This 2019 Christian Religious Knowledge examination tests comprehensive knowledge of biblical history from Genesis through the Gospels. The questions frequently return to the themes of creation and early patriarchs, the actions and reforms of kings and prophets in Judah and Israel, and the temptations, ministry, and trial of Jesus. Working through this forty-question paper offers a great way to check your readiness; ensure you read the provided explanations carefully to understand why specific answers are correct.
Topics in this paper
God blessed and hallowed the seventh day because it was a day of
A student might select 'worship' or 'praise' because religious days typically involve spiritual devotion and reverence. According to Genesis 2:2-3, after completing the work of creation, God rested on the seventh day. He blessed and sanctified it as a day of rest, establishing the Sabbath principle, which signifies completion and holiness in the biblical narrative. Common mistake: Assuming the day was sanctified primarily for active worship activities rather than the specific biblical mandate of rest.
Adam was placed in the garden of Eden located in the
A student might guess North, South, or West, thinking of geographical cardinal points arbitrarily. Genesis 2:8 clarifies this by stating that the Lord God planted a garden in the east, in Eden, and placed the man he formed there. This specific placement symbolizes the beginning of human stewardship over creation in a paradisiacal setting. Common mistake: Forgetting the exact geographical direction mentioned in the creation account.
The creation of woman was necessitated by the need for
One might mistakenly choose 'love' or 'solidarity' because interpersonal bonds are prominent themes in the narrative. Genesis 2:18 records God's observation that it is not good for man to be alone and promises a suitable helper. The creation of Eve directly addresses the need for companionship, highlighting the relational aspect of humanity in God's design. Common mistake: Confusing the broader emotion of love with the specific need for companionship that motivated the creation of woman.
Jacob showed preference for Joseph because Joseph
A student might pick options like having the Spirit of God or speaking the truth, assuming moral perfection earned Joseph his father's favor. Genesis 37:3 explains that Israel favored Joseph above his other sons specifically because he had been born to him in his old age, a fact symbolized by the ornate robe. This favoritism sets the stage for family conflict and Joseph's eventual rise. Common mistake: Attributing Joseph's special status to his personal behavior rather than the family circumstance of his birth timing.
The main reason for which Joseph's brothers sold him was
A student might choose a love for money, recalling that Joseph was sold for pieces of silver, or mistake general wickedness for the root cause. Genesis 37:4-5, 8 detail how Joseph's brothers hated him due to his prophetic dreams and their father's blatant favoritism. This intense hatred culminated in their plot to sell him into slavery, illustrating the destructive power of unresolved familial resentment. Common mistake: Confusing the financial transaction of selling him with the underlying emotional driver of hatred.
Shiphrah and Puah refused to obey Pharaoh because
A student might select kinsmen of the Israelites, assuming they disobeyed Pharaoh out of ethnic loyalty. Exodus 1:17 explicitly states that the midwives feared God and defied the king of Egypt's command to kill male babies, letting them live. Their fear of God over human authority exemplifies moral courage and faithfulness, leading to divine blessing upon them. Common mistake: Crediting ethnic solidarity instead of their primary motivation, which was fearing God.
But behold, they will not believe me or listen to my voice, for they will say, the Lord did not appear to you. Who made this remark?
A student might guess Aaron, since he frequently spoke on behalf of Moses, or Joseph. In Exodus 4:1, Moses expresses doubt about his divine calling, asking what to do if the people refuse to believe or listen to him and claim the Lord never appeared to him. This reflects Moses' initial reluctance and lack of confidence, prompting God to provide signs to affirm his mission. Common mistake: Attributing Moses' personal expressions of doubt and reluctance to his spokesman, Aaron.
The Israelites asked Aaron to make gods for them because they
A student might think the people wanted a god to lead them back to Egypt or because they felt punished for sins. Exodus 32:1 records that when the people saw Moses delayed in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and demanded visible gods to go before them. This impatience led to the golden calf incident, demonstrating the dangers of spiritual impatience and idolatry. Common mistake: Confusing the motivation of returning to Egypt with the immediate trigger of Moses' delayed return from Mount Sinai.
Joshua was invested with some of Moses' authority so that the Israelites might
A student might select 'honour him', confusing general respect with the operational goal of leadership. Numbers 27:20 instructs Moses to invest Joshua with some of his authority specifically so that the whole Israelite community will obey him. This transfer ensures leadership continuity and prevents unrest, underscoring the importance of obedient followership in God's plan. Common mistake: Confusing passive honor with the active obedience required for community leadership.
Barak deployed a troop of ten thousand men as advised by Deborah on mount
A student might confuse Mount Tabor with Sinai, Gilboa, or Nebo due to familiarity with other famous biblical mountain events. Judges 4:6-14 describes Deborah summoning Barak to Mount Tabor, where God promised victory over Sisera. This strategic deployment highlights themes of divine guidance and the role of women in leadership during Israel's cycles of apostasy and deliverance. Common mistake: Mixing up Mount Tabor with Mount Sinai or Gilboa.
It is the Lord, let Him do what seems good to Him. These words were said by
A student might attribute this quote to Samuel or Moses, given their prominent leadership roles and interactions with God. In 1 Samuel 3:18, Eli responds to Samuel's revelation of God's judgment by declaring that He is the Lord and should do what is good in His eyes. Eli's acceptance demonstrates submission to God's sovereignty despite personal consequences. Common mistake: Confusing Eli's submission to judgment with statements made by prophets like Samuel or Moses.
The glory has departed from Israel was the meaning of the name
A student might choose Samuel, Eli, or Phinehas, as all are central figures around the time the ark was captured. 1 Samuel 4:21 explains that Ichabod's name means 'The Glory has departed from Israel', given by his mother because of the capture of the ark of God. It symbolizes the spiritual decline due to the sins of Eli's sons and Israel's defeat. Common mistake: Associating the name meaning directly with Eli or Phinehas rather than the newborn child named Ichabod.
Prophet Samuel, like Eli had two worthless sons called
A student might pick Nadab and Abihu, forgetting they were sons of Aaron rather than Samuel. 1 Samuel 8:1-3 notes Samuel's sons were Joel and Abijah, who served as corrupt judges in Beersheba, mirroring Eli's wicked sons. This corruption prompts Israel to demand a king, marking a transition from theocratic to monarchical rule. Common mistake: Confusing Samuel's sons with Aaron's sons, Nadab and Abihu.
David entered into Saul's service because he was
A student might choose 'an intelligent warrior' or 'a man after God's heart', since David was both of those things later on. 1 Samuel 16:23 describes David entering Saul's service specifically because he played the lyre to soothe Saul's troubled spirit whenever the distressing spirit came upon him. This musical talent opens the door to court service and eventual kingship. Common mistake: Assuming David entered the royal court based on his military prowess rather than his musical skill.
I have done wrong; return my son, David for I no more do you harm because my life was precious in your eyes this day; ... Who made this statement?
A student might guess Jonathan, who was David's close friend and often protected him from Saul. 1 Samuel 26:21 records Saul's confession after David spares his life in the camp, where Saul admits he has sinned and promises no more harm because David considered his life precious. This moment reveals Saul's fleeting remorse amid his jealousy. Common mistake: Attributing Saul's remorseful confession to Jonathan.
The first child David had with Bathsheba died on the
A student might guess the third or eleventh day by randomly selecting numbers from the options. 2 Samuel 12:18 states explicitly that on the seventh day the child died. This tragedy, foretold by Nathan as judgment for David's sin, underscores the consequences of adultery and murder, yet leads to Solomon's birth and God's mercy. Common mistake: Misremembering the exact day the child passed away following Nathan's prophecy.
Solomon asked God for an understanding mind to govern Israel so that he could
A student might select building the temple, as Solomon is famous for that architectural feat. 1 Kings 3:9 records Solomon praying for a discerning heart to govern God's people and to distinguish between right and wrong. God grants wisdom, exemplified in the baby judgment (1 Kings 3:16-28), emphasizing just leadership above all else. Common mistake: Confusing Solomon's request for judicial wisdom with his later task of building the temple.
During the dedication of the temple by Solomon, the cloud which filled the house symbolized the
A student might incorrectly select the righteousness of the people because they assume a building dedicated to God reflects human moral status rather than divine presence. When the priests withdrew, the cloud filled the house of the Lord and hindered their service because the glory of God filled his temple, recalling the events at Sinai and affirming his divine presence. Common mistake: Confusing the symbol of God's presence with human righteousness.
To your tent, o Israel! Look now to your own house David. This call was made because
One might mistakenly choose Solomon favored the southern kingdom or that Solomon imposed heavy taxes since both options highlight economic or political grievances. However, the direct trigger for the cry 'To your tents, Israel! Look after your own house, David!' was Rehoboam refusing to grant the northerners petition for a lighter yoke after rejecting their plea, which split the kingdom and illustrated the perils of harsh leadership. Common mistake: Confusing Solomon's initial tax burden with Rehoboam's specific refusal of the petitioner's request.
During the reign of King Ahab, Hiel of Bethel rebuilt Jericho at the cost of the lives of his children
A student might mistakenly choose Abinadab and Malchishua by confusing them with biblical figures from other contexts, or Hophni and Phinehas due to their well-known tragic priestly deaths. Hiel of Bethel rebuilt Jericho at the cost of the lives of his children, laying its foundations at the cost of his firstborn son Abiram and setting up its gates at the cost of his youngest son Segub, fulfilling Joshua 6:26 and showing the curse's persistence. Common mistake: Mixing up the names of biblical sons across different historical narratives.
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