Category: THE UNITY OF BELIEVERS

Problems encountered by Christians in their commitment to Christ today

6/10/2023

Navigating Challenges: Upholding Faith and Commitment in a Changing World

Here are some problems encountered by Christians in their commitment to Christ today:

Temptations from the devil and worldly pleasures: Christians face constant temptations that can distract them from their commitment to Christ. The allure of worldly pleasures and the pressures to conform to societal norms can challenge their faith.
Weakening of faith in God in times of hardships: Difficulties and hardships can shake a Christian's faith and make them question God's presence and goodness. It can be challenging to maintain unwavering trust in God during times of crisis.
Opposition, persecution, and oppression: Christians may face opposition, persecution, or oppression due to their beliefs and values. They may encounter discrimination, hostility, or even physical harm because of what they stand for.
False teaching, heresy, and false prophets: The presence of false teaching, heresy, and false prophets can confuse and mislead Christians. It becomes challenging to discern the truth and stay faithful to the genuine Christian message.
Division, quarrels, and disagreements within the church: Christians often encounter division, quarrels, and disagreements within their own faith communities. Internal conflicts and differing interpretations of doctrine can create challenges to unity and commitment.
Materialism, greed, and power struggles: The pursuit of material wealth, greed, and power struggles can negatively impact Christians' commitment to Christ. These worldly distractions can divert their focus from spiritual growth and service.
Challenges from science and technology: Advancements in science and technology sometimes challenge traditional religious beliefs. Christians may struggle to reconcile scientific discoveries with their faith, leading to doubts and conflicts.
Natural calamities and existential questions: Natural disasters, epidemics, and other calamities can raise questions about God's existence and His role in suffering. Christians may grapple with doubts about His presence and purpose in the face of such events.
Destiny and afterlife concerns: Questions about the destiny of individuals after death can be unsettling for Christians. Uncertainty about what happens after death and the fate of loved ones can challenge their commitment to Christ.
Prosperity of the wicked: The apparent prosperity of the wicked can raise questions about God's justice. Christians may struggle to understand why those who do not follow God's ways seem to thrive while they face difficulties and challenges.
Poor examples set by church leaders: Church leaders who exhibit hypocrisy, engage in misconduct, or misinterpret scriptures can undermine the faith and commitment of Christians. Such examples can lead to disillusionment and confusion.
Challenges from other religions, denominations, and secular society: Christians may face challenges and conflicts arising from differences in religious beliefs, denominational disputes, and clashes with secular society or traditional cultural practices.
Hypocrisy within the church: The presence of hypocrisy within the church community can be discouraging for Christians. When fellow believers do not live up to the teachings they profess, it can weaken commitment and trust in the church.
Financial constraints and lack of resources: Christians may face financial constraints and lack of resources in fulfilling their obligations and supporting their faith communities. Limited resources can hinder their ability to actively participate and serve.
Marginalization within the church: Some Christians may experience marginalization or exclusion within their own faith communities. This can be due to factors such as social status, ethnicity, gender, or differing theological perspectives, leading to feelings of alienation and diminished commitment.

It's important to note that these challenges are not universal to all Christians, and individuals may face different combinations of difficulties based on their specific circumstances and contexts.

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Factors which lead people away from the worship of God today

10/6/2021

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Factors which lead people away from the worship of God today

Drunkardness

Materialism, love/craving for earthly possessions/wealth at the expense of spiritual development.
Corruption which makes people mistrust God/come to the conclusion that God does not care.
Permissiveness in society which makes people lose value especially religious values/social influence from peer groups.
Mass media /pornography where people spend time listening and watching T.V, videos and films. They may influence people’s activities which are contrary to the true worship of God.
Urbanization leads people to lose their identity/change values which may lead to degeneration of morals.
Dehumanization where the value of a person is not considered but the service they can provide.
Threats to human life/human dignity; caused by wars nuclear power/abortion which make people lose faith in God.
Confusion arising from religious pluralism. Some people wonder which is the true religion as some religions advocate worship of idols/Satan.
Oppression. Social/political/cultural/economics/religion suffering might make some people loose faith in God.
Sexual immorality/adultery, fornication, prostitution, homosexuality take away some people from the community of worshippers.
Scientific discoveries. People come to place their faith in science and technology. They believe it can solve all their problems.
Addiction to drugs.
Social prejudices/discrimination racism/tribalism destroys the unity of humanity.
Poverty dehumanizes the unit of humanity.

give-six-reasons-why-the-use-of-the-gifts-of-the-holy-spirit-brought-disunity-in-the-church-at-corinth.html

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Ways in which Christians demonstrate the fruit of generosity

4/4/2021

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Ways in which Christians demonstrate the fruit of generosity

By giving of alms.
Giving clothing to the needy.
By welcoming strangers to their homes.
By putting their skills, time and resources to the service of the church.
Sharing the word of God.
Visiting the sick and prisoners.
Rehabilitating street children/Drug addicts.
Caring for Aids Orphans.
Ministering to people with HIV/AIDS.

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Ways in which Christians demonstrate the fruit of generosity

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How churches discipline those who cause disunity in the church today

4/4/2021

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How churches discipline those who cause disunity in the church today

They are denied leadership positions.
Are denied some services of the church such as wedding rites, burial rites e.t.c.
Are charged a fine.
They are reprimanded and asked to apologize.
Workers who cause disunity can lose their jobs.
Leaders who cause disunity are asked to resign.
Some churches excommunicate members who blaspheme.
Sometimes they may be suspended from church duties and church services.
They are denied sacrament.

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How churches discipline those who cause disunity in the church today

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Six reasons why preachers may be disliked by some people in the modern society

18/8/2019

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Selected Old Testament prophets and their teachings

6/7/2019

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previously << prophet jeremiah

DEFINITION OF PROPHETS

A prophet is a person who predicts what will happen in their future.
A prophet is a person who receives messages from God through a special channel such as vision, dream, prayer and tell people what God has revealed to him

Prophecy

A divine message from God’s servant
An utterance by a prophet about an event or events to take place in future

SELECTED OLD TESTAMENT PROPHETS AND THEIR TEACHINGS

The five categories of prophets

Early Old Testament prophets
They appeared early in the history of Israel as a nation e.g. Moses, Elijah, Samuel ,Nathan
Professional prophets
They earned their living through their work of prophecy like Samuel was given a silver coin as token for his prophecy
They were true prophets and they never give prophecies in favour of what the king wanted to hear
Prophetess
Female / women prophets e.g. Hilda, Miriam and more others
Canonical prophets
Their writings were accepted as truth from God. Their prophecies are recorded and preserved under books bearing their names
Work of canonical prophets
Foretold future events
Called people to repent sins
Are God’s spokesmen
Proclaimed God’s judgement
Give audience hope and encouragement during suffering
They told people God’s will
False prophets
They were prophets who were claimed to speak in the name of Yahweh
They demanded payments for their services
They lived immoral lives
They gave false testimonies
They practiced prophetic ecstasy
They were not guided by Yahweh by their own imagination
They promoted idolatry
They gave message which pleased people
Some were paid by the king to convey message which pleased him

Describe ways in which prophetic messages were written

Some prophets dictated their message to their secretaries
Prophets wrote their prophetic messages
Prophet disciples preserved the message orally which were later written
Some prophetic messages were written by God himself e.g. the ten commandments
Some prophetic messages were preserved in form of letters
They were written in stone tablets and scrolls

Relationship between the old testaments prophets and the New Testaments

Old testament prophets condemned insincere worship and elaborate sacrifice which was also condemned by Jesus in the New Testament
Theme of salvation in the Old Testament is fulfilled in the new testament through the coming of Jesus Christ
The prophecy of suffering servant in the Old Testament is fulfilled in the New Testament through the suffering of Jesus Christ
The idea of suffering servant in the old testament as prophesied by Isaiah also came to pass through the suffering of Jesus Christ
The prophecy of the new covenant in the Old Testament is inaugurated by Jesus during the last supper
Nathan’s prophecy to king David of great descendant who would establish everlasting kingdom is affirmed by the angel Gabriel‘s message during annunciation of the birth of Jesus Christ.

Similarities between the traditional African and Old Testament prophets

Both were approached to reveal and interprets God’s message to the people
In some cases prophets led people in religious rituals
In both cases they were consulted to settle disputes in community
In both cases they were charismatic personalities
They both condemned social injustices and evil
They felt the irresistible force to carry out God’s message
In both cases they had supernatural powers
They both warned people of impending danger and foretold the future
The prophecies in both came to pass
They were both called by god to convey his messages
Both were mediators between God and the people

Differences between Old Testament and traditional African prophets

prophecies of the old testament prophets were recorded and written while those of traditional African prophets were never written or recorded
old testament prophets were rejected by their own people while those from traditional African were loved by their own people
Traditional African prophetic character was hereditary while in the Old Testament was never hereditary.
Old testament prophets received their message from God while traditional African prophets received their messages from the spirits and ancestors
Old Testament prophets were universal while traditional African prophet were local i.e. elect with only one community.

The relevance of the Old Testament and the traditional African prophets to Christians today

Christian should lead a prayerful life
Christians should condemn in the evil in the society
Christians should preach the gospel to all people without discrimination
Christians should assure people of God’s protection in their lives if they obey God’s teaching
Christians should be courageous in when doing the work of God
Christians should lead exemplary lives
Christian should obey God’s message and those in lawful
Christians have a duty to reveals Gods nature to the people

[KCSE 2015 CRE PAPER 1 QUESTION 4A.]
State four differences between traditional African prophets and the Old Testament prophets. (8 marks)

The old testament prophets were called by God while traditional African prophets inherited their roles
Old testament prophets delivered messages to their own people and those outside their locality while traditional African prophets were concerned with their own communities
The prophecies of the old testament were recorded while those of the traditional African prophets were passed on orally
Old testament prophets spoke of the coming messiah while traditional African prophets did not have this concept
Old testament prophets were rejected in their communities while traditional African prophets were liked/respected by their communities
Old testament promoted monotheism/while traditional African prophets promoted polytheism.

Topical questions on selected prophets in old Testament

Gives the similarities between traditional African prophets and old testaments prophets (8mks)
Explain the roles of prophet in the old testaments (7mks)
State five titles given to the prophets in the old testaments (5mks )
Give the similarities between traditional African prophets and old testament prophets (8mks)
Give the five categories of prophet of prophets (5mks)

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Ways in which Christians express their faith in God today

5/7/2019

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Ways in which Christians express their faith in God today

Praying to God.
Giving offering and tithes.
Reading the Bible/Bible study.
Preaching the gospel.
Singing Christian songs.
Attending fellowships.
Helping the needy.
Leading holy life/obeying God’s laws.
Repenting their sins.
Partaking sacraments e.g. the Lord’s Supper, baptism e.t.c.
Caring for God’s creation.
Celebrating Christian festivals.

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WAYS IN WHICH CHRISTIANS EXPRESS THEIR FAITH IN GOD TODAY

KCSE 2015 QUESTION 3(c) PAPER 1

Through praying/fasting
Through preaching/evangelism/winning souls to the kingdom of God
By singing/dancing for God/composing songs/listening to christian songs
By building worshipping places
By giving tithes/offerings to God
By helping the needy/acts of charity
Through forgiving others/repenting their sins
By respecting their church leaders/spiritual authority
By having special attires/wearing a crucifix
By leading righteous lives/obeying God’s commandments/role models
By observing religious festivals/rituals/church functions
By reading the bible/Christian literature

How do Christians in Kenya demonstrate their faith in God? (8 marks)

KCSE 2019 QUESTION 3(c) PAPER 2

Identify seven ways in which Christians demonstrate their faith in God

Christians pray/pronounce blessings in the name of God.
They give offering/tithe in church.
They confess/repent their sins/forgive others.
By building places of worship for God.
They undergo baptism/partake of the Holy communion.
By visiting places perceived to be holy/sacred.
By obeying the teachings of Christ/commandments/reading the word of God.
Caring for God’s creation/helping the needy.
Composing/singing songs to God.
Dedicating their lives/time to serve God in various positions/preaching gospel.

NEXT >> abraham's acts of faith in god

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How the church helps to bring back members who have fallen from faith

30/4/2019

1 Comment

Previously: ways in which church today disciplines errant members

How the church helps to bring back members who have fallen from faith

By visiting them/ inviting them to their homes.
By being patient/ forgiving them.
By evangelizing them/preaching to them/ teaching them.
By guiding and counseling them/ referring them to experts according to their needs.
Praying for them.
By inviting them back to church.
By encouraging them to repent/ confess.
By offering them material needs/aid.

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THE UNITY OF BELIEVERS

22/10/2016

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Unity of believers refers to the oneness of those who have faith in Jesus Christ. The early Christians lived in unity which was demonstrated in the following ways.

They prayed together
They shared their meals
They shared their property
They met together to receive apostolic
They celebrated the lords supper

The concept of the unity of believers as illustrated in the New Testament

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THE AFRICAN UNDERSTANDING OF THE HIERARCHY OF BEINGS

2/10/2016

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A. Hierarchy of beings

The Africans understand the universe to consist of two parts.

The visible/ earth.
The invisible/ sky which is regarded as the home of God.

The universe has a specific order of created beings, with God the creator occupying the highest rank.
This ordering is what is referred to as the hierarchy of beings.

It can be divided into seven categories as follows;

GOD (Supreme being responsible for the existence and sustenance of human beings and all other beings).
DIVINITIES (Are spirits created by God).
SPIRITS (Belonging to people who died a long time ago).
LIVING DEAD/ ANCESTORS (Act as intermediaries between human beings who are alive and the spirit world).
HUMAN BEINGS (Include those who are physically alive and those yet to be born).
PLANTS & ANIMALS (They are used by human beings in their natural and religious life as food and sacrifice).
NON-LIVING THINGS (Natural and artificial beings e.g. rain, rivers, mountains, rocks and all other lifeless bodies).

Inter-relationship of all things, living and non-living

According to the African view of the universe, all created things depend on each other and God.
The universe is viewed in totality of existence.
It is also viewed in a religious context.

RESPONSIBILITIES GIVEN TO HUMAN BEINGS AT CREATION

(i) Human Beings and God

Many African myths of creation point to the fact that human beings are dependent on God e.g.

They depend on God for the most essential requirements of life e.g. rain, air and sunshine.
Are less powerful than God.
Must obey God’s laws and commandments.
Failure to heed these regulations may lead to punishment. Those who obey prosper.
Must offer sacrifices to God to maintain a good relationship with him.
Natural calamities e.g. drought, famine, floods and earthquakes are believed to be controlled by God and are beyond people’s power.

NAMING IN T.A.S [TRADITIONAL AFRICAN SOCIETY]

(ii) Human Beings and animals

Africans believe God gave human beings animals for their use and should handle them responsibly.
The following are the uses of animals to human beings;

Domestic animals like cattle, sheep and goats are used for food.
Payment of dowry and settlement of disputes.
Possession of animals is seen as a sign of prestige and wealth.
Skins are used as clothes.
Used to make music instruments e.g. drums.
Used as sacrifices to God.
Used as payment of a fine from an offender to God/ancestors or the offended.
Used to predict weather patterns. Some of them are used to communicate the social standards expected of people e.g.
Hyena - Used to discourage cowardice and greed.
Hare - Used to discourage trickery.
Tortoise - Illustrates the importance of being slow but wise.
Snake - Not killed by some communities, it is believed to be immortal and that the ancestors may visit the living from it.
Some animals and birds are treated as totems by communities. Plants and animals are used as a symbol of a family.

SELECTED ASPECTS IN AFRICAN RELIGIOUS HERITAGE - K.C.S.E C.R.E NOTES

(iii) Human beings and plants

THE AFRICAN UNDERSTANDING OF THE HIERARCHY OF BEINGS

Human beings depend on plants in various ways e.g.
Food.
Fuel.
Construction of buildings.
Medicinal purposes.
Totems.
Pasture.
Some trees are used as sacred places of worship.
Pasture for their animals.
Provision of shelter.

THE TEACHINGS ABOUT HUMAN BEINGS FROM THE BIBLICAL CREATION ACCOUNTS

(iv) Human beings and non-living things

Non-living things e.g. rain, rocks, mountains, hills, rivers, moon and sun are given religious significance e.g. rain is a great blessing from God while thunder is seen as God’s movement or voice.
Rocks and mountains are viewed as God’s manifestation to humankind and also as dwelling places for the living dead and spirits. Such places are used for the worship of God and are treated as sacred.
Heavenly bodies help human beings to determine times and seasons.
Human beings depend on the sun for sunlight during the day and on the moon and stars for light at night.

GOD’S PLAN OF SALVATION OF MANKIND

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Navigating Challenges: Upholding Faith and Commitment in a Changing World

Factors which lead people away from the worship of God today

Ways in which Christians demonstrate the fruit of generosity ​

How churches discipline those who cause disunity in the church today ​

​DEFINITION OF PROPHETS

​Prophecy

​The five categories of prophets

​Describe ways in which prophetic messages were written

​Relationship between the old testaments prophets and the New Testaments

​Similarities between the traditional African and Old Testament prophets

​Differences between Old Testament and traditional African prophets

​The relevance of the Old Testament and the traditional African prophets to Christians today

[KCSE 2015 CRE PAPER 1 QUESTION 4A.] State four differences between traditional African prophets and the Old Testament prophets. (8 marks)

Topical questions on selected prophets in old Testament

Ways in which Christians express their faith in God today

​How do Christians in Kenya demonstrate their faith in God? (8 marks)

Identify seven ways in which Christians demonstrate their faith in God

READER'S QUERY

​How the church helps to bring back members who have fallen from faith

c.r.e questions & answers

​The concept of the unity of believers as illustrated in the New Testament

A. Hierarchy of beings

Inter-relationship of all things, living and non-living

(i) Human Beings and God

(ii) Human Beings and animals

(iii) Human beings and plants

(iv) Human beings and non-living things

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Ways in which Christians demonstrate the fruit of generosity

How churches discipline those who cause disunity in the church today

DEFINITION OF PROPHETS

Prophecy

The five categories of prophets

Describe ways in which prophetic messages were written

Relationship between the old testaments prophets and the New Testaments

Similarities between the traditional African and Old Testament prophets

Differences between Old Testament and traditional African prophets

The relevance of the Old Testament and the traditional African prophets to Christians today

[KCSE 2015 CRE PAPER 1 QUESTION 4A.]
State four differences between traditional African prophets and the Old Testament prophets. (8 marks)

How do Christians in Kenya demonstrate their faith in God? (8 marks)

How the church helps to bring back members who have fallen from faith

The concept of the unity of believers as illustrated in the New Testament