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
Christian Religious Studies
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; GideonJudge 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;
Christian Religious Studies
(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.
Christian Religious Studies
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.
Christian Religious Studies
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;
Christian Religious Studies
(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,
Christian Religious Studies
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
Christian Religious Studies
(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
Christian Religious Studies
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
Christian Religious Studies
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).
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