Grade 9 Religion Exam Study Guide
Exam Overview and Structure
Exam Components: The Grade 9 Religion Exam is divided into six distinct sections, totaling 60 marks.
Part A: Multiple Choice (15 marks): Requires selecting the best answer from several options.
Part B: True/False (15 marks): Identifying the factual accuracy of given statements.
Part C: Fill-in-the-blank (5 marks): Recalling specific vocabulary or names to complete a sentence.
Part D: Matching (5 marks): Connecting related concepts, terms, or definitions.
Part E: Short Answers (10 marks): Providing brief, written explanations or list-based responses.
Part F: Reading Comprehension (10 marks): Interpreting and answering questions based on a provided text.
Unit 1: Foundations of the Bible and Sacred Truth
1.2 How to Find a Bible Verse:
The Citation System: Bible verses are located using a specific hierarchical address: Book Name, then Chapter Number, then Verse Number(s).
Example Syntax: In the citation "Genesis 1:26-28":
"Genesis" is the name of the book.
"1" is the chapter number (the large number in the Bible text).
"26-28" are the specific verse numbers (the small superscript numbers within the text).
Navigation Skills: Students must be able to navigate the Old and New Testaments quickly using the Table of Contents or thumb tabs to locate specific scriptural references.
1.3 Is The Bible True? (Types of Truth):
The Bible is not a textbook in the modern sense; it contains different layers of "truth" that serve different purposes:
Religious Truth: The primary purpose of the Bible. It conveys the underlying message of God’s relationship with humanity and the nature of God (e.g., God is love).
Moral Truth: Provides guidance on how to act and distinguish between right and wrong (e.g., The Ten Commandments).
Symbolic Truth: Uses symbols, metaphors, and allegories to point to a deeper reality that is difficult to describe in literal terms.
Proverbial Truth: Practical, folksy wisdom found in books like Proverbs (e.g., "A soft answer turns away wrath").
Historical Truth: Reflections of the actual history of the Hebrew people, though often interpreted through a lens of faith rather than modern archeological standards.
Scientific Truth: The Bible lacks modern scientific truth; the authors wrote according to the primitive scientific understanding of their era (e.g., a flat earth or a seven-day creation).
1.5 Identifying Literary Forms:
The Bible is a library of many different styles of writing, including:
Myth: Stories used to explain deep mysteries or origins (e.g., Creation stories).
List: Genealogical records or inventories (e.g., The generations of Adam).
Prophecy: Messages from God delivered through a human intermediary to warn or encourage the people.
Law: Specific rules of conduct or ritual (e.g., Leviticus).
History: Chronological accounts of events (e.g., The Book of Kings).
Letter (Epistle): Written communications sent to early Christian communities (e.g., Paul’s letters).
Parable: Short, vivid stories used by Jesus to teach a moral or spiritual lesson.
Poem/Psalm: Expressive, rhythmic songs or prayers used in worship.
1.7 Decreation:
Definition: Decreation refers to the undoing or destruction of God’s good creation. It is the process by which sin enters the world and breaks the harmony established by God.
Key Stories of Decreation:
Adam and Eve: Sin breaks the relationship between humanity and God.
Cain and Abel: Sin breaks the relationship between humans (brother against brother).
Noah and the Flood: Sin becomes so widespread that it threatens the existence of the world; God "washes" the earth to start over.
The Tower of Babel: Sin breaks the relationship between nations and communities through pride and lack of communication.
Unit 2: Migration, Covenant, and the Moral Law
2.1 The Story of Moses and the Book of Exodus:
Life of Moses:
Birth and Infancy: Born an Israelite during a time of persecution in Egypt; placed in a basket on the Nile and found by Pharaoh’s daughter.
The Burning Bush: God (Yahweh) calls Moses to lead the Israelites out of slavery.
The Plagues and Passover: God sends ten plagues to Egypt; the Israelites are spared by the blood of the lamb (Passover).
The Red Sea: The miraculous escape from Pharaoh’s army.
Mount Sinai: Moses receives the Ten Commandments and the Law from God.
Three Major Parts of Exodus:
The Liberation/Departure: The escape from Egypt under God’s power.
The Covenant: The formal agreement made at Mt. Sinai.
The Settlement/Journey: The wandering in the desert and the preparation to enter the Promised Land.
2.3 Sin and Freedom:
Three Conditions for a Sin to Occur:
Grave Matter: The action itself must be seriously wrong.
Full Knowledge: The person must know and understand that the action is wrong.
Full Consent/Free Will: The person must choose to do it freely, without being forced.
Three Types of Sin:
Original Sin: The inherited state of human nature prone to sin, resulting from the first humans.
Venial Sin: Less serious sins that damage but do not destroy our relationship with God.
Mortal Sin: Serious sin that completely breaks our relationship with God and kills the life of grace within us.
2.4 Covenants:
Definition: A sacred, solemn agreement between God and a person or group that establishes a permanent bond.
Conditions of a Covenant:
Parties Involved: God and the person (e.g., Abraham, Noah, Moses).
The Promise: What each party commits to doing.
The Sign: A physical symbol representing the agreement (e.g., rainbow for Noah, circumcision for Abraham, the Tablets of Law for Moses).
2.5 The Ten Commandments (The Decalogue):
The essential rules governing our relationship with God (1-3) and others (4-10):
I am the Lord your God: you shall not have strange Gods before me.
You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
Remember to keep holy the Lord’s Day.
Honor your father and your mother.
You shall not kill.
You shall not commit adultery.
You shall not steal.
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife.
You shall not covet your neighbor’s goods.
2.7 Conscience:
Definition: The inner voice or faculty that helps a person distinguishes between right and wrong. It is the "judgment of reason" whereby humans recognize the moral quality of a concrete act.
Unit 3: Ethics, Society, and Relationships
3.0 Catholic Social Teachings (CST):
Human Dignity: Every person is created in God's image and has inherent worth.
Community and the Common Good: We are social beings; we must work for the good of all people.
Rights and Responsibilities: Every person has a right to life and basic necessities; we have a duty to ensure others have these rights.
Option for the Poor and Vulnerable: The needs of the most marginalized should come first.
Dignity of Work and Rights of Workers: The economy must serve people, not the other way around.
Solidarity: We are one human family regardless of national, racial, or ethnic differences.
Stewardship (Care for God’s Creation): We are called to protect people and the planet.
3.4 Types of Toxic Friends:
The Taker: Only cares about their own needs and takes advantage of your kindness.
The Gossip: Spreads rumors and cannot be trusted with secrets.
The Critic/Bully: Constantly puts you down or makes you feel inferior.
The Competitor: Always trying to one-up you; cannot be happy for your success.
3.5 Moral Decision Making:
Two Types of Motivation:
Intrinsic Motivation: Doing something because it is inherently right or rewarding (internal desire).
Extrinsic Motivation: Doing something to receive a reward or avoid punishment (external pressure).
Locus of Control:
Internal Locus of Control: Belief that you are responsible for your own actions and their consequences.
External Locus of Control: Belief that luck, fate, or other people are responsible for what happens to you.
3.6 Types of Love:
Storge: Natural affection or liking (e.g., love for a pet or family sibling).
Philia: The love of friendship; based on shared interests and mutual respect.
Eros: Romantic, passionate, or sexual love.
Agape: The highest form of love; selfless, unconditional, and sacrificial love (the way God loves us).
Unit 4: Prayer and The Mass
4.1 The Beatitudes:
Teachings of Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount that describe the qualities of the citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven:
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness: for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4.3 Types of Prayer:
Adoration (Praise): Acknowledging God as the Creator and Lord of all.
Contrition (Forgiveness): Expressing sorrow for sins and asking for God's mercy.
Thanksgiving: Expressing gratitude for God’s blessings.
Supplication (Petition/Intercession): Asking God for help, either for ourselves (petition) or for others (intercession).
4.4 Parts of the Mass:
The Paschal Mystery: The core belief in the Life, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension of Jesus Christ.
Basic Outline of the Mass:
Introductory Rites: Preparing to worship as a community (e.g., Penitential Act).
Liturgy of the Word: Listening to God's Word through Scripture readings, the Gospel, and the Homily.
Liturgy of the Eucharist: The centerpiece of the Mass;Includes the Consecration of bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ.
Concluding Rites: Being sent forth into the world to live the Gospel.