Religion Exam

Grade 9 Religion Exam Review 2025

1. CONCEPTS / DEFINITIONS:  Review the following concepts: 

What is the definition of the Bible? What is the difference between the Old and the New Testament?

The word Bible means “the books”. It was written by different people who were guided by the holy spirit. 

The bible is a small library of books in one with different authors and writing styles.

Old Testament: (Aka TaNaK)

• Also known as the Hebrew Scriptures

• 46 books

• Story of ancient Israelites, or Hebrew people 

• Before Jesus

New Testament:

• 27 books

• Around 40 years of making

• Jesus is the one that fulfills the new testament 

• Christian Scriptures

• After Jesus
  

Pentateuch →The first five books of the bible. (Genesis, exodus, leviticus, numbers, deuteronomy)

Historical truth → Records and stories of past events

Proverbial Truth → Short sayings of common sense

Religious Truth → Belief and faith in God's actions in our life

Symbolic truth → Poetic language used to emphasize a lesson

Scientific Truth → Observations regarding the universe we live in. 

Moral Truth → Lessons and rules about good behaviors. Example: ten commandments

Covenant → A binding agreement or promise made by two or more individuals. (the promises made by God to people, as recorded in the Bible) Example: Abraham sacrificing his son)

Sacraments of Initiation Cont’d

Baptism

• We receive new life in Christ

• Takes away our original sin

• Received only once

• Signs: pouring of water

Eucharist

• Nourishes our life of faith

• Signs: bread and wine- Body and Blood of Christ

Confirmation

• Seals our life as faith

• Our choice to continue our faith

• Signs: laying on of hands on a person’s head anointing with all

• Received only once

Sacraments of Healing

Reconciliation/Penance

• We receive God’s forgiveness

• We need to be sorry for our sins

• Penance- receive Jesu’ healing grace through absolution by the priest

• Signs: confession of sins, words of absolution

Anointing of the Sick

• Unites a sick person’s suffering with Jesus and brings forgiveness of sins

• Sign- oil (symbol of strength), and laying on of hands

Sacraments at the Service of Communion

Matrimony

• Baptized man and woman united with each other (unity) between Jesus and his Church

• Consent of the couple in marriage promises

• Sign: couple, rings

Holy Orders

• Men ordained as priests, deacons, bishops

• Signs: laying on of hands, anointing with oil by a bishop
  

Apostle → “One sent out” One who is to complete the task or acts in the place of the sender.

Disciple → Meaning “student” Any student or follower of a teacher (Specifically Jesus Christ)

Gospel → meaning “good news” The good news of what God has done in and through Jesus

Prophecy → a prediction of the future made under divine inspiration

Why is the Bible considered a library of books?

There are many different authors

There are many different writing styles such as a sermon, a letter, a proverb…

There are many different books

 What is the difference between B.C and A.D? What does this stand for?

AD: (Anno Domini, Latin for year of the Lord) traditionally used to designate the historical time period after the birth of Jesus.

BC: (Before Christ) traditionally used to designate the historical time period before the birth of Jesus.

What does it mean that the Bible is “inerrant”?

While there are minor errors in scriptures (dates, names, etc.) There is NO ERROR in the message itself. As humans are not perfect the reader has to recognize that there will be some discrepancies/errors.

Literary forms that are found in the Bible

Prophecy: a prediction of the future made under divine inspiration

Law: A rule of conduct or procedure established by custom, agreement, or authority.

Myth: an ancient story dealing with supernatural beings, ancestors, or heroes that tell a story with meaning for all God’s people.

Sermon: a serious talk, especially one given in church based on or discussing a passage in the Bible

Letter: written communication directed to another person

Parable: a story (especially in the Bible) which is intended to teach a lesson

History: a record or account of past events and developments

Proverb: a well-known saying that gives good advice or expresses a supposed truth. Ex don’t count your chickens before they hatch

Psalm: A sacred song; a hymn

List: A series of names, words, or other items written, printed, or imagined one after the other

The 3 types of histories found in the Bible

1. Oral → Telling the stories verbally

2. Written → writing them down 

3. Editing → So that every language can understand 

 What is a parable? What are the elements of the parables? Give two examples and morals of the parable.

Parable: A story (especially in the Bible) which is intended to teach a lesson.

5 aspects of a parable

• A parable is a story. Parables are short stories; they take about everyday life events that occurred in Jesus’ time.

• A parable is a Comparison. It compares something that we do not know to something that we do know, or something that is very familiar to us.

• A parable contains a crisis. Parables challenge us to think differently about God and ourselves

• A parable has an ending. Some parable endings are happy and some are very tragic.

• A parable teaches us a lesson about the Kingdom of God. Parables provide us with a glimpse into the mystery of God.

Example: Jesus walking on water and the good samaritan 

 What is sin? What types of sin did we discuss in class? What is the difference between them?

The name we give to the actions in our lives and in the lives of others that harm our relationship.

Mortal Sin

• A complete break in one’s relationship with God (For example, murder)

• We make a conscious decision to turn completely away from God’s offer of love.

Venial sin

• Does not separate us from God but represents a “cooling” in the relationship

• A small sin

Social sin

• Describes human-made structures when they offend human dignity by causing people to suffer oppression, exploitation or marginalization. 

• A sin committed by a group

Who wrote most of the letters in the New Testament → Paul 

What are the first 4 books of the New Testament (Christian Scriptures)?

• Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. 

 Describe the story of Noah’s Ark? What was the sign/symbol in the sky that shows the covenant between Noah and God?

God instructed Noah to build an ark to save two of each animal from a great flood. The ark served as a refuge for Noah, his family, and the animals while the earth was cleansed. After forty days, the water receded, and the ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat. The rainbow shows the covenant between Noah and God.

 What books belong to the synoptic Gospels? What does the word synoptic mean?

Matthew, Mark and Luke meaning the have similar traits 

 Who were the chosen people that received the Ten Commandments?

The Hebrews 

Contextualists

Looks for the true meaning behind the words

Literalists

Takes the bible word for word

What is reconciliation? 

Confession. (Forgiveness)

 What is forgiveness?

To let go of a grudge you have against someone

8 Beatitudes

The word beatitudes means “blessings” 

Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven

Blessed are those who mourn; for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek; for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled

Blessed are the merciful; for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, ;for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers; for they will be called sons of God

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness; theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Sermon → When the priest teaches us the story in the bible

 Vocation → a calling from God

 Who is Moses?

• He received the ten commandments

• He made a covenant with God

• He freed the hebrews

• Saw God through a burning bush

• Delivered the Hebrews to the promised land

 What is the Promised Land?

A place where the hebrews could be free

Catholic Social Teachings Name them and know what they are about?

Solidarity 

  Care for God's Creation

Rights and responsibilities 

 What are Gospel Values? (I.e., treat others the way you want to be treated, equity, etc.).

Humility 

Compassion 

Kindness 

Justice 

Forgiveness

Integrity

Peace

Courage

2. ACROSTIC POEM: What is an acrostic poem? Know how to write one. Use the example given by the teacher to practice.

Example:

Kin: Someone you find a friend in 

Integrity: the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles

Nifty: Very nice

ADoration: the state of being adored

3. BIBLE STORIES : Know the following stories from the Old Testament: Abraham and Isaac, and Moses

The story of Abraham and Isaac in the Bible involves God testing Abraham's faith by instructing him to sacrifice his son Isaac. Abraham obeys, but God intervenes and provides a ram for the sacrifice. This story is also seen as a foreshadowing of God's ultimate provision for humanity through the sacrifice of His own Son, Jesus Christ

4. WORD ASSOCIATIONS: . Explain the relationship each word has to the other. Example:

             Paschal Mystery / Last Supper/ = Passover or Communion; 

The relationship between the terms "Paschal Mystery," "Last Supper," "Passover," and "Communion" can be understood as interconnected concepts relating to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

5. PARABLES:      

1) Know the Parable of the Good Samaritan and The Prodigal Son. Write out a summary of each parable. 

The Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)

This parable is told by Jesus in response to a question about who is considered a "neighbor" and how one should love their neighbor. The story goes as follows:

A man is traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho when he is attacked by robbers. They strip him of his clothes, beat him, and leave him half-dead. A priest and a Levite both pass by the injured man but choose to ignore him and continue on their way. However, a Samaritan, who would have been seen as an enemy by the Jewish people, stops to help. The Samaritan bandages the man's wounds, takes him to an inn, and pays for his care. He promises to cover any additional costs when he returns.

Jesus concludes by asking who acted as a true neighbor to the man in need. The answer, of course, is the Samaritan. The parable teaches the importance of showing mercy and kindness to others, regardless of their background or status.

The Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32)

This parable focuses on themes of forgiveness, repentance, and God's unconditional love. The story is about a younger son who asks his father for his inheritance and leaves home to live a reckless and extravagant life. He squanders all of his wealth in a foreign country and, in a time of famine, finds himself in desperate need. Realizing his mistake, he decides to return to his father and ask for forgiveness, believing he no longer deserves to be called a son.

As the son approaches, his father sees him from a distance and runs to embrace him, filled with compassion. The father orders a feast to celebrate the return of his son, saying, "For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found."

The older son, who had stayed home and worked diligently, becomes upset at the lavish celebration for his wayward brother. The father reassures the older son that all he has is also his, but they must celebrate because the younger son has returned.

The parable highlights God's mercy and forgiveness toward those who repent, as well as the joy that comes from reconciliation. It also addresses the need for compassion and humility, emphasizing that no one is beyond redemption.

 2)  What are the moral lessons from these parables? 

The moral lesson in the Parable of the Good Samaritan is about showing love and compassion to everyone, regardless of their background, identity, or social status. The story challenges the idea of loving only those who are similar to us or those we consider our "neighbors" in a narrow sense.

3) How can you connect this moral lesson to your own life? 

(Personal answer)

4)  What are challenges in our modern world or in your daily life? 

(Personal answer)

Be specific in supporting your answers.

The golden rule → "Do to others what you would have them do to you."

What does it mean to become a good neighbour? 

Being a good neighbor means to follow the golden rule

Describe what is happening in these pictures:

Which story is this and why is it important? What is the covenant between this character and God?

Moses receiving the ten commandments

Which story is this and why is it important? What is the covenant between this character and God?

Abraham and Isaac 

It shows abraham fulfilling the covenant 

Which sacrament is this? Why is it important to our faith?

Baptism

Which sacrament is this? Why is it important to our faith?

Confirmation

Which sacrament is this? Why is it important to our faith?

Eucharist