WAEC Christian Religious Knowledge 2009 Past Questions & Answers

The creation account in Genesis $1:26-27$ clearly states that God decided to make man in His own image and likeness, which He did not do for any other creature. This unique status of being God's representative on earth is what gave man an edge and dominion over everything else God had made. This act demonstrates God's sovereign power to establish order and purpose in His creation.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose option C because the Garden of Eden was a special privilege, but man's fundamental 'edge' was established at his creation, before he was placed in the garden.

This question refers to the story of Abram's journey to Canaan in Genesis chapter 12. After Abram obeyed God's call to leave his home, he travelled to the land of Canaan. When he reached the great tree of Moreh at Shechem, the Bible says God appeared to him and promised, 'To your offspring I will give this land.' This promise of land is a key part of the Abrahamic covenant and directly confirms that option C is the correct answer.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose option B, confusing the promise made at Shechem with God's initial call to Abram to leave his country, which happened before he arrived in Canaan.

The question asks for the lesson Abraham and Sarah did not learn. Although God proved He is all-powerful (Genesis 18:14), Abraham and Sarah's actions, like Sarah's laughter of disbelief and their plan with Hagar, showed they struggled to fully believe this. Therefore, it can be argued they did not completely learn this lesson. In contrast, they directly experienced God's blessing (A), the long wait for the promise (D), and the eventual fulfillment of that promise, which proved God's faithfulness (B).

Common mistake: Students often mistakenly choose option D because the phrase 'not in a hurry' can sound like a negative quality, making them think it was not a positive lesson God intended to teach.

According to the account in Exodus chapter 14, God specifically instructed Moses to have the Israelites turn back and encamp at Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea. This was the exact location where Pharaoh's army overtook them, trapping them against the Red Sea. This event is a key example of God's divine protection, as it set the stage for the miracle of the parting of the sea to save His people.

Common mistake: Students may mistakenly choose Migdol because it is mentioned in the same verse (Exodus 14:2) as the correct location, leading to confusion about the exact place of encampment by the sea.

The correct option is A because the sixth commandment is 'You shall not kill'. In the story, after David committed adultery with Bathsheba, he arranged for her husband, Uriah the Hittite, to be killed in battle in order to cover up his sin. By deliberately causing Uriah's death, David directly violated the sixth commandment.

Common mistake: Students often mistakenly choose the seventh commandment ('You shall not commit adultery') because the story also involves adultery, but the act against Uriah specifically was murder.

This question is about the report of the twelve spies sent into Canaan, found in Numbers chapters 13 and 14. The encouraging report from Joshua and Caleb was a call to obey God and trust His promise to give them the land. Therefore, the correct decision based on their report was to prepare to fight the Canaanites, believing God would give them victory. The people's actual reaction was one of fear and disobedience, for which they were punished, but the question asks about the decision prompted by the encouraging report.

Common mistake: Students often mistakenly choose option C because they remember that the rebellious crowd actually threatened to stone Joshua and Caleb in response to their encouraging report.

This question is about the leadership of Deborah, who was a prophetess and one of the Judges of Israel. In Judges chapter 4, God commanded her to deliver Israel from King Jabin. She then instructed Barak to gather 10,000 soldiers specifically from the tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun to fight the battle, which they did.

Common mistake: Students might get confused by the Song of Deborah in Judges 5, which mentions other tribes like Reuben, but Reuben was criticized for not joining the battle.

The Bible records in 1 Samuel 8 that although Samuel was a great leader, he failed in his parental duties. He appointed his sons, Joel and Abijah, as judges, but they were corrupt, accepted bribes, and perverted justice. Samuel's failure was not in appointing them, but in his refusal or inability to discipline them and stop their immoral and corrupt behaviours, which ultimately led the elders of Israel to demand a king.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose option A, confusing Samuel's sons who were judges with Eli's sons (Hophni and Phinehas) who were corrupt priests.

Eli was condemned because he failed to obey God's instruction to discipline his wicked sons, Hophni and Phinehas. Even after God sent a direct message of judgment through the young prophet Samuel, Eli's response was passive and he did not take the warning seriously. This disobedience, by honouring his sons more than God, led to the downfall of his priestly house.

Common mistake: Students often choose option A because it correctly describes the sin of Eli's sons, but the question asks why Eli himself was condemned, which was for his personal failure to heed God's direct warning about his sons' behaviour.

According to the account in 1 Samuel 16, King Saul was being tormented by an evil spirit. His servants suggested that a musician could soothe him, and David was recommended specifically because he was a skillful harp player. This was the reason Saul sent for him, which led to their very first meeting.

Common mistake: Many students mistakenly choose the victory over Goliath, but this famous event in 1 Samuel 17 happened after David had already been introduced to Saul's court as a musician.