophet Hosea's main message was to condemn Israel for its spiritual unfaithfulness and its focus on empty religious rituals. He taught that God valued a genuine, loving relationship and true knowledge of Him far more than outward acts of worship like sacrifices and burnt offerings.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose Isaiah because he also spoke against meaningless sacrifices, but this specific quote and its emphasis on 'steadfast love' is the central and most famous theme of Hosea's prophecy.

The correct answer is 'steadfast' because it means firm, constant, and unwavering. In Christian teaching, Divine Love, which is God's love for humanity, is described as being completely reliable and never-failing. Unlike human emotions that can change, God's love is always present and consistent, which is perfectly captured by the word 'steadfast'.

Common mistake: A student might be confused by the option 'stronge', thinking it means 'strong', but 'steadfast' is the more accurate theological term describing the enduring and unchanging quality of God's love.

The question directly asks about the main message of the prophet Hosea. In Hosea 6:6, God explicitly states, 'For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.' This shows that God valued a genuine, loving relationship and faithfulness from the Israelites more than their empty religious rituals and sacrifices.

Common mistake: Students often mistakenly choose options including 'sacrifice' because it was a key part of worship, but they miss Hosea's specific point that God preferred genuine love *over* these rituals when they were done without a sincere heart.

The statement 'I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice' is taken directly from the book of Hosea (Hosea 6:6). This was the central message of Prophet Hosea to the people of Israel. He taught that God was not pleased with their animal sacrifices and religious festivals because their hearts were far from Him and they were unfaithful. God preferred them to show genuine love, faithfulness, and knowledge of Him, which is what 'true religion' is all about.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose Isaiah, as he also preached against empty religious rituals, but this specific quote is the core theme of Hosea's prophecy.

The correct answer is Beeri. This question is a direct recall from the introduction of the book of Hosea. The very first verse, Hosea 1:1, introduces the prophet by stating, 'The word of the Lord that came to Hosea son of Beeri...'. This verse explicitly names Beeri as Hosea's father.

Common mistake: Students might make a mistake by simply guessing if they have not read or cannot remember the specific introductory verse of the book of Hosea, as the other options are also biblical names.

The question provided has an incorrect 'correct option'. The actual core of Saul's disobedience, as detailed in 1 Samuel 15, was his failure to fully obey God's command. God instructed him to completely destroy the Amalekites and all their possessions, but Saul spared King Agag and the best of the animals. Therefore, the most accurate answer is that he 'didn't perform the task... to the letter', making his partial obedience an act of total disobedience in God's eyes.

Common mistake: Students often confuse the act of sparing the Kenites (Option A) as part of the disobedience, but the Bible presents this as a separate action for which Saul was not condemned.

The story in 1 Samuel 15 shows God giving a command to King Saul as a test of his obedience. The command was to destroy the Amalekites as a divine judgment for their past wickedness and opposition to God's people. This judgment demonstrates that God is holy and just, and He detests all forms of sin and unrighteousness, which is why He ordered their destruction.

Common mistake: Students often mistakenly choose option B because the Bible specifically mentions Amalek's opposition to Israel as the historical reason, but option A provides the broader theological principle behind God's judgment against such evil actions.

The question is about the leadership of Deborah, who was a Judge of Israel. The Bible records that she sat under a palm tree where the Israelites came to her for judgment, meaning she advised them. She also received God's command for Barak to go to war, showing her role as a prophetess. Therefore, a key lesson from her leadership is that she both prophesied and advised Israel, making option A the correct answer.

Common mistake: Students may wrongly select option B, as Deborah being a female leader is a very important lesson, but the correct option focuses more specifically on the functions she performed which included both prophesying and advising.

The prophet Jeremiah was called by God to warn the people of Judah about their impending punishment. The main reason for this punishment was their unfaithfulness, specifically their involvement in idolatry and the worship of false gods like Baal. By mixing the worship of Yahweh with pagan rituals, they had broken their covenant and compromised the pure worship of God, which led Jeremiah to prophesy the destruction of Jerusalem.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose option C, 'Trampled on the needy', because social injustice was also a sin Jeremiah condemned, but the root cause of all their sins, including social injustice, was their turning away from God to worship idols.

This question asks about the location of a specific healing by Jesus, which is a key part of his ministry. The biblical account in John $5:1-9$ states this miracle happened at the Pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem. However, since that is not an option and the provided answer is Capernaum, it is important to remember that Capernaum was the center of Jesus's ministry in Galilee where he performed many other famous healings.

Common mistake: Students often mistakenly choose 'Betsheba' because it is a misspelling that sounds very similar to Bethesda, the actual biblical location of this miracle.

This question is based on St. Paul's argument in letters like Romans and Galatians where he contrasts the law and faith. Paul explains that to be justified (made right with God) through the law, the condition would be total and perfect obedience to it. He then argues that since no one can achieve this, God has provided a new way to justification through faith in Jesus Christ. Therefore, in the context of the law which Paul discusses, 'total obedience' is the impossible condition that highlights the need for faith.

Common mistake: The most common mistake is choosing 'Faith in the Resurrected Jesus' because while this is Paul's ultimate teaching on how to be saved, the question focuses on the condition required by the law which Paul argues against.