a)

The story of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32)

1. The parable was told by Jesus Christ about a certain man and his two sons.
2. The younger son asked his father to give him his portion of the father's wealth
3. The father shared their portions between them
4. The younger son gathered all he got and travelled to a far country where he wasted all he had through careless living
5. There arose a mighty famine in that country and the living became very difficult for him
6. For him to survive, he was employed to feed pigs
7. At a point he was so hungry that he wanted to eat even the feeds of the pigs but he was not given
8. He realized the wealth of his father which even his servants have enough to eat and spare
9. He planned to return to apologize to his father to accept him as one of his servants
10. On his return, when he was far from home, his father saw him and had compassion on him so he ran and fell on his shoulders and kissed him
11. But the son said unto the father, "Father I have sinned against heaven and in your sight and I am no more worthy to be called your son again
12. The father was glad for seeing his son and asked his servants to bring the best clothes, rings and shoes to dress him up
13. He also ordered them to bring the fattest calf, kill it and let him eat to make merry
14. Meanwhile, the older son, however, was not happy when he came from work and heard what was going on
15. The reason he gave was that he has stayed faithful, loyal and obedient to the father all this while. Yet, the father had never thrown even a small party for him
16. The father explained that all that he has belongs to him (the elder son), therefore he should not worry. As for the prodigal son, he was considered lost and dead, but now he is found and alive

b)

Lessons that can be learnt from the prodigal son story

1. Sin can affect our relationship with God
2. We should turn from our unhealthy and sinful states
3. In all problems we should acknowledge God's salvation
4. God is ever ready to forgive and receive the repented sinner
5. Though men will reproach us but God is loving and compassionate
6. We should protect whatever we have and use it wisely
7. It is never too late to change our minds / repent
8. God is (and most parents/guardians/teachers are) ever willing to forgive and receive us back, whenever we go wrong, but repent and come back
9. We must also be willing and ready to forgive anyone who offends us, even before the person apologizes
10. God is merciful and gracious; so must we, his children

a)

Eid-ul-Adha is one of the Islamic festivals celebrated to remind Muslims of how Allah substituted a sheep for Ismael when he tested Ibrahim's faith to offer Ishmael for a sacrifice.

b)

How Eid-ul-Adha is observed in Muslim communities

1. The festival is celebrated each year on the 10^th of Zul-Hijjah, which is the month of pilgrimage on the Islamic calendar
2. Muslims families who are financially sound are expected to make sacrifice of sheep to Allah during this period
3. Before the sheep is slaughtered for the sacrifice, the hand of the butcher is placed on the animal and the prescribed prayer is recited
4. The meat of the animal or its worth in cash must be given as alms to the poor or used in philanthropic projects
5. The meat must be divided into three parts
6. The first part for the family
7. The second part for the neighbours
8. The third part is divided among beggars and the destitute

a)

Akan African traditional story on creation

Akan traditionalists believe that God (Onyankopon) created all things in the definite order.

1. God first created the Court Crier (Essen). He represents order
2. He then created the earth and plants. He made they sky, the rivers and plants in that order. He made animals and all other living things
3. Next to be created was human being to feed on both plants and animals
4. They believe because God wanted human beings to be protected, he created the spirits. These spirits are believe to live in the forests, water bodies and on mountains
5. He then created the drummer (okyerema) who represents knowledge
6. He finally created death. Thus the institution of the fact that death is the end of life on earth

Dagomba traditional story of creation

1. To the Dagomba, the Supreme Being (Nawuni) is the creator of the heavens and the earth and all the living things in it
2. The Dagomba believe that Nawuni is Omnipotent,Omniscient and Omnipresent, and has no partner
3. They believe Nawuni took six days to create the world and all creatures
4. The things created by Nawuni include: human beings, the sky, animals, vegetation,water bodies, etc.
5. Apart from human beings, Nawuni created spirit forces and lesser gods (bola) as his messengers
6. The lesser gods were created to act as intermediaries between Him and human beings
7. After six days of creation, Nawuni rested on the seventh day
8. Nawuni gave laws and principles to humankind to avoid sin
9. Nawuni is celebrated by the Dagomba especially during the New Yam season
10. During the season, the Dagomba express their thanks to Nawuni for bumper harvest and also recognise Him as the creator of the heavens and earth

Ewe traditional myth on creation

The Ewe traditionalist believes that God (Mawu) created all things in the world.

1. It is believed that before creation, the earth was void, without form and was filled with darkness
2. God then created human being out of clay and water after creating the earth
3. He created the soul to give man lfe and to act as a guardian spirit. The soul of every human being was commanded to return to God after death to receive either a reward or punishment, depending on the life one lived on earth
4. It is also believed by the Ewe tradition that after some time, God could not create any more human beings because of scarcity of clay, therefore he used dead bodies to create new ones, thus the resemblance of children to their parents
5. It is also believed that because of disturbances and troubles from human beings, God moved up into the sky
6. After His departure, he sent his elder son, Lisa with a sword to clear the forest and make tools. God used those tools made by Lisa to divide the world among His sons
7. One was to control the sky. Thus the thunder and light
8. Another was to control all His creatures.
9. The beasts, the birds and trees were to be controlled by some of His sons

b)

Attributes of God in the creation story

1. Omnipotent: God as all-powerful and ever-powerful because they believe that His power is greater than all other powers
2. Omnipresent: God is present everywhere
3. Omniscient: God is able to discern right into the heart of a man. He is all-knowing
4. God is love: God loves all that He created
5. Source-life and death: God is the originator of life and death
6. Protector: God takes care of His creatures, including man
7. Sustainer/Controller: God managers/directs the universe and everything in it
8. Eternal/Everlasting/Immortal: God was not made and He exists now and forever
9. Provider/Supplier/Giver: God supplies the needs of human kind

a)

Ways one can live a good moral life

1. One should remain committed to his/her religious and moral values and not yield to temptations from friends to destroy one's good values.
2. One should avoid befriending those that can lead/force them to engage in pre-marital sex.
3. One should avoid watching pornographic films and materials.
4. One should listen to advice of parents, teachers, counselors and religious leaders about the advantages of remaining chaste/family life education/sex education.
5. One should engage in activities such as jogging, walking, playing football, swimming, etc. that will build one physically and spiritually.
6. One should emulate people who have decided to remain chaste.
7. One should put a limit on their relationship with people of the opposite sex by avoiding holding hands, hugging and casual kissing.
8. One should seek knowledge and wisdom from religious leaders to improve on the need to remain pure.
9. One should avoid being in situation such as drinking alcoholic beverages at parties, beaches, etc. that can compromise their position to remain chaste.
10. One should be assertive. Thus should be able to say 'No' to peers who encourage/force him/her to engage in pre-marital sex.
11. One should inform parents, DOVVSU and other authorities when someone takes advantage of them.
12. One should be truthful
13. One should be law-abiding
14. One should be grateful
15. One should be tolerant
16. One should be patient
17. One should be loving

b)

Benefits of living a good moral life

1. One becomes socially accepted and respected
2. One remains pure and holy before his/her creator
3. One (female) is safe from unwanted pregnancies
4. Boys become free from becoming premature fathers
5. One is safe from STDS such as AIDS, Gonorrhoea, Syphilis, etc.
6. One become and remain focused in life
7. One is cautious in getting into early marriage/trust in marriage
8. One will be happy and be at peace with one's object of worship
9. One will have peace with others
10. One will be blessed by God and man
11. One will receive good recommendation and testimonies
12. One will be fearless

a)

Reasons why children should be obedient to:

b)

Rules that are expected to be obeyed in school

1. Punctual and regular in school
2. Tolerant and not fighting among themselves
3. Satisfied with what they have and not to steal
4. Ready to partake in school activities
5. Ready to speak the truth
6. Obey all school rules and regulations

a)

Symptoms of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)

1. Persistent fever
2. Loss of appetite
3. Loss of weight
4. Shingles
5. Continuous and severe cough
6. Continuous and persistent diarrhea
7. Swollen glands at two or more parts of the body
8. Cold sores all over the body

b)

How to prevent AIDS

1. Massive and intensive public education
2. Total abstinence from pre-marital sex
3. Blood tests before conducting marriage
4. Faithfulness to married partners
5. The use of protection such as condoms
6. Visiting qualified health practitioners for treatment
7. Avoiding the sharing of blades, needles and all sharp and pointed objects

a)

Money is a legal tender/medium of exchange which is legally accepted for the payment of debt, goods and services.

Reasons why money is very important in our lives

1. It makes trading easier
2. It helps us to value goods and services
3. It makes our lives comfortable
4. It helps us to acquire our needs such as food, clothes and shelter
5. It enables us to pay for education, health needs, etc.

b)

How one can earn money in an honest way

1. Work: One takes his/her salary/wage after working for someone
2. Gift: One may receive gifts from friends, family, etc. on occasions
3. Investment: One can buy shares and bonds in companies/putting money into a good business
4. Inheritance: By sharing properties of a deceased, one can earn money in an honest way
5. Loan: One can go for a bank loan or take a loan from a friend

a)

Disadvantages of belonging to the extended family

1. Jealousy sets in when other members realize a member's success
2. Persistent quarrelling and fighting over trivial issues
3. Little or no privacy. People try to encroach upon the privacy of others
4. Children are brought up to be quarrelsome and disrespectful
5. High dependency on successful members
6. Problems with spouse of other relatives

b)

Advantages of belonging to the extended family

1. Members learn to be co-operative and united
2. Every elderly person can help in bringing up children properly
3. Members rely on each other in times of need
4. The presence of members makes each of them feel secured
5. Children are able to learn their native language properly
6. Where parents are irresponsible, the children have other family members to depend on for guidance, assistance and security
7. Family members get to know other kinsmen better
8. The high abilities and possibilities to socialize
9. Chances for children to learn how to respect other elderly people