WAEC Syllabus For Christian Religious Studies
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has officially released the WAEC syllabus for the Christian Religious Studies (CRS) examination. All candidates who registered for the exam are advised to use the syllabus as a guide for their preparation. It highlights the key topics that will be covered in the exam, helping students focus their revision effectively.
With the exam date drawing closer, the best way to prepare is by studying strategically. Below is the full WAEC syllabus for Christian Religious Studies, along with recommended textbooks and essential revision tips to boost your chances of success.
WAEC Syllabus For Christian Religious Studies
The exam will consist of two papers, both taken in a single sitting.
- Paper 1: This section contains 50 multiple-choice questions to be completed in 1 hour, carrying a total of 40 marks.
- Paper 2: This section includes nine essay questions, from which candidates must answer four within 2 hours, totaling 60 marks.
The essay questions are divided into three sections:-
- Section A (Old Testament Themes) – Four questions
- Section B (Synoptic Gospels & Acts of the Apostles) – Three questions
- Section C (Selected Epistles) – Two questions
| S/N | Topics | Objectives |
|---|---|---|
| SECTION A: THEMES FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT | ||
| 1 | The Sovereignty of God (Gen. 1; 2) | (a) God, the Creator (b) God, the Controller of the universe |
| 2 | Leadership Roles (Gen. 37:1-28, 41:1-57, 45:1-15; Exod. 1-7; 14:32:1-14; Num. 13:1-33; 14:1-19; Num. 27:15-23; Josh. 1:1-9; Judges 4) | (a) Joseph (b) Moses (c) Joshua (d) Deborah |
| 3 | Parental Responsibility (1 Sam. 2:11-36; 3:1-18; 4:10-22; 8:1-5) | Eli and Samuel |
| 4 | Consequences of Saul’s Disobedience (1 Sam. 15:1-26; 16:14-23; 31:1-13) | – |
| 5 | Submission to the Will of God (1 Sam. 26; 2 Sam. 12:15-25) | (a) David’s submission to the will of God (b) David’s sin, repentance, and forgiveness |
| 6 | Making Decisions (1 Kings 9:15-23; 11:1-13; 12:1-20; 1 Kings 3:3-28; 4:29-34; 5:1-12; 8) | (a) Solomon’s wisdom (b) The unwise decision of Solomon and Rehoboam |
| 7 | Supremacy of God (1 Kings 16:29-34; 17:1-7; 18:1-46) | (a) Religious tensions during Ahab’s reign (b) Elijah at Mount Carmel |
| 8 | Greed and Its Effects (1 Kings 21:1-29; 2 Kings 5) | (a) Ahab (b) Gehazi |
| 9 | Religious Reforms (2 Kings 22; 23:1-30) | The reign of King Josiah |
| 10 | Concern for One’s Nation (2 Kings 24; 25:1-17; Neh. 1; 2:9-20; 4; Ezra 1; 4; 5:1-2; 6:13-22; 7:1-10) | (a) The condition of the nation (b) Response to the state of the nation |
| 11 | Faith in God (Dan. 3; Dan. 6) | (a) Faith and courage (b) Faith and power |
| 12 | Nature of God (Amos 2:6-8; 4; 5:1-24; 7:10-17; 8; Hosea 1-3; 6) | (a) True religion and social justice – Amos (b) God’s divine love – Hosea |
| SECTION B: THEMES FROM THE SYNOPTIC GOSPEL & THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES | ||
| 13 | Baptism & Temptation of Jesus (Matt. 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22; Matt. 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-13) | (a) The Baptism (b) The Temptation |
| 14 | The Call & Demands of Discipleship (Matt. 4:18-25; 8:18-22; 9:9-13; Mark 1:16-20; 2:13-17; Luke 5:1-11; 9:57-63; 14:25-33) | – |
| 15 | Jesus’ Teaching on Forgiveness (Matt. 6:12,14-15; 18:21-35) | – |
| 16 | The Trials of Jesus (Matt. 26:36-56; Mk 14:32-52; Matt. 26:69-75; Mark 14:66-72; Luke 22:54-62; Matt. 26:47-75; Mark 14:53-72; Luke 22:66-71; 23:1-12) | (a) Jesus at Gethsemane (b) Peter’s Denials (c) Condemnation of Jesus |
| 17 | The Crucifixion, Burial & Resurrection of Jesus (Matt. 27:32-66; Mark 15:16-47; Luke 23:26-56; Matt. 28:1-10; Mark 16:1-14; Luke 24:1-35) | (a) Crucifixion and burial (b) The Resurrection |
| 18 | Fellowship in the Early Church (Acts 1:15-26; 2:41-47; 4:32-37; 5:1-11; 6:2-6) | – |
| 19 | The Holy Spirit & The Mission to the Gentiles (Acts 2; Acts 9; 11:1-18) | (a) The Holy Spirit at Pentecost (b) Mission to the Gentiles |
| 20 | Opposition to the Gospel Message (Acts 4:1-31; 5:17-42; 6:8-9; 7:1-10; 12:1-24) | – |
| SECTION C: THEMES FROM SELECTED EPISTLES | ||
| 21 | The Epistles of James (James 1:2-27; 2:14-26; James 2:1-13; James 1:2-8; 5:13-18) | (a) Faith and Works (b) Impartiality (c) Effective Prayers |
| 22 | The Epistles of 1st Peter (1 Pet. 2:13-17; 1 Pet. 2:1-25; 1 Pet. 5:1-11) | (a) Good Citizenship (b) Christians Living among non-Christians (c) Interpersonal Relationships among Christians |
Check below for the recommended textbooks.
Recommended WAEC Christian Religious Studies Textbooks
- The Holy Bible (Revised Standard Version)
- New Clarendon Bible Series
- Bright, J. (n.d.). History and Religion of Israel.
- Anderson, B. W. (n.d.). The Living World of the Old Testament.
- Kee, H. C., & Young, (n.d.). The Living World of the New Testament.
- Campbell, D. B. J. (n.d.). The Synoptic Gospels.
- New Bible Commentary – Cambridge.
Old Testament References
- Quarcoopome, T. N. O. (1986). History and Religion of Israel. AUP, Ibadan.
- Dickson, K. (1968). History and Religion of Israel: From the Institution of the Monarchy to the Fall of the Northern Kingdom. Darton L & T.
New Testament References
- Guy, H. A. (n.d.). The Life of Christ.
- The Acts of the Apostles.
- Pobee, J. S. (n.d.). Matthew and Mark for Schools.
- Dickson, K. A. (n.d.). The Gospel According to Luke. Accra, Asempa Publishers.
- Awolabi, J. (2011). Simple Approach to Christian Religious Knowledge. Elis Association, Lagos.
Revise for your examinations using the syllabus and the recommended textbooks. You can also get the Christian Religious Studies past questions and use them to revise.
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