BRIGHT STAR

CRE PAPER ONE

313/1

KCSE REVISION

BY MR MANG’AINI EVANS
CONTACTS: 0706281341

1|Page
CHAPTER ONE
GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO CHRISTIAN RELIGIOUS EDUCATION.
Define Christian Religious Education
 It is the study of God’s revelation to human kind or beings through scriptures.
 It’s the study of religious beliefs and practices which are based on the life and teaching of Jesus Christ.
Importance of studying CRE
 It leads to employment/ career
 It explains the origin of human beings on earth.
 It helps one to respect his/ her own/ other peoples religion or culture
 It gives answers to our daily questions
 It enables one to understand how to relate with other people
 It helps the learners to acquire basic principles of Christian living moral values
 It equips the learners with an understanding of God/ spiritual growth
 Enables learners, to acquire life skills to handle challenges in life.
WAYS IN WHICH THE STUDY OF CRE BUILDS OUR RELATIONS WITH GOD
 Enables us to understand God
 We acquire values and morals that guide us in our daily life.
 It enables us to identify and emulate biblical characters
 Though it, we receive the power of God (Holy Spirit)
WAY THROUGH WHICH THE STUDY OF CRE PROMOTES UNITY
 It teaches the importance of love and peace.
 Teaches unity of believers
 Teaches that human beings are all created by God
 Teaches the importance of respecting and appreciating others, despite their own backgrounds.
 Teaches the life skills that enhance a just society.
 Teaches moral values, which strengthens unity
NATIONAL GOALS THAT ARE ACHIEVED THROUGH STUDING CRE.
 National unity
 National development
 Individual development and self fulfillment
 Social equality
 Respect and development of cultural Heritage
 International consciousness

CHAPTER TWO
THE BIBLE
Definition:
 The bible can be defined as a book or a collection of ancient texts of Christian religion
 It is the inspired word of God
 It can also be referred to us “Holy writings”, Holy book; Holy Scripture or the word of God
THE BIBLE AS THE WORD OF GOD

2|Page
 i. All writers were inspired by God
ii. It contains words of the prophets and Jesus Christ
iii. God Himself too part in writing the bible
iv. The bible contains the nature and character of God
v. The bible talks about God
vi. It contains words that were spoken directly by God; hence it says what God says
vii. It contains the massage of salvation to human kind
viii. The historical values of the bible expressed through the historical events that proves that the bible is the word of
God.
WAYS IN WHICH GOD SPEAKES TO US
 Through prophets
 Though Jesus
 Through dreams and visions
 Though historical activities
 Through natural phenomena
 Though answering our prayers
 Though the Holy Spirit
 Though other people e.g. preachers, priests, teachers etc.
LITERARY FORMS
 The writers of the bible used styles of writing. These are called literary forms
Some of the literary forms used are;
 Poetry/epics/poems not poetic book
 Wise sayings
 Prose/narratives
 Letter/epistles
 Legal/law expressions/legislative
 Songs and not songs of Solomon
 Prophetic/prophetic speeches
 Gospel
 Philosophical essays
 Prayers
 Sermons
REASONS WHY THE BIBLE WAS COMPILED INTO ITS PRESENT FORM BY EARLY CHRISTIANS
 To preserve the orderly account of biblical themes/avoid distortion
 The eye witness of Jesus were killed
 To prevent information from getting lost
 Due to expansion of churches
 To counteract false teaching
 To ensure that some doctrines were being taught to all Christians
 To preach out Jewish in Diaspora/Gentiles

OCCASSIONS WHEN THE BIBLE IS USED

 During religious ceremonies
 When teaching CRE In schools
 When composing songs and movies
 During guidance and counseling
 During swearing in ceremonies
 When preaching
WAYS IN WHICH CHRISTIANS USE THE BIBLE FOR EVANGELISM/SPREADING THE WORD OF GOD

3|Page
  Instructing new converts
 Used as a text book in teaching CRE
 They compose songs
 Christian literature quotes verses
 Used in taking oaths in law courts
 Preaching the word of God
 Its used to offer guidance and counseling
 Used to organize bible studies
 Used in production of Christian movies/videos/radio programs/plays.
 Used in writing doctrines for different denominations

REASONS WHY THE BIBLE IS REFERRED TO AS LIBRARY

I. It was written by different authors
II. Contains many books
III. Contains different books written in different styles
IV. Each book was specific themes to deal with
V. Each book was written for specific audience
VI. Each book was written under different circumstances
REASONS WHY CHRISTIANS READ THE BIBLE
 To seek guidance
 For spiritual growth
 To seek comfort and strength during problems
 To know the will of God
 Source of inspiration
 Is the basis of Christian doctrine
 Reading the bible is an aspect of Christian worship
 It is a source of knowledge
REASONS WHY SOME PEOPLE FIND IT DIFFICULT TO READ THE BIBLE
 Laziness
 Lack of interest
 Some sections are difficult tointerpret
 Fear of direct attack
 Lack of faith
 Lack of time
 Is not compulsory/not examinable
 The bible is too big/voluminous
WAYS IN WHICH CHRISTIANS MISUSE THE BIBLE
 Use to take oaths in courts by people who may not be believers/not saying the truth
 Kept in places associated with evils
 Distortion of biblical teachings
 Used as ordinary text book
 Used in witchcraft to misled people
 Used by some people to enrich them selves
 Not used for spiritual growth but kept for display
 Used to threaten others/administer curses
 Some new versions translated have changed the original meaning of the bible.
HUMAN AUTHORS
1) MOSES – Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy
2) David - Psalms

4|Page
 3) Solomon - proverbs
4) Jeremiah through Baruch
5) Isaiah - Isaiah
6) Paul - Pauline letters
7) Peter - 1st and 2nd peter
REASONS WHY THE BIBLE WAS WRITTEN AFTER THE ASCENSION OF JESUS
 There was geographical expansion of the church
 To spread he word of God
 To write an orderly account
 To combine the old and new testament
 To show fulfillment of what had been prophesied
 Rise of false teachings
 They had waited to the selected teaching of Jesus
MAJOR DIVISION OF THE BIBLE
 Old Testament
 New Testament
APOCRYPHA/ DEUTERO-CANONICAL BOOKS/HIDDEN/SECRET WRITINGS
1) Judith
2) 1st and 2nd Maccabees
3) Ecclesiasticus
4) Book of wisdom
5) Tobit
6) Baruch
OLD TESTAMEN T IS GROUPED INTO FIVE
1. Books of law
o Genesis
o Exodus
o Leviticus
o Numbers
o Deuteronomy
2. Historical books
 Joshua  1st kings
 Judges  2nd kings
 Ruth  1st chronicles
st
 1 Samuel  2nd chronicles
 Ezra
 Nehemiah
 Esther
nd
 2 Samuel
3. Poetic books/major prophets
 Job
 Psalms
 Proverbs
 Ecclesiastes
 Songs of Solomon
4. Prophetic books/miner prophets
a. Isaiah d. Ezekiel
b. Jeremiah e. Daniel
c. Lamentation f. Hosea
5|Page
 g. Joel l. Nahum
h. Amos m. Habakkuk
i. Obadiah n. Zephaniah
j. Jonah o. Malach
k. Micah

THE NEW TESTAMENT BOOKS

They are also divided into four
1. The gospels
-Mathew - Mark - Luke - John
2. ACTS OF THE APOSTLES/HISTORICAL BOOKS
Acts

3. Epistles/letters
Romans 1st Corinthians 2nd Corinthians Galatians
Ephesians Philippians Colossians 1st Thessalonians
2ndThessalonians 1st Timothy 2nd Timothy Titus
Philemon Hebrew James 1stpeters
2nd Peter 1st john 2nd John 3rd john
Jude

4. PROPHETIC BOOK/ APOCALYPTIC BOOK

The book of revelation
THE TRANSLATION OF THE BIBLE
-Translation can be defined as changing something spoken or written from one language to another.
Translation of the bible from original language to local languages
 The Old Testament was originally written in Hebrew.
 The New Testament was originally written in Greek.
 The Old Testament was translated from Hebrew to Greek.
 The entire Bible was translated into Latin by Jerome.
 The Bible was directly translated from Hebrew and Greek into English by William Tyndale.
 The Bible Was translated into national languages of European countries during the period of reformation
 It was translated from English into Kiswahili by Dr krapf
 The bible has been translated into other local languages by the bible society of Kenya ( BSK )
VERSIONS OF THE BIBLE USED BY THE CHURCH TODAY
a. Revised Standard Version
b. Living bible
c. Jerusalem bible
d. New international version
e. King James Version
[Link] Gideon international bible
[Link] English Bible
[Link] bible
[Link] news bible
EFFECTS OF BIBLE TRANSLATION INTO AFRICAN/LOCAL LANGUAGES
a) Led to increased research and studies
b) Enhanced development of printing press
c) Led to rediscovery of African cultural identity
d) Led to establishment of African independent churches

6|Page
 e) Contributed to critical analysis of the bible messages
f) Led to the growth and expansion of Christianity
g) Led to the better understanding of the bible
h) Led to development of local languages
REASONS FOR TRANSLATING THE BIBLE
 Hebrew and Greek were not understood
 To expand Christianity to Gentiles
 To convert many people to Christianity
 To enable people to read and understand
 To indigenize Christianity
 For effective communication
 To revise all versions and keep abreast with changes in the language.

CHAPTER THREE
CREATION AND FALL OF MAN
THE BIBLICAL STORIES OF CREATION AND THEIR MEANING
(READ GENESIS 1 AND 2)

THE FIRST CREATION ACCOUNT

Day 1: Light
Day 2: sky
Day 3: land and sea, vegetation
Day 4: sun, moon, stars[heavenly bodies]
Day 5: birds and sea creatures
Day 6: animals[cattle and creeping animals] and human beings
MEANING OF THE SECOND CREATION ACCOUNT
 Male and female were created for procreation
 Male or female are equal before God
 God provides and sustains life
 Universe is expected to be orderly
 Leisure should be taken after work
 The dignity of human beings is upheld as special
SECOND CREATION ACCOUNT
 God created Heaven and Earth
 He formed man from dust
 He planted Garden of Eden and placed man
 He planted trees including tree of life and knowledge
 Garden was watered by four rivers
 Man was to till and guard Garden of Eden
 God created birds and animals and assign man duty to name them
 God created a woman from man’s rib
 Both man and woman lived as companions
THE MEANING OF SECOND ACCOUNT OF CREATION
 Work was ordained by God hence Christians should love work
 Man should absolutely depend on God
7|Page
  Human being was given a duty of ruling other creatures
 Marriage was instituted by God and should be monogamous
 God wanted man to willfully obey Him
SIMILARITIES BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND CREATION
 In both cases God created living and non living
 In both Human beings are given responsibility of taking care of God’s creation
 In both is acknowledged as a sole creation
 Man kind is created into full human sexuality
 In both human beings shares in life of god
 In both god provides for the needs of human being
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE TWO ACCOUNTS

 In the 1st account God created the universe out of nothing whereas in the 2nd account He planted
trees, and created man using dust
 In the 1st account man and woman were created at the same time while in the 2nd account man was
created first and the woman later from man’s ribs
 In the first account human being were instructed to fill the earth and subdue while in the second
account Human beings were confined in the garden of Eden
 In the 1st account God created man for procreation, whereas in the second account Human beings
were created for mutual companionship
 In the 1st account human beings are created last while 2nd account they are created first
 In 1st account there is no forbidden tree while in the 2nd account is
 God rested on the seventh day in the 1st account while there is no day of rest in second account
 There is order in the 1st account while second account is not mentioned
 In 1st account God creates unity with the spirit while in the 2nd account He said that is not good for a
man to be alone.
ATTRIBUTES OF GOD FROM BIBLICAL CREATION ACCOUNT

i. God is a sole creator

ii. God is holy
iii. All –powerful
iv. Orderly
v. Good
vi. Provider
vii. Omnipresent
viii. Everlasting
ix. All –knowing
x. Self existent

TEACHING FROM THE BIBLICAL CREATION ACCOUNT

 Human beings are given mandate to subdue the earth

 Man was given power to name creatures
 Men and women were created for companionship
 Work and leisure are God’s gifts
 Procreation is a command from God
 The human race is one in origin and destiny
 Marriage was instituted by God at creation
 Human beings were made to have fellowship with God

8|Page
  God created the environment for the benefit of human beings

HOW MAN IS FULFILLING THE COMMAND TO SUBDUE THE EARTH

 Christians actively involved in conserving the environment

 Sensitizing people on the importance of environmental conservation
 Teaching methods of conserving environment
 Turning resources through science and technology
 Giving financial support to organizations concerned with environment protection
 Development of medicine to prolong life

TEACHINGS FROM GENESIS THAT SUPPORT EQUALITY BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN

 Both are superior to the rest of creation

 God loves them equally
 Both were created in the image of God
 Both are intelligent
 Both were meant for companionship
 Both were given command to procreate
 Both are responsible over Gods creation
HOW ARE HUMAN BEINGS SUPERIOR THAN OTHER CREATION
 They were made in the image and likeness of God
 They have to fellowship with God
 They are able to reason
 Given responsibilities
 They are answerable to God
 They are given dominion over the whole universe
TEACHINGS ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HUMAN BEINGS AND THE ENVIRONMENT IN GENESIS
CREATION STORIES
 Both have a common destiny
 They are interdependent
 Human beings rule the universe
 Human beings are superior
 Man enjoys God’s creation
 Man takes care of the environment
 Both have a common origin
 Human beings should treat the rest of the creation with respect
RESPONSIBILITY GIVEN TO HUMAN BEINGS BY God
i. To name animals
ii. To fellowship with God
iii. To procreate
iv. To rule the rest of the creation/creatures
v. To guard and cultivate land
vi. To obey God’s command
vii. To marry
HOW SHOULD CHRISTIANS CARE FOR GOD’S CREATION
 Control soil erosion
 Condemning cutting down of trees
 Treat other creatures with respect

9|Page
  Preserve and conserve the environment
 Avoid pollution
 Providing medical facilities
 Protect human rights
 Care for wild animals
 Practice responsible parent hood by planning families
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HUMAN BEINGS AND GOD IN THE GENESIS STORIES OF CREATION
 Man are created to fellowship with God
 Man is co-creator with God
 Human being rule on behalf of God
 Human being should care for God’s creation
 Human beings were created in the image of God
 God provides for human beings

WAYS IN WHICH CHRISTIANS CONTINUOUS WITH GODS WORK OF CREATION

 Making just laws
 Provision of education
 Preaching and promoting peace
 Improving health facilities
 Preserving life through science and technology
 Protecting other people’s rights
 Conserving the environment.
THE THICHING OF GENESIS 1 AND 2 ON MARRIAGE
 Monogamous
 Permanent union
 There should be love between married partners
 Man and woman are equal marriage partner
 Marriage for procreation and companionship
 Marriage was ordained by God
PROVISIONS GIVEN TO MEN DURING CREATION STORIES
1. Power to procreate
2. Authority to rule
3. A companion/wife
4. Garden of Eden
5. All types of food
HOW HAS MEN BROUGHT GOD’S CREATION UNDER HIS DOMINION THROUGH SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY
 Through industrialization, has been able to manufacture useful products
 Research in livestock production leading to better breeds
 Able to mine natural resources
 Trough space exploration leading to improved communication
 Through research in medicine which has controlled many diseases
WHY IS MAN CONSIDERED AS THE CLIMAX OF GOD’S CREATION
 He was created in God’s image
 He created to have fellowship with God
 He breath life to man
 Man was moulded by God himself
 Man was given responsibility to rule over other creatures
 Blessed to fill the Earth

10 | P a g e
  He was given a helper
 Given the knowledge to choose between right and wrong
WAYS IN WHICH MAN WAS MADE IN THE IMAGE OF GOD
 Have fellowship with God
 Man was commanded to obey God
 Man was to be incharge of animals
 Given responsibility to procreate
 God used his hands to create man
 He was to rule of the rest of creation
 God was pleased with Him
THE TEACHINGS ABOUT HUMAN BEINGS FROM THE BIBLICAL CREATION

 Created in the likeness of God

 Give authority to rule
 Fellowship with God
 Special/greatest creation
 Ability to think/make decision
 Use other creation/plant
 Care of the creation
 Procreates
 Provide companionship
 Woman created out of man’s ribs
HOW THE CHURCH BRINGS BACK FOLLEN MEMBERS
 Visiting them
 Forgiving them
 Preaching tothem
 Guiding and counseling them
 Inviting them back to the church
 Encouraging them to repent
 Offering material needs
TRADITIONAL VIEW OF CREATION
 God existed from the very beginning
 Believe that human beings were created to live in harmony
 Human beings were created by God
 Death came as a result of Gods punishment
 Man was created last
 Man meant to be co-creator
 God gave man the rules to follow
SIMILALITIES BETWEEN AFRICAN MyTHS OF CREATION AND BIBLICAL STORIES OF GENESIS CHAPTER 1
AND 2
 In both cases man is superior/special
 In both man was given responsibility to rule
 In both cases God is powerful
 In both cases God punishes
 In both God is the sole creator
BIBLICAL TEACHING ON THE ORIGIN OF SIN AND ITS CONSEQUENCES
ORIGIN OF SIN ACCORDINNG TO GENESIS/BIBLE
 Man disobeyed God/lack of knowledge of God
 It’s the serpent who influenced man to sin

11 | P a g e
  Desire to be like God
 Lust of the eyes
 Failure to have firm faith
 As a result of foolishness
CONSEQUENCES OF SIN ACCORDING TO THE BIBLE/ GENESIS
 Man was alienated from God
 To toil and struggle to get food
 Adam andEve become ashamed of their nakedness
 Women to feel pain in times of child bearing
 Man was expelled out of Eden
 The earth was cursed
 Death
 Lifespan was reduced
 Man was punished by flood

THE FALL OF MAN

 Man disobeyed God by eating the forbidden fruits
 Satan tricked Eve and she eat forbidden fruits
 Later Eve influenced Adam and he ate the fruits also
 They become necked
 God looked for them
 He asked them why they ate fruit from the forbidden tree and they pointed fingers to each other
 God chased them out of the Garden of Eden after clothing them
 He then imposed on them a number of punishments
GOD’S PLAN OF SALVATION
 God looked for Adam and Eve
 He provided them with clothes
 He called Abraham with an aim of saving them
 He gave them the tencommandments to guide them
 He informed them his plan of salvation though prophets
 Jeremiah’s teachings on the new covenant was past of God’s plan of salvation
 Man was to crush the serpent
 Resurrection of Jesus Christ brings hope and salvation to mankind
CONSEQUENCES OF SIN ACCORDING TOTRADTIONAL AFRICAN COMMUNITY
 Death
 Illness/drought/poverty/barrenness
 Suffering of the whole family
 Rejection by the living dead
 Separates man from God
 Losing in war
 Birth of mentally challenged children
REMEDIES TOCONSEQUENCES OF SIN ACCORDING TO TRADITIONAL AFRICAN SOCIETY
 Purification of rituals
 Observance ofcustoms and traditions
 Wearing of protective charms
 Consulting religious specialists
 Respecting parents and elders
 Offering of sacrifices to appease gods
 Punishing offenders

12 | P a g e
 SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES BETWEEN TRADITIONAL AFRICAN VIEW OF Evil AND BIBLICAL CONCEPT
OF SIN
SIMILARITIES
 In both evil leads to death
 In both cases it destroys relationship between God and human being
 In both evil is caused by external forces
 Originated from disobedience
 God did not create evil
 Leads to curses on the offender
 God is the guardian of morality

DIFFERENCES

 The biblical concept of sin gives an opportunity for repentance and forgiveness while in traditional
African view people appease God though sacrifices so as to be reconciled
 Through biblical evil offers hope for sinners through the death and resurrection of Jesus while there
is no lasting solution to the problem of evil
 In the African view of evil is act committed while the bible, one is a sinner by nature
 The bible account emphasizes the personal nature of sin while African stresses on the social aspect
by nature
 In the bible sin is mainly as a result of moral choices people make whereas in traditional African view
evil as attributed to external forces

CHAPTER FOUR
FAITH AND GOD’S PROMISES: ABRAHAM
BACKGROUND TO THE CALL OF ABRAHAM
 Before he was called he was childless , his wife was barren
 He had two brothers Haran and Nahor
 He was a son of Terah
 They lived in Ur near Euphrates
 Later he migrated to Haran with his family
 They were Semitic nomads
 They worshiped many gods/moon worshippers
 They offered sacrifices to their gods
THE CALL OF ABRAHAM
 God called Abraham and commanded him to leave his ancestral land of Haran to unknown land of
Canaan
 He was to leave his native land to the land that God was to show him
 He was to leave with all his belongings
 On his way to Canaan God gave him promises
 Abraham built two alters and worshipped God
PROMISES MADE TO ABRAHAM DURING HIS CALL
 Make him a Great nation
 A great name
 A source of blessing
13 | P a g e
  He will be a blessing to those who bless him
 Curse to those who curse him
REASONS WHY GOD CALLED ABRAHAM
 To bring Gods plan of salvation
 To give him land
 To worship one God
 To make covenant
 To give him a son
 To teach the meaning of faith
PROBLEMS ABRAHAM FACED AFTER HIS CALL
 Accepting to move to unknown land/destination
 Abandoning idols/ changing from polytheism to monotheism
 Test To sacrifice his son
 He had to be Circumcised at old age
 Changing his name and that of his wife
 Accepting to enter to the covenant with invisible God
 Being childless

ABRAHAM’S ACTS OF FAITH

 He built an alter for God at shechem
 He offered sacrifices to God
 He accepted to be circumcised
 Abandoned worship of the moon
 Ready to offer his only son as a sacrifice
 Made a covenant with God
 He responded to God’s call without questioning
THE RELEVANCE OF FAITH TO CHRISTIANS TODAY
 Christians get blessings
 To overcome temptations
 To lead prayerful life
 To have a better understanding of God
 Give hope for God’s kingdom
ACTS OF FAITH BY CHRISTIANS TODAY
 Praying to God
 Giving tithes and offerings
 Reading the bible
 Preaching
 Singing hymns
 Helping the needy
 Repenting sis
GOD’S PROMISES TO ABRAHAM
 Make him a great nation
 Bless him
 Give him many descendants
 Make his name great
 Protect him
 Make Abraham’sdescendants kings
 Establish an everlasting covenant with God
 Give him land

14 | P a g e
  Liberate his descendants from slavery after 400 years
THE INCIDENT WHEN ABRAHAMWAS WILLING TO SACRIFICE HIS SON ISAAC
 God told Abraham to take his only son to the land of Moriah
 Abraham took his son, two servants and wood for the burnt offering
 They arrived at the place after three days journey
 Abraham commanded his servants to remain behind as he went up to worship
 He took Isaac , the fire wood and went up
 Isaac asked his father the lamb for the offering
 Abraham told Isaac that God would provide the lamb for the burnt offering
 When they arrived at the place God had commanded, Abraham build an alter
 He bound Isaac/ laid him on the alter upon the wood
 Abraham took the knife to slay his son but an angel of the lord stopped him
 Abraham saw a ram which he offered instead of his son
 He called the name of the place, the lord will provide
 The angle appeared to Abraham for the second time and gave him promises because of his
obedience
 Abraham returned with the men to Beersheba

LESSONS TO LEARN FROM THE INCIDENT WHEN ABRAHAM WAS WILLING TO SACRIFICE HIS SON ISAAC
 Involve family members in worship
 Should be prepared to face difficult situation
 Should be patient and wait upon God
 Should obey God
 Christians should have faith in God
RELEVANCE OF GOD’S PROMISES TO ABRAHAM AND CHRISTIANS TODAY
 Christians are assuredof God’s protection
 Christians come toenter in to a new everlasting covenant with God
 Christians should live a life of obedience
 Christians should believe in Gods promises
 Christians should believe that God fulfill promises
 The faithful are credited with righteousness
 Gods promises and blessings are part of God’s plan of salvation
WHAT IS A COVENANT
It is abinding agreement between two or more parties
TYPES OF COVENANTS
1. Conditional covenants
Are made between two or more parties
I.e.
Marriage
International alliances
Kings and his subjects
Friendship covenants
2. un conditional covenants
Refer to the covenant made between two unequal parties
i.e.
God’s covenant with Abraham
God’s covenant with king David
Sinai covenant
New covenant a prophesied by Jeremiah

15 | P a g e
 God’s covenant with Noah
CHARACTERISTICS OF A COVENANT
 Two parties must be involved
 Promises are made
 A sign or symbol
 A ceremony
 Should be sealed
 Serious consequences if broken
THE COVENANT BETWEEN GOD AND ABRAHAM
 Abraham was in doubt for the promise of a son
 God assured him that his own son would inherit him and not Eliezer of Damascus
 God showed Abraham the many stars and confirmed that his descendants would be as stars
 God asked Abraham to bring heifer, a goat, a ram each three years old, a dove and young pigeon
 Abraham cut he animals into two equal parts and arranged them in to two rows
 The birds were not cut
 He drove away the birds of prey at sunset Abraham fell into a deep sleep
 God spoke to him giving the promise thathis descendants would be slaves for 400 years but
would be liberated
 Abraham was promised a long peaceful life
 Abraham saw God pass through carcasses in form of a smokingfire pot and a framing torch
CHARACTERISTICS OF GOD’S COVENANT WITH ABRAHAM
 Unconditional
 Had promises to be fulfilled
 Circumcision
 Sealed through sacrifice
 Voluntary/ willing parties
 Initiated byGod
 Solemn/binding
IMPORTANCE OF GOD’S COVENANT WITH ABRAHAM
 God fulfill promises to his people
 God is holy explain the important concepts of faith
 Enhances salvation / to heal the broken relationships
 Showed commitment to ensure that the promises are fulfilled
 God is a protector
 Descendants of Abraham were promised land of Canaan
LESSONS CHRISTIANS LEARN FROM THE COVENANT BETWEEN GOD AND ABRAHAM
 Christians should communicate to God through prayer
 Christians should be ready to keep modern covenants
 Christians should offer tithes to God
COVENANTS IN THE MODERN LIFE
 Christian marriages
 Baptism
 Oath of loyalty
 Constitution
 Agreements by students in an institution
 Contracts of employment
 Contracts signed when buying land
IMPORTANCE OF COVENANTS IN MODERN DAYS
 Foster trust

16 | P a g e
  Promote moral uprightness
 Protects partner from exploitation
 Enhances commitment
 Promote communal living
 Promotes faithfulness and accountability
WHY CHURCH LEADERS VOWS BEFORE STARTING THEIR MISSION
 To receive God’s blessings
 Itreminds the leader to stick to the church
 To get authority from God to lead
 Gives courage/confidence

ABRAHAM’S CIRCUMCISION (Genesis 17:1-16)

 Godcommanded Abraham to circumcise himself and all other male of his family
 It was done on the eighth day of worship
 It was to serve as a sign of the covenant
 It was compulsory
 The name changed Abram to Abraham
IMPORTANCE OF CIRCUMCISION TO ABRAHAM AND HIS DESCEDANTS
 It identified Israelites as chosen nation
 It was a reminder to keep the covenant
 Was an out ward sign of inner faith in God
 A sign of continued love and God’s protection
 A sign of a covenant with God
 An out ward sign of membership into the Jewish community
INSTRCTIONS GOD GAVE ABRAHAM AND HIS DESCENDANTS REGARDING CIRCUMCISION
 Only male descendants to be circumcised
 Male children to be circumcised
 Involved removal of the foreskin
 A male not circumcised to be cut off from Abrahams descendants

SIMILARITIES BETWEEN JEWISH AND TRADITIONAL AFRICAN PRACTICE OF CIRCUMCISION

 Identifies one with a community
 Both involved male and children
 A sign of acceptance into the community
 Carried out by special people
 Initiates are rewarded
 It is compulsory
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN JEWISH AND TRADITIONAL PRACTICES OF CIRCUMCISION
 In the Jewish community it was only done to the male children whereas in African practice , it was for both male
and female
 Circumcision in African is communal practice while among Jewish only family members participated
 In African community initiates take up responsibilities while among Jewish the initiates are too young to
shoulder responsibility
 In African communities, it is a test of courage whereas in Jewish communities it is a sign of a covenant with God

17 | P a g e
  Among the Jewish , circumcision is performed on babies of 8 days old whereas in traditional African
communities it was done during adolescence stage
 In African communities, circumcision is carried out during specific seasons while among Jew, it was continuous.
 Among Jewish it linkedthe initiates to God while in traditional African communities it linked them to the
ancestors
HOW CHRISIANS IDENTIFY THEMSELVES IN THE SOCIETY
 Wear specific clothes
 Abstain from eating some food
 Wearing rosary/cross
 Special salutations
 Making personal testimonies
 Owing specific bible sermon
 Speaking in tongues
 Using specific church designs
 Use different titles
 Through way they worship
 Residing in secluded homes
 Observing specific days
 Preaching the word of God

CHAPTER FIVE
THE SINAI COVENANT:MOSES
REASONS WHY PHARAOH ORDERED FOR THE PERSECUTION OF THE ISRAELITES
 To weaken the Israelites power strength and unity
 Pharaoh was very cruel
 It was God’s plan to enable him work miracles on the Israelites
 The Israelites were prosperous in terms of wealth children and animals
 Pharaoh did not know Joseph and the work he had done in Israel
 Pharaoh and other Egyptians wanted free and cheap labor from the Israelites
 Pharaoh feared that the Israelites might take leadership in Israel
 The number of the Israelites was increasing greatly hence they would have a lot of influence on the Egyptians or
be a threat to the Israelites
WAYS IN WHICH GOD PREPARED MOSES FOR THE FUTURE LEADERSHIP OF HIS LEADERSHIP
 His life was spared and he was later adopted by Pharaoh’s daughter
 He was nursed by his own mother who taught him of his background
 Life in the wilderness hardened him and taught him to be patient, keen, persevere in hardness and to be
responsible leader
 Moses learnt family responsibilities through taking care of his own family and that of Jethro’s
 He was no stranger to Pharaoh and Egypt so he could go back to Egypt and deliver the Israelites after he
received divine assurance
 He was brought up as a prince and had acquired leadership skills
THE CALL OF MOSES
 A call is being given an order to perform a specific task. Moses was looking after his father in law flock near
mount Sinai also known as Horeb
 Moses saw a bush on fire that was not being consumed. He moved nearer to see it better. It was then that God
called him by his name from the middle of the burning bush
18 | P a g e
  God instructed him not to move closer to the bush
 He also instructed him to remove his shoes
This signified that:
 Moses was standing on a holy place
 It was a sign of respect for God
 Moses was unworthy before God or he appeared humble before God
 God is superior or powerful
 Moses could hide nothing from God
 God introduced himself to Moses as the God of his ancestors; Abraham, Isaac and Jacob
 Moses hid his face out of fear
 God told Moses that he had seen the suffering and heard the cry of his people in Egypt and was going to use
Moses to deliver them and take them to the promised land of Canaan
 God commissioned Moses to go back to Egypt and free the Israelites from the hands of the Egyptians
however Moses was reluctant to go back to Egypt
REASONS WHY MOSES PROTESTED
 He was a wanted criminal in Egypt for he had killed an Egyptian and ran away
 He doubted if the Israelites would listen to him
 He did not know the God who was sending him
 He was not an eloquent speaker
 Moses was unworthy to take that responsibility so he requested for an alternative person
WAYS IN WICH GOD HELPED MOSES TO OVERCOME HIS FEARS
 God assured Moses that he was not going to use his strength but God’s power to get the Israelites out of Egypt
 God gave him his name as I AM WHOM I AM in which is a divine name for the God of Abraham, Jacob and Isaac.
This name means that;
 God is eternal
 God does not change
 He is unique
 No name can describe God’s worthiness
 Moses was told to take his brother Aaron to speak on his behalf
 God assured Moses that the men who were seeking his life had died including pharaoh
 He was instructed that after liberating the Israelites from Egypt they will worship him on mount Sinai
LESSONS CHRISTIANS CAN LEARN FROM MOSES’S ENCOUNTERS WITH GOD
 He was God’s choice in the plan to rescue the Israelites from Egypt
 God required only obedience from him
 God is holy
 God was committed to fulfill the promises given to Abraham
 God is loving and caring
 God is all powerful , eternal and everywhere
 God is mysterious he manifested himself in the burning bush
THE TEN PLAGUES (EXODUS 7:14, 11:1-40)
 Refers to contagious diseases unfortunate occurrence that affect many people
 Turned water into blood RIVER NILE
 Frog covering the whole land
 Swarms of flies
 Death of livestock
 Boils ,sores and open wounds on Egyptian and animals
 Severe hailstones
 Plague of locust
 darkness

19 | P a g e
  plague of gnats
 death of male first born of Egyptians
ATRIBUTES OF GOD 10 PLAGUES
1) God is powerful
2) God is faithful
3) He is a savior
3(God demands obedience
4) God is omnipresent (everywhere)
5) God is obedience
6) God is omniscient
7) God is just
THE PASSOVER
-Means to:
: pass
 :exempt
8) Passover is a feast celebrated to remember the exodus and freedom of the Israelites from Egypt
PREPARATIONS OF THE PASSOVER
 death passed and Each family was to choose either a lamb or a goat of one color age one year
 The animal chose was to be slaughtered on the eve of the night of the exodus
 The blood of the animal was to be smeared on the door post of the Israelites
 The meat was to be ate that night with unleavened bread and bitter herbs
 Everything was to be ate and the remains were to be burnt
 The lamb of the sacrifice was to be roasted whole
 Israelites women were to ask for jewellery, silver and clothes from the Egyptians
 Everyone was to remain indoor till morning
 On that night the angel of the killed the male first born of the Egyptians
MEANING OF THE PASSOVER MEAL
 The unleavened bread signified purity
 Eating of bitter herbs signified the hard times the Israelites passed through in Egypt
 Not breaking the bones signified forgiveness
 Eating while standing signified the hurry in which they were to leave Egypt
 Smearing of blood on the doorpost symbolizes the identity of the Israelites
HOW IS THE PASSOVER CONDUCTED TODAY AMONG THE JEWISH FAMILIES
 They celebrate the feast annually
 Eat with unleavened bread
 They give the story of the exodus
COMPARISON BETWEEN THE JEWISH PASSOVER AND CHRISTIANS’ EASTER
SIMILARITIES
Both are annual events
Both involve sacrificial lamb and rams
Both indicate are important historical events
They are both points towards Gods saving power
Both cases God uses an individual to interfere for him to Moses and Jesus
Both are central points to the believe and worship of Judaism and Christianity respectively
DIFFERENCES
The Jewish Passover marked physical victory but the Christian Easter marks spiritual victory defeats of death or
sin
The Christians commemorates the dead and resurrection of Jesus whereas the Jewish commemorate their
delivery from bondage of Egypt

20 | P a g e
The Passover was meant for Jews salvation while Easter is for mankind salvation of Christians the central figure
in the Passover was man Moses while in Easter it was the son of God Jesus
THE CHARACTERISTICS OF GOD SHOWN IN JEWISH PASSOVER
 God answers prayers
 Punished and disobedient people e.g. Egyptians
 God keeps promises/he is faithful
 Yahweh is omniscient/knowing
 Yahweh rescues his people
 Yahweh provides
 Yahweh is worthy to be worshipped
 Yahweh is powerful

IMPORTANCE OF THE JEWISH PASSOVER

 It marked the end of the Egyptians bondage for the Jewish
 It led to the Jewish Exodus from Egypt through the wilderness
 Through the Passover God showed his steady fast love to Abraham and his descendants
 The result of the Passover meal helped Israelites to experience and have faith in him
 The celebration helps to maintain Jewish unity of patriotism/nationalism
 Passover meal led to fulfillment of Gods promise to Abraham that after 400 years his descendants will
be released from slavery
 The searing of blood on the doorpost was to distinguish on the Israelites house from the Egyptian one
 Feasting on bitter herbs was a reminder bitterness slavery
 The Passover lamb symbolized the new testament sacrificial lamb Jesus to Christians
 Eating while standing symbolized that they were in hurry
 The jewellery and clothing which they had taken from the Egyptian were compensation for work they
had done…..

THE EXODUS
-Means going out.
 Refers to the Israelites journey from Egypt trough the wilderness to the promised land which took 40
years
GODS CARE/CONCERN TO THE ISRAELITE DURING THE EXODUS
 Guided Israelites by the pillar of clouds during day fire during the night
 God split water of red sea to create a dry place for Israelites to pass
 He punished the Egyptian who were pursuing Israelites
 God changed bitter water into sweet for Israelites to drink
 He provided manna and quails
 God assisted the Israelites to defend the Amelikites (enemies)
IMPORTANCE OF THE EXODUS
 Marked the end of Israelites suffering
 Israelites realized that the journey to Canaan was a fulfillment of the promise that God made to
Abraham
 Exodus proved that God was more powerful
 Exodus united the people of Israel
 They received the 10 commandments which guided them
 The Israelites entered the Sinai covenant with God
 Proved that Moses was the chosen leader


21 | P a g e
THE MAKING, BREAKING, AND RENEWAL OF THE SINAI COVENANT
Preparation
1) God promised to meet the Israelites on the third day. They were supposed to:
 To wash their clothes
 Abstain from sexual
 To make a boundary
2) God manifested:
 thunder
 lightening
 thick cloud
 loud trumpet
 smoke
 earthquake
 fire
 speaking to Moses

SEALING OF THE COVENANT

Moses ordered young men to sacrifice oxen
He divided the blood into halves
Moses took half of the blood and sprinkled on the alter
He read the 10 commandments to Israelites
Moses sprinkled blood in the basin on the people

BREAKING OF THE SINAI COVENANT

Israelites made a golden calf and worshipped it
CONDITIONS OF THE RENEWAL OF THE SINAI COVENANT
 Not to worship any other god
 Not to make idol
 To keep the feast of unleavened bread
 To rest on the Sabbath day
 To dedicate all the first born male children to offer to God the first fruit of their harvest
 Non to make treaties with other nations
 To destroy worship places of idols
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
 Do not worship any other god except me
 You shall not have any other god before me
 You shall not take the name of the lord
 Re4member the Sabbath day
 Honor your father and mother
 Shall not kill
 You shall not commit adultery
 You shall not steal
 You shall not bear false witness
 You shall not covet your neighbours property
WAYS ISRAELITES WORSHIPPED
 They observed the Sabbath day
 They said prayers
 They held festivals
 Constructed sacred places of worship

22 | P a g e
  Build alters
 Offered sacrifices to God
 Sang and danced to God
ISRAELITES NEW UNDERSTANDING OF THE NATURE OF GOD
 Gods :
o Faithful
o Holy
o Powerful
o Mysterious
o Caring / provider
o Omnipresent
o Patient
o Justice

TYPES OF FESTIVALS IN ISRAEL

 The Passover feast of the unleavened bread
 The feast of the week/Pentecost
 The feast of tabernacle
 Sabbath day
 The day of atonement
TYPES OF SACRIFICES AND OFFERING
 Burnt offering
 A tournament offering/sin
 Peace offering/fellowship/communion
 Incense
 Offering of purification

CHAPTER SIX
LEADERSHIP IN ISRAEL DAVID AND SOLOMON
Examples of judges
 Othniel
 Deborah
 Gideon
 Ehud
 Shamgar
 Samson
 Barack
 Samuel
Roles of judges in Israel
 Anointed Kings
 Led Israelites to war
 Played role of priest/prayed for the people
 Led people in offering sacrifices
 Settled disputes among people in Israel
 Foretold the will of God to people
Problems judges faced in Israel

23 | P a g e
  Idolatry
 Unable to unite the Israelites
 Killed in the battle of Canaanite conquest as the Israelites fought to occupy the promised land
 Suffered from an inferiority compel ex as a result of lack of proper military organization and weapon as opposed
to other nations.
 Failure of Israelites to appreciate that they are a theocratic nation
REASONS FOR KINGSHIP IN ISRAEL
Samuel’s sons were corrupt
 To be like other nations
 Wanted a political government governed by law and order
 They wanted a king approachable king
 Wanted hereditary leadership who could enhance political stability
REASONS AGAINST KINGSHIP IN ISRAEL
 The would introduce forced labour
 Conscribe the Israelites forcefully into the army
 Kings would grab people’s properties such as land
 Would force their daughters to work as maids for his wives
 Israel would cease to be covenant people
 It was seen as rejection of God as a king and leader and Yahweh would reject them when they cried out
Failures of king Saul
 He offered sacrifices to God instead of Samuel.
 He failed to carry out the law of total destruction of an enemy conquered
 He consulted medians
 He committed suicide
LESSONS LEANT FROM KING SAUL’S FAILURES
 Christians required to be patient for the fulfillment of God’s promises
 Political leaders act as conscience of society
 Political leaders must be God fearing
 Church leaders act as conscience of society
 It is wrong for political leaders to turn against someone they feel is their rival
 Christians must be sincere and honest in their action.
 Authorities comes from God would be totally obeyed.
Achievement of king David
 Defeated enemies of Israel .
 Expanded geographical boundaries
 Captured Jerusalem from jebusites
 Made Jerusalem the capital city of Israel
 He brought the ark of covenant to Jerusalem
 He made peace treaties with his neighbors
 He composed psalms
 United 12 tribes of Israel
WAYS KING DAVID PROMOTED WORSHIP OF GOD
 Brought ark of the covenant to Jerusalem
 Compose psalms
 Respected God’s prophets
 Wanted to build temple for God
 He repented when he made mistakes
 He sought God’s guidance
 He offered sacrifices

24 | P a g e
  Entered covenant with God.

DIVINE PROMISES MADE TO DAVID

 God promised to establish an everlasting kingdom for David
 God would give David’s descendants a place to settle/land
 His son would built the temple.
 God promised to keep David and his descendants safe from all enemies.
 God promised to raise up an heir from the house of David to sit on the throne
QUALITIES OF GOOD LEADERS DRAWN FROM KING DAVID
 Courage
 Faith
 Gratitude
 Loyalty
 Justice
 Wise
 Humble
 Kindness
ACHIVEMENTS OF KING SOLOMON
 He improved economy of Israel through trading.
 He maintained peace in Israel.
 Built temple for God.
 He housed the ark of the covenant.
 He composed proverbs and songs.
REFORMS CARRIED OUT BY KING DAVID IN ISRAEL
 He brought the ark of covenant to Jerusalem
 Made Jerusalem a religious center
 Composed song used in religious worshipping God
 Respected God`s prophets
 He initiated the idea of building the temple of God.
FAILURES OF KING SOLOMON.
 Married many wives who worshiped idols.
 Introduced forced labour.
 Killed his half brother Adonijah.
 Introduced high taxation.
 Sold part of Israel’s territory.
 He hired pagan craftsmen who decorated and furnished the temple.
 Made treaties with foreign nations.
 Practiced nepotism and tribalism
LESSONS THAT CAN BE LEARNED FROM FAILURES OF KING SOLOMON.
 Leaders should adhere to God’s laws.
 Leaders should respect life and property and use national resources for the benefit all.
 Greed for power can make leaders to even kill so as to safeguard their leadership position.
 Leaders should be morally upright.
 Oppression can lead to break up of a nation.
OUTLINE WAYS IN WHICH KING SOLOMON FULFILLED PROPHECIES ON KINGSHIP
 Violated God’s command which forbid worship of idol
 Made treaties with other nations
 Levied heavy taxes
 He killed Adonijah

25 | P a g e
  Sold land of Israel
 Introduced forced labour
OUTLINE WAYS IN WHICH KING SOLOMON FULFILLEDPROPHECIES OFKINGSHIP
 Violated God`scommand which forbid worship of idols
 Made treaties with other nations
 Levied heavy taxes
 He killed Adonijah
 Sold land of Israel
 He introduced forced labour
WAYS IN WHICH CHRISTIAN LEADERS CAN PROMOTE THE WORSHIP OF God IN KENYA TODAY
 By praying
 Advising others to obey God
 Condemning injustice
 Participating in making laws
 Respecting other leaders
 Repenting their sins
 Using their resources to promote worship
 Promote peace coexistence
SIMILARITIES BETWEEN THE TEMPLE IN JERUSALEM AND CHURCHES IN KENYA TODAY

 Both are places for worship

 Both are places where people are taught about God
 Both are used for dedication
 Both is where religious festivals are celebrated
 Both are symbols of unity for believers
 In both tithes and offerings are taken
WAYS IN WHICH CHRISTANS LEADERS CAN PROMOTE THE WORSHIP OF GOD IN KENYA TODAY
 By praying
 Advising others to obey God
 Condemning injustices
 Participating in making laws
 Respecting others leaders
 Repenting their sins
 Using their resources to promote worship
 Promote peace coexistence
REASONS WHY LEADERS ARE REJECTED TODAYS
 They are corrupt
 Fail to promote peace and Harmony
 Lack of proper education and training
 They practice discrimination
 Fail to address problems of his subjects
 Misappropriation of funds
 Associates with people of questionable behaviors
PROBLEMS FACED BY CHURCH LEADERS.
 Receive threats
 Inadequate finance
 Lack of cooperation
 Rivalry among leaders
 Not being role models

26 | P a g e
  Separation from their families
 Misinterpretation of scriptures
 Greed for material things
 Posted to a hostile environment
 Political interference
 Lack of adequate skills
 Permissiveness/corruption/moral decadence
 Rejection/tribalism/gender
WAYS KINGS USED TO BRING PEOPLE BACK TO GOD
 Destroying alters of gods
 Killing priests of Baal
 Restoring temple worship
 Repaired the temple
 Destroyed bronze serpent
 Did not form political alliance with neighbouring countries
TYPES OF LEADERS WHOM GOD GAVE HIS POWER IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
 Priests/Levities
 Prophets/prophetess/ seers
 Judges
 Kings
 Warriors
 Patriarchs
CAUSES OF POWER STRUGGLE
 Greed for material possession
 Hypocrisy/misbehavior of leaders
 Tribalism/nepotism/clanism/racism/ethnicity/discrimination
 Generation gap
 Economic status
 Educational status
 Differences in interpretation of Christian doctrines
 Rigidity
 Political interference
 Prestige/recognition
 Succession struggle
HOW CAN CHRISTIANS ASSIST THE CHURCH LEADER TO PERFORM THEIR DUTIES EFFECTIVELY
 Giving financial support
 Advising them
 Participating fully in church activities
 Giving tithes and offerings
 Praying for them
 Respecting them
 Obeying God’s word
 Defending them against unfair criticism
 Providing training opportunities for them
HOW CHURCH LEADERS ARE PUT INTO TEST
 Directives from the state whereby they are required to pass across information that is contrary to their beliefs
/doctrines
 Confusion resulting from religious pluralism [Satanism/Christian science]
 Feeling of despair /some church leaders feeling that they are unable to reach a large number of people

27 | P a g e
  Human suffering which hinder people from accepting the message of hope
 Lack of cooperation
 Problem of how to react when expectation are not met
 Inadequate knowledge on how to deal with various groups
 Temptations to acquire wealthy unjustly
 Difficulties to harmonize message of gospel and science and technology
 Inability to control human desires
 Mighty be in hastily environment
FACTORS THAT PREVENT POLITICAL LEADERS FROM PERFORMING THEIR DUTIES
 Ridicule
 Inability to live upto exceptions of the electorate promises made
 Women leaders are discriminated
 Division between the parties
 Lack of adequate forum to address their electorate
 Insecurity
 Conflicting\ideologies
 Inadequate funds
 Personal differences
 Inadequate infrastructure
 Cultural\religion barriers\tribal\ethnic\racial\corruption
HOW DO CHRISTIAN LEADERS MISUSE THEIR POSITIONS TODAY (6MKS)
 Embezzling funds\ grabbing\greed
 Misappropriating funds
 Employing relatives\nepotism
 Discriminating\ oppressing the poor\needy
 Imposing their ideas on the congregation
 Misusing spiritual gift\false prophecy
 Practicing immorality
 Misusing church property
 Showing off pride\arrogant
 Taking revenging
FACTORS WHICH LED TO FAILURES OF DAVID’S SUCCESSORS
 Shed innocent blood
 Married foreign wives
 Built temple for idol worship
 Dishonest
 Disobedient to God
 Did not rule according to mosaic law
 Not listen to the prophet
 Worshiping God and gods
IMPORTANCE OF THE TEMPLE IN JERUSALEM
 Symbolized God`s presence
 Religious ceremonies took place in the temple
 The ark of the covenant was kept
 Used as alaw court
 Sacrifices were done
 Training center for the Jewish religious teachings
 Offering for God was carried out
REASONSWHY THE TEMPLE WAS BUILT

28 | P a g e
  Place of worship
 Signified God`s presence
 Unite Israelites
 A trading center
 Residence for priests
 Festivals were held there
 Used as law court
REASONS WHY CHURCHES ARE BUILT TODAY
 For worship
 Thesignify God`s presence/house of God
 Religious functions take place there
 Preaching take place there
 Acts as assign of prestige/recognition/identification
 To demonstrate their faith in the existence of God
 To follow the traditions of the old testament teachings on the temple as a house of God
 Can be used as a place of refuge in times of danger/hostility
 As a sign of growth both numerically and geographically

CHAPTER SEVEN
LOYALTY TO GOD: ELIJAH
THE LOCAL CANAANITE RELIGION/ CHARACTERISTICS/ FEATURES
 The Canaanite religion was a nature of worship structured according to agricultural practices
 El was the chief god and Asherah was the chief goddess
 It was polytheistic in nature / worship of many gods and goddess
 They built shrines in which they worshipped
 Associated their god with natural events
 Human sacrifices were offered to deities
 Practiced temple prostitution
 Gods and goddesses were represented in the form of images/symbols
 Cyclic
 Family religion
NAME THE GOD/GODDESSES OF THE CANAANITES
 EL - Chief god / creator
 Asherah- goddess of human fertility
 Dragin - god of crop fertility
 Baal - god of rain, storm and agricultural and production
 Astarte - she was the goddess of war, love, storm
 Anat - goddess of war
 Mot - god of famine, drought and death
 Maat - goddess of love
FACTORS THAT ATTRACTED THE ISRAELITE TO THE CANAANITE RELIGION
 Gods were visible
 Change from pastoralism to agriculture
 Was cyclic since It revolved around the season
 Had variety of festivals and feasts
 Existence of many places of worship
 Religion was related to forces of nature
29 | P a g e
  Syncretism
REASONS FOR IDOL WORSHIP AMONG THE ISRAELITES
 Changed their lifestyle from pastoralism to agriculture
 Syncretism
 Schism/split of Israel
 Kings influenced them to worship idols
 gods and goddesses were visible
 Temple prostitution was attractive
 Marriage with foreigners/intermarriages
 Temple for foreign worship were built on high places
 Many number of false prophets
WAYSIN WHICH KING JEROBOAM CONTRIBUTED TO RELIGIOUS SCHISM BETWEEN JUDAH AND ISRAEL
 Encouraged Israelites to offer sacrifices to idols
 Built two alternative places of worship and placed golden calves for worship
 Chose priests from ordinary families
 He built other places of worship on hilltops and placed priests to serve there
 He burnt incense at alters
 He instituted festivals in the month of his choice
 He let revolts that led to the split of Gods kingdom
REASONS WHY THE NORTHERN KINGDOM WAS DESTROYED EARLIER BEFORE THE SOUTHERN JUDAH
 Sold fellow Israelites into slavery
 Judges were corrupt
 Yahweh’s prophets were persecuted
 Kings led people in idol worship
 Rejected messages of the true prophets
 People refused to repent
 Kings built temples for idol worship
 Sexual immorality
FACTORS THAT LED TO THE SPREAD OF IDOLATRY
 Split of kingdom into Judah and Israel/schism
 Intermarriages with Canaanite tribe
 Kings influenced them to worship idols
 Many false prophets / did not listen to the true prophets
 Transition/ change from pastoral life to agricultural life
 They were attracted to visible gods and goddesses
 Built alters for worship of idols
 The nature of the Canaanite religion
 Syncretism
 Failure to destroy places of idol worship
PRACTICES OF IDOLATLY DURING THE TIME OF ELIJAH
 Shrines / alters built for worship of idols
 Human sacrifices
 Temple prostitution
 Images and symbols were made to represent gods and goddesses
 Polytheism
EFFECTS OF IDOLATRY IN ISRAEL
 God raised prophet to bring people back to God
 Persecution of Gods prophets
 Baal prophets / prophetesses were brought to Israel

30 | P a g e
  Corruption / social injustices
 Syncretism
 Drought for 3 and half years
 Israel lost identity as achosen nation
 A contest was held at mount Carmel to prove who was the true God to be worshipped
 Elijah felt the country / was sustained by God’s power during the period of drought
CONTEST BETWEEN PROPHET ELIJAH AND PROPHET OF BAAL AT MOUNT CARMEL
 Prophet Elijah asked King Ahab to gather people at Mount Carmel
 He suggested to the people that the bull be brought and every part to offer sacrifice to God
 The prophets of Baal were given time in which they prayed and called upon the names of their gods but he
answered nothing
 Elijah mocked them to shout louder for their god
 They played /cut themselves until they bled
 Elijah placed the sacrifice and he told them to pour water on it
 He prayed and fire come down and consumed the sacrifice
 Elijah killed all the false prophets
EFFORTS MADE BY PROPHET ELIJAH TO FIGHT FALSE RELIGION IN ISRAEL
 Announced a 3 and half year drought
 Publicly accused king Ahab as a trouble maker in Israel
 Called people to repent
 Anointed Elisha as a prophet to succeed him
 Pronounced judgments to king Ahab’s house
 Killed 450 Baal prophets
 On mount Carmel he proved that Yahweh was a true Godby calling upon fire to burn the sacrifice
REASONS FOR ELIJAH’S CONTEST AT MOUNT CARMEL
 To prove that he was the true prophet of God
 To bring end to false religion
 To save them from punishment
 To reveal the character ofGod/ jealousy
 To enable them to choose either to worship God or Baal
 To remind Israel to repent and return to God
 To make them realize that syncretism was sin
WHAT DOES THE CONTEST AT MOUNT CARMEL REVEAL ABOUT GOD
 Faithful
 Just
 Punishes evil
 Answer prayers
 Powerful
 One true loving god
 Jealous
 Forgiving/merciful/caring
CIRCUMSTANCES THAT LED TO THE MOUNT CARMEL CONTEST
 King Ahab married jezebel who brought idol worship in Israel
 King Ahab built temple for idol worship
 Yahweh’s alters were destroyed
 Syncretism
 Yahweh’s prophets were killed
 Prolonged drought
 Israel broke the covenant relationship with God

31 | P a g e
  The contest was to prove that Yahweh was the true God
CONDITIONS THAT MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR PROPHET ELIJAH TO STOP IDOLATRY IN ISRAEL
 Many false prophets
 King Ahab allowed Jezebel to spread idolatry
 True prophets were killed
 Building of high places of idol worship
 gods and goddesses were visible
 Canaanite religion influenced them
HOW KING AHAB FAILED TO KEEP THE COVENANT LAW
 Oppressed lowly
 Coveted Naboth’s vineyard
 Allowed the murder of Naboth
 Allowed his wife to bear false witness against Naboth
 Equated himself with God
 He took away Naboth’s vineyard

COMMANDMENTS WHICH KING AHAB AND JEZEBEL BROKE FROM THE STRY OF NABOTH VINEYARD
 He killed
 Worshipped idols
 Coveted
 Stole Naboth’s vineyard
 Bore false witness
 Used the name of God in vain
PUNISHMENT PROPHESIED BY ELIJAH TO KING AHAB AND JEZEBEL
 Dogs will lick the blood of Ahab
 Clan of king Ahab would be wiped out
 Dogs will eat the body of Jezebel
 Birds would eat family of Ahab who died in the city
 All male children would be cut off
 God was to take away property of king Ahab
 Death of king Ahab would be in the same place/valley of Jezebel like Naboth
PROBLEMS FACED BY PROPHET ELIJAH
 Jezebel threatened to kill Elijah
 He fled after killing prophets of Baal
 Loneliness
 Walked 40 days and nights to mount Horeb
 Elijah doubted victory over Baal
 Prophesying 3 and half year drought
 He was accused by king Ahab as a trouble maker
 To prove that Yahweh was the true God to be worshipped
WHY ELIJAH FACED DANGER AND HOSTILITY IN ISRAEL
 He prophesied 3 and half year drought
 Condemned king Ahab and Jezebel
 Killed 450 false prophets
 Lived in the wilderness
 Contest at mount Carmel to prove that Yahweh was a true God to be worshipped
WHY ELIJAH FACED DANGER AND HOSTILITY IN ISRAEL
 He prophesied a 3 and half years drought
 Condemned king Ahab and Jezebel

32 | P a g e
  Killed 450 false prophets
 Lived in the wilderness
 Contest at mount Carmel proved that Yahweh was a true God to be worshipped
 Attacks from wild animals
SIGNS USED BY PROPHET ELIJAH TO PROVE THAT YAHWEH WAS A TRUE GOD
 Prophecy of 3 and half year drought
 Raising up the widow’s son from dead
 He was fed by ravens while in the wilderness
 Multiply of flour and oil at the widow of zeruphath
 He was raised up to heaven by whirl wind
 Furious wind that split the hill and rocks
 Earthquake and fire at mount Horeb

WHY ELIJAH IS CONSIDERED A TRUE PROPHET OF GOD

 Raised to life a child of widow of zerephath
 Anointed Elijah as a prophet and John as king
 Prophesied a 3 and half years drought
 Prayed and God brought fire which consumed the sacrifice
 Stood for Yahweh all though his life
 Ahab and Jezebel sought to kill but they failed as God revealed their wicked plans to Elijah
 God sent ravens to feed him
 Performed miracles to help the poor widow who gave him shelter
ACHIEVEMENTS/SUCCESSES OF PROPHET ELIJAH
 Condemned corruption
 Prophesied a 3 and half year drought
 Performed miracles in which food multiplied for the widow
 Raised the widows son from death
 Predicted the end of drought
 Prophesied about Gods punishment to Ahab and his family came to pass
 He installed a new king as successor of Ahab
 He left Elisha succeed him
 He was taken to heaven
LIFE SKILLS THAT HELPED ELIJAH TO FIGHT CORRUPTION
 Assertiveness
 Creative thinking
 Decision making
 Self esteem
 Negotiation
 Conflict resolution
 Effective communication
 Self awareness
 Critical thinking
WAYS CHRISTIANS FIGHT CORRUPTION
 Set good examples/ role models
 Report corrupt people
 Seek for God’s forgiveness
 Warning corrupt individuals
 Praying for justice
 Fighting social evils

33 | P a g e
  Keeping the law
LESSONS CHRISTIANS LEARN FROM PROPHETIC MISSION OF ELIJAH
 Condemn all form of evil
 Set good example to others
 Resist temptation
 Seek for God’s guidance
 To encounter opposition , persecution and threats
 Not use their position to oppress the weak
 Use life skills to overcome challenges
 Lead prayerful life
 Advocate for the weak/poor
 Avoid all forms of idolatry
FACTORS THAT LEAD PEOPLE AWAY FROM THE WORSHIP OF GOD TODAY
 Materialism
 Social injustice
 Permissiveness
 Urbanization
 Confusion /frustration /stress
 Sexual immorality
 Scientific technology advancement
 Drug and alcohol abuse
 Poverty
 Crime
 Obsession of power
WAYSIN WHICH CHRISTIANS ENHANCES TRUE WORSHIP OF GOD
 Praying for guidance from God
 Reading the bible
 Living exemplary life
 Repenting
 Contributing to the church dues
 Providing technological training
 Allowing children to attend schools for basic facts on Christianity
 Avoiding castigating each other during public worship
 Seeking for guidance and counseling
WAYS IN WHICH CHURCH WORSHIP IS ABUSED
 Misinterpreting of the bible
 Using pulpit as a political platform
 Quarrel in the church between rival groups
 Charging fee for prayers
 Rejecting preachers for condemning evil in the church
 Embezzling church funds
 hypocrisy
 Turning away some faithful
 Erotic and pop singing and dancing in the church

CHAPTER EIGHT
SELECTED ASPECTS IN AFRICAN RELIGIOUS HERITAGE
34 | P a g e
 THE AFRICAN CONCEPT OF GOD
ARTRIBUTES/CHARACTERISTICS OF GOD
 Provider
 All knowing
 Powerful/omnipotent
 Transcendent/beyond all
 Holy
 eternal
 Omnipresent
 Creator
 Immanent
 Self existent
 Merciful/forgiving
AFRICAN CONCEPT OF SIN
Spirits are beings that are believed to exist between God and human beings
They are greater than human kinds but subject to God
There are four main categories of spirit:
 God
 Divinities
 Common spirits
 Ancestors
CHARACTERISTICS OF SPIRITS
 They dwell in places like rivers,trees,mountains,cavesetc
 Their deeds are unpredictable
 They are mediators between God and man
 They are invisible
 They are believed to be more powerful than human beings
AFRICAN CONCEPT OF ANCESTORS
These are the spirits of the people who died recently
They are also called the living dead
CHARACTERISTICS OF ANCESTORS
 They live closer to God
 They influence the social and religious life
 They are believed to be in constant communication with the living through dreams and religious leaders
 They were respected by the living
IMPORTANCE OF ANCESTORS TO TRADITIONAL AFRICACAN COMMUNITY
I. They are mediators
II. They interceded for the people
III. They warned the living of coming danger
IV. Regulated the morals of the community
V. Children were named after them
THE ROLE OF THE LIVING TO THE ANCESTORS
 To name their children after the ancestors
 To offer sacrifices
 To celebrate the departure of the ancestors
 To call upon the names of ancestors in prayer seeking for favour
 They ensured that during religious ceremonies ancestors were involved
 To live in the morally upright life

35 | P a g e
 TRADITIONAL AFRICAN WORSHIP OF GOD
AFRICANS WORSHIPPED God in the following ways:
 Through sacrifices
 Prayers
 Offerings
 Invocations
 Blessings
 Salutation
REASONS FOR THE WORSHIP OF GOD
 To thank God for what he had done
 To petition for the needs [Link], health,fertility of animals and land etc
 To recognize dependence onGod
 To strengthen our faith
 To appease God and spirits
 To fellowship and share joy of life
 For God to lead us through temptations
THE ROLE OF GOD
 He loves all human beings
 He is the giver and sustainer of life
 He controls through spirits
 He speaks to human beings through prophets
 He gives power to specialist e.g. medicine men, kings, priests, healers
 He gives order to the universe
THE ROLE OF SPIRITS
 They welcome living dead to unseen world
 They posses specialists
 Evil spirits posses people and drive them away from home
 They were consulted to explain to the living certain occurrences which were beyond their understanding
 They acted as intermediators between human kind, divinities, and God
THE ROLE OF ANCESTORS
 They gave instructions to families on what should be done
 They cautioned the living on the impending punishment
 Theyacted as intermediates between the living andGod
 They welcomed those who died to the spirit world
 The blessed the living
 They helped to preserve the culture
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE LIVING TOWARDS GOD, SPIRITS AND ANCESTORS
A) Responsibility towards God
 To give thanks to him
 To honour and worship him
 To obey Godat all times
 To trust in God
 To pray to God for their needs
 To take care of God`s creation
b) Responsibilities towards the spirits
 Makesacrifices to them
 respect them
 Build places of worship for the people to meet with spirits
 Offering sacrifices to the spirits

36 | P a g e
  Consulting the spirits always
 show gratitude to the spirit
 Pouring libations to the spirits
c) Responsibilities towards the ancestors
 Show respect to them
 Offering sacrifices to appease them
 Protecting ancestral land
 Pouring of libation to the ancestors
 Naming their children after them
 Inviting their ancestors to participate in celebration
AFRICAN UNDERSTANDING ON THE HIERARCHY OF BEINGS
HIERARCHY OF BEINGS
 Refers to the ranking of beings in the universe
 God occupies the highest rank
 Divinities occupies the second position since they were created by God
 They acted as God`s servants
 They acted also as mediators
COMMON SPIRITS
Comes third in rank
They acted as mediators between God and the people
They included spirits of people ho died long ago
LIVING DEAD / ANCESTORS
 Occupies the fourth position in the hierarchy of beings
 They were known as ancestors
 They were referred to people who died recently
 They named children after the ancestors
 Human beings are ranked fifth position
 The elders played an important role in the society
 They had special link with the invisible world
 Plants and animals occupied sixth position in the hierarchy of beings
 Trees acted as places of worship
 Plants and animals also offered food to man
NON LIVING THINGS
They occupied the seventh position which is the last position
They include;
 Rocks
 Mountains
 Valleys
 Lakes
 Oceans
 Rivers
 Caves etc
WAYS AFRICANS WORSHIPPED GOD
 Through sacrifices
 Prayers
 Offerings
 Invocations
 Blessings
 Salutation

37 | P a g e
 SIMILARITIES BETWEEN AFRICAN AND CHRISTIAN WORSHIP
 In both cases they were sacrifices
 In both cases they offered offerings
 In both cases prayers were offered
 In both cases religious leaders presided over worship
 In both cases worship involved songs and dance
 In both cases there ware intermediaries
 In both cases man was is seeking favor from God through worship
DIFFERENCES IN UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN AFRICAN AND CHRISTIAN WORSHIP
 In Christian worship, specific days were set aside for worshipping whereas African used daily
experiences in worshipping God
 In Christian worship, sacred writing was used for worshipping whereas African worship the massage was
passed orally
 In Christian worship, services wereprogrammed whereas in African worship, eventsdictated worship
 In Christian worship, they used churches for worshipping God whereasin African society they used
shrines or trees to worship God
 In Christian worship Christians interceded on behalf of others whereas Africans message converged
though the ancestors
 In Christian worship, worship is presided over by both the youth and elderly whereas in African
community it was only done by elders
 In Christians worship, they offered offerings whereas Africans worship offered sacrifices
THE MEANING OF LIFE AND ITS WHOLENESS IN TRADITIONAL AFRICAN SOCIETY
Social life
In traditional African society, life is understood in terms of relationships and living with others in the community
Communal life
African live and work together and share the joy and sorrows of one another as a community
Spiritual life
In traditional African society, life is directly linked with God
It also refers to the way human beings relate to God
Physical aspect of life
This refers to the body conditions of human beings
It’s important to feed, take care and protect the physical bod
Environmental aspect of life
This is the physical environment where living and non living things on earth depends on each other
COMMUNITY IN TRADITIONAL AFRICAN SOCIETY
COMMUNITY
Is a group of people who share a race,religion,interest and geographical area
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE COMMUNITY
 They sharethe same geographical area
 Have a common interest
 They speak one language
 They have a common origin/ancestry
 They have acommonbelief, custom and cultural practice
 The African community includes the living members, the living dead and the unborn
 They share co-operate and participate in every aspect of life
KINSHIP BY BLOOD
This is having a common ancestor though birth for example sister, brother, cousins,Uncles,grand fathers and
parents
KINSHIP BY MARRIAGE

38 | P a g e
 This is the relationship that comes through marriage
Husband and wife have marriage relationship
IMPORTANCE OF THE KINSHIP SYSTEM
 It governs marriage customs and rules
 It determines the behavior of a person towards another in the society
 Keeps the link between the living and the living dead
 It educates the community in the beliefs and practices
 Helps in settling disputes
 It ensures that inheritance of property is done in the correct way
FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO HARMONY AND MUTUAL RESPONSBILITY IN AFRICANCOMMUNITIES
 Participating in community activities
 Communal ownership of land
 Believe in common ancestry/origin
 Clan system and kinship ties
 Division of labour
 Rites of passage
 Religious beliefs and practices
THE CONSEQUENCES OF BREAKING TABOOS
Taboos
 These are the dos and don`ts in the society
 Paying fines
 Corporal punishment
 Some were killed
 Making of sacrifices to appease ancestors, spirits and gods
 Excommunication/ send away from the community
 Offering compensation
 They were cursed
RITES OF PASSAGE
A rite of passage is a ceremony performed by a particular group of people to mark the stage of a person’s life
from conception eg birth and naming, initiation, marriage, death
RITUALS CARRIED OUT AFTER BIRTH AND THEIR MEANING
1. Placenta and umbilical cord
They are disposed ceremoniously so that the womb may remain fertile to ensure continuity of life
2. Washing of the mother
Symbolizes that she is pure or clean to join the rest of the society
3. Slaughtering of a goat or bull on the third day
It symbolizes rejoining
4. Shaving of the hair
Symbolizes the new state of life
5. Prayers
Are offered to bless and protect the mother and the child
NAMING RITUALS
Giving presents to the baby an mother as a sign of good will
Feasting is assign of joy
Saying prayer signifies a long life
Holding of the baby by the members of the community shows concerns of the baby
Bathing the baby to begin a new life
Shaving of the mother , signifies new status
WAYS OF NAMING CHILDREN

39 | P a g e
 I. The place of delivery eg nyanchera, makori
II. Naming from the ancestors
III. The experience of the mother during the pregnancy eg taabu, onchanda
IV. Season, time, activity eg nyabura, nyakige, wafula
V. After names of heroes eg jomo Kenyatta, Barrack Obama
VI. Names expressing religious beliefs eg were in luhya
VII. Twins are given special names ie barongo in kisii
VIII. They may be named after animals or given bad names to hide their identity eg ngiti meaning dog
among the Akamba people,nyangau,nyanchoka,basweti etc
THE IMPORTANCE OF NAMING
 Some names shows gratitude to God
 The living dead are made present
 Some names remand the community of major events
 Names give the child identity
 Some names define child`s character

RITES OF INITIATION
It’s a process through which an individual changes status by moving from one stage to another in life
The rite of initiation was carried out during adolescence or puberty to introduce one to adulthood
CIRCUMCISION
 Circumcision o men was by cutting off the fore skin
 Initiation comprised of specific features ie
 Specific rituals
 Surgery
 Strengthening of the age group
 Suffering and endurance
 Testing of skills
IMPORTANCE OF INITIATION
 Aperson acquires new rights and privileges
 To bring people together
 Initiates receive special education
 It helps in structuring the community through age set
CHANGES THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE IN THE RITE OF INITIATION IN KENYA
 Circumcision can be done at any age
 Pair of scissors are used not blunt knives
 Children are taken to hospital
 People are discouraged from using the same circumcision instruments to reduce the spread of HIV
 It`s no longer a test of courage
 In some communities, initiation his been individualized

REASONS WHY A FAMALE MUTILATION IS DISCOURAGED IN KENYA

 It may led to spread of HIV/ AIDS
 Leads to injury of the reproductive organs
 Clitoridectomy is against human rights
 It causes psychological torture
 It leads to irresponsible sexual behavior
 Leads to early marriages
 Leads to school drop outsleads to bleeding/ death
 Can lead to disagreement or quarreling

40 | P a g e
 RITE OF MARRIAGE
Marriage refers to the socially acceptable and recognized union between a man and a wife/ woman
It’s the third rite of passage
It was ordained by God
HOW TO CHOOSE A MARRIGE PARTNER
 A young person could choose a partner for himself or herself
 Parents could choose
 Relatives
 Mediators
 Clan elders
 Senior wife

BETHROTAL AND COURTSHIP

BETHROTAL- Is the formal engagement between the bride and bridegroom
COURTSHIP- is the period of familiarizing and knowing each other`s weaknesses and strengths
It enables one to identify the kinship and to dig more about the character of a partner
IMPORTANCE OF MARRIAGE
 One acquire a new status
 Marriage is ameeting point o f the living dead ,living and unborn
 Helps one to have children
 Marriage created families and sustained lineage
 RITE OF DEATH
 Is the last rite of passage
Causes of death
I. Witchcraft
II. Evil spirits
III. Breaking of taboos
IV. Sorcery/magic
V. Old age
WHY PEOPLE FEAR DEATH
 It camesun announced
 It involves too many rituals
 It`s in escapable
 It leads to poverty
 Causes misunderstanding in the community
 It disrupts the community`s activities
 Nobody knows life after death
 It separates one from the loved one
RITUALS OBSERVED WHEN ONE HAS DIED/FUNERAL
 Body is washed in order to preserve it
 The death is buried with their belongings to signify thattheir is life after death
 The body is buried in ancestral land to signify continuity
 Wailing of the people signifies their sorrow to the diseased
 Offering of sacrifices appeases the sprits
 Prayers are said so that to protect the living and the death in their new life
 Shaving of the hair signifies a new life
 Feasting and drinking to celebrate the departure of the diseased/farewell
 Chasing of animals that cause death
 Breaking of pots signifies disorder

41 | P a g e
 PRACTICES IN TRADITIONAL AFRICANSOCIETY THAT SHOWS THEIR BELIEF IN LIFE AFTER DEATH
I. Offering of sacrifices
II. Taking care of the graveyard
III. Fulfilling the wishes of death
IV. Burying the death in a particular position
V. Holding commemoration ceremonies
VI. Taking of the death as having gone for a walk
VII. Naming of the children after the death
VIII. Burying of the death with their property
IX. Invoking the names of the death during problems
Pouring of libation

MORAL VALUES ACQURED DURING BIRTH AND NAMING

 Bravery
 Obedient
 Respect
 Humility
 Patience
MORAL VALUES ACQUIRED DURING INITIATION
 Faithfulness
 Hard work
 Courage
 Unity/ cooperation
 Love
 Responsibility
 Respect
 Honest
 Tolerance
 loyalty
MORAL VALUES ACQUIRED DURING
MARRIAGE
 Love
 Faithfulness
 Unit/cooperation
 Tolerance
 Respect
 Humility
 Responsibility
 Integrity
 Honest
 Courage
MORAL VALUES ACQUIRED AT DEATH
 Generosity
 Love
 Hope
 Loyalty
 Unit/cooperation
 Merciful/forgiving
ROLES OF RELIGIOUS SPECIALISTS IN TRADITIONAL AFRICAN COMMUNITIES

42 | P a g e
 The following are religious specialists
 Prophets
 Blacksmith
 Elders
 Sponsor
 Medicine men
 Medium
 Diviners
 Priests
 Rain makers
MEDICINE MEN
 They identified illness and their causes
 They prepared charms for protection against witchcraft and evil spirits
 They gave medicines to increase fertility in both people animals
 They acted as counselors
 They identified appropriate treatment and preventionmeasures for the illness
MEDIUMS
 They gave that cause ,nature and treatment of a disperse or misfortune
 They received messages from the spirits on behalf of the living
 They gave information concerning lost articles of theft
 They communicated with the living
 They only acted when they were spirit possessed
DIVINERS
 They got their powers through inheritance or divine calling
 They used
 They used divination objects, common sense and insight
 They unveiled mysteries by interpreting the information received from the spirits
 They helped the society to solve issues that were difficult for them to understand
 They did the work of counselors,judges,advisers,comforters,assurers and confidants
 During crises
 They also played the role of priests, seers and fortune rulers
PRIESTS
 They took care of religious places such as shrines
 They offered sacrifices and offerings and presided over rituals and prayers
 They acted as judges, advisersand experts in traditional rituals and rules
 They poured libation, offered prayers of petition, repentance and thanks giving to God
 They interceded for human beings before God, spirits and the ancestors
 They were in charge of royal graves
 They installed kings and chiefs
 They symbolized God’s presence in the African society
 They acted as guardians ofcommunity knowledge,taboos,religion and oral history
 They performed rainmaking ceremonies and conducted fertility festivals
 They drove away witches
RAINMAKERS
 They got their powers through supernatural endowment or apprenticeship
 They observed the behavior of plants, insects and animals
 They used sacred objects in rainmaking
 They acted as intermediaries between God, the spirit and human beings
 They beseeched God either to bring rain when there was drought or to stop rain when

43 | P a g e
  There were floods
 Some of them practiced as diviners, medicine people, mediums and priests
 They gave sacrifices and offerings to God and prayed on behalf of the people
PROPHETS
 They foretold events such as invasions, war, drought or epidemics
 They communicated God’s message to the community and predicted the will of God
 They played the role of political leaders ,diviners, ritual leaders and moral advisers to
 The community
 They performed religious duties which were beyond priests and medicine people
 They received messages from the ancestors and the spirit through dreams and spirit
 possessions

ELDERS
 They were in charge of families, villages and clans
 They settled disputes in the community
 They were custodians’ of community property and decided how it would be shared
 They offered guidance and counseling to the members of the community
 They were consulted by individuals making family decisions
 They stipulated the rules and regulations to be followed for the maintenance of law and
Older
BLACKSMITH
 They made knives, hoes and machetes
 They trained those who received acall
 They make sure they were in good relationship with the spirit
 They trained those who were interested in blacksmith
 They offered sacrifices and libation to the spirit world
SPONSORS
 Promote the youth into adulthood
 Providing a learning forum for the youth to know the society’s ideals
 Used as a method of preserving the society’s culture heritage
 Created a strong relationship between the initiates and the sponsor
 Enhances the bond of friendship among the initiates
 It made one a full member of a community creating a sense of belonging
 One was given a right to own property and to marry

AFRICAN MORAL VALUES

Moral value-
Refers to the accepted standards of behavior to the African traditional society

HOSPITALITY
Refers to being friendly, generous treatment and entertainment of guest, strangers, friends and
relatives.
HONESTY
Is ability to say the truth without fear
COURTESY
Polite behavior being considerate /having good manners
INTEGRITY
Having strong moral discipline
LOVE

44 | P a g e
 A strong feeling of a deep affection for somebody or something
CO-OPERATION
Means, work together towards a common God
UNITY
It is a situation in which people join together to agree on something
RESPONSIBILITY
Is being accountable for one’s action
LOYALITY
Is being true and faithful in one’s support of somebody or a particular course or ideology
TOLERANCE/PERSERVERANCE
This is the ability to bear or put up with difficult situations without giving up

CONTINUITY AND CHANGE IN AFRICAN UNDERSTANDING

The following factors has led to changes in African culture
 Western culture
 Permissiveness
 Formal education
 Christianity
 Urbanization
 Science and technology/phone, internet phonographic movies
 Mass media influence
 Moral decay
 Human rights movement
These factors have affected the African understanding of the following
COMMUNITY
The community was ethnic group of people sharing the same traditional values and customs
CONTINUITY
 People still visit their ancestral home
 People still rely on their relatives for help
 Politicians capitalist on ethnic followings
 Some traditions are still observed
 There are still member criteria that is observed
CHANGES
i. Increase in intermarriages
ii. Marriage is no longer compulsory
iii. Life is individualistic
iv. Some young people do not speak their vernacular language
v. Some people have settled away from their ancestral homes
CONTINUITY
Dress
The dress one ware was determined age, sex and social status
CHANGES
o Young people dress indecently
o Fashions changes time to time
o Scanty clothing is considered provocative
o Some cloths are unisex
LAND
CONTINUITY
o Some common land is left for public use
45 | P a g e
 o Elders are still involved in settling land disputes
o Some ancestral land cannot be sold
CHANGES
o Land is individually owned
o Some people are landless
o One can stay anywhere in the country not just in a ancestral land
o Land can be held as security to secure a loan
o Women and children can own land
o One can sell land to anyone he/she wishes to

PROPERTY
o Women and children were regarded as property
o Property was communally owned
o The rich people helped the poor
CHANGES
o Ways of making money has changed
o Property is jointly held
o Women and children own property
o When a man dies , his woman can inherit the property
o There is more individualism in ownership of property
o Women and children are no longer considered as property
o Many people have became materialistic

CHAPTER NINE
SELECTED OLD TESTAMENT PROPHETS AND THEIR
TEACHINGS
INTRODUCTION TO THE PROPHETS AND THEIR TEACHINGS
 The word prophecy is derived from the Greek word prophetes which means one who speaks for the
other
 The word prophet therefore means one who speaks on behalf of God
 Other terms include:
 Messenger of God
 Shepherd of God’s people
 A watchman of God’s word
 An interpreter of God’s word
 Prophets give us God’s word and prophesy
 Examples of prophets:
 Moses
 Nathan
 Amos
 Jeremiah
 Samuel
 Elijah
 Micah
 Examples of prophetesses include:
 Deborah
 Miriam
46 | P a g e
  Huldah
 Anna
 Prophets were known by other names:
 Seers
 Men of God
 Messenger
 Watchman(of God’s people)

Prophesy
 It refers to prediction or a declaration that something will come in future
 In the bible it’s a message from God through the holy spirit as communicated by a person chosen by God or a
prophet
 It is authorless that is inspired by direct revelation from God
 It involves mediation and interpretation of God’s will
How prophets received their revelation
 Through visions
 Through dreams
 Through prophetic symbolic actions
 Through an object that became as a sign of God’s power
Categories of prophets
1. True prophets
2. False prophets
Divisions of true prophets
1. Minor prophets
2. Major prophets
Minor prophets
 they are called so because their books are short and contain less detail information
 the twelve minor prophets include:
1. Hosea
2. Joel
3. Obadiah
4. Jonah
5. Micah
6. Nahum
7. Habakkuk
8. Zephaniah
9. Haggai
10. Malachi
11. Zachariah
Major prophets
 Their books are longer and contain detailed information
 They are:
1. Isaiah
2. Jeremiah
3. Ezekiel
4. Daniel
Canonical prophets
 Are prophets whose prophesies are recorded under their names
 They include:

47 | P a g e
 1. Daniel
2. Amos
3. Isaiah
4. Jeremiah
5. Joel
Non- canonical prophets
 Are prophets whose prophesy are recorded under the name of somebody
 Are prophets whose oracles have been combined by other authors
 They include:
1. Nathan
2. Elisha
3. Elijah

Cultic prophets
 These are prophets whose duties were associated with places of worship

Importance of prophets
 They condemned evil/mediated/give people hope/were God’s messengers example is prophet Jeremiah
 They anointed kings
 They acted as conscious of kings
 They condemn idol worship
 Reminds people to the covenant way of life

State the six characteristics of false prophesy in the Old Testament

o Their prophecy never came to pass
o They other gods including Baal
o They did not speak with authority
o They never condemned evil in the society
o They had no personal knowledge from God
o They worked for material gain
Outline characteristics of true prophets in the Old Testament
o They were given specific tasks
o They always spoke the truth irrespective of how different the truth was from what people wanted to hear
o They led exemplary lives by being morally upright and truthful to the covenant
o They were mediators
o They were God’s mouth piece
o They were called by God/they received message from God/they communicated God’s message with authority
o Their prophecy came true
o They worked for material gain
o They called people to come back to the covenant way of life
o They announced punishment/they condemned evil
o They restored the faith of people
o They were persecuted /opposed/rejected
o They were role models/they led exemplary lives
o They understood the nature of their prophesies

Similarities/comparison between traditional African prophets and old testament prophets

48 | P a g e
  They both had unusual spiritual powers that enabled them to have usual spiritual powers seeing things that
other people could not see
 They both communicated God’s will to the people
 They both warned the people about impending disasters such as;drought,plagues,war
 They recognized God as the giver of ability to prophesy
 They received God’s revelations through:
a. Dreams
b. Visions
c. Symbolic actions
d. Trances
 They were both consulted by people during crisis examples are diviners and rainmakers
 They mostly dealt with religious matters
 They acted as mediators between God and the people
 They stood against oppression and championed liberty of their people

Differences
 Old testament prophets communicated with God alone but traditional African prophets communicated with
God , spirits, and ancestors
 Old testament prophets faced opposition most of the time whereas traditional African prophets were highly
respected and obeyed
 Old testament prophets received their calling as prophets from God while traditional African prophets either
inherited or received it from it from the living death
 Old testament prophets they announced the coming of Jesus Christ whereas traditional African prophets did
not know about Jesus Christ
 Old testament prophets gave message to the Israelites and the whole world while traditional African prophets
limited their message to their communities
The writing of prophetic messages
 The prophetic messages were written on scrolls and stone tablets
 They passed information orally from one generation to another thus the information was preserved
 Others dictated their secretaries –Jeremiah dictated Baruch
 Some were written in narrative form as told in the first person while others were told in the third person
 Some were written in form of songs and letters
 Some of the prophets wrote their prophetic messages as directed by God

Relevance of prophets to Christians today

 Christians should be ready to be God’s messengers/mediators /God’s spokes people
 Christians with the gift of prophecy should be ready to face opposition and persecution
 Christians should condemn all forms of evil (immorality, drug abuse, cheating in exams…)
 Prophets should live exemplary lives
 Christians should pray to God for guidance
 Christians should spread the gospel
 Christians should teach people what God require

CHAPTER TEN
AMOS
BACKGROUND OF PROPHET AMOS
Amos was one of the Old Testament canonical prophets
49 | P a g e
He was from the southern kingdom (Judah) but was called by God to prophesy in the northern kingdom (Israel)
His prophetic ministry can be well understood from historical, political socio economic and religious background
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
 Amos came from a village known as Tekoa in Judah
 Amos was a shepherd who owned so many goats and sheep
 He was also a dresser of sycamore tree(fig tree)
 His prophetic ministry tasted between 758-750BC
 His call came two years before the earthquake
 Although his original home was in Judah, Amos was sent to proclaim God’s message to the people of Israel
 His ministry was not only confined to the nation of Israel but he also pronounced judgment to Judah and other
neighbouring nations hence portraying God as universal

POLITICAL BACKGROUND
 Amos prophesied during the reign of king Jeroboam II in Israel (786-743) BC and king Uzziah in Judah (783-742)
BC he concentrated his ministry in Bethlehem and Samaria. Samaria was the capital city of Israel
 He was called by God when the nation of Israel was faced with Assyrian threat
 He concentrated his ministry in Bethlehem and Samaria. Samaria was the capital city of Israel
 During the reign of the Assyrian emperor ,tiglath pilesser III (745-727)BC there were attempts to expand Egypt
by conquering small states such as Israel and Judah
 During the prophetic ministry of Amos, the threat was minimized since Assyria was preoccupied with internal
threats from the north
 Despite the Assyrian threat being minimal Amos understood that God would still use Assyrians as his instrument
for punishing the Israelites because of their sins
 Amos prophesied at e time when there was political stability and peace
SOCIAL BACKGROUND
 Amos prophesied at a time when Israel experienced peace and economic prosperity due to political stability that
prevailed during the reign of king jeroboam II
 This led to the rise of a class of rich people who acquired wealth at the expense of poor people
 Amos observed that wealth was concentrated in the hands of few rich people
 The gap between the poor and the rich was great
 The rich lived luxurious lives and were secure whereas the poor lived in abject poverty and misery
 The rich collaborated with the leaders and confiscated the land of the poor peasants
 Wealth was concentrated in the towns and the cities where trade thrived
 The covenant of brotherhood was not upheld as the rich merchants accumulated wealth by exploiting the poor
 The poor were oppressed and forced to borrow money from the rich at high interest rates
 The rich bought the products of the poor peasants at a very low prices in order to resell them at very high prices
and make huge profits
 Corruption was rampant in both commercial and the civil life
 Bribery was practiced in law courts
 Only those who could afford the pay bribes got a hearing
 There was moral decay in the society, sexual immorality was widespread among people of Israel
 A large number of poor and landless people had became slaves to be supported by the small class of wealthy

RELIGIOUS BACKGROUD
The people of Israel continued to worship Yahweh in bethel Samaria
and Gilgal which were main centers of worship
When the Israelites prospered commercially during the reign of jeroboam II they forgot about the covenant way of life
There was hypocrisy in religion the people pretended to be holy while they practiced evil in secret

50 | P a g e
Religious rites were performed at the place of worship in the name of Yahweh by the same people who practiced
injustice and victimized the poor .they also involved in idolatry which undermined true worship
The Israelites worshiped and offered sacrifices at the shrine in bethel and Dan where the golden calves were placed
The people practiced temple prostitution, idolatry and syncretism
True prophets who could guide the Israelites in the right direction were few
THE CALL OF AMOS
 Amos was called during the reign of king jeroboam II in Israel and king uzziah on Judah two years before the
earthquake
 Though he was a shepherd and a dresser of a sycamore tree he felt a strong compulsion to prophesy and
responded to God’s call in faith and obedience
 God sent Amos to go and proclaim his message to the people of Israel Amos spoke about evil in Israel and
warned them of the impending punishment from God if they did not repent
 The prophetic messages of Amos were not received well and he was asked to go back to his home in Judah and
preach there
VISIONS OF AMOS
A SWARM OF LOCUSTS
Amos saw a swarm of locusts sent by God destroying all the crops and greenery in the land of Israel
The vision referred to the disaster that God was going to sand to the people of Israel as a punishment to their sins
Amos intervened and pleaded to God to forgive their sins and God forgave them
THE VISION OF GREAT FIRE (AMOS 7:4-6)
Amos saw a supernatural fire that had already burnt up the subterranean waters and was about to consume the earth
upon which mankind lived. Amos pleaded again for the people and God spared them
THE VISION OF CROOKED WALL THAT WAS BEING CHECKED BY A PLUMBLINE (AMOS 7:7-9)
Amos saw a crooked wall being checked with a plumb line by God
The wall represented the crooked way of life of the Israelites who had forsaken the covenant way of life
God would no longer overlook their sins just like a crooked wall must be destroyed
THE VISION OF BASKET OF RIPE FRUITS (AMOS 8:1-3)
Amos saw a basket full of ripe summer fruits at the end of fruit harvest
The basket of summer fruits represent the time of harvest.
God then called Amos that Israel was ripe for destruction.
THE VISION OF DESTRUCTION OF THE ALTER (AMOS 9:1-4)
In the last vision Amos saw the lord ordering the destruction of the temple an wicked people as Israel.
This was an indication that Gods judgment was investable
TEACHINGS OF PROPHET AMOS ON SOCIAL JUSTICE AND RESPONSIBILITY(AMOS 2:6-8,3:9-12,4:1-3,5:10-5,6:1-8,8:4-
6)
SOCIAL JUSTICE-is dealing with other people fairly. It concerns for the needs of others
RESPONSIBILITY-refers to the duty of obligation to God and others
AMOS TAUGHT AND PREACHED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING SOCIAL EVIL
1. OPPRESSION OF THE WEAK AND THE POOR
~The rich exploited the poor by taking an excessive share of harvest from farmers.
~They confiscated the land of the poor peasant.
~The poor were forced to borrow money from the rich at high interest rates
~They were also forced to give garments as security for the money taken on loan
~The women of Samaria lived luxurious lives and were unkind to the poor
2. SELLING OF DEBTORS INTO SLAVERY
When the poor were unable to pay debts they were made to work as slave in the farms and were treated
harshly some were sold as slaves.
3. CORRUPTION AND BRIBERY
~The judges were unjust and corrupt.

51 | P a g e
~They took bribe and grew rich from the heavy fine which they imposed on the innocent.
~There was a conspiracy between the rich and the judges against the poor.
~They demanded bribes in order to hear the cases of the poor.
4. CHEATING IN BUSINESS BY USING FALSE SCALE
~The merchant were dishonest and obtained their wealth and luxury through unjust means. They victimized and
selfishly, the poor Israelites.
~They lived as though the covenant law never exist.
~They longed for the Sabbath day to be over so that they could engage in lucrative business by tampering
with the weighing scales to overcharge customers and selling of low quality goods to the poor to make profit.
5. CRIME AND VIOLENCE
~The city was characterized by unrest disruption of law and order and crimes involving violence.
~The rich acquired a lot of wealth by exploiting the poor issuing threats of violence or even caring out acts of
violence on the poor.
HYPOCRICAL RELIGION IN ISRAEL
1. Insincere worship
2. Syncretism /worshipping God alongside other gods
3. Defilement of the temple /temple prostitution
[Link] gave sacrifices and offerings to show off/not to the love of God
5. They showed disrespect to the name of God
6. They neglected Gods prophets
[Link] mistreated their fellow Israelites which was against the teaching of God
TEACHINGS OF PROPHET AMOS ON JUDGEMENT AND PUNISHMENT
1. Earthquake
2. Exile
3. The king was killed by sword
4. Holy places of worship would be destroyed (alter)
5. The land would be occupied by a foreign country/nation
6. God would cover the land with total darkness
1. Syria
A) Crime: they mistreated pregnant women
B) Punishment: sending fire to destroy their land
2. Philistia and Gaza
a) Crime: they sold fellow citizens to Edom as slaves
b) Punishment: they were sent fire
3. Edom
A} crime: Ammonites were cruel to women during war with Israel
B} judgment: they were to be sent to Exile
4. tyro/Phoenicia
a) Crime: they sold Israelites to Edom as slaves
b) Punishment: fire
5. Moab
a) Crime: they raided the royal graves and buried bones of the dead kings
b) Judgment: they were to be destroyed by divine fire
ISRAEL ELECTION
Amos teachings on the election of Israel
 God chose them to serve him
 They had delivered them from Egypt
 He gave them a special land to inherit
 He raised prophets to lead them in their religious life

52 | P a g e
  He was to punish those who fail to repent
THE DAY OF THE LORD
 The day of the lord referred to a final climax in history when God would release his covenant
 Wicked people in Israel were to face God’s wrath
 It’s a day of mourning and weeping
 Earthquake will destroy people and property
 It would be a day when many human lives would be lost and the grief of the survivors would be too great to
bear
 It would be a day of famine and drought when people would hunger for the word of God
Amos’s teaching on remnant and restoration
 Those who repent would be restored
 After exile Israel and Judah would be restored and reunited into a strong kingdom
 God would bring their people back to land
 The ruined city would be rebuilt
 The land would be productive
 The nation of Israel would be peaceful and prosperous
 Children of Israel would be taken to exile again
Relevance of the teachings and the call of Amos
 Christians should obey God’s call
 Christians should condemn social evils
 Religious leaders should not practice hypocrisy
 Sinners will be punished by God
 God’s work goes beyond tribal or national boundary
How can we minimize the gap between the rich and the poor?
 The rich should share what they have with the poor
 The government should reduce the prices of essential commodities
 Those who get high pay should also pay high taxes
 Through creating employment opportunities to the poor to help improve their living standards
 Giving loans to youths to enable them start their business
 Coming up with programmed to favor the poor
Role of Christians in eliminating social evils
 Condemn social evils
 Teach people on the consequences of social evils
 Being role models
 Praying for those who engage in social evils
 Seek guidance and counseling
 Preach to them
 Report to the relevant authority
Relevance of the teachings of Amos to Christians today
 Christens should condemn social evils
 Christians should be fair in their dealings with others
 Christians should practice God’s teachings/role models
 Christens should learn that God is universal and makes moral demands on all people
 Christians should repent their sins
 In order to escape God’s punishment
 Christians are the elected people of God with special responsibility of leading others on the will of God
 Christians should be prepared for the second coming of God
Give five reasons why Amos was against the way Israelites worshipped
 They neglected God’s prophets

53 | P a g e
  Insincere worship
 Mistreated fellow Christians
 Worshipped idols
 They were impatient during worship
 They gave sacrifices to show off
Outline the teaching of Amos on social justice and responsibility
 Selling the poor to slavery because they could not pay debts
 The rich lived luxurious life
 Bribery and corruption in the locals
 Cheating in business by using wrong scale
 Sexual immorality
 Land grabbing
 Murder
 There was darkness
How can Christians help church leaders to perform their duties effectively?
 Giving financial help
 Advising church leaders
 Encouraging them in their work
 Participating fully in church activities
 Praying for them
 Respect them
 Practicing and obeying the word of God
 Providing training opportunities
Describe the call of Amos
 Amos received a call two years before the earthquake
 He felt a deep compulsion to prophesy
 Mariah the priest at Bethel challenged Amos’s preaching. He ordered him to go back to Judah
 He was directed by God to preach the word of God to the Northern kingdom
 Amos obeyed God’s call without resistance or excuse

CHAPTER ELEVEN
JEREMIAH
SOCIAL BACKGROUND

 Prophet Jeremiah prophesied at thetime when the society was corrupt i.e. oppression of the poor and
orphans by those in power
 The reach accrued wealth through dishonest means
 Committing adultery, theft and murder of the innocent was rampant
 Priests and false prophets told people lie
 Leaders failed to lead people into a covenant way of life
 The people refused to acknowledge their sins
POLITICAL BACKGROUND
 Prophet Jeremiah prophesied during the reign of the last five kings of Judah i.e.
Josiah,Jehoiakim,jehoahaz,Jehiachin and Zedekiah
 He prophesied during the time when Judah was politically unstable
 Judah’s political rival was Assyria
 Judah was subordinate to the Assyrians and had accepted their religious practices-syncretism.
 Assyrian empire collapsed during the reign of Josiah.
 Judah became independent and Josiah restored the worship of God.
54 | P a g e
  Josiah died when Egypt became an empire;Johoahaz was installed as a king to collect taxes
 Judah became under the control of Babylonians after Nebuchadnezzar defeated Egypt
 Jehoiachin resisted Judah. Judah was invaded and destroyed in the year 597 BCE by Nebuchadnezzar
 Zedekiah was installed as the king but he failed to be loyal. Nebuchadnezzar invaded and did total
destruction in 587 BCE.
 They then all went to captivity in Babylon.
RELIGIOUS BACKGROUND
I. Worship of idols was wide spread
II. King Mannaser instituted idol worship as an official religion
III. Syncretism was practiced
IV. The people of Judah took Yahweh as one of the gods and worshiped Him at shrines
V. The people rejected true prophets/killed them
VI. Priests lied people
VII. Human sacrifice was practiced
VIII. People of that time pretended to serve God
IX. The people found security in the temple other than In Yahweh.
KING JOSIAHS RELIGIONS REFORMS IN JUDAH
a) He ordered the repair of the temple
b) Cleansed the temple of God
c) Destroyed idols, alters and places of idol worship
d) Removed all priests, mediums, and wizards who were involved in idolatry
e) He held a covenant renewal ceremony in Judah
f) He had a great Passover celebration in Jerusalem in honour of Yahweh as required by the law.
REASONS FOR THE FAILURE OF KING JOSIAHS REFORMS TO MAKE A LASTING IMPACTON ISRAELS
FAITH
 People of Judah were weak in faith
 Israelites were stubborn and rebellious
 King Josiah’s successor were not committed to the covenant
 Focused the peoples attention on external religious practices which were forgotten easily
WAYS POLITICAL LEADERS DEMONSTRATE THEIR HONOUR FOR GOD TODAY
 Put God first/ consult God / obey God
 Setting good example
 Respect Gods servants
 Repent their sins
 By promoting political and economic progress to improve the lives of their people
 Fight against corruption, crime that hinder national development
 Ready to serve others
THE CALL OF JEREMIAH
 Jeremiah received his call as a young man in 629 BC in the reign of king Josiah
 God told him that he had appointed him to be his prophet even before he was born
 Jeremiah was reluctant to respond to Gods call, arguing that he was too young and did know
how to speak
 God touched his mouth to symbolize that he had given him divine authority to speak
 Jeremiahs prophetic massage would involve pronouncing judgment and punishment on Judah
and prophesying hope and restoration
 During his call, he saw two visions; 1. Branch of almond tree and 2. The boiling pot facing away
from the north. these meant that God was watching over his word to bring judgment and
enemies from the north would attack Judah

55 | P a g e
  God assured jeremiahs protection and promised to make him a fortified city, an iron pillar and
bronze wall
 Jeremiah responded to Gods call in faith and obedience.
REASONS WHY JEREMIAH WAS RELUCTANT
 He was too young
 Did not know how to speak
 He was afraid of the task before him because it was very difficulty
 He knew that he will face stiff opposition
 God’s judgment would make him unpopular
WAYS GOD PREPARED JEREMIAH FOR HIS FUTURE TASK.
 God gave him words to speak
 Promised to protect him against opposition
 He told him, he was predestined to be Gods prophet
 During their conversation with God he gained confidence
 The two visions assured Jeremiah of the task that was ahead of him
 He was empowered to challenge those in authority
 He was made a ware that his massage would carry hope. (build and plant)
FIVE WAYS IN WHICH GOD CALLS PEOPLE TO SERVE HIM
1. Ordained as clergy i.e. priests, bishops etc.
2. Religious [Link]. nuns, brothers, catechists
3. As professionals- doctors, teachers etc.
4. As parents and social workers
5. As community and Opinion leaders.
LESSONS LEARNT FROM THE CALL OF JEREMIAH
 God has a purpose for everybody.
 God knows person even before conception.
 God chooses anyone to serve.
 Christians should deliver God’s message.
 Ready to face opposition.
 Pray to overcome temptations.
 Trust in God’s protection.
 Obey Gods call
QUALITIES OF GOD FROM THE CALLOF PROPHET JEREMIAH
 He is the creator
 Know every person
 Planner/chooses/appoints
 Holy
 Hates/punishes
 Caring/concern
 Merciful/forgiving
 Universal
 Protects/deliverer
 Powerful/mighty/omnipotent
 Beyond human understanding/transcendent
 Everywhere/omnipresent
 Restore
 Provider
WHY SOME PEOPLE FIND IT DIFFICULT TO ACCEPT GOD
 They are self centered

56 | P a g e
  Due to educational achievements
 Opposition from stannic movements
 Job commitments
 Existence of other religious beliefs
 Fear of persecution
 Negative role models
 Leadership wrangles
 Poverty
 Hypocrisy
 Different interpretation of the bible
 Negative peer pressure
EVILS ADDRESSED BY PROPHET JEREMIAH
 Necromancy
 Dishonesty
 False prophecy
 Human sacrifice
 Idolatry
JEREMIAHS TEMPLE SERMON
 False beliefs about the temple
 Hypocrisy
 Defilement of temple
 Idolatry
 Human sacrifice
 Social injustice [Link],theft etc.
 Dishonesty [Link], false witness etc.
 Stubbornness and rebellion
RELEVANCE OF JEREMIAHS TEACHING TO CHRISTIANS TODAY
 Denounce hypocrisy
 Speak against idols
 Condemning social injustice
 Preach against disobedience
 Be aware of existence of false prophets
 Pray for Gods guidance
JEREMIAHS TEACHINGS ON JUDGEMENT AND PUNISHMENT
 God would execute his judgment though historical political events/use Babylonian armies to punish
Judah
 God judges his people by looking into their hearts
 God would punish Judah by means of natural disasters like drought, famine,
and epidemics
 Divine Judgment was inevitable/not escape punishment.
 God would punish all nations/universal.
 Would not punish those who repent sins
 Would punish the people as a group/collective punishment
 Suffering is not necessarily a punishment from God.
PURPOSE OF JUDGEMENT
 To Correct His people.
 To restore his people back to their covenant relationship with him
 To reveal that Yahweh was a lord of history
 To Gods power over nature / universal

57 | P a g e
  To remind people to obey his commandments
 To purify sinful hearts
 To make people to be accountable of their choices and actions
WAYS IN WHICH CHRISTIANS CAN AVOID GOD’S PUNISHMENT
 Repenting their sins
 Being prayerful
 Emulating Jesus’ teachings
 Obeying God’s commandments
 Preaching good news
 Condemning evils
 Assisting the needy
 Avoiding being tempted
SYMBOLIC ACTS RELATED TO JUDGEMENT AND PUNISHMENT
a) The waist cloth 13:-11
 Jeremiah was instructed by God to buy a waist cloth and wear it
 He was to hide it in crevices of rocks
 When he retrieved it, the cloth was ruined
SIGNIFICANCE
 The waist cloth a round jeremiahs waist symbolized Judah and Israel who had held a position of
honor and praise in Gods kingdom
 Ruined state reflects the state of idolatry in Israel. God would punish them
 Symbolized holiness of Israel
 Linen garment was not washed symbolized Israel’s sinful pride
 Wearing of linen cloth symbolized how close Israel were with God
b) JEREMIAHS PERSONAL LIFE
 Jeremiah was commanded by God neither to marry nor have a family
 He was prohibited not to attend funerals
 He was also restricted not to enter into the house of feast/weeding ceremonies
SIGNIFICANCE/ PROPHETIC MEANING
 Time for feasting and happiness was over
 No one who will bury those who would die after Gods judgment
 God had withdrawn his blessings and love for his people
 God’s punishment would disrupt the normal family life.
c) THE POTTER AND HIS CLAY 18:1-10
 Jeremiah was instructed to go to the potters house where he observed a potter moulding clay into
pots
 He observed that whenever the pot had defects the potter would press the clay into lamp and
mould another.
SIGNIFICANCE/PROPHETIC MEANING
 The potter and the clay – symbolized the relationship between God and his people
 God has authority to tear down or build a nation
 After distraction and exile God will raise a new nation through whom he will fulfill His promises
 God was ready to withdraw his plan and forgive them
 God intended to destroy them because they were wicked
 Indicates that God is patient / merciful and loving / give people a chance to repent
 Gods judgment was not meant to destroy his people completely but to purify them
d) EARTHEN FLASK / THE BROKEN CLAY FLASK 19
 Jeremiah bought an earthen flask for carrying water

58 | P a g e
  He was to empty out the content of the flask and break it In the presence of the elders and senior
priests
SIGNIFICANCE / PROPHETIC MEANING
 Smashing/ breaking of the flask symbolized the destruction of Judah
 Kings, priests and false prophets would be shattered like clay flask
 They will suffer horrifying experiences at the hand of their enemies
 Broken pieces of clay pot which could not be molded signified that no one would escape Gods
punishment
e) SYMBOLIC VISION OF TWO BASKETSOF FIG 24

 Jeremiah saw vision of two baskets of figs placed before the temple. One basket had good fruits
while the other had bad fruits
SIGNIFICANCE/ PROPHETIC MEANING
 A good fruit represents the exiles who were to be protected and restored back to the land and made
Gods people.
 The bad fruits signified those who were still living in Jerusalem and Judah to be destroyed as bad
figs
 Those who remained righteous they were like good figs
 Two baskets illustrates two major components of Yahweh’sjudgmenti.e. one who uproot but also
builds up
f) THE WEARING OF THE YOKE/ WOODEN OX YOKE 27
 Jeremiah put a yoke in his neck and walked around with it like an oxen
PROPHETIC MEANING/ SIGNFICANCE
 This act symbolized the burden that would be felt in the punishment that the people would suffer
 Affirmed that the people would be slaves in exile
 Also symbolized the need for the king to surrender to the power of Babylon so that would be
restored back and treated with mercy
 They were not to be punished if the surrendered to the Babylonian rule
 Yahweh’s punishment is universal (punishment affect many nations)
 God is in control of historic events
JEREMIAHS SUFFERINGS
 Plot to kill him
 Mockery (prophecy took long time to be fulfilled)
 Arrested, beaten, locked down at and chased away from the gates of the temple/torture by pashur
 Imprisoned
 Rejected by his own family and relatives
 Loneliness( not to marry)
 Innocent but treated as a criminal/spiritual struggle as unrighteous prosper while righteous suffer
 His scroll were burnt down by Jehoachin
JEREMIAHS UNDERSTANDING OF SUFFERING
 He understood Judah suffered because of her failure to live according to the covenant
 David suffered because of being unfaithful ruler
 He understood that the defeat of Judah was Gods judgment
 He understood that God shaved in the agony of suffering when his people rejected him to pursue
evil.
WAYS IN WHICH CHRISTIANS CAN REDUCE HUMAN SUFFERING
 Being just and fair
 Advocating for equal distribution of resources
 Voting out of corrupt leaders

59 | P a g e
  Providing relief aid to victims
 Creating job opportunities
 Providing civic education
 Condemning acts of suffering
 Donating food and clothing
 Respecting the rule of law of the country
 Providing guidance and counseling
PROBLEMS WHICH MAY FACE CHRISTIAN MISSIONARIES TODAY

 Family commitments
 Rivalry and competition among themselves
 Hostility and rejection by people
 Inadequate facilities and finance
 Insecurity in some parts of the country
 Feeling of home sickness
RELEVANCE OF JEREMIAH’S TEACHING ON SUFFERING
 Christians should be ready to face rejection
 Christians should be prepared to suffer or be persecuted for the sake of Jesus Christ
 Christians are assured of divine security and protection against prosecutors.
 Christians should be ready to make sacrifices for the sake of God
 Tribulations Christians encounter help them to grow spiritually
JEREMIAH’S TEACHING ON A NEW COVENANT
 Written in the hearts of men and women
 Individual would know God personally
 It would be everlasting
 Each person would be responsible for his own sins
 Would forgive sins
 It would be established after God’s punishment of Israel
 It Would establish a new Israel
 It was to be initiated by God
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE NEW COVENANT AS FORE SEEN BY JEREMIAH
 Initiated by God
 Written on people’s hearts
 Individual would know God personally
 Individual would be responsible for their sins
 God would forgive sin and forget them
 It would be everlasting
 It would be between God and remnants
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE OLD AND NEW COVENANT
 In the old testament, laws were written on the stone tablets whereas in the new covenant it was
written in the people’s hearts
 In the old covenant, animals were sacrificed where as in the new covenant Jesus Christ was the
ultimate sacrifice
 The old covenant, mediators were involved while in the new covenant individuals had personal
relationship with God.
 In the old covenant, there is no permanent forgiveness of sin where as in the new covenant there is
permanent forgiveness of sin
 The old covenant is between God and the Israelites where as in the new covenant it’s for all

60 | P a g e
  In the old covenant there was collective responsibility of sin while in the new covenant an individual
is responsible for sins
SYMBOLIC ACTS RELATED TO HOPE AND RESTORATION
a) TWO BASKETS OF GOOD FIGS 24: 1- 10
The basket of good figs represents the elite of Judah who were deported to Babylon. God promised to
restore them back to the land of Judah
Renew their hearts/preserve them
b) THE BUYING OF FIELD 32:1-15
Jeremiah purchased a piece of land from his cousin, Hanamel
Jeremiah had the title deeds sealed by Baruch
c) THE LETTER TO THE EXILE 29

Jeremiah wrote a letter to the exile to counteract against false prophecies of speedy return to their land
MASSAGE OF THE LETTER
 To build houses
 God would restore them after 70 years
 To plant and eat produce
 To marry and have children
 To live in peace
 Not to listen to false prophecies
 Not to give up
 God will punish those who remained in Judah
d) THE WOODEN OX YOKE 29
 The wooden ox yoke symbolized the perseverance of Jews in the exile in Babylon
 God would break Babylonian yoke and restore his people back.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE SYMBOLIC ACT OF BUYING LAND BY PROPHET JEREMIAH
 It showed the people of Judah still had a future despite the coming crisis
 It was an assurance that the people would be restored back to their homeland
 It demonstrated that the people would resume to their normal lives/ construct homes/cultivate
land or own property
 Divine judgment was not an end in itself
 Restoration was to take place at God’s own time/God was to determine when the people would
be restored
 The people were to wait patiently for their return from exile
 It showed that God was loving/ faithful/ was to keep his promise of restoration/ bring back to
their ancestral land
 It made them feel secure/ they were not to lack anything
WHY JEREMIAH IS REGARDED AS APROPHET OF HOPE/ TEACHING/CONCERN/ LOVE
 There would come a great king from David’s descendants
 A new covenant/ personal relationship with God
 A letter to exile to encourage them to lead normal lives
 Apiece of land shows that God was going to restore them to their homeland
 Yoke around the neck showed that God would restore them after suffering in the hands of
Babylonians
 God would create a new nation from remnants
 Punishment was meant to correct them God would forgive them and accept them
FALL OF JERUSALEM AND EXILE OF THE ISRAELITES
 Jerusalem was attacked and destroyed by Babylonians under king Nebuchadnezzar during the
reign of king Zedekiah
61 | P a g e
  The city of Jerusalem was under siege for 30 months after which its wall was broken down by
Babylon
 King zedekiah resisted the Babylonian invasion hoping that Egyptians will help him
 The army of Judah were weakened due to starvation and was smashed by the strong
Babylonians
 The Babylonians set up administrative Centre at mizpah and appointed Gedaliah to be the
governor of Judah
 King zedekiah and his court officials tried to escape Arabah but were captured and taken before
king Nebuchadnezzar at Riblah in the land of Hamath
 Nebuchadnezzar ordered the killing of the sons of zedekiah and his government officials
Zedekiah witnessed
 King Nebuchadnezzar also had Zedekiah’s eyes gorged and was then frog matched and dragged
in humiliation into exile in Babylon
 The city of Jerusalem was looted,horses,were burnt and the temple and its wall destroyed
 The remnants,[royal court officials,priests,army officers] were taken to exile
 The land and the city were given to the poor and the aged.
HOW THE FALL OF JERUSALEM AFFECTED THE PEOPLE OF JUDAH
 They lost their independence
 It led to despair and loss of faith
 Captivity of their king weakened Israelites pride
 It led to the loss of their ancestral land
 It led to the destruction of life and property
 It led to the loss of identity of the Israelites, as Gods’ chosen people/ nation
RELIGIOUS LIVES OF JEWS IN EXILE/WORSHEPED
 Worshiped in private homes
 Worshiped God in synagogue
 Had little faith following their misfortunes
 False prophets preached and gave them false hopes
 Observed Sabbath
 No sacrifices offered
 Sang psalms during worship
 Observed mosaic law
 Circumcision retained.
PROBLEMS ISRAELITES FACED DURING BABYLONIAN EXILE
 Lacked food
 Hard to adapt to a new environment
 They lived in fear of the Babylonian officials
 Diseases and ailment
 Threat of loosing identity
 Turned into refugees
 Lacked places of worship
 Oppressed
 Influenced in idolatry.

CHAPTER TWELVE
NEHEMIAH
POLITICAL BACKGROUND
 After the defeat of Judah by Babylonians most of the people were taken to exile
62 | P a g e
  The temple and the city of Jerusalem were destroyed
 In 539 BC the Persians conquered Babylon and liberated he Jews allowing them to go back to Judah
 Nehemiah’s task was to build the walls of Jerusalem
 Judah remained subjectstate of the Persians to whom they paid the tribute
 Nehemiah ruled as a governor of Judah appointed by the Persians
SOCIAL BACKGROUND OF THE ISRAELITES IN EXILE
 They lived stressful life
 They lived together in areas allocated for them
 Their elders did the local administration
 Their family unit had been disrupted during the conquest
 They worked for their masters in the areas of irrigation, construction or fishing
 The rich oppressed the poor
RELIGIOUS BACKGROUND IN BABYLON
 Their religious life was disrupted following the destruction of the temple
Of Jerusalem
 They worshiped in private homes and in rural congregation which become synagogue
 They doubt Yahweh as their God at this time of defeat
 God sent prophets to comfort and give them hope
 They retained most of their forms of worship and practices such as circumcision
 Ezra led the reformation and ensured that idol worship was not practiced
OCCASSIONS WHEN NEHEMIAH PLAYED
 When he wanted to have permission from the king
 When the enemies opposed him during the rebuilding of the city wall
 When their enemies plotted to kill him
 During the cleansing of the temple
 During the exploitation of the poor people by the rich
 After warning the Jews who had violated the Sabbath law by carrying out trade
 After chasing Sanballat’s son in law who married a foreigner yet he was a priest
 Before assigning duties to the priests from the Levites following their consecration
 When he learnt of the suffering in Judah and ruined state of the city
 When the Samaritans criticized the rebuilding of the wall
IMPORTANCE OF PRAYER IN CHRISTIAN LIFE
 To express faith in God
 To glorify God
 Through prayer the needsof Christians are made
 Enables one to seek God’s will and receive courage
 To intercede for the needs of others
 Prayers also promote unity of believers as they fellowship together
 Virtues of patience and persistence are acquired through prayer
OCCASSIONS WHEN CHRISTIANS SHOULD PRAY
 During the time of need
 asking God for forgiveness
 When giving thanks to God
 When praying for the needs of others
 During ceremonies
 During worship
QUALITIES OF GOOD LEADERSHIP IN NEHEMIAH
Trustful
 He always sought guidance from God

63 | P a g e
  He believed that he was to complete his work after 52 days
 He prayed for the Jews not to oppress the poor
 He advised his people to believe that God was great than their enemies
Prayerful
 When he wanted to have permission from the king
 When their enemies plotted to kill him
 During the cleansing of the temple
 Before assigning duties to priests from Levites
 During the exploitation of the poor by the rich
Courageous
When he faced the kings
He continued building the city wall although the Samaritans criticised him
Good planning and organizational skills
 He builds the city for a period of 52 days
 He assigned duties to his people i.e. guided the builders and also assigned others to work in various sections of
the hall
 He also collected timber for construction
 He always supervised the work of building the wall
He was patriotic
 By accepting to go back to his nation and build the city wall
 He was wise and decisive
He was honest
When he condemned the oppression of the poor
Compassion
 He provided material support to the poor
 He prayed for the ruined state of the city
 He provided security
 He fought for the rights of the poor
RELEVANCE OF NEHEMIAH’S LEADERSHIP TO CHRISTIANS TODAY
 We should respect authority
 We should be prayerful
 We should be merciful
 We should not oppress the poor
 We should be organized
 We should be honest
 Christians should champion for the rights of the poor
 Christians should set realistic goals Christians should seek wisdom from God
 Christians should condemn all forms of evil in the society
 Christians should be patriotic
PROBLEMS EXPERIENCED BY NEHEMIAH
 Opposition from his enemies i.e. the Samaritans,tobiah,sanballat,honorites or the ammonites’
 Plot against Nehemiah’s live
 Oppression of the poor
 Violation of the Sabbath
 Misuse of the temple
 Foreign influence
 There was the problem of foreign influence resulting from intermarriage between the Jewish and the non Jewish
LESSONS THAT CHRISTIANS LEARN FROM PROBLEMS FACED BY NEHEMIAH
 Christians should expect opposition in their work

64 | P a g e
  Christians should always pray for God’s protection
 Christians should help to improve the welfare of the disadvantaged
 Christians should condemn all forms of injustice
 Christians should help to restore peace between neighbouring communities
WHICH MEASURES NEHEMIAH TOOK TO REDRESS PROBLEMS THAT HE AND HIS PEOPLE FACED DURING THE
REBUILDING OF THE WALL AND THE TEMPLE OF JERUSALEM
 He ordered for the sending away of foreign wives
 He ordered for the reduction of interest of debts of grains and silver
 He ordered rich land grabbers to return the productive fields and vineyards
 He ordered for the fleeing of son and daughters who had been subjected to slavery
 He reconsolidated debtors
 He prayed for his enemies
RELEVANCE OF NEHEMIAH’S EXPERIENCE TOCHRISTIANS TODAY
 Christians should learn to persevere in God’s work inspite of hardship
 Christians should fight for the rights of the poor
 Christians should learn that tithes and church offerings should be used for the right purpose
 Christians learn to seek God’s guidance and protection through prayers
 Christians learn to take practical measures to alleviate sufferings e.g. HIV/AIDS
 Christians should emulate the leadership qualities of Nehemiah n building a better society
 Christians should have the obligation of reminding people about God’s laws and reinforcing them
RENEWAL OF THE COVENANT
 Ezra led to read the laws to the people
 The people were touched and realized their failures
 They build the booth and dwelt in them
 They cerebrated the feast of the booths
 The people held public confession
 They recognized a favor upon them from the time of Abraham, moses up to the time they settled in Canaan
They agreed to:
 Avoid commercial healing on the Sabbath
 Not to marry foreigners
 The land was to rest every year
 They were to offer 1st fruits to God
 They were to pay tithes
 They promised to live according to the covenant
STAGES DURING THE RENEWAL OF THE COVENANT AT THE TIME OF NEHEMIAH
 The people gathered in the public square in Jerusalem
 The priest Ezra read the law
 They performed repentance gestures
 The people constructed shelters to celebrate a feast of the booth/tent
 There was a national day of confession/fasting as they wore sack clothes
 Ezra led the people in prayer
 They sealed the covenant by signing an agreement under the leadership of Nehemiah and the priest
 The people promised not to go against the mosaic law
 The redistribution of the people in Jerusalem and the country signed
EVENTS INVOLVED IN THE DEDICATION OF THE WALL OF JERUSALEM BY NEHEMIAH
 Levites were brought from different places
 Priests and Levites were purified
 Nehemiah appointed two groups who gave thanks and then went into a procession
 Two groups converged in the temple

65 | P a g e
  Great sacrifices were offered
 Men were appointed to be in charge of the tithes, offerings and contributions
REASON WHY NEHEMIAH CONSTRUCTED THE WALL OF JERUSALEM
 To ensure that Judah was secure
 To create a sense of pride for the Jews as a chosen nation
 To give Jerusalem a new glory
 To create a sense of independency so that people can worship without fear
 To give the Jews a sense of ownership of their temple and city
 To signify new beginning of Israelites, new relationship with God
 To symbolize the physical and spiritual restoration of the people of Israel
 To fulfill the prophecy
MEASURES TAKEN BY NEHEMIAH TO ENSURE COMPLITIONOF JERUSALEM BROKEN WALL
 He prayed in the face of opposition
 He made people to work in various sections of the wall/division of labor
 He mobilized the people to work
 He was physically present
 Moderating expenditure on food
 By focusing on the project/ignoring the tactics from opponents
MEASURES TAKEN BY NEHEMIAH TO RESTORE THE JEWISH COMMUNITY AFTER THE COMPLETION OFTHE WALL OF
JERUSALEM
 He organized for the mosaic law to be read
 He led the Jewish in the renewal or the celebration of the feast of booths
 The people held a national day of celebration of the sins
 The covenant was sealed through signing of the agreement
 He led people in taking oaths concerning the Mosaic Law
 He dedicated the wall
 He isolated the Jewish from the foreigners
 He cleansed the temple
 He stopped traders from carrying out business on the Sabbath
HOW CHRISTIANS SHOW CONCERN WHEN THERE IS POLITICAL DISAGREEMENT
 Preaching unity/peace for all Kenyan
 Praying for peace giving material support
 Offering guidance and counseling
 Serving as mediators in political conflict
 Condemning those who take part in chaos
 Reporting those who participate in the chaos
 Not participating in the destruction of life and property
REFORMS WHICH NEHEMIAH IMPLEMENTED
 He separated jaws from the Gentiles/foreigners
 He carried out reforms in the temple
 He expelled foreigners from the temple(Tibia)
 He restored the observant of the Sabbath
WHY IS IT DIFFICULTTO HAVE REFORMS IN KENYA
 Tribalism/nepotism/racism
 Corruption
 Weak institution to carry out meaningful reforms
 Selfishness and lack of vision among reformers
 Inadequate finance to restructure economy
 Too many political parties without clear reform a gender

66 | P a g e
  Lack of political will by leaders
PROBLEMS OF FREEDOM OF WORSHIP
 Struggle for leadership
 Rise of conflicts between the church and the state
 Confusion among members on which religion to follow
 Emergence of sect which practice ungodly activities
 Different interpretation of the bible
 Conflict between leaders and different denominations
WAYS IN WHICH CHRISTIANS RENEW THEIR COVENANT FAITH WIITH GOD
 Partaking sacraments
 Confessing sins
 Going for retreats
 Praying and fasting
 Making public testimony about their commitment to God
 Reading the bible
 Helping the needy
 Attending church services
WHY NEHEMIAH INTRODUCED THE POLICY OF SEPARATION OF THE JEWSH FROM FOREIGNERS
 He wanted to keep the Jewish community pure
 To solve the conflict over leadership
 He wanted to unite the Jewish who returned from exile
 To prevent idolatry
 The law of Moses was against foreign association
 To preserve their identity/culture.
IDENTIFY WAYS IN WHICH CHRISTIANS OBSERVE THE SABBATH DAY
 Preaching
 Repenting sin
 Visiting the sick
 Bible study
 Attending fellowship
 Offering guidance and counseling
 Reading Christian literature( books)
 Singing to the lord
MEASURES TAKEN TO OBSERVE THE SABBATH
 He threatened the foreigners who were carrying business on the Sabbath day
 He ordered for the closure of the gates on the eve of the sabbath
 He stationed guards on the gates
 He stationed Levites during the worship session
 He reinstated theLevites
 He purified the priests
REASONS WHY THE SABBATH WAS OBSERVED AND KEPT HOLY
 To create a sense of identity
 To ensure that the Sabbath is kept holy
 To get the pure Jewish community
 The need to separate the jaws from foreigners
 To create a new post exilic nation
STATE SIMILARITIES IN THE LIFE AND EXPERIENCES OF BOTH NEHEMIAH AND JESUS
 Both cleansed the temple
 They both faced opposition

67 | P a g e
  Led exemplary lives
 Both came to restore relationship between God and the people
 Both were prayerful/merciful/reformers
WAYS IN WHICH CHRISTIANS SERVE GOD IN THE COMMUNITY TODAY
 Feeding the hungry
 Preaching
 Praying and fasting for peace
 Providing material support
 Visiting and consoling bereaved
 Practicing justice
 Advocating for equitable distribution of resources
 Offering guidance and counseling
 Establishing rehabilitation centers
WAYS CHRISTIANS USE TO SOLVE CONFLICT IN THE SOCIETY
 Through prayers
 Through guidance and counseling
 Holding dialogue to listen to the views of each other
 Setting good examples
 Preaching about peace
 Advocate for manage/joint activity between the reconsolidated parties
 Writing literature materials on conflict management
 Radio/mass media program meson conflict
WAYS IN WHICH CHRISTIAN LEADERS MAY DEAL WITH PROBLEMS IN THE CHURCH
 Praying over a problem
 Offer guidance and counseling
 Paying visit/talking to offenders
 Forgiving
 Withdrawing some privileges for some time
 Sharing of meals
 Shaking hands

68 | P a g e
69 | P a g e