Themes from Creation to the Division of the Kingdom

1.       The Sovereignty of God

God as Creator and Controller of the Universe (Gen. 1 and 2) cf. Amos 9:5-6; Is. 45:5-12

2.       The Covenant

(a)     The flood and God’s covenant with Noah (Gen. 6:1-22; 7:1-24; 9:1-17)

(b)     God’s covenant with Abraham (Gen. 11:31-32; 12:1-9; 17:1-21; 21:1-13; 25:19-26)

(c)     God’s covenant with Israel (Ex. 19; 20;

Candidates should be able to:

i.        interpret the term ‘sovereignty;

ii.       analyse God’s process of creation;

iii.     interpret the sequence of creation;

iv.     identify man’s role in advancing God’s purpose in creation.

Candidates should be able to:

i.        interpret the concept of covenant;

ii.       examine the importance and implication of the covenant;

iii.     distinguish between God’s covenants with Noah, Abraham and Israel;

iv.     Distinguish between   the   old   and   the   new

(d) The New Covenant (Jer. 31:31-34; Ezek 36:25-28)

3.       Leadership Qualities:

Examples of

(a) Joseph (Gen. 37:1-28; 41:1-57; 45:1-15)

(b) Moses (Ex. 1; 2; 3; 4:1-17; 5; 12; Num.

13:1-20; 14:1-19)

(c) Joshua (Num. 13:21-33; 27:15-23; Josh.

1:1-15; 6; 7; 24:1-31)

(d) Judges (Deborah-Jug. 4:1-24; Gideon- Judge 6:11-40; Samson-Judge 13:1-7, 21- 25; 16:4-31)

4.       Devine Providence

(a)     Guidance and Protection (Gen. 24:1-61; 28:10-22; 46:1-7: Ex. 13:17-22; 14:1-4; 10-31)

(b) Provision (Gen. 21:14-18; 22:1-14; Ex.

16:1-21; 17:1-7; Num. 20:1-13; 1 Kings

17:1-16)

5.       Parental Responsibility:

Examples of

(a) Eli and Samuel (1 Sam. 2:11-36; 3:2-18; 4:10-22: 8:15)

(b)     David and his sons (11 Sam. 13; 15:1-29; 18; 19:1-8)

(c)     Asa and Jehoshaphat (1 Kings 15:9-15; 22:41-44; cf. Deut. 6:4-9; Prov. 4:1-10; 13:1; 24; 22:6; 23:13-14; 31:10-31)

6.       i) Obedience and Rewards Examples of

(a)     Abraham (Gen. 22:1-19)

(b)     Hebrew Midwives (Ex. 1:8-22)

(c) David (1 Sam. 30:1-20)

ii) Disobedience and Consequences Examples of

(a) Adam (Gen. 2:15-25; 3)

(b)     Collection of Manna (Ex. 16:22-30)

(c)     The Golden Calf (Ex. 32)

(d) Moses (Num. 20:7-12; Deut. 34:1-6)

(e) Saul (1 Sam. 10:1-16; 15:1-25; 16:14-23;

31:1-13)

7.       A man after God’s own heart

(a)     The early life of David (1 Sam. 16:1-13; 17; 18:17-30; 22:1-5; 24:1-23; II Sam. 2:1-7; 3:1-39)

(b)     David’s submission to the will of God (I Sam. 26:1-25); II Sam 12:15-25

Candidates should be able to:

i.        examine the circumstances that gave rise to the leadership of Joseph, Moses, Joshua and the Judges;

ii.       identify the major talents of these leaders;

iii.     assess God’s role in the works of these leaders;

iv.     analyse the achievements of these leaders.

Candidates should be able to:

i.        identify the different ways by which God guided and protected the people of Israel;

ii.       specify how God provided for His people;

iii.     identify the different occasions when God provided for Israel.

Candidates should be able to:

i.        determine the extent to which Eli, Samuel and David were responsible for the short-comings of their children:

ii.       describe how Asa and Jehoshaphat pleased God.

Candidates should be able to:

i.        determine why Abraham, the Hebrew midwives and David obeyed God;

ii.       identify the rewards for obideince.

Candidates should be able to:

i.        compare the disobedience of Adam, the people of Israel, Moses and Saul;

ii.       indicate the reasons for their disobedience;

iii.     determine the consequences of disobedience.

Candidates should be able to:

i.        identify David’s childhood experiences;

ii.       specify how David submitted to the will of God;

iii.     examine the situations that led to David’s sin and repentance;

8.       Decision – Making

(a)     Reliance on medium (I Sam. 28:3-25)

(b)     The Wisdom of Solomon (I Kings 3:3-28; 4:29-34; 5:1-12; 8:1-53)

(c)     Unwise Policies of Solomon and Rehoboam (I Kings 9:15-23; 11:1-40; 12:1-20)

SECTION B:

Themes from the Division of the Kingdom to the Return from Exile and the Prophets

1.       Greed and its Effects Example of

(a)     Ahab (I Kings 21:1-29; 22:1-40; II Kings 9:30-37)

(b)     Gehazi (II Kings 5:1-27 cf (Josh 7)

2.       The Supremacy of God

Religious Tension and the Power of God on Mount Carmel (I Kings 16:29-34; 17:1-7; 18;

19:1-18)

3.       Religious Reforms in Judah

(a)     Cleansing of the Temple (II Kings 22)

(b)     Renewal of the Covenant (II Kings 23:1- 30)

4.       Concern for Judah

(a)     The fall of Jerusalem (II kings 24; 25:1- 17)

(b)     Condition of Judah (Neh. 1:1-11; Ezra 1:1-11)

(c)     Response to the state of Judah (Neh. 2; 4:1-23 Ezra 3:4; 5; 6; 7)

5.       Faith in God

Faith, Courage and Protection (Dan. 1; 3:1- 30;6:1-28)

Candidates should be able to:

i.        identify the source of Solomon’s wisdom;

ii.       compare the different ways used by Saul and Solomon in making decision;

iii.     analyse the decisions made by Saul, David,

Solomon and Rehoboam

iv.     assess the consequences of Solomon and Rehoboan’s unwise decisions.

Candidates should be able to:

i.        interpret the meaning of greed;

ii.       distinguish between Ahab and Gehazi’s greed;

iii.     deduce the consequences of Ahab and Gehazi’s greed.

Candidates should be able to:

i.        analyse the religious situation in Israel at the times of Elijah and Ahab;

ii.       identify the characters involved in the contest on Mount Carmel

iii.     differentiate between God’s power and the Baal.

Candidates should be able to:

i.        analyse Josiah’s religious reforms;

ii.       determine the reasons for the renewal of the covenant;

iii.     assess the significant of the reforms.

Candidates should be able to:

i.        identify the reasons for the fall of Jerusalem;

ii.       examine the condition of Judah during the exile;

iii.     analyse the people’s response to the call of Nehemiah and Ezra to rebuild Jerusalem

iv.     distinguish between Nehemiah and Ezra’s responses to the opposition of their enemies

Candidates should be able to:

i.        analyse the stories of Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego and Daniel;

ii.       determine the occasion on which the four men demonstrated faith;

iii.     analyse the effects of the faith of the four men on the Babylonians.

Jonah and his massage (Jonah 1; 2; 3 and 4)

7.       Social, Justice, True Religion and Divine Love

(a)     Social justice and true religion (Amos 2:6-8; 4; 5:1-25; 6:1-14; 7:10-17; 8:4-14)

(b)     Divine Love and human reponse (Hosea 1; 2; 3; 4; 6:1-11; 14)

8.       Holiness and Divine Call

(Isaiah 6:1-13; Ezek. 2; 3:1-11; Jer. 1:4-10)

9.       Punishment and Hope

(Jer. 3:11-18; 32:26-35; Ezek. 18; 37:1-14;

Isaiah 61)

SECTION C:

Themes from the four Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles

1.       The Birth and early Life of Jesus

(a)     John, the forerunner of Jesus (Lk. 1:5-25; 57-66; 3:1-20; 7:18-35; Mk. 1:1-8; 6:14- 29; Mt. 3:1-12; Jn. 1:6-8; 19-37)

(b)     The brith and boyhood of Jesus (Mt. 1:18- 25; 2; Lk. 1:26-45:2)

2.       The Baptism and Temptation of Jesus

(Mt. 3:13-17; 4:1-11; Mk. 1:9-13; Lk. 3:21-22;

4:1-13)

3.       Discipleship

(a)     The call of the first disciples (Mt. 4:18 22; 9:9-13; Mk. 1:16-20; 2:13-17; Lk. 5:1-11; 27-32)

(b)     The cost of discipleship (Mt. 8:19-22; Lk. 9:57-63; 14:25-33)

Candidates should be able to:

i.        analyse the story of Jonah’s call;

ii.       describe      the      consequences      of      Jonah’s disobedience;

iii.     assess the effect of Jonah’s message on the Ninevites;

iv.     relate God’s response to repentance.

Candidates should be able to

i.        determine what true religious is;

ii.       identify the ills that led to the call for  social justice in Amos’ time;

iii.     Examine the condition in Israel during Hosea’s time;

iv.     analyse Hosea’s portrayal of divine love and human response.

Candidates should be able to:

i.        distinguish between the calls of Isaiah, Ezekiel and Jeremiah;

ii.       compare    the    assignments    given     to    these prophets;

iii.     determine the need for God’s people to be holy.

Candidates should be able to:

i.        describe the situations that led to the punishment of Israel;

ii.       identify the conditions for hope;

iii.     determine the benefits of restoration.

Candidates should be able to:

i.        compare the stories of the birth of John and Jesus;

ii.       assess the importance of John as the forerunner of Jesus;

iii.     analyse the boyhood of Jesus.

Candidates should be able to:

i.        determine the meaning and purpose of the baptism of Jesus

ii.       specify the temptation of Jesus;

iii.     examine the significance of the temptation of Jesus.

Candidates should be able to:

i.        identify the first disciples to be called by Jesus;

ii.       determine the cost of discipleship;

iii.     compare the different accounts of discipleship in the synoptic gospels.

4.       Miracles

(a)     Nature Miracles

(i)      Stilling the storm (Mt. 8:23-27; Mk. 4:35-41; Lk.8:22-25)

(ii)    Feeding of the Five Thousand (Mt. 4:13-24; Mk. 6:30-44; Lk, 9:10-17; Jn. 6:1-13)

(iii)  Walking on the sea (Mt. 4:22-26; Mk. 6:45-52; Jn. 6:16-21)

(iv)   Changing water to wine (Jn. 2:1-11)

(b)     Miracles of Resuscitation

(i)      The raising of Lazarus (Jn. 11:1-45)

(ii)    The raising of Jairu’s daughter (Lk. 8:41-42, 49-56; Mk. 5:21-43)

(iii)  The raising of the widow’s son at Nain (Lk. 7:11-17)

(c)     Healing Miracles

(i) The leper (Mt. 8:1-4; Mk. 1:40-45; Lk. 5:12-16; 17:11-19)

(ii)    The paralytic at the pool (Jn. 5:1-17)

(iii)  The centurion’s servant (Mt. 8:5-13; Lk. 7:1-10)

(iv) The blind (Jn. 9:1-12; Mk. 10:46-52; Lk. 18:35-43)

(d)     Exorcism

(i)      The Gerasenes (Gadarenes) demoniac (Mt. 8:28-34; Mk. 5:1-20; Lk. 8:21- 39)

(ii)    The epileptic boy (Mk. 9:14-29; Lk. 9:37-43a; Mt. 17:14-21)

5.       The Parables

(a)     Parables of the Kingdom

(i) The sower (Mt. 13:1-23; Mk. 4:1-20) (ii) The weeds (Mt. 13:24-30; 36-43)

(b)     Parables about love of God (Mt. 18:12- 14; Lk. 15:1-32)

(c)     Parables about love for one another (Lk.10:25-37; 16:19-31)

(d)     Parable about wealth: The rich fool (Lk. 12:13-21)

6.          Sermon on the Mount

(Mt. 5; 6:1-18; Lk. 6:17-26; Mt. 6:19-34)

7.          Mission of the Disciples (a)The mission of the twelve

(Mt. 10:5-15; Mk. 6:7-13; Lk. 9:1-16)

Candidates should be able to:

i.        classify the different miracles of Jesus;

ii.       indicate the occasion of each of the miracles;

iii.     examine the significance of each of the miracles;

iv.     assess the power of Jesus over nature, diseases, demons and death.

Candidates should be able to:

i.        classify the different parables of Jesus;

ii.       identify the occasion of each parable;

iii.     interpret the meaning of each parable;

iv.     give reasons why Jesus taught in parables.

Candidates should be able to:

i.        analyse the teachings on the Mount;

ii.       identify the demands of the Kingdom;

iii.     determine     the     consequences     of     worldly possessions;

iv.     associate the rewards for obedience with the sermon on the Mount.

Candidates should be able to:

i.      distinguish between the mission of the twelve and the seventy;

8.            The Great Confession

(Mt. 16:13-20; Mk. 8:27-30; Lk. 9:18-22)

9.              The Transfiguration

(Mt. 17:1-13; Mk. 9:2-13; Lk. 9:28-36)

10.     The Triumphal Entry and the cleansing of the Temple

(Mt. 21:1-17; Mk. 11:1-19; Lk. 19:29-48)

11.        The Last Supper

(Mt. 26:17-30; Mk. 14:10-26

Lk. 22:7-23; Jn. 13:2-38)

12.        The Trials and the Death of Jesus

(a)    The Trials of Jesus

(i)    Before the High Priest (Mt. 26:36-75;

Mk. 14:53-72

Lk. 22:66-71)

(ii)  Before Pilate

(Mt. 27:11-26; Mk. 15:1-15;

Lk. 23:1-5; 13-25;

Jn. 18:28-40; 19:1-16)

(iii)Before Herod (Lk. 23:6-12)

(b)  Crucifixion and Burial of Jesus (Mt. 27:32-66; Lk. 23:26-56; Mk. 15:16-47; Jn. 19:17-42)

13.       Resurrection, Appearances and Ascension of Jesus (Mt. 28:1-20; Mk. 16:1-20; Lk. 24:1-53; Jn. 20:1-31;

Acts 1:1-11)

iii.     assess the outcomes of the missions.

Candidates should be able to:

i.        analyse the confession by Peter;

ii.       identify the occasion of the Great Confession;

iii.     examine     the     significance      of     the     Great Confession.

Candidates should be able to:

i.        trace the event leading to the Transfiguration;

ii.       determine the significance of the Transfiguration to the disciples;

iii.     identify the personalities involved in the story of the Transfiguration

Candidates should be able to:

i.        account for the Triumphal Entry and the cleansing of the Temple;

ii.       determine the significance of     the Triumphal Entry and the cleansing of the Temple;

iii.     examine how the cleansing of the Temple caused hostility towards Jesus.

Candidates should be able to:

i.        trace the story of the Last Supper;

ii.       identify the location of the Last Supper;

iii.     evaluate the significance of the Last Supper.

Candidates should be able to:

i.        analyse the different trials of Jesus;

ii.       analyse the Crucifixion and burial of Jesus;

iii.     compare the account of John with that of the synoptic gospels on the crucifixion and burial of Jesus;

iv.     deduce the lessons of the death of Jesus.

Candidates should be able to:

(i)      trace the stories of the resurrection, appearances and

ascension of Jesus;

(ii)    compare the accounts in the synoptic gospels,

14.     Jesus’ Teachings about Himself

(a)   The Bread of Life and the Living Water (Jn. 4:7-15; 6:25-58)

(b)    The Light of the World (Jn. 1:4-8; 3:19-21; 8:12 9:1-5; 12:35-36)

(a)    The Door and the Good Shepherd (Jn. 10:1-18)

(b)    The True Vine (Jn. 15:1-11)

15.        Love

(a) God’s love for man (Jn. 3:16-18)

(b) Love for one another (Jn. 13:34-35; 15:12-13 cf. I Jn. 4:7-21)

16.        Fellowship in the Early Church

(a)   Communal living (Acts 1:15-26; 2:41-47; 4:32-37)

(b)  Problems of communal living and solutions (Acts 5:1-11, 6:1-6)

17.       The Holy Spirit and the Mission of the Church

(a)    The Pentecost (Acts 1:8; 2:1-41)

(b)    The Mission of the Church (Acts 8:4-40)

18.       Opposition to the Gospel Message

(a)  The arrest and imprisonment of Peter and John

(Acts 3; 4:1-22; 5:17-42

12:1-24)

(b)  The martyrdom of Stephen (Acts 6:8-15; 7)

(c)    Persecution by Saul (Acts 8:1-3; 9:1-2) cf. Gal. 1:11-17

19.        Mission to the Gentiles

(a)    Conversion of Saul

(iii) compare the personalities involved in the stories.

Candidates should be able to:

(i)      analyse the different teachings of Jesus about Himself;

(ii)      account for the reasons for Jesus’ teachings about

Himself;

(iii)interpret the meanings of the symbols used by Jesus about Himself.

Candidates should be able to:

(i)      describe God’s love for man;

(ii)    specify the ways they can love one another;

(iii)  evaluate the significance of love.

Candidates should be able to:

(i)          account for communal living in the Early Church;

(ii)    identify the problems of communal living and their

solutions;

(iii)    examine how communal living helped the growth of

the Early Church.

Candidates should be able to:

(i)      trace the story of the Pentecost;

(ii)    examine the significance of the Pentecost;

(iii)  analyse the mission of the Church.

Candidates should be able to:

(i)      trace the story of the arrest and imprisonment of Peter and John;

(ii)    trace the events that led to the Martyrdom of Stephen;

(iii)  account for the role of Saul in the persecution of the

Church;

(iv)  relate the importance of persecution to the growth of

the Church.

Candidates should be able to:

(i) compare the conversion of Saul

26:9-18)

(b)  Conversion of Cornelius (Acts 10:1-48)

(c)  The commissioning and mission of Paul (Acts 13; 14:1-20);

(d)  The Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15:1-35; Gal. 2:1-21)

(e)  Persecution of Paul (Acts 16:11-40; 19:23-41 21:27-36)

cf. II Cor. 11:23-33

SECTION D:

Themes from Selected Epistles

1.          Justification by Faith

(Rom. 3:21-24; 5:1-11; 10:1-13)

2.          The Law and Grace (Rom. 4:13-25; 5:18-21; Gal. 3:10-14; 19-29)

3.            New Life in Christ

(Rom. 6:1-4; 12-14; Col. 3:1-17;

Gals. 5:16-26; II Cor. 5:16-19;

I Thess. 4:1-8; Rom. 12)

4.          Christians as Joint Heirs with Christ (Gal. 3:23-29; 4:1-7)

5.            Humility

(Phil. 2:1-11; I Pet. 5:5-11)

6.       Forgiveness

(Philemon; II Cor. 2:5-11)

(ii)    analyse the commissioning and mission of Paul;

(iii)examine the main decisions at the Council of Jerusalem;

(iv)    identify the personalities

involved at the Council of Jerusalem;

(v)     account for the persecution of Paul;

(vi)    assess Paul’s role in the mission to the Gentiles.

Candidates should be able to:

(i)      interpret the term ‘justification’ by faith;

(ii)    identify the basic conditions for justification;

(iii)  determine the fruits of justification.

Candidates should be able to:

(i)      examine the purpose and significance of the law and

grace;

(ii)    identify the place of the law among the Jews.

Candidates should be able to:

(i)       describe the characteristics of the old life;

(ii)     analyse the new life in Christ;

(iii)    identify the conditions of the new life;

(iv)  compare the different writings of Paul on the new life in Christ;

(v)    distinguish between the old and the new life.

Candidates should be able to:

(i)    describe how Christian could be joint heirs with Christ;

(ii)  indicate the benefits of being Joint heirs with Christ.

Candidates should be able to:

(i)    determine the meaning of the term ‘humility’

(ii)     identify the requirements of humility;

(iii)    identify the rewards of humility.

Candidates should be able to:

(i)    analyse Paul’s teaching on forgiveness;

(ii)  assess the benefits of

7.         Spiritual Gifts

(I Cor. 12; Rom. 12:3-18; I Cor. 14)

8.         Christian Giving

(Phil. 4:14-20; II Cor. 8:1-5; 9)

9.         Civic Responsibility (Rom. 13; I Tim. 2:1-4)

10.        Dignity of Labour

(II Thess. 3:6-15; Col. 3:23-35)

11.       The Second Coming of Christ

(a)      The signs of the Coming of Christ (I

Thess.

4:13-18; II Thess. 2:1-12)

(b)  Preparation for His coming

(I Thess. 5:1-11; II Pet. 3:1-13)

12.          Impartiality (James 2:1-13) cf. Acts 10:34-35

13.          Effective Prayer

(James 1:2-8; 4:1-3; 5:13-18)

14.          Christian Living in the Community

(a) Interpersonal relationship among Christians (I Pet. 5:1-4; Rom. 12:3-21)

(b) Christians living among non-

Christians (I Pet. 2:3-25; Rom. 15:1-2)

(c) Christian attitude to persecution (I Pet. 1:5-9; 4:1-19)

(d) Relationship in the Christian Family (Eph. 6: 1-9; Col. 3:18-21;

I Pet. 3:1-7)

Candidates should be able to:

(i)    differentiate between the types of spiritual gifts;

(ii)  analyse the use of spiritual gifts by the individual.

Candidates should be able to:

(i)    interpret the concept of Christian giving;

(ii)  relate the teachings of Paul to Christian giving.

Candidates should be able to:

(i)      identify the need for obedience to authority;

(ii)  specify the requirements of good citizenship.

Candidates should be able to:

(i)    interpret the concept of dignity of labour;

(ii)  analyse the benefits of labour.

Candidates should be able to:

(i)       identify the signs of the Second Coming of Christ;

(ii)     specify the preparations for His coming;

(iii)    indicate what will happen during His Second Coming.

Candidates should be able to:

(i)       interpret the concept of impartiality;

(ii)     compare partiality and impartiality;

(iii)    examine the consequences of impartiality.

Candidates should be able to:

(i)       identify the requirements of effective prayer;

(ii)      distinguish between effective and ineffective prayer.

Candidates should be able to:

(i)      determine interpersonal relationships among Christians;

(ii)     analyse Christian living among non-Christians;

(iii)    relate Christians attitude to persecution;

(iv)    determine the relationship in the Christian family