Christian Religious Studies Paper 2 May/June 2015

Question 9

  1. 1 Peter 2: 9 - 25

  2. (a) What was Peter’s advice to Christians living among non-Christians?   

    (b)  What three challenges can Christians face among non-Christians?   

 

Observation

This question was popular among the candidates. In the A part, most candidates answered this question from their own perspective by preaching rather than answering the questions as outlined by Peter. The B part was better answered by the candidates in that they used the experiences of their contemporary society in answering the question.
Most candidates answered this question in preference to question 8 because the rubric demanded that candidate should answer one question in Section C.  To this end, candidates performed below average in this question in that, they answered it not because they wanted to do so but because the instruction compelled them.
In the A part, candidates used their initiative in answering this question by pointing out that Christians should disassociate themselves from the people and activities of non Christians and by not having anything to do with them, which was in contrast to the advice of Peter. Candidates should have responded to the question thus:

  1. As God’s own people, Christians should abstain from the desires of the flesh, which fight against the soul.
  2. They should conduct themselves honourably among non-Christians to the glory of God.
  3. They should accept the authority of civil rulers either as Presidents or Governors.
  4. It is by doing right that Christians silence the ignorance of the foolish.
  5. They should live as free people without using their freedom as a guide to commit sin or do evil.
  6. Christians should honour everyone around them.
  7. They should love the family of believers/fear God/and honour the king.
  8. Servants/slaves owe their masters respect and obedience, not minding the masters’ characters - whether gentle or harsh.
  9. God expects Christians to persevere under unjust suffering.
  10. They should be encouraged to bear whatever maltreatment, because Christ has also suffered for them.
  11. God, therefore, intends that Christians follow the example of Christ who did not sin, yet he was insulted.
  12. Christ did not retaliate for any wrong done to him by anybody but entrusted Himself totally to God in His suffering.
  13. God expects Christians to trust in Him when they suffer unjustly.
  14. According to Peter, Christ bore our sins on the cross, so we ought to die to sin and live righteously among non-Christians.