MATSEC SEC Religious Knowledge study plan

Build a one-page outline of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John showing each Gospel's structure, audience and distinctive themes

Map the structure of the Bible (Testaments, Pentateuch, Historical, Wisdom, Prophetic, Gospels, Acts, Letters, Revelation) onto a single diagram from memory

Classify at least ten biblical genres (narrative, law, poetry, prophecy, parable, letter, apocalyptic) with one concrete example each

Explain in writing how the four Gospels differ and why an exam answer should cite the specific Gospel and chapter

Draft a comparison table of the infancy narratives and the resurrection accounts across all four Gospels

Summarise the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) under five headings with the key beatitudes and their meaning

Explain at least four parables of the Kingdom and state the central message of each

Write a definition of the Trinity using the terms person, nature, consubstantial and perichoresis, then check it against the Nicene Creed

Explain the Council of Nicaea (325) and the Council of Chalcedon (451) in terms of what each settled about Christ

Distinguish the terms incarnation, hypostatic union, kenosis and redemption with one scriptural reference each

Construct a Passion narrative timeline harmonising the four Gospels, marking the Last Supper, arrest, trials, crucifixion and burial

List and explain five arguments for the resurrection and the main naturalistic counter-arguments

Explain atonement models (ransom, satisfaction, moral influence, penal substitution) and name one theologian associated with each

Define eschatology and distinguish particular and general judgement, heaven, hell and purgatory as taught in Catholic doctrine

Answer two past-paper-style questions on the death and resurrection of Jesus in 20 minutes each

Outline Genesis 1-11 and identify the two creation accounts, their order, style and theological emphasis

Describe the covenant with Abraham (Genesis 12, 15, 17, 22) and list its promises and conditions

Trace the Exodus narrative from the call of Moses to Sinai, naming the plagues, Passover and the crossing of the sea

Summarise the Decalogue and distinguish moral, ceremonial and judicial law in the Old Testament

Profile four prophets (Amos, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel) with date, audience, main accusation and message of hope

Summarise Acts 1-15, naming Pentecost, Stephen, the Jerusalem council and the missionary journeys with their routes

Explain the difference between the synoptic problem's main solutions (source criticism, form criticism, redaction criticism) in plain language

Describe the genre and purpose of at least five New Testament letters and their authors and recipients

Explain how to interpret a passage using context, genre, literary form and the Church's tradition, applying it to one parable

Distinguish literal, allegorical, moral and anagogical senses of Scripture with an example each

Explain natural law, conscience and the role of intention, object and circumstances in judging a moral act

State the Church's teaching on at least five current moral issues and the reasoning behind each

Summarise Catholic social teaching principles (human dignity, common good, subsidiarity, solidarity, option for the poor) with one encyclical reference each

Apply just war criteria and the consistent ethic of life to two case studies

Write a structured answer to a morality question using see-judge-act

Explain the seven sacraments, grouping them into initiation, healing and service, with the matter, form and minister of each

Describe the structure of the Mass and the liturgical year, naming the seasons and their colours

Outline Church history from the apostolic age through the persecutions, Constantine, the Great Schism, the Reformation and Vatican II

Describe the arrival and development of Christianity in Malta, naming Paul's shipwreck, the catacombs and key Maltese Church figures

Explain the difference between public and private prayer and describe three traditional forms of prayer

Sit one full mock paper under timed conditions and mark it against the official mark scheme

Re-learn the three weakest topics identified by the mock using active recall and flashcards

Recite from memory the key definitions for all nine domains

Practise structuring answers with a clear introduction, scriptural evidence and a conclusion

Build a one-page exam-day checklist covering timing, question choice and evidence citation