1. Why do some Christians find it difficult to read the Bible?
- Due to illiteracy.
- It's difficult to interpret its message.
- Due to lack of time.
- Unavailability of Bibles.
- Lack of faith in God.
- Lack of interest.
- Fear because it rebukes them.
- Some see it as an ordinary book.
2. How is the bible used in Kenya today
- Read for spiritual growth.
- Used to commit leaders to oaths of offices.
- Used in Courts of Law.
- Used in religious ceremonies and rituals, such as, weddings, funerals, baptism.
- Guide people on how to relate with others.
- Used to spread the Gospel.
- Used in church service.
3. a) Explain why the Bible is written in different styles
i. It was written by different authors
ii. It was written at different times in history
iii. It was written for different readers/ audience
iv. Different books were written for different reasons
v. The authors were influenced by different circumstances in history
vi. Various parts of the Bible were originally written in different languages i.e. the Old Testament in Hebrew and New Testament in Greek
4. a) Outline the development of the translation of the Bible from the original languages to local languages
i. It was originally written in Hebrew language
ii. Greek scholars translated the New Testament into Greek language. It was called the Septuagint
iii. In the 4th century it was translated into the Latin language in a version called the Vulgate
iv. Martin Luther translated the Bible into German language
v. John Wycliffe translated the Bible into English language
vi. The missionaries i.e. Dr. Ludwing Krapf translated part of the Bible into Kiswahili and Taita languages
vii. Later it was translated by the Kenya Bible society into several local languages such as Luhya, Kikuyu, Luo, kamba
5. (a) Outline ways in which Christians use the Bible to spread the good news
i. Christians read the Bible to others
ii. Bible is used for instructing and teaching new converts on Christian doctrine
iii. Used for preaching & teaching on different issues
iv. Bible is used as the main textbook in teaching and learning of Christian Religious Education in schools and Colleges
v. Used as a reference book in general search of knowledge
vi. Hymns are composed from the Bible
vii. Christians distribute Bibles to individuals to read the word of God
viii. Christians translate the Bible into vernacular so that many people can read and understand in their own language
(b) State seven problems which church leaders encounter in their work of evangelization
i. Lack of money and resources to meet the needs
ii. Lack of acceptance by some Christians i.e. education
iii. What they teach may make them unpopular i.e. politicians
iv. May be working in hostile environment, where they suffer from diseases and harsh weather
v. Poor infrastructure and inaccessibility
vi. Some people may not be ready to forgive church leaders when they make mistakes
vii. Lack of co-operation from church members/ leaders
viii. May suffer stress/ depression
ix. May face harassment from civil authorities
x. May face temptations from worldly pleasures
7. (a) Identify five literacy forms used by the Authors of the Bible
-The use of narratives /prose form e.g. Genesis
-Religious epics e.g. Exodus
- Legal expressions/legislative texts e.g. Leviticus
- Prophetic speeches e.g. Jeremiah
-The use of prayers e.g. Nehemiah
-The use of poetic devices e.g. psalm
-The use of wise saying e.g. Proverbs
-Philosophical essays e.g. Job
-The use of love songs e.g. song of songs
-Epistles e.g Romans
-Biographies/ Gospel e.g. St. Luke
(b) Give four ways in which the Bible is used to spread the Gospel today
- It is used for preaching by Priests/evangelists
-It is used for instructional purposes
-Free distribution of Bibles to schools/people
-The Bibles are freely sold in Bookshops
-There is massive publication of the Bible for e study e.g. Daily living
-Quotations from the Bible are printed in the magazines/funeral programmes/wedding cards
-There is ongoing translation of the Bible into local languages
- Illustrations /Biblical stories are shown/hanged on the wall/calendars/posters/Christian magazines
8. Explain five reasons why the Bible was written after the death and ascension of Jesus Christ.
-There was need to write an orderly account for Jesus
-There was need for a text to combine both old and new testaments
-There was rapid expansion of the church
- It was intended to counter the rise of false teaching which confused the Christians
- Christians had awaited for long for the second coming of Jesus Christ which was not forth coming
- The death of many eye witnesses led to the need to write so that we preserve Jesus teachings
- The writing materials on which the work was recorded was available
-They had the Holy Spirit which inspired them to write
9. (a) Explain the reasons why the bible was translated from original languages to local languages
-In order to enable the word of God to reach more people in their own language
- in order to train local people to take up leadership skills
- in order to increase the demand for formal education
- to facilitate the expansion of the church
- to indigenize Christianity
- to encourage research into African language/culture
- in order to establish local bible translation society e.g. bible society of Kenya
10. a) List down five books of the apocrypha
- Esdras
- Wisdom
- Baruch
-1 st Macabees
-2 nd Maccabees.
-Tobit
-Ecclesiastics.
-Judith
b) Give seven effects of the Bible translation into African languages
-Development of local languages
-Local people could read the Bible in their own languages
-The word of God reached more people in their own languages
-It led to the establishment of more schools to cater for the growing
-Led to formation of independent churches as Africans could read and interpret the Bible.
- Africans became more actively involved in the church.
-Africans began exercising leadership in the churches .
-Africans became critical of certain issues preached by missionaries e.g. equality, love, monogamy e.t.c - It led to mass evangelism – more Africans became Christians.
- There was demand for more Bibles leading to establishment of local printing presses.
- Missionaries began to appreciate the African culture, thus reducing suspicion between parties.
- Africans rediscovered their own cultural identify e.g. dancing styles, local languages, musical instruments e.t.c.
- Africans understood themselves better and became more aware of their own human dignity.
- It led to the establishment of Bible translation societies e.g. Bible society of Kenya.
c) State eight reasons why the Bible is referred to as the goods news
- Bible has a message of Hope.
-Contains messages of reconciliation
-Through its man gets salvation from his fallen state
- It gives an answer to the suffering of man
-Gives a man revelation of mysterious.
- Through it, God communicates his will to man
-It brings mankind closer to God.
-Makes man to be aware of his destiny
11. Why do Christians read the bible?
- It is the word of God.
- It provides moral and spiritual guidance.
-Helps to discover the will of God.
-Reading it is an aspect of worship.
-It is the basis of Christian doctrines and practices.
-It gives guidance on relationships among human being.
-Christians come to discover who they are.
-Helps understand the universe and their relationship to it.
-Help in spiritual development and maturity.
-It is a source of inspiration
-Helps understand the meaning of their lives and relationship to god and to one another.
12. a) Identify five major divisions of the New Testament in their order
i. Gospels
ii. Paul letters
iii. General letters
iv. Historical book
v. Prophetic book
b) Describe the development of the Bible translation from the original language to local languages 13. Why do some Christians find it difficult to read the Bible?
i. The O.T was originally written in Hebrew
ii. O.T books were translated into Greek
iii. The Greek translation was known as Septuagint
iv. The N.T was originally written in Greek
v. In the 2nd C, it was translated into Latin
vi. The Latin translation was known as vulgate
vii. In the 16th C, it was translated into English
viii. In the 19th C, the missionaries who came to Kenya translated the English version into Kiswahili and other later other languages such as kikuyu, dholuo, kikamba, kalenjin and other languages
14. (a) Why did the missionaries translate the Bible into African local languages?
-Make evangelization effective
-They wanted Africans to understand the scripture easily
-Translation made it possible for missionaries to learn African languages
-They wanted to use the translated Bible as their resource text in missionary education
-They wanted to keep abreast of the changes in the world
-The missionaries wanted to indigenize Christianity and make it adaptable to local situations and cultures
(b) Explain four ways in which the translation of the Bible into African languages led to African mass evangelism.
-The ability of African to read and interpret the Bible into their own languages contributed to development of independent churches which attracted any to Christianity
-As Africans read the Bible in their own local languages, they participated more actively in church affairs
-As Africans read the Bible in their vernacular and understood it’s content many embraced Christianity
-Missionaries knowledge of local Bible enabled them to preach to more Africans as communication was not a problem
-The missionaries were able to appreciate African culture. This removed suspicion between the two and more people were attracted to Christianity.
-Africans were able to have a better understanding of God’s word as they could read and interpret it on their own
-Translation promoted revival movements and these were used to preach to more people
(c) Give reasons why Kenyans are attracted to the Church.
-Kenyans are attracted to Church as membership creates a source of identity and belonging
- Some go to Church out of habit or as a Sunday routine
-Some go to Church to socialize and make friends
-Some go to Church to receive material help
-For spiritual growth
-Others are attracted to Church out of a sense of duty
-To seek consolation and comfort
-To receive physical healing
-To seek forgiveness and correction o Some go to Church to seek God’s blessings