Earlyface

The aim of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation
Examination (UTME) syllabus in Christian Religious
Studies is to prepare the candidates for the Board’s
examination. It is designed to test their achievement of
the course objectives, which are to:
1. acquire the knowledge and understanding of the
tenets of the Christian faith as contained in the Bible
2. interpret biblical teachings and themes;
3. apply biblical teachings and tenets to life in society;
The syllabus is divided into four sections, namely:
SECTION A: Themes from creation to the Division of
the Kingdom
SECTION B: Themes from the Division of the Kingdom
to the Return from Exile and the Prophets
SECTION C: Themes from the four Gospels and Acts of
the Apostles
SECTION D: Themes from selected Epistle
SECTION A:
Themes from Creation to
the Division of the
Kingdom
1. The Sovereignty of God
God as Creator and
Controller of the Universe
(Gen. 1 and 2) cf. Amos
9:5-6; Is. 45:5-12
2. The Covenant
(a) The flood and God’s
covenant with Noah (Gen.
6:1-22; 7:1-24; 9:1-17)
(b) God’s covenant with
Abraham (Gen. 11:31-32;
12:1-9; 17:1-21; 21:1-13;
25:19-26)
(c) God’s covenant with
Israel (Ex. 19; 20;
Candidates should be able
to:
i. interpret the term
‘sovereignty;
ii. analyse God’s process of
creation;
iii. interpret the sequence
of creation;
iv. identify man’s role in
advancing God’s purpose in
creation.
Candidates should be able
to:
i. interpret the concept of
covenant;
ii. examine the importance
and implication of the
covenant;
iii. distinguish between
God’s covenants with Noah,
Abraham and Israel;
iv. Distinguish between the
old and the new
24:1-11; cf. Deut. 28:1-19)
(d) The New Covenant
(Jer. 31:31-34; Ezek
36:25-28)
3. Leadership Qualities:
Examples of
(a) Joseph (Gen. 37:1-28;
41:1-57; 45:1-15)
(b) Moses (Ex. 1; 2; 3;
4:1-17; 5; 12; Num.
13:1-20; 14:1-19)
(c) Joshua (Num. 13:21-33;
27:15-23; Josh.
1:1-15; 6; 7; 24:1-31)
(d) Judges (Deborah-Jug.
4:1-24; Gideon- Judge
6:11-40; Samson-Judge
13:1-7, 21- 25; 16:4-31)
4. Devine Providence
(a) Guidance and
Protection (Gen. 24:1-61;
28:10-22; 46:1-7: Ex.
13:17-22; 14:1-4; 10-31)
(b) Provision (Gen.
21:14-18; 22:1-14; Ex.
16:1-21; 17:1-7; Num.
20:1-13; 1 Kings
17:1-16)
5. Parental Responsibility:
Examples of
(a) Eli and Samuel (1 Sam.
2:11-36; 3:2-18; 4:10-22:
8:15)
(b) David and his sons (11
Sam. 13; 15:1-29; 18;
19:1-8)
(c) Asa and Jehoshaphat
(1 Kings 15:9-15; 22:41-44;
cf. Deut. 6:4-9; Prov.
4:1-10; 13:1; 24; 22:6;
23:13-14; 31:10-31)
6. i) Obedience and
Rewards Examples of
(a) Abraham (Gen.
22:1-19)
(b) Hebrew Midwives (Ex.
1:8-22)
(c) David (1 Sam. 30:1-20)
ii) Disobedience and
Consequences Examples
of
(a) Adam (Gen. 2:15-25; 3)
(b) Collection of Manna
(Ex. 16:22-30)
(c) The Golden Calf (Ex.
32)
(d) Moses (Num. 20:7-12;
Deut. 34:1-6)
(e) Saul (1 Sam. 10:1-16;
15:1-25; 16:14-23;
31:1-13)
7. A man after God’s own
heart
(a) The early life of David
(1 Sam. 16:1-13; 17;
18:17-30; 22:1-5; 24:1-23; II
Sam. 2:1-7; 3:1-39)
(b) David’s submission to
the will of God (I Sam.
26:1-25); II Sam 12:15-25
covenants.
Candidates should be able
to:
i. ?? examine the
circumstances that gave
rise to the leadership of
Joseph, Moses, Joshua and
the Judges;
ii. identify the major
talents of these leaders;
iii. assess God’s role in the
works of these leaders;
iv. analyse the
achievements of these
leaders.
Candidates should be able
to:
i. identify the different
ways by which God guided
and protected the people
of Israel;
ii. specify how God
provided for His people;
iii. identify the different
occasions when God
provided for Israel.
Candidates should be able
to:
i. determine the extent to
which Eli, Samuel and
David were responsible for
the short-comings of their
children:
ii. describe how Asa and
Jehoshaphat pleased God.
Candidates should be able
to:
i. determine why Abraham,
the Hebrew midwives and
David obeyed God;
ii. identify the rewards for
obideince.
Candidates should be able
to:
i. compare the
disobedience of Adam, the
people of Israel, Moses
and Saul;
ii. indicate the reasons for
their disobedience;
iii. determine the
consequences of
disobedience.
Candidates should be able
to:
i. identify David’s childhood
experiences;
ii. specify how David
submitted to the will of
God;
iii. examine the situations
that led to David’s sin and
repentance;
(c) Repentance and
forgiveness (II Sam. 11;
12:1-15, cf. Ps. 51:130)
8. Decision - Making
(a) Reliance on medium (I
Sam. 28:3-25)
(b) The Wisdom of
Solomon (I Kings 3:3-28;
4:29-34; 5:1-12; 8:1-53)
(c) Unwise Policies of
Solomon and Rehoboam
(I Kings 9:15-23; 11:1-40;
12:1-20)
SECTION B:
Themes from the Division
of the Kingdom to the
Return from Exile and the
Prophets
1. Greed and its Effects
Example of
(a) Ahab (I Kings 21:1-29;
22:1-40; II Kings 9:30-37)
(b) Gehazi (II Kings 5:1-27
cf (Josh 7)
2. The Supremacy of God
Religious Tension and the
Power of God on Mount
Carmel (I Kings 16:29-34;
17:1-7; 18;
19:1-18)
3. Religious Reforms in
Judah
(a) Cleansing of the
Temple (II Kings 22)
(b) Renewal of the
Covenant (II Kings 23:1-
30)
4. Concern for Judah
(a) The fall of Jerusalem
(II kings 24; 25:1- 17)
(b) Condition of Judah
(Neh. 1:1-11; Ezra 1:1-11)
(c) Response to the state
of Judah (Neh. 2; 4:1-23
Ezra 3:4; 5; 6; 7)
5. Faith in God
Faith, Courage and
Protection (Dan. 1; 3:1-
30;6:1-28)
iv. determine why God
forgave David.
Candidates should be able
to:
i. identify the source of
Solomon’s wisdom;
ii. compare the different
ways used by Saul and
Solomon in making
decision;
iii. analyse the decisions
made by Saul, David,
Solomon and Rehoboam
iv. assess the
consequences of Solomon
and Rehoboan’s unwise
decisions.
Candidates should be able
to:
i. interpret the meaning of
greed;
ii. distinguish between
Ahab and Gehazi’s greed;
iii. deduce the
consequences of Ahab and
Gehazi’s greed.
Candidates should be able
to:
i. analyse the religious
situation in Israel at the
times of Elijah and Ahab;
ii. identify the characters
involved in the contest on
Mount Carmel
iii. differentiate between
God’s power and the Baal.
Candidates should be able
to:
i. analyse Josiah’s religious
reforms;
ii. determine the reasons
for the renewal of the
covenant;
iii. assess the significant of
the reforms.
Candidates should be able
to:
i. identify the reasons for
the fall of Jerusalem;
ii. examine the condition of
Judah during the exile;
iii. analyse the people’s
response to the call of
Nehemiah and Ezra to
rebuild Jerusalem
iv. distinguish between
Nehemiah and Ezra’s
responses to the
opposition of their enemies
Candidates should be able
to:
i. analyse the stories of
Shadrach, Meshach,
Abednego and Daniel;
ii. determine the occasion
on which the four men
demonstrated faith;
iii. analyse the effects of the
faith of the four men on the
Babylonians.
6. God’s Message to
Nineveh
Jonah and his massage
(Jonah 1; 2; 3 and 4)
7. Social, Justice, True
Religion and Divine Love
(a) Social justice and true
religion (Amos 2:6-8; 4;
5:1-25; 6:1-14; 7:10-17;
8:4-14)
(b) Divine Love and
human reponse (Hosea 1;
2; 3; 4; 6:1-11; 14)
8. Holiness and Divine
Call
(Isaiah 6:1-13; Ezek. 2;
3:1-11; Jer. 1:4-10)
9. Punishment and Hope
(Jer. 3:11-18; 32:26-35;
Ezek. 18; 37:1-14;
Isaiah 61)
SECTION C:
Themes from the four
Gospels and the Acts of
the Apostles
1. The Birth and early Life
of Jesus
(a) John, the forerunner
of Jesus (Lk. 1:5-25; 57-66;
3:1-20; 7:18-35; Mk. 1:1-8;
6:14- 29; Mt. 3:1-12; Jn.
1:6-8; 19-37)
(b) The brith and boyhood
of Jesus (Mt. 1:18- 25; 2;
Lk. 1:26-45:2)
2. The Baptism and
Temptation of Jesus
(Mt. 3:13-17; 4:1-11; Mk.
1:9-13; Lk. 3:21-22;
4:1-13)
3. Discipleship
(a) The call of the first
disciples (Mt. 4:18 22;
9:9-13; Mk. 1:16-20;
2:13-17; Lk. 5:1-11; 27-32)
(b) The cost of
discipleship (Mt. 8:19-22;
Lk. 9:57-63; 14:25-33)
Candidates should be able
to:
i. analyse the story of
Jonah’s call;
ii. describe the
consequences of Jonah’s
disobedience;
iii. assess the effect of
Jonah’s message on the
Ninevites;
iv. relate God’s response to
repentance.
Candidates should be able
to
i. determine what true
religious is;
ii. identify the ills that led to
the call for social justice in
Amos’ time;
iii. Examine the condition in
Israel during Hosea’s time;
iv. analyse Hosea’s
portrayal of divine love and
human response.
Candidates should be able
to:
i. distinguish between the
calls of Isaiah, Ezekiel and
Jeremiah;
ii. compare the
assignments given to these
prophets;
iii. determine the need for
God’s people to be holy.
Candidates should be able
to:
i. describe the situations
that led to the punishment
of Israel;
ii. identify the conditions
for hope;
iii. determine the benefits
of restoration.
Candidates should be able
to:
i. compare the stories of
the birth of John and Jesus;
ii. assess the importance of
John as the forerunner of
Jesus;
iii. analyse the boyhood of
Jesus.
Candidates should be able
to:
i. determine the meaning
and purpose of the baptism
of Jesus
ii. specify the temptation of
Jesus;
iii. examine the significance
of the temptation of Jesus.
Candidates should be able
to:
i. identify the first disciples
to be called by Jesus;
ii. determine the cost of
discipleship;
iii. compare the different
accounts of discipleship in
the synoptic gospels.
4. Miracles
(a) Nature Miracles
(i) Stilling the storm (Mt.
8:23-27; Mk. 4:35-41;
Lk.8:22-25)
(ii) Feeding of the Five
Thousand (Mt. 4:13-24;
Mk. 6:30-44; Lk, 9:10-17;
Jn. 6:1-13)
(iii) Walking on the sea
(Mt. 4:22-26; Mk. 6:45-52;
Jn. 6:16-21)
(iv) Changing water to
wine (Jn. 2:1-11)
(b) Miracles of
Resuscitation
(i) The raising of Lazarus
(Jn. 11:1-45)
(ii) The raising of Jairu’s
daughter (Lk. 8:41-42,
49-56; Mk. 5:21-43)
(iii) The raising of the
widow’s son at Nain (Lk.
7:11-17)
(c) Healing Miracles
(i) The leper (Mt. 8:1-4;
Mk. 1:40-45; Lk. 5:12-16;
17:11-19)
(ii) The paralytic at the
pool (Jn. 5:1-17)
(iii) The centurion’s
servant (Mt. 8:5-13; Lk.
7:1-10)
(iv) The blind (Jn. 9:1-12;
Mk. 10:46-52; Lk. 18:35-43)
(d) Exorcism
(i) The Gerasenes
(Gadarenes) demoniac
(Mt. 8:28-34; Mk. 5:1-20;
Lk. 8:21- 39)
(ii) The epileptic boy (Mk.
9:14-29; Lk. 9:37-43a; Mt.
17:14-21)
5. The Parables
(a) Parables of the
Kingdom
(i) The sower (Mt. 13:1-23;
Mk. 4:1-20) (ii) The weeds
(Mt. 13:24-30; 36-43)
(b) Parables about love of
God (Mt. 18:12- 14; Lk.
15:1-32)
(c) Parables about love for
one another (Lk.10:25-37;
16:19-31)
(d) Parable about wealth:
The rich fool (Lk. 12:13-21)
6. Sermon on the Mount
(Mt. 5; 6:1-18; Lk. 6:17-26;
Mt. 6:19-34)
7. Mission of the Disciples
(a)The mission of the
twelve
(Mt. 10:5-15; Mk. 6:7-13;
Lk. 9:1-16)
Candidates should be able
to:
i. classify the different
miracles of Jesus;
ii. indicate the occasion of
each of the miracles;
iii. examine the significance
of each of the miracles;
iv. assess the power of
Jesus over nature,
diseases, demons and
death.
Candidates should be able
to:
i. classify the different
parables of Jesus;
ii. identify the occasion of
each parable;
iii. interpret the meaning of
each parable;
iv. give reasons why Jesus
taught in parables.
Candidates should be able
to:
i. analyse the teachings on
the Mount;
ii. identify the demands of
the Kingdom;
iii. determine the
consequences of worldly
possessions;
iv. associate the rewards
for obedience with the
sermon on the Mount.
Candidates should be able
to:
i. distinguish between the
mission of the twelve and
the seventy;
(b)The mission of the
seventy (Lk. 10:1-24)
8. The Great Confession
(Mt. 16:13-20; Mk. 8:27-30;
Lk. 9:18-22)
9. The Transfiguration
(Mt. 17:1-13; Mk. 9:2-13;
Lk. 9:28-36)
10. The Triumphal Entry
and the cleansing of the
Temple
(Mt. 21:1-17; Mk. 11:1-19;
Lk. 19:29-48)
11. The Last Supper
(Mt. 26:17-30; Mk.
14:10-26
Lk. 22:7-23; Jn. 13:2-38)
12. The Trials and the
Death of Jesus
(a) The Trials of Jesus
(i) Before the High Priest
(Mt. 26:36-75;
Mk. 14:53-72
Lk. 22:66-71)
(ii) Before Pilate
(Mt. 27:11-26; Mk. 15:1-15;
Lk. 23:1-5; 13-25;
Jn. 18:28-40; 19:1-16)
(iii) Before Herod (Lk.
23:6-12)
(b) Crucifixion and Burial
of Jesus (Mt. 27:32-66; Lk.
23:26-56; Mk. 15:16-47; Jn.
19:17-42)
13. Resurrection,
Appearances and
Ascension of Jesus (Mt.
28:1-20; Mk. 16:1-20; Lk.
24:1-53; Jn. 20:1-31; Acts
1:1-11)
ii. specify the instructions
to the disciples;
iii. assess the outcomes of
the missions.
Candidates should be able
to:
i. analyse the confession by
Peter;
ii. identify the occasion of
the Great Confession;
iii. examine the
significance of the Great
Confession.
Candidates should be able
to:
i. trace the event leading to
the Transfiguration;
ii. determine the
significance of the
Transfiguration to the
disciples;
iii. identify the
personalities involved in
the story of the
Transfiguration
Candidates should be able
to:
i. account for the
Triumphal Entry and the
cleansing of the Temple;
ii. determine the
significance of the
Triumphal Entry and the
cleansing of the Temple;
iii. examine how the
cleansing of the Temple
caused hostility towards
Jesus.
Candidates should be able
to:
i. trace the story of the Last
Supper;
ii. identify the location of
the Last Supper;
iii. evaluate the significance
of the Last Supper.
Candidates should be able
to:
i. analyse the different
trials of Jesus;
ii. analyse the Crucifixion
and burial of Jesus;
iii. compare the account of
John with that of the
synoptic gospels on the
crucifixion and burial of
Jesus;
iv. deduce the lessons of
the death of Jesus.
Candidates should be able
to:
(i) trace the stories of the
resurrection, appearances
and
ascension of Jesus;
(ii) compare the accounts
in the synoptic gospels,
14. Jesus’ Teachings about
Himself
(a) The Bread of Life and
the Living Water (Jn.
4:7-15; 6:25-58)
(b) The Light of the World
(Jn. 1:4-8; 3:19-21; 8:12
9:1-5; 12:35-36)
(a) The Door and the Good
Shepherd (Jn. 10:1-18)
(b) The True Vine (Jn.
15:1-11)
15. Love
(a) God’s love for man (Jn.
3:16-18)
(b) Love for one another
(Jn. 13:34-35; 15:12-13 cf. I
Jn. 4:7-21)
16. Fellowship in the Early
Church
(a) Communal living (Acts
1:15-26; 2:41-47; 4:32-37)
(b) Problems of
communal living and
solutions (Acts 5:1-11,
6:1-6)
17. The Holy Spirit and the
Mission of the Church
(a) The Pentecost (Acts
1:8; 2:1-41)
(b) The Mission of the
Church (Acts 8:4-40)
18. Opposition to the
Gospel Message
(a) The arrest and
imprisonment of Peter
and John
(Acts 3; 4:1-22; 5:17-42
12:1-24)
(b) The martyrdom of
Stephen (Acts 6:8-15; 7)
(c) Persecution by Saul
(Acts 8:1-3; 9:1-2) cf. Gal.
1:11-17
19. Mission to the Gentiles
(a) Conversion of Saul
Gospel of John and the
Acts of the Apostles;
(iii) compare the
personalities involved in
the stories.
Candidates should be able
to:
(i) analyse the different
teachings of Jesus about
Himself;
(ii) account for the reasons
for Jesus’ teachings about
Himself;
(iii) interpret the meanings
of the symbols used by
Jesus about Himself.
Candidates should be able
to:
(i) describe God’s love for
man;
(ii) specify the ways they
can love one another;
(iii) evaluate the
significance of love.
Candidates should be able
to:
(i) account for communal
living in the Early Church;
(ii) identify the problems of
communal living and their
solutions;
(iii) examine how
communal living helped
the growth of
the Early Church.
Candidates should be able
to:
(i) trace the story of the
Pentecost;
(ii) examine the
significance of the
Pentecost;
(iii) analyse the mission of
the Church.
Candidates should be able
to:
(i) trace the story of the
arrest and imprisonment
of Peter and John;
(ii) trace the events that led
to the Martyrdom of
Stephen;
(iii) account for the role of
Saul in the persecution of
the
Church;
(iv) relate the importance
of persecution to the
growth of
the Church.
Candidates should be able
to:
(i) compare the conversion
of Saul
(Acts 9:1-30; 22:4-21;
26:9-18)
(b) Conversion of
Cornelius (Acts 10:1-48)
(c) The commissioning
and mission of Paul (Acts
13; 14:1-20);
(d) The Council of
Jerusalem (Acts 15:1-35;
Gal. 2:1-21)
(e) Persecution of Paul
(Acts 16:11-40; 19:23-41
21:27-36)
cf. II Cor. 11:23-33
SECTION D:
Themes from Selected
Epistles
1. Justification by Faith
(Rom. 3:21-24; 5:1-11;
10:1-13)
2. The Law and Grace
(Rom. 4:13-25; 5:18-21;
Gal. 3:10-14; 19-29)
3. New Life in Christ
(Rom. 6:1-4; 12-14; Col.
3:1-17;
Gals. 5:16-26; II Cor.
5:16-19;
I Thess. 4:1-8; Rom. 12)
4. Christians as Joint Heirs
with Christ (Gal. 3:23-29;
4:1-7)
5. Humility
(Phil. 2:1-11; I Pet. 5:5-11)
6. Forgiveness
(Philemon; II Cor. 2:5-11)
and Cornelius;
(ii) analyse the
commissioning and
mission of Paul;
(iii) examine the main
decisions at the Council of
Jerusalem;
(iv) identify the
personalities
involved at the Council of
Jerusalem;
(v) account for the
persecution of Paul;
(vi) assess Paul’s role in the
mission to the Gentiles.
Candidates should be able
to:
(i) interpret the term
‘justification’ by faith;
(ii) identify the basic
conditions for justification;
(iii) determine the fruits of
justification.
Candidates should be able
to:
(i) examine the purpose
and significance of the law
and
grace;
(ii) identify the place of the
law among the Jews.
Candidates should be able
to:
(i) describe the
characteristics of the old
life;
(ii) analyse the new life in
Christ;
(iii) identify the conditions
of the new life;
(iv) compare the different
writings of Paul on the new
life in Christ;
(v) distinguish between the
old and the new life.
Candidates should be able
to:
(i) describe how Christian
could be joint heirs with
Christ;
(ii) indicate the benefits of
being Joint heirs with
Christ.
Candidates should be able
to:
(i) determine the meaning
of the term ‘humility’
(ii) identify the
requirements of humility;
(iii) identify the rewards of
humility.
Candidates should be able
to:
(i) analyse Paul’s teaching
on forgiveness;
(ii) assess the benefits of
7. Spiritual Gifts
(I Cor. 12; Rom. 12:3-18; I
Cor. 14)
8. Christian Giving
(Phil. 4:14-20; II Cor. 8:1-5;
9)
9. Civic Responsibility
(Rom. 13; I Tim. 2:1-4)
10. Dignity of Labour
(II Thess. 3:6-15; Col.
3:23-35)
11. The Second Coming of
Christ
(a) The signs of the
Coming of Christ (I
Thess.
4:13-18; II Thess. 2:1-12)
(b) Preparation for His
coming
(I Thess. 5:1-11; II Pet.
3:1-13)
12. Impartiality (James
2:1-13) cf. Acts 10:34-35
13. Effective Prayer
(James 1:2-8; 4:1-3;
5:13-18)
14. Christian Living in the
Community
(a)Interpersonal
relationship among
Christians (I Pet. 5:1-4;
Rom. 12:3-21)
(b)Christians living among
non-
Christians (I Pet. 2:3-25;
Rom. 15:1-2)
(c) Christian attitude to
persecution (I Pet. 1:5-9;
4:1-19)
(d)Relationship in the
Christian Family (Eph. 6:
1-9; Col. 3:18-21;
I Pet. 3:1-7)
forgiveness.
Candidates should be able
to:
(i) differentiate between
the types of spiritual gifts;
(ii) analyse the use of
spiritual gifts by the
individual.
Candidates should be able
to:
(i) interpret the concept of
Christian giving;
(ii) relate the teachings of
Paul to Christian giving.
Candidates should be able
to:
(i) identify the need for
obedience to authority;
(ii) specify the
requirements of good
citizenship.
Candidates should be able
to:
(i) interpret the concept of
dignity of labour;
(ii) analyse the benefits of
labour.
Candidates should be able
to:
(i) identify the signs of the
Second Coming of Christ;
(ii) specify the preparations
for His coming;
(iii) indicate what will
happen during His Second
Coming.
Candidates should be able
to:
(i) interpret the concept of
impartiality;
(ii) compare partiality and
impartiality;
(iii) examine the
consequences of
impartiality.
Candidates should be able
to:
(i) identify the
requirements of effective
prayer;
(ii) distinguish between
effective and ineffective
prayer.
Candidates should be able
to:
(i) determine interpersonal
relationships among
Christians;
(ii) analyse Christian living
among non-Christians;
(iii) relate Christians
attitude to persecution;
(iv) determine the
relationship in the
Christian family
RECOMMENDED TEXTS
Adetunje, P.G. names(s)? (2000). ExamFocus Christian
Religious Knowledge Ibadan: University Press Plc
Adeyemo, I. O. names(s)? (1998). Christian Religious
Knowledge for Secondary Schools Books1 – 3, Ibadan:
Onibonoje Adeyinka, A. A. names(s)? (1991). Christian
Religious Knowledge for Senior Secondary Schools,
Book 1 – 3, Lagos: Longman
Aghaeghuna, E. O. N (1988). Senior Secondary School
Christian Religious Knowledge themes from Selected
Epistles,
Vol 1 – III, Awka, Jet Publishers
Dopamu A. names(s)? (1990). Christian Religious
Knowledge for Senior Secondary Schools Books 1 – 3,
Lagos: Nelson Ilori J. A. names(s)? (1980). Christian
Religious Knowledge for Senior Secondary Schools
Books 1 – 3, Ibadan: Evans Revised Standard Version,
Stonchill Green: Bible Society Publishing House (1971).
Wisdomline Pass at Once JAMB.