To search this page for a specific word hold down the 'CTRL' key and press 'f'.
THE COPTIC ORTHODOX PATRIARCATE ST. GEORGE AND ST. RUEISS CHURCH SUNDAY SCHOOL PROGRAM
GRADE ELEVEN
Revised Edition 2005
PREPARATION AND WRITING Father Rueiss Awad St. George and St. Rueiss Coptic Orthodox Church Toronto, Canada.
To Order Write To St. George and St. Rueiss Coptic Orthodox Church 141 Bond Avenue Toronto, Ontario, CANADA M3B 1M1 (416) 444-1092 or (416) 447-0108
Copyright © 2005 by St. George and St. Rueiss Coptic Orthodox Church All rights reserved No portion of this book may be reproduced or copied in any form without a written permission from St. George and St. Rueiss Coptic Orthodox Church, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
To my blessed two sons: Hegomain Fr. Marcous Elias Abdel Massih and Hegomain Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty.
Peace and love be with you.
Dr. Mahfouz has visited me and brought with him the suggested Sunday school curriculum for the land of immigration. I have studied with him the basic topics of the curriculum without getting into details. Although that I have pointed out some concerns on the doctrine and dogma curriculum, it is clear that the amount of work spent on preparing the curriculum is huge and worth thanking. Nonetheless, the Bible study part of the curriculum needs to be increased. God willing, I will also send you additional details on this curriculum.
May the Lord bless all the effort that our son Mahfouz has done in preparing the Sunday school curriculum, in collecting the relevant topics, and in performing the translation of subjects. May the Lord also bless all those who have joined him in preparing this project and those who revised the topics.
Let our goal be performing our best to try and arrive at perfection given what we have from abilities. Lastly, I would also suggest the addition of different recognized pictures according to our doctrine, dogma and history to the Sunday school curriculum.
May the Lord be with you. Be in peace.
Signed
Pope Shenouda III 22 August 1986 The feast of St. Mary
1 INTRODUCTION TO THE SUNDAY SCHOOL PROGRAM...................................................................................................................................... 10 2 INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 27 3 SEPTEMBER 29 FIRST SUNDAY........................................................................................................................................................................ 29 THE APOSTOLIC FATHERS: WHY DID THEY LOVE MARTYRDOM?..................................................................... 29 SECOND SUNDAY................................................................................................................................................................... 35 NOT EVERYONE IS RIGHT – ( I )................................................................................................................................... 35 THIRD SUNDAY...................................................................................................................................................................... 41 NOT EVERYONE IS RIGHT – ( II ).................................................................................................................................. 41 FOURTH SUNDAY.................................................................................................................................................................. 49 CHRISTIAN UNDERSTANDING OF SUCCESS & THE MEANS OF ACHIEVING IT - ( I )................................. 49 4 OCTOBER 55 FIRST SUNDAY........................................................................................................................................................................ 55 CHRISTIAN UNDERSTANDING OF SUCCESS & THE MEANS OF ACHIEVING IT – (II)................................. 55 SECOND SUNDAY................................................................................................................................................................... 61 EVIL COMPANY – ( I )...................................................................................................................................................... 61 THIRD SUNDAY...................................................................................................................................................................... 67 EVIL COMPANY – (II)....................................................................................................................................................... 67 FOURTH SUNDAY.................................................................................................................................................................. 73 CONFIDENCE IN GOD'S PRESENCE WITH US......................................................................................................... 73 FIFTH SUNDAY....................................................................................................................................................................... 79 IMPORTANCE OF LIGHT/WITNESS TO THE WORLD............................................................................................... 79 5 NOVEMBER 89 FIRST SUNDAY........................................................................................................................................................................ 89 ANSWERING JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES –( I )............................................................................................................... 89 SECOND SUNDAY................................................................................................................................................................... 97 ANSWERING JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES – (II).............................................................................................................. 97 THIRD SUNDAY.................................................................................................................................................................... 103 SERVING THE LORD – ( I )........................................................................................................................................... 103 FOURTH SUNDAY................................................................................................................................................................ 111 SERVING THE LORD – (II)............................................................................................................................................ 111 6 DECEMBER 115 FIRST SUNDAY...................................................................................................................................................................... 115 JOB'S WIFE - NARROW LOOK AT GOD...................................................................................................................... 115 SECOND SUNDAY................................................................................................................................................................. 121 THE SPIRITUALITY OF THE MIDNIGHT PRAISE..................................................................................................... 121 THIRD SUNDAY.................................................................................................................................................................... 125 HOLY BIBLE STUDY – ( I )............................................................................................................................................. 125 FOURTH SUNDAY................................................................................................................................................................ 131 HOLY BIBLE STUDY – (II)............................................................................................................................................. 131 FIFTH SUNDAY..................................................................................................................................................................... 137 HOLY BIBLE STUDY – (III)............................................................................................................................................ 137 7 JANUARY 141 FIRST SUNDAY...................................................................................................................................................................... 141 THE JOYS OF JANUARY................................................................................................................................................ 141 SECOND SUNDAY................................................................................................................................................................. 145 STEPS TOWARDS A PEACEFUL LIFE – ( I )............................................................................................................. 145 THIRD SUNDAY.................................................................................................................................................................... 149 STEPS TOWARDS A PEACEFUL LIFE – (II).............................................................................................................. 149 FOURTH SUNDAY................................................................................................................................................................ 153 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS - ( I ).............................................................................................................................. 153 8 FEBRUARY 159 FIRST SUNDAY...................................................................................................................................................................... 159 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS - (II)............................................................................................................................... 159 SECOND SUNDAY................................................................................................................................................................. 163 PERSONAGE FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT: JOEL - ( I )..................................................................................... 163 THIRD SUNDAY.................................................................................................................................................................... 171 PERSONAGE FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT: JOEL – (II).................................................................................... 171 FOURTH SUNDAY................................................................................................................................................................ 177 GOD'S LOVE AND HIS BALANCED COMMANDMENTS – ( I )............................................................................. 177 9 MARCH 185 FIRST SUNDAY...................................................................................................................................................................... 185 GOD'S LOVE AND HIS BALANCED COMMANDMENTS – ( II )........................................................................... 185 SECOND SUNDAY................................................................................................................................................................. 191 WHY SHOULD WE PRAY WITH THE AGPEYA? – ( I ).............................................................................................. 191 THIRD SUNDAY.................................................................................................................................................................... 199 WHY SHOULD WE PRAY WITH THE AGPEYA? – ( II )............................................................................................. 199 FOURTH SUNDAY................................................................................................................................................................ 207 FORGIVENESS – ( I )...................................................................................................................................................... 207 10 APRIL 211 FIRST SUNDAY...................................................................................................................................................................... 211 FORGIVENESS – ( II ).................................................................................................................................................... 211 SECOND SUNDAY................................................................................................................................................................. 217 PALM SUNDAY - IS MY HEART THE ALTAR OF GOD?.......................................................................................... 217 THIRD SUNDAY.................................................................................................................................................................... 223 CHRIST, OUR PASSOVER WAS SACRIFICED FOR US........................................................................................... 223 FOURTH SUNDAY................................................................................................................................................................ 229 RESURRECTION - OUR NEW LIFE.............................................................................................................................. 229 11 MAY 237 FIRST SUNDAY...................................................................................................................................................................... 237 MY COPTIC CHURCH HAS TAUGHT ME.................................................................................................................. 237 SECOND SUNDAY................................................................................................................................................................. 241 AN INTRODUCTION TO THE ICONS OF THE COPTIC ORTHODOX CHURCH OF ALEXANDRIA............... 241 THIRD SUNDAY.................................................................................................................................................................... 249 PERSONAGES FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT – ( I )............................................................................................... 249 FOURTH SUNDAY................................................................................................................................................................ 255 PERSONAGES FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT – ( II )............................................................................................. 255 12 JUNE 263 FIRST SUNDAY...................................................................................................................................................................... 263 PERSONAGES FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT – (III).............................................................................................. 263 SECOND SUNDAY................................................................................................................................................................. 271 THE HOLY SPIRIT THE PARACLETE.......................................................................................................................... 271 THIRD SUNDAY.................................................................................................................................................................... 277 AN INTRODUCTION INTO THEOLOGY OF MISSION ( I )...................................................................................... 277 FOURTH SUNDAY................................................................................................................................................................ 285 AN INTRODUCTION INTO THEOLOGY OF MISSION – (II)................................................................................... 285 13 JULY 295 FIRST SUNDAY...................................................................................................................................................................... 295 AN INTRODUCTION INTO THEOLOGY OF MISSION – (III).................................................................................. 295 SECOND SUNDAY................................................................................................................................................................. 303 AN INTRODUCTION INTO THEOLOGY OF MISSION – (IV).................................................................................. 303 THIRD SUNDAY.................................................................................................................................................................... 311 DEBORAH - IMPORTANCE AND CHARACTERISTICS OF LEADERSHIP (I).................................................... 311 FOURTH SUNDAY................................................................................................................................................................ 317 DEBORAH - IMPORTANCE AND CHARACTERISTICS OF LEADERSHIP – (II)................................................ 317 FIFTH SUNDAY..................................................................................................................................................................... 323 DEBORAH – IMPORTANCE AND CHARACTERISTICS OF LEADERSHIP – (III)............................................. 323 14 AUGUST 325 FIRST SUNDAY...................................................................................................................................................................... 325 THE VIRGIN MARY'S MOTHERHOOD IN OUR DAILY LIFE – ( I )....................................................................... 325 SECOND SUNDAY................................................................................................................................................................. 329 THE VIRGIN MARY'S MOTHERHOOD IN OUR DAILY LIFE – ( II )...................................................................... 329 THIRD SUNDAY.................................................................................................................................................................... 335 THE MAIN EVENTS CENTERING THE SECOND COMING OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST – ( I )............... 335 FOURTH SUNDAY................................................................................................................................................................ 343 THE MAIN EVENTS CENTERING THE SECOND COMING OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST – ( II ).............. 343 FIFTH SUNDAY..................................................................................................................................................................... 351 THE MAIN EVENTS CENTERING THE SECOND COMING OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST – ( III )............. 351 15 MAJOR REFERENCES............................................................................................................................................................................. 357 16 EXTRA TABLE OF CONTENTS................................................................................................................................................................................. 359
INTRODUCTION TO THE SUNDAY SCHOOL PROGRAMPrincipal Goal of Christian Up-Bringing. The child had and still has, first as a person and second as a child, a special importance to our Lord Jesus Christ. He called the children and considered them models of perfection, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me. But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea" (Matthew 18:3-5). Therefore, children are beloved ones to Christ and are His friends with their simplicity and purity of heart. Christ called them, blessed them and asked His Disciples and Apostles after Him to take care of bringing up children and prepare the suitable environment for their spiritual growth. St. Paul advises parents saying, "Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged", (Colossians 3:21). From a Christian point of view, the general principal goal of religious up - bringing is the formation of the perfect man of God who is following the example of our Lord Jesus Christ, "Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect" (Matthew 5:48). Also, our Lord said, "For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you" (John 13:15). Hence, a Christian up-bringing is not merely an education to be given or a curriculum to be taught, but it is rather a life that is given through example and behavior through teaching and discipleship. The saintly Fathers of the church have emphasized this fact. St. John said about his practice of life with the Lord "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life-the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us - that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ" (1 John 1:1-3). The same fact was emphasized by St. Paul when he was talking to his disciple Timothy "But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, long-suffering, love, persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium ... But as for you, continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus" (2 Timothy 3:10-15). Also in the letter of St. Paul to the Philippians 3:17, "Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern". Therefore, the principal goal of the Christian up-bringing is to change the life of our children to the life of Christ in them, i.e. to a life based on the work of Christ in them as true Christians and not just religious persons who fear God but deny Him. The Starting Point in Achieving the Goal of Religious Upbringing. The teacher should not start with the student from power Zero. The student comes equipped with many social and religious experiences. His religious experience, although it is limited, it has a strong basis that is ready for spiritual growth. In the Sacrament of Baptism, the student has already obtained the spiritual birth i.e. he became spiritually re-born. After his baptism he was anointed with the Holy Myroun (Chrism) and the Holy Spirit dwelt in him. St. John said "But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you; and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him" (l John 2:27). Therefore, by obtaining these two Holy Sacraments and the Sacrament of Eucharist, the student becomes a member in the body of the Lord and a living part of the body of the Holy Church. This means that religious up-bringing is not something foreign with respect to the student. The student is a temple of God and the Spirit of God dwells in him. This means that it is not the teacher who makes the student live a life for Christ, but it is the inside work of the Holy Spirit that makes the whole difference. The role of the teacher is to make the student aware of the effect and the work of the Spirit. In this sense the student becomes aware of the secret grace inside him and as a result the divine word inside him grows as the seed grows inside the earth. The Difference Between Religious Education and Religious Upbringing. We should not aim at providing lessons in the form of giving information, i.e. a mere religious education. In this case religious experience will never exceed the circle of the mind and will never affect the heart and practice of the student. If we consider religious education as an element in religious bringing-up, we are in this case following Christ's plan in the development and building of the Christian personality. Christ with His example and His perfection gave us a model which should be followed and achieved. As for His teachings, they are meant to clear the way for us in order to follow them as examples and models. The Need of our Church for a Coptic Orthodox Sunday School Program. There is one basic difference between Eastern and Western theology; the latter depends on study, analysis and using scientific means, whereas Eastern theology is based on experience and depth which is mainly lead to true Christian life. The Eastern Church respects the role of the mind but it works under the supervision of faith. The majority of recent Western Sunday School programs follow a pure analytical way of explaining the Bible. For example, miracles are explained through psychological and scientific factors. The man of God must accept miracles and believe them as they are. St. Athanasius said, "Our knowledge must not control (or have authority over) the word, but the word itself must have the control and authority over the mind". Another basic difference is that our traditional Church uses the rites in education as a key in the process of living what is being taught. Over and above what was mentioned before in relation to the basic differences in religious education between Eastern and Western churches, there are also basic differences in the various beliefs and the way Christianity is lived by in actual life. We, as parents, teachers and clergy, are responsible in front of God to bring up our children according to the same spiritual Orthodox principles that we received from our saintly Fathers who shed their blood to perpetuate the perfect Orthodox faith . Therefore, our children must learn from the same source from which we learned before them. The Sunday School program in your hands is a fruit of love granted by our Lord Jesus Christ to our children and a gift from Him to them. This program is purely Coptic Orthodox. All its references without exception are Coptic Orthodox (please review the reference list at the end of the book. In this manner all the information that is in this book (as well as all the books in this series) can be used with total confidence as it is devised according to our glorified church. The spirit of the lessons is indeed the same spirit of the Coptic Orthodox Church. About the Books in Your Hands. These books in your hands are integrated series of books which were written for children from age 4 to 18. With the grace of the Holy Spirit, if the child at age 4 follows this series of lessons until age 18, he will obtain an all-rounded spiritual background. The books (covering the teachings from pre-schoolers to grade 12) cover a study of most of the major Biblical subjects of the Old and New Testaments, the celebrations of the church of our Master's feasts, the life of the Saints and their feasts, the divine liturgy with its rites and spirituality, the true Christian life and Christian behavior, church sacraments, fasting, prayers, the creed and its explanation, the Ecumenical Councils, the difference between the various major Christian sects, the Christian family, the history of our church, the major personalities in the Holy Bible, ... etc. The program is indeed comprehensive and it covers all the key areas of our Orthodox church. If these lessons were given in the spiritual way that was emphasized before, great results will be expected with the work of the Holy Spirit. General Rules and Principles to be Followed by the Sunday School Teachers. 1) The teacher must know the stage and the characteristics of growth of the children that he or she is teaching. A child who is 12 years old is different than a child who is 8 years old. The teacher must know the level of his/her students, their abilities to receive information that he/she is giving and the differences between the various abilities in the same class. 2) The positive participation of the students is very important during the lesson and the effectiveness of teaching. One of the key incentives for the student is to give importance to the lesson and have an effective communication with the teacher and, above all, to define clearly the purpose behind it and present the lesson in the form of problems that attract their attention. 3) The teacher must follow a psychological order of the facts he is presenting. Our Lord Jesus Christ used effectively the psychological method of teaching through His parables. The parables in their simplicity are drawn from the daily life of the people. We must emphasize here that the psychological method is not the only method of spiritual teaching. We should mention this method as one of the methods used. It is quite important to note that spiritual teaching must be imparted with certain goals in mind which are connected with the life of the children and related to the problems they face. We should provide guidance that is mostly needed for them. 4) The teacher must present the lesson and illustrate it with relevant information and present it as a coherent unity without ambiguity or contradiction. He may use illustrations to help him explain what he means. 5) Application of Christian principles to the actual social life must be emphasized in every lesson. The teacher should use stories (from the Old or New Testaments or from church history or church books) to attract the attention of the students and show the Christian principle in an applied manner. The teacher also may divide the subject into stages or small subjects. A good practice is to summarize the lesson or better still, ask the students themselves to summarize it. 6) The manner of expressing the lesson to the students is also very important. A teacher who is living by what he/she teaches will definitely be more effective in giving his/her message across. A teacher who is teaching under spiritual influence with compatible emotions to what he/she teaches will be definitely more effective than a teacher who is giving information.
ACKNOLEDGEMENTS On behalf of the Coptic Orthodox children and youth, who are going to benefit a great deal from this revised Sunday School Program, I would like to express a word of appreciation and gratitude to: His Holiness Pope Shenouda III This program leans quite heavily on the writings of His Holiness Pope Shenouda III. The majority of the contents of the lessons and their attachments are based on His Holiness' writings. This is a very bright and important aspect of this program. In 1986, during the time in which there was no Coptic Orthodox Sunday School program in the land of immigration, His Holiness reviewed the general contents of the program, commented and modified many key subjects, and then authorized the use of this program in all churches outside of Egypt, on a preliminary basis. I can safely say that, if it was not for His Holiness Pope Shenouda III's support, wisdom, and writings, this book would not exist. The whole generation is in debt to His Holiness Pope Shenouda III, not only because of his great teachings and writings, but also because of his love and leadership. His Grace Bishop Reweiss His Grace Bishop Reweiss has been behind us all the way with his love and guidance. He wrote the forward for our previous version of the program in 1986. His Grace Bishop Moussa His Grace Bishop Moussa has provided constant support and encouragement in the completion of the previous program. Of course, His Grace's writings for the youth have been utilized in all the subjects directed towards the youth, in this book. Fr. Tadros Malaty and Fr. Marcos Marcos These Beloved Fathers reviewed thoroughly all of the contents of the first six books of the previous version of the program. Their dedication, experience, and wisdom have been an important factor in the quality of all the material. They contributed greatly towards setting up the lessons, in that sense. Father Tadros Malaty's deep writings, without any doubt, have been a key reference in the majority of the lessons. His latest advice to revise and enhance the previous version of the program has been held in the highest regards. Dr. Fayek M. Ishak Dr. Fayek Ishak (head of the English Department at Lakehead University) reviewed the first six books of the previous version of the program. He contributed, immensely, towards the setup of the lessons. Fr. Gawargious Michael and Fr. Mikhael Armanios These two beloved priests chose the proper songs to match the subjects of the lessons. They also arranged the proof-reading of all the books with a chosen group of youth. Fr. Makary Silwanis This beloved priest made all of the arrangements for revising the previous Sunday School Program. He single-handedly arranged to have the new program available online. His computer skills were a key factor in all areas. Tassoni Ragaa The continuous support and encouragement of Tassoni Ragaa played an essential role in the write-up of the previous version of the program, as well as in this revision. One of the aspects that kept this program centered and on track was her continuous reminder that this program is for generations to come and every effort is worthwhile for the sake of the upbringing of the children and youth. The Youth of St. George and St. Rueiss Coptic Orthodox Church There was a key participation from Heba Khattas in this revised version. She in total love and joy contributed with great efforts in typing, checking, proof reading and commenting. All these things by her own initiative despite all the other responsibilities that she had to do towards her family, her work and her study. There was a key contribution from Marian Awad in this revised version. She proposed that the lessons for Grades 11 and 12 be totally redone in order to prepare the youth to face the challenges at the university level. This idea resulted in a huge change in the curriculum for these two grades, as well as in the writing of the "Contemporary Issues" book. Ninette Bishay sang over 100 songs in order to make sure that all the lessons were accompanied by beautiful songs in a great language and tone. Caroline Yassa typed many lessons for the author, mostly dictated over the phone, at times when his eyes were very sore from reading. Her efforts are greatly appreciated. Comments and proof-readings of many of the youth are greatly appreciated.
Fr. Rueiss Awad
TEACHER'S GUIDELINES: HOW TO USE THIS PROGRAM? 1. The teacher should realize that each lesson has been prepared to cover a specific point; starting from the title of the lesson to the end of it. 2. The teacher should read all the materials referred to in the lesson (i.e. the Holy Bible as well as any articles attached to the lesson), and then proceed by emphasizing all the points. 3. The teacher should enlarge the picture ahead of each lesson and use it as a visual aid as he or she is teaching the lesson. 4. The teacher should discuss the practical applications as he or she proceeds with the lesson. 5. The teacher should summarize the main points of the lesson with the students and give prizes.
FEATURES OF THIS SUNDAY SCHOOL PROGRAM
A COMPREHENSIVE SUNDAY SCHOOL PROGRAM 1. This Sunday School program was the very first program to be written in the lands of immigration. This work was initiated in 1974, and the first version was published in 1986. We thank our heavenly Father, Who has given us the opportunity to extensively revise and improve it, in 2005. 2. In this version of the program, any repetition that was in the previous program, has been removed, all lessons were upgraded in both coverage and depth. Moreover, a whole new book, on contemporary issues, has been added. 3. The contemporary issues book covers subjects that are important for children and youth in today's world. These lessons are optional. For churches with regular youth group meetings, these issues would best be discussed during those meetings. On the other hand, for churches that do not hold regular youth group meetings, those issues could be discussed as part of the Sunday School program. 4. This version of the program also includes lessons, which form a basis for a missionary service, a service that should in the ideal situation be practiced by every member of our congregation. The objective is that each child, every youth, and in the long run each Coptic individual can behave and act in a way, which is an embodiment of the teaching and tradition of the Coptic Orthodox Church. In other words, our congregation would become role models in their communities, who attract people to our Lord Jesus Christ through their good practices: sincerity, commitment, hard work and dedication, tolerance, forgiveness, and all the other good qualities that differentiate a good practising Christian from those who merely have a Christian education. 5. In this Sunday School Program, we depended heavily on the writings of H.H. Pope Shenouda III as a reference for most of the presented material. 6. The lessons in this version of the program have already been tried in Sunday School classes, reviewed, improved and tried again. This ensures that the lessons are relevant and suit the level of the students. 7. In this version of the program, efforts were put forth to ensure that every aspect of the Christian life in the Coptic Orthodox Church is covered. 8. This Sunday School Program is not merely about giving specific education on Christianity to our children and youth but it is rather an attempt to deeply affect their feelings and spirituality. It is believed that such an approach will facilitate the practical application of the various aspects involved so that Christianity becomes a way of life for the individual, with deeply rooted Christian values, that are manifested as behaviour and attitude. 9. All copyrights of other Sunday School programs, and other writers, have been fully respected. 10. In this version, each lesson comes complete with pictures and songs that are suitable for the lesson. 11. This Sunday School program comes in various formats, for convenience. In addition to being available on this website for widespread use, it is also available, upon request, in hard copy format or on CD. 12. It is our strong belief that this Sunday School program will play a vital role in the spiritual upbringing of our children. May the Lord bless this Sunday School program and all other programs, for the growth of His Kingdom in us.
THE PREPARATION OF SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSONS
A. What is a Sunday School Lesson? 1. It is not a record of events that we convey to the students with the hopes of appearing to satisfy the required preparation process in front of other people. Neither is it a lecture that we deliver to our audience or student regardless of their interest in the matter. 2. However, it is, on one hand, a fruit of the live reaction between the servant and the lesson and, on the other hand, between the servant and the students. The Holy Spirit maturates this fruit and directs this service towards the salvation of the students and towards the glory of God. For if the servant who teaches the people does not teach himself, the voice of the Lord rebukes him saying, " You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself ? " (Romans 2:21), and again in James 3: 1: "My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment." Therefore, the servant should engage himself in the lesson through prayers, relevant spiritual readings, and practical application, so that when the servant speaks with his students from experience and true knowledge, he says, with St. John the Beloved, "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life-" (1 John 1:1) If a servant is not aware of the spiritual level of his students, he may burden them with instructions and lessons which they cannot handle nor apply and this, in turn, may cause the students to go astray and lose their eternal life. Therefore, it is crucial for the servant to establish a healthy, trustworthy, and fruitful relationship with his students, as well as to share in their joys and cheers, and their sadness and fears, all towards Jesus Christ. This is what St. Paul refers to in his epistle to the Galatians when he says, "My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you..." (Galatians 4:19). This close relationship with the students allows the servant to choose the most appropriate lesson that applies to their needs.
Hence a Sunday School lesson is: A live mixture between the personal lives of the servants and the students through the lesson; the Holy Spirit creates this mixture and allows it to result in the bearing of fruit. B. The Requirements for Sunday School Lessons 1. Humility in prayer before God. God said, "...for without Me you can do nothing." (John 15:5) My beloved brethren, sit down in peace and tranquility with the Lord and talk to Him about your personal need for Him in your service. Ask for the guidance of the Holy Spirit and pray saying, " Guide me dear God. What would you like my students and I to learn this week ? " Be obedient to His voice. It would be suitable to maintain a prayer time which equals that of the lesson. 2. Accurate knowledge of the meanings contained within the lesson. This is achieved through: a) Occupying yourself throughout the week with understanding the new lesson, beginning from the end of the previous lesson until the beginning of the new one. It is wise to use your free time, time before sleep, and time with fellow servants to increase and enhance your understanding of the lesson. b) Resorting to spiritual and religious references and literature to help you develop the right understanding and concepts behind the lines. c) Resorting to general educational references and literature to embody this understanding and these concepts, making them clear in the minds of your students. 3. Aids of presentation. It is important that you transform your understanding of the lesson into a simple and clear presentation. It has been stated and proved that 85% of knowledge acquired is acquired through the sense of sight and visual learning as opposed to the 10% that is acquired through the sense of hearing. The rest of the knowledge acquired is done so through the other three senses. In reality, the least effective way of transmitting knowledge to others is by merely talking; this has the weakest influence on the students. In contrast, the most effective way to teach is to use the "Learning by Doing" method, which requires enough time as well as sound experience. What differentiate between the effectiveness of the two means of presentation are the tools used in the presentation. These tools aid the students in effectively understanding and retaining the purpose of the lesson by engaging both senses of sight and sound. These tools may include audio-visual devices such as pictures and movies, spiritual trips and outings, role playing during class, intellectually stimulating games, etc. C. Recording the lesson. It is recommended that the servant records the following during the preparation of the lesson:
Purpose of the lesson: It is necessary for the servant to clearly understand the purpose of the lesson at the beginning of his preparation. It is also necessary that the purpose of the lesson should agree with the maturity level of the students. For example, it is more appropriate for children to learn about God's love; on the other hand, learning about the power of God in their lives and in the lives of the saints is more appropriate subject matter for youth. As for young adults, learning about Christian virtues and spiritual practices is most appropriate. Most importantly, the purpose of the lessons should agree with Coptic Orthodox Christian teachings, whether in specific occasions or in general. References: References could include: a. Stories, examples, verses, etc. from the Holy Bible. b. Spiritual books and literature. c. General educational books and literature. Recording the references is very useful for the servant because it helps the servant to refer back to them, if forgotten. Preface: The preface is the background of the lesson. It cultivates the thoughts of the students and directs their thoughts towards the lesson. This allows the lesson to be implanted in their minds and to, eventually, bear fruit. It is important that the preface remain simple, short, and concise. The introduction could be in the form of focused questions, but should not be in the form of stories. Several stories in one lesson may deteriorate its effectiveness. The Lesson: The lesson could be divided into the following sections: 1. Introduction - it should be quick and concise and related to the preface. It should introduce the lesson smoothly without interrupting the chain of thoughts. 2. Body of the lesson - it contains the principle subject of the lesson, and follows these guidelines: a. You must be accurate and careful when explaining theological concepts. b. You must be careful when relating events and examples to elucidate the subject of the lesson, in order to properly guide the students' imagination without restricting it. c. You must diligently expose the Coptic Orthodox doctrine in the lesson. d. You should not use more than one story during the lesson and the story used should be relevant to the subject matter. 3. Focal Point - the point during the lesson at which the purpose of the lesson is clearly defined. (Examples: The Lord responds to the prayers of a needy person, or the angels come to give the saints their heavenly crowns and take them to heaven after many trials and persecutions.) 4. Conclusion - it should be, like the introduction, short and concise. It can summarize the purpose of the lesson, without introducing any new concepts.
Inferences: Inference is a method used to determine how much the students have absorbed and retained from the lesson. It should be in the form of questions with the following guidelines: a. They should clearly show the purpose of the lesson. b. They should suit the maturity of the students. c. They should be simple and direct. d. They should link to each other. e. They should not be `Yes' or `No' questions. f. They should each have one correct answer. Bible Verse: The memorization of a Bible verse is an excellent way to help the students remember the purpose of the lesson. The chosen Bible verse should meet the following guidelines: a. It should show the purpose of the lesson clearly. b. It should be short which allows it to be easily memorized. c. Children can easily memorize, as well as understand it. Homework: The height of your diligence in preparing the lesson is in choosing the proper and effective homework or application. The homework should have the following characteristics: a. It should contain practical applications that apply to everyday life. b. It should suit the maturity level of the students. c. It should help in mastering the comprehension and retention of the lesson. d. It should not include more than one instruction, in order to simplify the application of the lesson.
INTRODUCTIONTeaching Grade 11
1) By definition adolescence is the period between childhood and adulthood. The potential intellectual ability reached during this period is equal to that of adults. Adolescents go very rapidly through a period of physical changes, which causes awkwardness, self-consciousness and increased emotional instability.
2) One of the main characteristics of this period is the young people’s sensitivity and dissatisfaction. They are dissatisfied with themselves, with their families, with their own appearance (wherein lies the cause of infatuation with any fashion of the day). Adolescents go through a period of painful dissatisfaction with their social life too. All these traits, though they often seem negative and painful, are part of a positive process. What adolescents are trying to do is to discover themselves, and to discover their relationship to others - to adults, to their peers of their own sex as well as of the opposite one.
3) The rapid growth of technological civilization during the last decades has made our children much more knowledgeable about sex, about social problems, race, crime, violence, science and technology. They are not more mature than adolescents used to be, but they know more, even though they often lack the maturity to digest this knowledge.
4) What then is the task of the Church in dealing with our adolescents? Basically, the Church has to offer them meaningful values that young people can consciously accept out of their own free choice at this special level of maturity and insecurity. The Church has to give them an image, a taste of what life should be, of what is meant by holiness, what is truth, faith and loyalty. The Church is where they can find forgiveness, understanding and love when they have done wrong and are confused and mixed-up. Adolescents need security-in-freedom.
5) Our adolescents need urgently two aspects of religious education in order to help them gain maturity. They need the opportunity to make religion a part of their own experience of life, their own thinking, and their own motivation, through very informal free discussions, through participation in church work and through friendship. They also need to acquire information that will allow them to think intelligently, and will, at the same time, provide some material for evaluation and judgment.
6) All the teaching they need to acquire about the Bible and about the Church will be better assimilated if they feel a need for it. Thus teaching should be structured around questions and problems that are real to young people. The information must be presented as a means of finding answers. This kind of approach is very demanding on the leader, not only because he must be well informed, and must know where he can find information, but also because he must be flexible and sensitive to what takes place in the students’ minds. Basically adolescents need information in the same areas that shaped our program for younger grades - doctrine, liturgies, Bible study, church history, spirituality and ethics.
7) Most important of all is the kind of
relationship that is established between the adult leader and the young
people. The leader should earn their trust as a friend, with understanding
and sympathy, yet with firmness in his own convictions and genuine
interest in their adolescent problems.
SEPTEMBERFIRST SUNDAY
THE APOSTOLIC FATHERS: WHY DID THEY LOVE MARTYRDOM?
PLEASE READ: The attached article entitled "Why did they love Martyrdom?", and give the lesson with emphasis on the points below.
PURPOSE OF THE LESSON:
In this lesson we do not just want to give an information session about "the Apostolic Fathers of the Church", but rather, to have a feel for their depth of love and faith, that made them able to overcome very difficult conditions and with great joy they loved Martyrdom.
MEMORY VERSE:
"Let your good conduct be a teaching to the hypocrite and the wicked" Part of the Epistle of St. Ignatius
PLEASE EMPHASIZE:
(A) INTRODUCTION:
historical review
After the generation of people who saw the Lord Christ Himself and were taught by Him (those who were His Disciples). Then came the generation of the Disciples of the Lord's Disciples. Those are called the Apostolic Fathers.
At that time the church was not only in one spot of the world, but there were churches in the east and the west. Those churches had one faith, one hope, one love, one prayer, one understanding and one liturgy. We can therefore say there were not many churches but one Apostolic Church of the Lord Jesus Christ.
U There were three stages in the history of the church: 1. Between 95 to 150 A.D. - The era of the "Apostolic Fathers" of the church. In this stage the church was still in the beginning, trying to comprehend what she inherited of faith and doctrine and trying to respond to the action of the Holy Spirit in her. The "Apostolic Fathers" were the first ones to express not only the knowledge and comprehension of Christianity, which they inherited from the apostles themselves, but rather to express the pure life that they inherited from the Lord Jesus. 2. Between 120 to 220 A.D. - the church Fathers were defending the Church through the challenges that they were faced with. 3. Between 180 to 325 A.D. - the church Fathers were standing against the heresies that appeared during that time. We call them the "Fathers of the Ecumenical Council".
In this lesson we will focus only on the "Apostolic Fathers".
(B) Who are the Apostolic Fathers?
U They are the fathers who were contemporary with the apostles and were their disciples. U They had the duty to deliver to the world their faith and their doctrine through their daily service and writings. U Not everyone who lived at the time of the Apostolic Fathers and had some writings is considered to be an apostolic father. But we can say that there were three Apostolic Fathers: 1. St. Clement the bishop of Rome who helped St. Paul in his preaching. 2. St. Ignatius, bishop of Antioch, the bearer of the Divine. 3. St. Polycarp the bishop of Izmir, who was a disciple of St. John. U Those heroes (i.e. the Apostolic Fathers) are saints: very simple, leading a righteous life and consecrated all their efforts for the One whom they loved from all their hearts (i.e. the Lord Jesus Christ).
(C) The problems at the time of the Apostolic Fathers:
U The church at the time of the Apostolic Fathers was still close to her beginning. There were two different cultures and philosophies surrounding Christianity at the time: 1. The Greek 2. The Jewish Both had great effects on the thinking and the behavior of the people of the world at that time.
How can Christianity, at its early stage overcome such a huge opposing power with social, political, economical implications and coupled with many heresies? The fact was Christianity was able to overcome all these powers with very few people. Yet those few people were very strong because they were supported by God Himself.
(D) Some of the writings of the Apostolic Fathers and their characteristics:
U The writings of the Apostolic Fathers had two objectives in mind: 1. Maintain the unity of the Church and her peace in the midst of many opinions, divisions and heresies. 2. Maintain the faith pure from all foreign ideas coming from either the Greeks or the Jews. U The writings of the Apostolic Fathers came in the form of short epistles. U Some examples of their writings: 1. The Epistle of St. Clement to deal with the division in the Church of the Corinthians. 2. The Epistles of St. Ignatius, which dealt with faith, doctrines of the Church, and answering to the heresies, which arose at that time. 3. St. Polycarp's letter, which addressed the subject of the depth of faith and the position of the church towards Martyrdom. U One of the clear characteristics of the writings of the Apostolic Fathers was the "eschatological character" i.e. they were talking, writing and living in joy waiting for the second coming of Christ.
(E) An overview of the life of St. Ignatius, and his writings:
U St. Ignatius was the second bishop to Antioch. He started his service as a bishop around 70 A.D. He is called "The Bearer of the Divine". U It is said that when he was a child the Lord Jesus put him in the midst of the Disciples as a model of meekness "Matt. 18:1". When Ignatius grew up, his love for the Lord Jesus, his faith, and zeal grew. He preached the name of Christ. The apostles appointed him bishop of the church of Antioch. U He wrote letters to encourage the churches to stand firm in the Christian faith. He was able through his good reputation to attract many heathens to the Christian faith. U Some of his sayings include: "Let your conduct be a teaching to the hypocrite and the wicked. With love and justice you can overcome their hatred and injustice and through patience and prayers you can overcome their slander. By being firm in faith you can overcome their unrighteousness. For Christ's sake you should endure every loss and insult. Remember me in your prayer, so that I may live on the bare minimum and gain comfort in the House of Grace." Close to his Martyrdom, he said, "I am tied with chains for my love for Jesus. I do not want your love for me to cause me harm. I don't like you to save me from death. If I am deprived from Martyrdom now because of your love, gaining Martyrdom later may be difficult. I desire Martyrdom to show myself a Christian not in words but in action. Let me be food for the beasts and wild animals. I pray to God and plead that these wild animals will leave nothing of my flesh on the ground, so that the remaining parts of my body may not cause suffering to anyone".
WHAT DO WE LEARN FROM THIS LESSON?
1. The church at the time of the Apostolic Fathers lived under very difficult conditions because of the Jews and the Greeks. Yet the Church came out victorious because of the strong faith of the Apostolic Fathers and support of God for them. We also are living in a difficult society today filled with wrong ideas, heresies and materialism and we can also become victorious over all these powers.
2. St. Ignatius loved to become a Martyr in the name of Christ. Can we also do our best to sacrifice some of our comfort, time, money, etc. for the sake of our beloved Lord Jesus Christ?
WHY DID THEY LOVE MARTYRDOM? By H.H. Pope Shenouda III
Our fathers the martyrs received martyrdom, not only in tolerance and satisfaction, but mostly with joy. Thousands of the faithful traveled from Damanhore to Alexandria to be martyred. Along the way they sang chants joyfully.
It was also said about the twelve Apostles that when they were flogged and thrown in prison, “They departed, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.” (Acts 5:41).
St. Abu Pham the soldier, when he was called for martyrdom, he dressed up in his best attire saying, "This is my wedding day."
Why were our fathers joyful about martyrdom?
They considered martyrdom the shortest way leading to the joys of heaven. It is a matter of moments or hours, then one will be in the bosom of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the assembly of the saints.
Therefore, in the story of the martyrdom of St. Ighnatios of Antioch, when the people of Rome wanted to kidnap him to save him from death, he sent them a message to stop them from doing that, saying "My beloved, I am afraid that your love will do me harm and after I reach my destination, I'll turn back my life-journey all over again."
They also looked at martyrdom as means of sharing in Christ's passion, in His death and subsequently in His glory. They used to look at the Bible's saying, "If indeed we suffer with Him, we may also be glorified together.” (Rom. 8:17).
Some of them personally saw the crowns that they were striving to receive, or saw the crowns of those who were martyred before them. And without seeing anything, they were confident through faith, of what God has prepared for those who love His Holy name, those who accept suffering for His sake.
They also used to look at martyrdom as the best way to express their love for God and the truth of their faith. And as it says in the Bible, "Greater love has no one than this, to lay down His life for His friends." (John 15:13). How much more deserving then for faith.
They loved martyrdom because they were certain of being strangers in this world. They also loved eternity in a way that took hold over their hearts and they never looked at death except as a release from the prison of the body.
For the success
of this Sunday HOLY BIBLE
in his/her preparation
SEPTEMBER SECOND SUNDAY
NOT EVERYONE IS RIGHT – ( I )HOW DO I KNOW WHAT IS RIGHT AND WRONG?
PURPOSE OF THE LESSON:
This is lesson one in a series of two lessons about making the right choice. In this lesson we focus on the need for discernment because not everyone is right.
MEMORY VERSE:
"Do not think I came to destroy the law or the prophets, I did not come to destroy but to fulfill" Matthew 5:17
PLEASE EMPHASIZE:
INTRODUCTION
Not Everyone is Right: 1. Let us have a group of youth stand up in a room, close their eyes and everyone points out to the North direction for example. Let us all open our eyes. We will find that people are pointing to different directions and we know that there is only one true North. This experiment shows that everyone thinks that he or she is right. But this is not true. In the society that we live in, everyone says I am here to do whatever I want because everyone is right. Everyone is not right and everyone should not be allowed to do whatever he or she wants especially if it affects others. Examples: same-sex marriage, drug abuse, violence...etc.
2. One of the youth called John told me about his friend Peter when he visited for a few days. Peter has mentioned how the church that he serves strictly tries to stop the smokers from joining in the church activities. During that Peter said that he bought on his way to his friend's house, John, some of his complementary needs on Sunday. John believes that to buy things and especially complementary needs on Sunday is wrong. In the meantime he believes that to stop the smokers from joining in the church's activities is a tough way of doing it. Then John asked me: Is smoking right or wrong?
· Is stopping smokers from joining the church activities a right thing or wrong? · Buying things on Sunday is right or wrong? · Then John started saying: · How can we live as Christians? · How can we make a good decision in all the situations in our lives? · How do I know what is right and what is wrong? · Then John said I am surprised because the Christians that I talked to do not agree about what is right and wrong.
These are vital questions many of our youth ask and we will try by the Grace of Jesus and the direction of the Holy Spirit to clarify this matter.
Before we discuss many details we first would like to say that Jesus Christ glory be to Him had clarified in a number of situations:
U That He wants to deal with us on the level of love and not on the level of inhibition orders and punishment for the faults that we commit. "God wants everybody to be saved and to come to know the truth."
U That our Lord looks at the heart, He wants us to give him our hearts...He wants to exchange with Him our hearty love.
U That our Lord wants mercy not sacrifice. In other words, Our Lord is merciful and righteous God...wants us to be broadminded.
(B) THE NEED FOR DISCERNMENT
Read the Bible according to St. Matthew Ch. 12:1-8 about two situations for people that did what had appeared to be in contradiction with the law. At the same time what they did as a whole showed that it was acceptable to God's eyes. According to the explanations of our Lord Jesus Himself. "At the time Jesus went through the grain fields on the Sabbath and his Disciples were hungry, and began to pluck heads of grain to eat. But when the Pharisees saw it, they said to him, "Look, your Disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath!" Then he said to them, "Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, he and those who were with him: 'how he entered the house of God and ate the showbread which was not lawful for him to eat, nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests?' Or have you not read in the law that on the Sabbath that priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, and are blameless, 'But I say to you that in this place there is One greater than the temple. But if you had known what this means, I desire mercy not sacrifice, you would not have condemned the guiltless for the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.’”
In Verse 2 - the Disciples of our Lord Jesus were criticized from the Pharisees because they plucked and ate the heads of grain on the Sabbath. As well, they walked in a field that they did not own. And this criticism from the Pharisees seemed to agree with the fourth commandment "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy six days you shall labour and do your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work, you nor your son, nor your daughter nor, your man servant, nor your maid servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. For in six days, the Lord made the heavens and the earths, the sea and all that is in them and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and honoured it.” (Exodus 20:8-11).
But the Lord of glory defended his Disciples for what it seemed something wrong they did. He used other situations in the Holy Bible and accepted them to be correct while it superficially seemed against the law.
The First Situation (1 Samuel Ch 21:1-6)
David came to Ahimelech, and Ahimelech gave David and the men with him some of the showbread which was sacred. No one other than the priests are allowed to eat it as shown in Leviticus 24:5-9 and from Exodus 29:32-34.
Because of that Ahimelech the priest was in contradiction with the law when he gave David the bread but our Lord Jesus considered this situation to be acceptable because, on the other hand, when a person is hungry or in need and asks for food, he should be fed as it is mentioned in the letter of the apostle James "If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, depart in peace, be warmed and filled, but do not give them the things which are needed for the body. What does it profit?" James 2:15-16.
Therefore, the Lord Jesus by giving permission to pluck spikes on the Sabbath didn't contravene the doctrine but showed that feeding the hungry had a priority on plucking of spikes on the Sabbath and he said "Do not think I came to destroy the Law or the prophets, I did not come to destroy but to fulfill." Matthew 5:17.
From this situation we come to the conclusion that we should not look at one situation or one verse or look at any situation from one angle but we should consider the different angles. This is also clear from the second situation that the Lord clarified.
The Second Situation:
The Lord Jesus, glory be to Him, gave the situation of the priest presenting the sacrifices on the Sabbath and this function is in conformity with the law as is stated in the book of Numbers, Ch. 28:9-10. "And on the Sabbath day two lambs in their first year without blemish, and two tenths of an ephah of fine flour as a grain offering mixed with oil, with its drink offering. This is burnt offering for every Sabbath, besides the regular burnt offering with its drink offering" but offering these sacrifices need raising fire, and raising fire on the Sabbath was something not permitted according to the law as it is clear in the book of Exodus 35:3 "You shall kindle no fire throughout your habitations on the Sabbath day." And according to that, Our Lord, glory be to Him, clarified that the priests’ offering on the Sabbath was accepted and raising fire on the Sabbath for this purpose was permitted.
Lord, how do you want us to live as Christians?
1. The Lord wants us to live according to the Holy Bible in all the situations we face, but in a general way and a broad aspect; not to take one verse or one situation but look at everything in a realistic and practical way.
2. We read in the Gospel according to St. Mark Ch. 7:1-13 "Then the Pharisees and some of the scribes came together to him, having come from Jerusalem. Now when they saw some of his Disciples eat bread with defiled, that is, with unwashed hands, they found fault for the Pharisees and all the Jew do not eat unless they wash their hands in a special way, holding the tradition of the elders. When they come from the market place, they do not eat unless washed. And there are many other things which they have received and hold, like the washing of cups, pitchers, copper vessels and couches. Then the Pharisees and Scribes asked him, why do your Disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands? He answered and said to them "Well did Isaiah prophesy to you hypocrites, as it is written: These People honour me with their lips but their hearts are far from me. And in vain they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandment of men, for laying aside the commandment of God. You hold the tradition of men. The washing of pitchers and cups and many other such things you do. And he said to them "All to well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition. For Moses said "Honour your father and your mother and he who curses father or mother whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban and you no longer let him do anything for his father or his mother. Making the word of God no effect through your tradition which you have handed down and many such things you do."
In this situation the Pharisees kept the tradition of the elders and asked to apply this also on the others. And on holding on the letter in imitating the elders they lost to discernment and the real meaning of the commandment of our Lord.
Our Lord Jesus clarified the difference between the commandment of God that is supposed to be kept and the tradition of the people that is less important that it does not have the general aspect on all the people. The Lord Jesus showed us that the Pharisees did not obey the commandment of God to honour the father and the mother so they could keep the tradition to give money to God while they didn't care to help the parents who were in need of money. Hence, the Pharisees kept the tradition as a way to show people their faithfulness to God while they neglected to honour their parents who needed the necessary money. In this situation Our Lord, glory be to Him, clarified the difference between the commandment of God in the Holy Bible and the importance to stick to it in our behaviour as Children of God. Certain behaviours that we hear about from friends and relatives which they wish to generalize in order to become basic principles and try to raise to the level of our Lord's commandments.
WHAT DO WE LEARN FROM THIS LESSON?
(1) The Holy Bible must be looked at in its totality i.e. not to look at one verse or one situation in the Holy Bible.
(2) We must identify our priorities in life very clearly: first our eternal life, second our life here on earth.
(3) The commandment of God is first and the tradition of the people is second.
SEPTEMBER THIRD SUNDAY
NOT EVERYONE IS RIGHT – ( II )HOW DO I KNOW WHAT'S RIGHT & WRONG?
PURPOSE OF THE LESSON:
This is lesson two in a series of two lessons about making the right choice. In this lesson we focus on some practical applications.
MEMORY VERSE:
"But seek first the Kingdom of God ..." Matt. 6:33
PLEASE EMPHASIZE:
Our Daily Behaviour:
Our daily behaviour must be in conformity with the commandment of the Lord Jesus Christ in the Holy Bible. The Holy Bible is not a history book or a study book, but a book given from God to give us the broad lines or the basics that we should closely follow in our lives for our good. Some of the basic lines that the Holy Bible mention of which we should get the precise and detailed rules for our lives are as follows:
A. To love God over everything and to love others as yourself. Matthew 22:35-40. Then one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question, testing him, and saying, "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said to him you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it 'You shall love your neighbour as yourself'. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."
B. Seek the Kingdom of God. Matthew 6:33 "But seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and these things shall be added to you.
C. To honour your parents as it is shown in Exodus 20:12 "Honour your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you." From St. Mark 7:10 "For Moses said, Honour your father and your mother and he who curses father or mother let him be put to death."
D. We do the just, love mercy and walk humbly. Micha 6:8 "He has shown you, O man what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."
E. "All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. Food for the stomach and the stomach for food but God will destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for sexual immortality but for the Lord and the Lord for the body. God rose both, the Lord and will also raise us up by his power. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a harlot? Certainly not! Or do you now know what he who is joined to a harlot is one body with her? For 'the two, he says shall become one flesh'. But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with him. Flee sexual immortality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, who you have from God, and you are not your own. For you were brought at a price; therefore, glorify God in your body and in your spirit which are God's." 1 Corinthians 6:12-20.
Although the Holy Bible gives us these commandments and other commandments it does not give us a specific rule on: smoking, drugs, wearing safety belt during riding the car or listening to different types of music or watching movies but from the commandments that are mentioned above and especially what St. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 in Section "E" as mentioned before we can conclude that to glorify God in our bodies and spirits we find definite answer to all these matters of which we think.
Smoking: Harmful to the health and it reflects on the human psychological and spiritual life which is wrong, the same goes for with drugs.
Wearing the safety belt is the proper action when riding a car because it agrees with the law of the country we live in and also good for us in case of an accident.
Music affect the listener's soul and if some of it was like the music of the church hymns it brings calm, pleasure and comfort to the soul, while the worldly music arouse excitement and wrong emotions and they are harmful.
Movies. Also watching educational and religious movies has a great benefit while many of the movies that the secular people show to earn profit contain information or scenes or raise harmful emotions in our bodies and souls. Therefore it is harmful to us.
U St Paul the Apostle at the time when he told his disciple Timothy "No longer drink, only water but use a little wine for your stomach's sake and your frequent infirmities" 1 Timothy 5:23. He said to the Ephesians "And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation but be filled with the spirit." Esphesians 5:18.
And so if a person attended a party and was offered a beer he would be able to realize that he is not taking it because of medication or specific benefit for the body and hence it is understood accepting a bottle of beer is wrong because if it will not probably make him drunk it will enslave him with the need for it and the inability to stop it. This is the first step. The second step is having a lot of it and getting drunk and what will follow of obscenity and committing of sin.
U From the Epistles according to St. Paul the Apostle to the Romans showing the general basics also for those who want to live for Jesus Christ. Romans 12:1-2 "I beseech you therefore, brethren by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this worlds, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will to God."
U On the subject of obeying the parents and honouring them there are two points to be taken into consideration. The first is the commandment of the Holy Bible in the letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians 6:1 "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right," and Exodus 20:12 "Honour your father and your mother, so that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you."
But if the parents were not Christians or Christians by name who want to stop their children from praying, worshipping the true God or from going to church to attend the Sunday Liturgy there is the commandment in the Gospel according to St. Matthew 22:37-38 "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment."
Accordingly, this commandment to love God from all the heart takes priority. The person finds a definite answer when what the parents want contradicts the commandment of our Lord.
U We should also realize that few of the written rules in the Old Testament are not obligatory for us in the New Testament. But we should follow all the Godly commandments in this generation although it was written thousands of years ago. However, we find few rules and detailed practices in the Old Testament that the Lord gave to his people to coincide with their circumstances and lives in that time and we shouldn't do it now. We mention as an example from Exodus 23:14-17 "Three times you shall keep a feast to me in the year. You shall keep the feast of unleavened bread (you shall eat unleavened bread seven days as I commanded you, at the time appointed in the month of Abib, for in it you came out of Egypt none shall appear before me empty), and the feast of Harvest, the first fruits of your labours which you have sown in the field, and the feast of ingathering, which is at the end of the year, when you have gathered in the fruit of labours from the field. Three times a year all your males shall appear before the Lord God."
The Lord ordered his people to celebrate three feasts in the year. The unleavened bread, the feast of Harvest and the feast of Ingathering. The celebrations of the feasts have stopped for us Christians after Jesus came. Colossians 2:16-17 "Therefore let no one judge you in food or in drink or regarding a festival or a new moon or Sabbath which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ." Because the Mosaic law requirements have spoken of the coming of our saviour there is no need to celebrate these feasts but we have the masterly feasts (relating to the Master Christ) and the feasts of the Saints and those of the Church which conform to our present lives in the grace era.
How would I know the right or wrong behaviour?
First: I look at the things from the Bible's point of view.
The Holy Bible teaches us in a clear way that the things God created are good (1 Timothy 4:4) "For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving." Also in Romans 14:14 "I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself, but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean."
Things like alcohol, cigarettes, coffee, tea, decoration articles for ladies; all of these things are not evil as they are. "They all perish with use" Colossians 2:22. And therefore not using these things as they are will not make the person more holy as our Lord, glory be to him, said in Matthew 15:10-20 "Then he called the multitude and said to them: Hear and understand. Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man. Then His disciples came and said to him, do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying? But he answered and said, 'every plant which my heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted, let them alone. They are blind leaders of blinds. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch', then Peter answered and said to him 'Explain this parable to us', so Jesus said: 'Are you also still without understanding, do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated? But those things which proceed out of our mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, and blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man."
And because these things are not an evil in themselves and are not defiled, but the Lord may want us to abstain from for other reasons. Still the main principle is "glorify God in your body" 1 Corinthians 6:20.
It is meant that food, medicine and all the other things that we take must be used in a way leading to our personal benefit and health and won't affect the others also.
Also, the Holy Bible teaches us how to own and keep things rather than being greedy. Our Lord Jesus in the Gospel according to our teacher Luke 12:15 says: “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he processes."
Also we find in the letter according to our teacher Paul the Apostle to the Colossians 3:5 "Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth, fornication, uncleanliness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry."
Second: Follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit
In our reading of the Lord's word to us in the Holy Bible we have to depend on the guidance of the Holy Spirit to teach us the way to God in our lives. Our righteous saviour has promised that the Spirit of the Holy God leads us in the proper way. John 16:13 "However, when He, the spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth, for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come."
In our new life with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we will be free from slavery of the old rules. Romans 7:6 "But not we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter."
Also Romans 8:14 "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God these are sons of God." In the book of Acts Ch.10 we find God's Spirit guides St. Peter the Apostle to preach to Cornelius. The same spirit is able to lead all our behaviour as well. Also in the book of Acts Ch. 15-28, after the first Church council discussed in Jerusalem few matters concerning the behaviour of the members of the first church and the faithful agreed to one thought and started saying: “For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things.”
And according to this the Holy Spirit of the Lord that abide in us is able to brighten our minds and understanding to solemnly behave in all the situations that we face if we deliver to him our lives and its leadership.
Third: The right thinking and not the emotion:
We must build our behaviour in a situation on right thinking and not only on emotions or personal rush because it is built on timely pleasures and emotions. We are created on God's image and likeness of mind and proper understanding of the word of God that is written in the Holy Bible.
And we are also a new creation in Jesus Christ as St. Paul the Apostle says "And have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him." Colossians 3:10.
Because of that while our feelings have then status as to our behaviour, a mature Christian subjects these feelings to his brain control and every decision would be built upon the right education of the Holy Bible and put to test in ample time before final decisions are taken.
WHAT DO WE LEARN FROM THIS LESSON?
(1) Life is filled with choices. Choosing the right directions is very important. This can be done by: 1) Viewing things in a biblical manner, 2) Following the guidance of the Holy Spirit and 3) Using the right thinking should prevail not emotions.
(2) One may seek the advice of the Father of confession or parents before making an important decision. One must be flexible.
NOTES _________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________
SEPTEMBER FOURTH SUNDAY
CHRISTIAN UNDERSTANDING OF SUCCESS & THE MEANS OF ACHIEVING IT - ( I )
PURPOSE OF THE LESSON: This is lesson one in a series of two lessons about Christian understanding of success. In this lesson we focus on the meaning of success in Christianity.
MEMORY VERSE:
"Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prosper" 3 John 1:2
PLEASE EMPHASIZE:
(A) INTRODUCTION
Success is a wish that every normal person seeks in fulfilling a certain target.
U Some find success in obtaining high grades that will enable them to enroll in a certain university or college. U Some find success in getting a highly paid job. U Some find success in marrying a beautiful and wealthy wife. U Some find success in becoming famous and rich and obtaining the praise of people. U Some find success is in having internal happiness and peace.
If you ask many people of their understanding of success, you will get different answers according to the personal feelings and views of the individual. What is your understanding of success? It would be beneficial if you write it down specifically.
(B) What is the understanding of success for the worldly people?
For the worldly people, success is limited and does not involve the depth that would ensure the internal peace. Moreover, you will find that those who are successful according to the worldly standards are in ruins internally.
U We heard in the news that a famous American actress is being blackmailed by killing her son because of her expensive jewels. She is always frightened and in constant misery because of these jewels. Did fame and possessions guarantee her success?
U We heard in the news about a famous rich man who chose to commit suicide rather than live unhappily. Is this success?
U If we went back with our memories across history, we find Ahab the vicious king unhappy "unable to sleep", "So Ahab went into his house sullen and displeased because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him" 1 Kings 21:4.
How could it be that there is no happiness or internal peace with wealth, possessions and high grades. Is this success? Definitely not. The obvious reason is that if the person is made only of body then his success would be linked to these materialistic aspects. But being created from both body and spirit according to God's image, these materials cannot guarantee his success. St. Augustine says "Lord, You created us in your liking, so we have no peace except with you." The Psalmist says, "No peace for the villains" and he says, "The villain escapes and there is no one chasing him." Therefore, success of the worldly people is phoney and limited and does not ensure this person's place, happiness and eternal life. It seems successful from the exterior but in fact it is loss and failure.
(C) What is the understanding of success for the Children of God?
St. John the Evangelist says, "Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers." 3 John 1:2. Accordingly, success for the children of God is not limited to one aspect but it is an ultimate success, "prosperity and health."
The ultimate success in the lives of the children of God includes the following: -
1. Success in the spiritual life: This ensures the internal peace. It appears in the love of others and the pure heart that loves God and hates sin.
2. Success in studies and work: The Christian student is successful in his or her studies and the person who works succeeds in his or her job and is honest and admired by his colleagues.
3. Success in physical health: Apart from the maladies that God permits in order to test our faith and spiritual growth, the successful Christian is also physically healthy. He eats wisely, keeps his body fit and gets rid of the bad habits that cause harm like smoking and drinking.
4. Success in psychological health: The successful Christian is flexible in dealing with others, not stubborn butcalm.
Therefore, who is the successful Christian? One who is balanced with correct personality, spiritually, physically, emotionally and practically successful. Is this possible? Yes. "Therefore you shall be perfect just as your Father in heaven is perfect." Matthew 15:48. The perfection mentioned here is comparative because the absolute perfection is in God only. "The things which are impossible with men are possible with God" (Luke 18:27).
(D) Is there an example for this personality?
If we searched through history we find many people who followed the way of God and were successful. A good example is Joseph who was a successful servant in the house of Potiphar. You can read his story in detail in the book of Genesis chapters 37 and 39 to 45. The deepest sentence said about Joseph was "The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man." Genesis 39:2. Also, "His master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made all he did to prosper in his hand" Genesis 39:3.
If the secret behind Joseph's success is that the Lord was with him, then this is the secret for the success of any person.
What does God give the person who follows Him to enable him of such success?
a) He gives him the faith in Him which will take away all fear. "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid" (Mark 6:50). The Lord was with Joseph so he did not fear the well nor his brothers' hatred nor the job as a slave nor the power of his mistress. He was not afraid to fall in sin, nor face the criminals in prison, nor failure when he was responsible for the state. When a person has the faith in the presence of God with him, this is a valuable treasure. "If God is for us, who can be against us?" Romans 2:31. The faith in God is the confidence that God is with me personally "They shall call His name Emmanuel" which is translated, "God with us" Matthew 1:23.
b) He gives us His Holy Spirit to dwell in us, "Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?" 1 Corinthians 3:16. When the Holy Spirit dwells in us, He works by giving us the beautiful fruits of making my soul heavenly. "But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control." Galatians 65:22-23. These fruits have worked in Joseph's heart so he was loving towards his enemies, his brothers, his fellow servants and his fellow prisoners. Joseph loved everybody and was a successful person. He was honest and diligent in his work without waiting for a reward. He loved purity and in the midst of the temptation he said "How can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?" Genesis 39:9. "Flee also youthful lusts" 2 Timothy 2:22. Purity and chastity are a success and a triumph. No matter how successful a person is in all his deeds in front of others, if he is conquered by his desires he will feel beaten and unsuccessful. “He who rules his spirit is better than he who takes a city." Proverbs 16:32. Joseph was successful in his purity.
c) He gives us the blessing of son-ship by sending His only Son to the world. He blessed our nature in the Incarnation of His Son through the Virgin Mary and through the Holy Spirit. He was like us in everything except sin. This is the blessing of the New Testament which was fulfilled by the coming of the Son, the Logos. "In this the love of God was manifested towards us, that God has sent His only begotten son into the world that we might live through Him" 1 John 4:9. "Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God" 1 John 3:1.
I discovered God's love for me and this became a great power in my life, in fact, it is the source of my success because if God "He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, How shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?" Romans 8:32.
WHAT DO WE LEARN FROM THIS LESSON?
(1) A true Christians is a successful individual in all aspects of life. Not only jobs or money or materialistic things, but a true Christian is successful here on earth as well as in having a place in heaven.
(2) Success comes from faith in the Salvation that was offered by the Lord Jesus Christ.
For the success
of this Sunday HOLY BIBLE
in his/her preparation
OCTOBERFIRST SUNDAY
CHRISTIAN UNDERSTANDING OF SUCCESS & THE MEANS OF ACHIEVING IT – (II)
PURPOSE OF THE LESSON: This is lesson two in a series of two lessons about Christian understanding of success. In this lesson we will focus on how can we achieve success.
MEMORY VERSE:
" I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly" John 10:10
PLEASE EMPHASIZE:
Please start by reviewing the previous lesson.
A. The blessing of Our Lord Jesus Christ in my life appears through 3 actions:
1. His redemption on the Cross "For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God.." 1 Peter 3:18.
"The Father has sent the Son as Saviour of the world." 1 John 4:14.
2. His Salvation: He gave us true peace "therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" Romans 5:1.
"I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly" John 10:10.
He ensured my salvation, "nor is there salvation in any other" Acts 4:12.
"The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin" 1 John 1:7.
3. He granted me to stand before God the Father not guilty, through His sacrificial intercession. "If anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world." 1 John 2:1.
An Example:
After Saul's meeting with Our Lord Jesus Christ and believing in Him, he changed from an unsuccessful person, filled with envy, co-operating with the murder of Steven to become a successful person leading a fulfilled life and his heart is full of peace even inside the jail where St. Paul rejoiced at the salvation of Christ. "Who will separate us from the love of Christ?" Romans 8:35. And he said, "As having nothing, and yet possessing all things" 2 Corinthians 6:10.
What do you think when you see someone like St. Paul saying that we possess all things; isn't this the complete sufficiency and the true success. God was with St. Paul in prison, that was enough to make him succeed.
B. How can I be a successful Christian? This is what we will answer now.
Firstly: The necessity to abide in Christ to ensure the true success "He who abides in Me, and I in him bears much fruits" John 15:1.
There are 4 means to ensure my unity with Christ the Saviour: -
1) The Sacraments of the Church:
Baptism = Regeneration Unction with the Holy Chrism = Acceptance of the fruits of the Holy Spirit Repentance & Confession = Renewal Holy Communion = Unity with Christ
2) Prayer "Men always ought to pray and not lose heart" Luke 18:1. There are different types of prayers and a Christian needs them all:
U Prayer with the Agpeya U Arrow Prayers, which are short and comes directly from the heart reaching the heavens U Prayer in Church U Family Prayers U Personal free prayers
3) The Bible: Read the Bible daily to come closer to Jesus Christ and to learn how to deal in life through its teachings. "Your words are a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." Psalms 119:105. Your readings in the Bible should be slow, respectful and attentive. "This Book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous and then you will have good success" Joshua 1:8.
4) Serving: U Serving in the family. U Serving in school by being a good example to others "That they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven," Matthew 5:16. U Serving in Church and in social activities.
Secondly: The need for work and spiritual perseverance. "You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin" Hebrew 12:4.
1) Serious positive work and studying diligently. God made work sacred by working Himself and He is always working. When He sent His only son to the world, He was going around doing good and he said, "My Father has been working until now, and I have been working." John 5:17. And He said too, "I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day." John 9:4. The Lord called His Disciples to follow Him from the midst of their jobs, like Peter and John when they left the fishing boats and followed Him.
2) Resist the devil. "Resist the devil and he will flee from you." James 4:7. We have to resist the devil and not surrender. "Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour" 1 Peter 5:8.
We are able, with the power of God, to conquer the devil, because then God would not have asked us to resist him nor would He allow him to fight us.
3) Control the five senses: Sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste. These five senses are entrances to the soul and the human sensation. If we put them under control, with the help of God, then the temptation of the world would not reach the soul.
"Each one of us is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin when it is full-grown brings forth death." James 1:14-15.
4) Never Lose Hope: "Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart" Galatians 6:9.
5) Fix your goals and press towards them forcefully: Make your goals clear and press towards them with force. Like the prodigal son who fixed his goal clearly by returning to his father. He said, "I will arise and go to my father" Luke 15:18.
A young man has to choose his friends carefully because he could lose drive towards his goal if his friends do not have it.
6) Meet failure with a spirit of courage: "Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works” Revelation 2:5.
7) Have a positive outlook to life: "I do not count myself to have apprehended but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead. I press towards the goal" Philippians 3:13-14.
Summary:
If you want to succeed make a promise to yourself now:
1. Have a Spiritual Father. - Regularly listen and obey his directions. 2. Follow a Spiritual Program. - Regularly keep it and give it priority.
3. Be in a Spiritual Surrounding. - Spiritual friends - attend church regularly - visit monasteries and holy places.
Finally, dear brother, I submit to you what was written by my beloved late Father Bishoy Kamel in this respect:
U Success is not in ranks but in the presence of God with you. U Your faith that God is with you grants you peace and takes away fear. U Your love to others is the measure of your success. U Your honesty in your studies and work is a sacred order for your success. U Your social relationships should be according to the Biblical teachings. U Purity in your youth is the certificate of your success. U Service is in the nature of the successful person and is the cause of that success. U The church pleads for you with St. John, "Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers." John 3:2.
WHAT DO WE LEARN FROM THIS LESSON?
NOTES
_________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________
OCTOBER SECOND SUNDAY
EVIL COMPANY – ( I )
PURPOSE OF THE LESSON:
This is lesson one in a series of two lessons on the dangerous effect of evil company. In this lesson we learn about the commandment of God in order to avoid evil company.
MEMORY VERSE:
"Evil company corrupts good habits" 1Cor. 15:33
PLEASE EMPHASIZE:
A. INTRODUCTION: THE HUMAN PERSONALITY
The human personality consists of 2 important elements:
1st an inborn element (which is with us since our birth) like the instincts and the sense of belonging to the father and mother and many other personal habits.
2nd an acquired element (which we obtain in our experiences in life) like the sentiments, habits, directions, way of thinking and different values.
These 2 elements form the personality of a person and results in many different personalities as the components are different. What happens if the youth followed the ways of the Lord who started by a loving call and said, "Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth." Eccleiasties 12:1. He will obtain an acquired element which has a trace of the qualities of the Lord and can become a sharer of divine nature, escaping the evils of the world. The Holy Spirit that he took in the sacrament of baptism will give him many divine blessings because the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control." Galatians 5:22-23.
What happens if the youth followed friends with bad influence? It is said in the Bible, "Evil company corrupts good habits" 1 Corinthians 15:33. As to corrupted morals you will find written in the Holy Bible, "Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissension, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in the past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God." Galatians 5:19-21. Therefore, there is a big difference between the personality of a person who is living according to the ways of the Lord and one who is following the evil company.
B. The importance of these lessons for the youth in the land of immigration.
Our children, in different age groups, are exposed to different kinds of friends. Some of them will be atheists, who do not know God and do not believe in His existence. Some of them are from non-Christian sects like Jehovah's witnesses. Some of them come from families without values and some of them are even thrown out of the house to live freely. Only a few of them have the love of Christ in their hearts and live according to His values.
Our children have tried some of these friendships and some of them started to suffer both psychologically and spiritually. Their problems are increasing at home, in school and even in church. What could be the reason? One of the main causes for this is the effect of evil company which corrupts the good habits.
C. The Lord forbids the evil company with reference to the Holy Bible.
U In the Book of Psalms: "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night." Also, "My eyes shall be on the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me; He who walks in the perfect way, He shall serve me. He who works deceit shall not dwell within my house; he who tells lies shall not continue in my presence." Psalms 101:6-7.
U In the Book of Proverbs: "My son if sinners entice you do not consent, if they say, "come with us, let us lie in wait to shed blood; let us lurk secretly for the innocent without cause; let us swallow them alive like Sheol, and whole, like those who go down to the pit, we shall find all kinds of precious possessions, we shall fill our houses with spoil; cast in your lot among us. Let us all have one purse. My son, do not walk in the way with them, keep your foot from their path." Proverbs 1:10-16.
Also, "My son, fear the Lord and the King; do not associate with those given to change." Proverbs 24:21.
U In the Book of Numbers; the Lord did not want His people to mix with heathens, and said, "A people dwelling alone." Numbers 23:9.
U In the Epistles to the Galatians, "A little leavens the whole lump." Galatians 5:9.
Therefore, the Holy Bible presents clearly the Lord's command to avoid the evil company and the friendship of those following that rout. But why? Definitely because these friendships could lead to harmful consequences which are summarized in this verse, "Evil company corrupts good habits." 1 Corinthians 15:33.
D. The Evil Company: Its Harmfulness and Bad Effects:
1) The evil company takes the person away from the fellowship of the Lord.
No one can enjoy living with God and the evil company at the same time. The main loss for those who follow the evil company is the deprivation from the Holy light and the separation from God and this is mere death. "Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness and lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever, and what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said, "I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God and they shall be My people." Therefore, "Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord, do not touch what is unclean and I will receive you." 2 Corinthians 6:14-17.
2) The evil company makes a person worship another god, not the true One.
This is what happened to the people of Israel when they mingled with the heathens, as the Bible says, "But they mingled with the gentiles and learned their works; they served their idols, which became a snare to them. They even sacrificed their sons and daughters to demons, and shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons and daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan; and the land was polluted with blood. Thus, they were defiled by their own works and played the harlot by their own deeds. Therefore the wrath of the Lord was kindled against His people." Psalms 106:35-40.
3) The evil company is followed by poverty and all the social defects.
In the company of the Lord we feel satisfied but in the evil company we feel poor, hungry and exhausted. "He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed." Proverbs 13:20. Also, "He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows frivolity will have poverty enough." Proverbs 28:19.
4) The evil company: its limitless disadvantages.
If a member of the family is affected by the evil company we find that it becomes contagious and the other members suffer too. In the youth meetings, if one of our youth is influenced by an evil company from outside, close observation is necessary so that it does not affect the rest of the youth. The Holy Bible mentions the dangers of bad influence that started by evil company, "wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good." Ecclesiasties 9:18 "Dead flies putrefy the perfumer's ointment and cause it to give off a foul odour, so does a little folly to one respected for wisdom and honour." Ecclesiasties 10:1.
So St. Paul also says, "Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?" 1 Corinthians 5:6.
WHAT DO WE LEARN FROM THIS LESSON?
We must be very choosy when it comes to friends. As soon as we find someone leading a sinful life, we must only terminate friendship with him or her immediately.
For the success
of this Sunday HOLY BIBLE
in his/her preparation
OCTOBER THIRD SUNDAY
EVIL COMPANY – (II)
PURPOSE OF THE LESSON:
This is lesson two in a series of two lessons about evil company. In this lesson we learn how to deal with the evil people in the society we live in.
MEMORY VERSE:
"Evil company corrupts good habits” 1Cor. 15:33
PLEASE EMPHASIZE: Start by reviewing the previous lesson.
A. The attitude of the Christian youth towards the evil company:
1) Do not befriend the followers of evil
If a person is considering his/her eternal life seriously, he/she should avoid all causes of temptations that could have an affect on him/her, and could cause the loss of the Kingdom of God. "If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; ...if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you..." Matthew 5:29-30.
2) Do not make enemies with the followers of evil
Although the Bible confirms not to befriend those who follow the evil company, it also does not encourage making the enemies, "if anyone does not obey our word in this epistles, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet, do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother." 2 Tessalonians 3:14-15.
3) Do not copy the followers of evil
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is good and acceptable and perfect will of God." Romans 12:2.
"This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardening of their heart, who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to licentiousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But you have not so learned Christ." Ephesians 4:17-20.
"But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore, do not be partakers with them...and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them." Esphesians 5:3-11.
4) Escape from mingling with the followers of evil.
Two angels came to Lot who chose to live in the city of Sodom, where evil was prevailing. When the angels entered with the intention to spend the night at Lot's place, the evil people of the city surrounded the house and wanted to attack them. But the angels struck the men with blindness that they could not even find the door. Then they said to Lot "Have you anyone else here? Son-in-law, your sons, your daughters and whomever you have in the city - take them out of this place... So it came to pass, when they had brought them outside that he said, "Escape for your life, do not look behind you nor stay anywhere in the plain." Genesis 19:12-17.
Therefore, we should not stay in the places where evil is present.
5) Do not get involved or get married to the followers of evil.
"Now Abraham was old, well advanced in age; and the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things. So Abraham said to the oldest servant of his house, who ruled over all that he had, "Please put your hand under my thigh and I will make you swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and the God of the earth that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell, but you shall go to my country and to my kindred, and take a wife for my son Isaac. And the servant said to him, "Perhaps the woman will not be willing to follow me to this land. Must I take your son back to the land from which you came?" But Abraham said to him, "Beware that you do not take my son back there." Genesis 24:1-5. Abraham's servant came back with a wife for Issac and Rebecca was a good wife from the same tribe and had the same traditions and values.
Therefore, it is important for every Christian who is getting ready for marriage, besides the necessary education and job, spiritual, physical and emotional growth, he should rely on the decision of making choice of his partner in the hands of God and refrain from choosing someone from the followers of evil. The way to repentance is always open but in the case of marriage, it has to precede it.
In the case of King Solomon, son of David, his foreign wives caused him a lot of trouble. But King Solomon loved many foreign women...from the nations of whom the Lord had said to the children of Israel, "You shall not intermarry with them, nor they with you. For surely they will turn away your hearts after their gods..." For it was so, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not loyal to the Lord his God, as was the heart of his father, David. For Solomon went after Astoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and after the Milcom the abomination of the Ammonities Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord...So the Lord became angry with Solomon." I Kings 11:2-13.
In the Book of Nehmiah, the Lord says about the foreign women in the lives of Solomon, "Did not Solomon King of Israel sin by these things? Yet among many nations there was no king like him, who was beloved of his God; and God made him king over all Israel. Nevertheless pagan women caused even him to sin." Nehemiah 13:26.
6) We should be a good example to the followers of evil. We should not be proud or despise our brethren who follow the ways of evil but we should pray for them and be a good example for them in all our manners so that the name of the Lord be glorified so that they refrain from doing the wrong thing. In the sermon of the mountain, Our Lord Jesus Christ said to his disciples, "You are the salt of the earth...You are the light of the world...Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your father in heaven." Matthew 5:13-16.
B. The attitude of the parents and the father of confession towards the evil company
Do not consider the parents' asking about the caller on the phone as an intrusion in your private matters or freedom. They ask just to make sure that your friends are not bad company for you. Remember that the evil company corrupts good morals. The same goes for your parents' questions about your friends, and your going to the youth group in church.
You should be honest with your father of confession and tell him the truth about your friends to enable him to help you. Be careful in your confession - do no condemn your friends in your confession, but if their friendship is causing you a problem, you should mention it.
C. Get rid of the evil company before getting involved in it.
If you feel that one of your dear friends started to have problems, you should retreat from him quickly and avoid any fellowship with him. But do not let him drown in evil. Tell the priest and ask him to help your friend. But you have to escape from that place. Do not take position of a teacher and try to help him because you could both drown. Pray for him, put his name on the altar, ask the priest to interfere and follow the matter with Abouna until your friend retreats from his evil ways.
WHAT DO WE LEARN FROM THIS LESSON?
1) Be very careful in choosing your friends.
2) Be very careful in choosing your partner in marriage.
3) Do not look down on those who are following the evil ways because you could fall too.
4) Pray for them and be a good example.
5) Mention their names in the Holy Liturgy.
6) Learn this verse by heart, "The evil company corrupts good habits."
7) Take care of your senses and all that reaches them. St. Isaac said, "These senses are the doors of the thought."
NOTES
_________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________
OCTOBER FOURTH SUNDAY
PERSONAGES FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT ELIJAH THE PROPHET CONFIDENCE IN GOD'S PRESENCE WITH US
PURPOSE OF THE LESSON: This is lesson one in a series of two lessons on Elijah the prophet. In this lesson we focus on our confidence in God's presence with us.
MEMORY VERSE:
Then Elijah said, "As the LORD of hosts lives, before whom I stand, I will surely present myself to him today." 1 Kings 18:15
PLEASE EMPHASIZE:
A. The circumstances in which Elijah the prophet lived:
Following the kingdoms of Saul [1095 B.C.], David [1055 B.C.] and Solomon [1015 B.C.] the Jews split onto two kingdoms: the north kingdom [called Israel] and the south kingdom [called Judah]. This happened around 975 B.C. Hereunder is the chain of kings after the split so that we may be able to understand the events that followed.
Based on the above chart, we find that the Holy Bible has describes all these kings as having walked in the way of evil except those described as good. Kings increased in evil one after another till they ended up in captivity whereby the north was taken to Assyria in 722 B.C. then to the south to Babylon in 587 B.C. Elijah the prophet was born at Tishb of Gilead in the northern kingdom. The word "Elijah" means, "God is my God"
Elijah the prophet lived in the era of the evil king Ahab, the son of Omri. Omri married his son to a very evil woman, whom the Holy Bible describes as the most evil woman and who was the daughter of the king of Tyre in Lebanon.
This woman used to worship the Baal and set up an altar for it. Of course, this evil wife tremendously affected her husband Ahab who deflected towards the idol and was followed by the people.
The world became exceedingly dark during the era of King Ahab and his wife Jezebel. It is extremely important when selecting a partner in martial life that they be God-fearing and leading a righteous spiritual life, otherwise they would bring upon their spouse too many evils.
However, we see now that it is time for God to work amidst this darkness and teach humanity a spectacular lesson by sending Elijah to witness for Him in mighty power before a tyrant, cruel and pagan king and his evil wife Jezebel.
B. The secret power in the life of Elijah the prophet.
(1) His adherence to the words of the Holy Bible.
It appears that Elijah the prophet has learned since boyhood at desolate Gilead how to study the Holy Bible and has believed in the validity of both the promises and words reported therein.
That is why we see that he sticks to the same words Moses said, "Take heed to yourselves, lest your heart be deceived, and you turn aside and serve other gods and worship them, lest the Lord's anger be aroused against you, and He shut up the heavens so that there be no rain, and the land yield no produce, and you perish quickly from the good land which the Lord is giving you" Deut. 11:16, 17.
So, Elijah stood before King Ahab and said, "As the Lord God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, except at my word" 1 Kings 17:01.
(2) His glowing zeal to worship God... and being self-inclement in service. The Synaxarium reports about Elijah (on the sixth day of the blessed month of Toba) "And his spirit was tortured day after another because of the mean deeds of this king who turned away from worshipping the God of Israel to worshipping idols.”
Hence, he stood before him once and said to him "...There shall not be dew nor rain these years, except at my word." Therefore, when the Lord saw that he afflicted himself with starvation as well, out of ardency the Lord ordered him to go to Brook Cherith."
What a great servant. He was not clement to himself in service; rather, he was austere and strict with himself also for the sake of his keen fervor to worship the real God only.
(3) The feeling of God's permanent presence with him. It means that he is in God's presence. Therefore, we see him say in the presence of King Ahab "As the Lord God of Israel lives, before whom I stand," because he sees himself standing before God all the time without being intimidated by his presence before an earthly king or any other person.
By the same token, we recall this same strong feeling on the part of David the prophet "I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved." Ps 16:08.
Let us feel that God is always present with us, overlooks us, sees, hears and will manage everything.
Experiencing perpetual prayer "men always ought to pray and not lose heart" Luke 18:1, prayer makes man always in contact with the heavenly father. Let us not neglect brief prayers.
(4) Life of retreat... depth in communication with God... and not worrying about the dry brook.
"Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying 'Get away from here and turn eastward and hide by the Brook Cherith, which flows into the Jordan. And it will be that you shall drink from the brook and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.' So he went and did according to the word of the Lord, for he went and stayed by the Brook Cherith, which flows into the Jordan. The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening; and he drank from the brook. And it happened after a while that the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land" 1 Kings 17:2-7. From this we understand that the voice of God was inviting him to "hide"- that is to be in retreat far away from the noise of the world and the evil king. In his retreat Elijah experienced further depth in God's care and love.
In His love, God has turned the ravens-the nature of which is to snatch meat, sometimes even pull out humans' eyes, and be careless about their youngsters-into care givers, making them bring bread and meat to Elijah in the morning and in the evening.
What were Elijah's feelings when he would look at the Brook Cherith daily only to find the water level lowering in there? Elijah was not afraid the brook would dry up because he knew for sure that God always, always has His own way.
Elijah was certainly aware that it was God who sent him and it was also God who would take care of him. Hence, Elijah was not worried about the dried up brook.
Let us always pray to God asking him to pour into us the firm faith so that we may not be shaken, rather feel always that we are being taken care of by God and are included in His plan for us.
(5) Example for obedience and blessing. "Then the word of the Lord came to him saying 'Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. See, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you.' So he rose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gates of the city, indeed a widow was there gathering sticks.
And he called to her and said, 'please bring me a little water in a cup that I may drink.' And as she was going ot get it, he called to her and said, 'Please bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.' Then she said, 'As the Lord your God lives, I do not have bread, only a handful of flour in a bin, and a little oil in a jar; and see, I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die.'
And Elijah said to her, 'Do not fear; go and do as you have said, but make me a small cake from it first, and bring it to me; and afterwards make some for yourself and your son. For thus says the Lord God of Israel: the bin of flour shall not be used up, nor shall the jar of oil run dry, until the day the Lord sends rain on the earth.
'So she went away and did according to the word of Elijah; and she and he and her household ate for many days. The bin of flour was not used up, nor did the jar of oil run dry, according to the word of the Lord which He spoke by Elijah." 1 Kings 17:8-16.
Elijah had acted according to the Lord's saying and went to a widow to provide for him in time of famine. How can a poor widow provide for Elijah in time of famine?
With God it is unbecoming of us to wonder how because everything is possible for God. Such was Elijah's obedience that he encouraged the widow asking her to make him the last cake saying to her "Do not fear."
Already his faith transferred to her and so did his firmness so much so that she became obedient herself.
No sooner had she obeyed than she enjoyed a great blessing "the bin of flour was not used up, nor did the jar of oil run dry."
We may recall a famous chapter on obedience and blessing Deuteronomy, chapter 28, as well as the miracle of filling the multitudes Luke, chapter 9:10-17. Let us all obey God at all times so that we may lead a life full of blessing.
(6) Not losing temper in time of anger. Elijah was not at fault in anything towards the widow and her son. Contrarily, he brought blessing to their life when the widow's son passed away she said to Elijah "what have I to do with you, O man of God? Have you come to me to bring my sin to remembrance, and to kill my son?" Here, Elijah was not angry or disturbed. Rather he took the son and prayed.
Likewise, we should always manage all the hardships we encounter in full confidence that God can conquer our difficulties, so we need not feel disturbed nor worried nor angry.
However, Elijah cried out to the Lord by saying "O Lord my God, have You also brought tragedy on the widow with whom I lodge by killing her son?" 1 Kings 17:20 Elijah, of course, does not mean here that God has committed a sin-God forbid. Elijah was only crying out to God and humbling himself in His presence as if he were asking, "Why did You allow the death of this poor widow's only begotten son?"
WHAT DO WE LEARN FROM THIS LESSON?
(1) As Elijah lived in a different society we also live in not a too much different condition. His sources of power were the same as ours.
(2) God is looking at us. So, let us not be afraid or troubled by anything. With God, do not ask “how”?
(3) God is looking at us. So, let us be careful not to hurt His feelings by our sinful actions.
OCTOBER FIFTH SUNDAY
PERSONAGES FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT ELIJAH THE PROPHET IMPORTANCE OF LIGHT/WITNESS TO THE WORLD
PURPOSE OF THE LESSON: This is the second lesson in a two-lesson series about Elijah the prophet. In this lesson we focus on the importance of light/witness to the world, witness to civil authority and place of civil authority.
MEMORY VERSE:
"You are the light of the world..." Matt. 5:14
PLEASE EMPHASIZE: Start by reviewing the previous lesson and discuss its practicality to us now.
Elijah the prophet...a lightful candle in the dark society [1 Kings chapter 18]
A. The meeting of Elijah and Obadiah [1 Kings 18:1-15].
When it was time for God to send rain, He asked Elijah to meet Ahab and tell him about that. God arranged for this meeting to take place in a way appropriate for God's word and will, and also appropriate for Elijah, man of God. God's arrangement was that when hunger became severe, King Ahab went his way searching for water.
In the meantime, the king sent his servant Obadiah, who was described as God-fearing (which is a very magnificent characteristic that ensures the appropriateness of Man's behaviours and God's fear in his heart) another way to look for water. Through God's arrangement, Obadiah met with Elijah the prophet. "Then Elijah said, 'As the Lord of hosts lives, before whom I stand, I will surely present myself to him today.'
“So Obadiah went to meet Ahab and told him and Ahab went to meet Elijah." [Kings 18:15-16].
Our remarks are as follows:
(1) Elijah always felt that he was standing in God's presence whether when he met king Ahab or the king's servant Obadiah. It was the same approach: "The Lord of hosts before whom I stand."
(2) Ahab's walk for meeting with Elijah was like a thirsty man walking in search of water and like the world thirsty for divine blessings with only one way ahead, meeting God or His saintly figures.
B. The meeting of Elijah and Ahab [1 Kings 18:17-20].
Ahab asked Elijah "Is that you, O troubler of Israel?" Elijah answered that all sadness and trouble-maker is the worship of another god-other than the real God.
But you and your father's house have, in that you have forsaken the commandments of the Lord, and you have followed the Baals. [1 Kings 18:18].
Worshipping money brings forth sadness, worshipping sinful desires causes sadness, and worshipping idols of whatever kind results in sadness.
It is as if Elijah's announcement were intended for every and each person seeking to know the cause of trouble in his or her life-which is worshipping anything in heart-in place of God.
Indeed Elijah was courageous and daring in this situation in front of King Ahab. He was not intimidated, rather he was bold and straight.
Now, what was Elijah's plan to show who the true God was?
C. Elijah and the prophets of Baal [1 Kings 18:21-40].
(1) Elijah faces the immersed-in-sin people saying "How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, then follow him." [1 Kings 18:21]. To thee, O Lord, we pray that Thou lead us unto firm belief in Thee-not into faltering between two opinions, rather let us have one Lord, one God and one church.
(2) The sacrifice of the prophets of Baal is a speechless one void of any power. It failed to engage any heavenly power because it was a sacrifice for Satan with which Satan would be pleased since it was far and away from the true God. Such a sacrifice is useless for any person and is good for nothing.
As for Elijah's sacrifice "Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and then wood and the stones and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench." [1 Kings 18:38] such was a heaven-supported sacrifice.
Elijah was full of fervor, so much so that he could not stand still seeing evil engulfing people. His burning jealousy was demonstrated through his saying to the Lord, "Let it be known this day that you are God." [1 Kings 18:36].
Thus, Elijah did not mean to fight for his own personal interests nor for self-profit, rather, for God to be glorified in the life of His children.
What a splendid scene on Mount Carmel where Elijah stood on one side and looked as if he were defenseless, while 450 prophets of Baal walked in and stood in dignity and majesty, confident of the support of the royal court, because of which they challenged Elijah shamelessly.
Yet, how quickly their blood was shed and Elijah came out of the fight victorious through his God.
D. Elijah and Ahab...once again [1 Kings 18:41-46].
Elijah thought that there was no need for famine because God has been glorified amongst His people and so he asked the Lord for rain. As he was aware of Ahab's weak personality and his worldly desires for food and drink more than his salvation he said to him, "Go up, eat and drink, for there is the sound of abundance of rain." [1 Kings 18:41].
So Ahab went up to eat and drink whereas Elijah went up to the top of Mount Carmel; then he bowed down to the ground, and put his face between his knees and started praying to the Lord. Then he asked his servant to go up and look toward the sea. So he went up and looked and said, "There is nothing." And seven times Elijah said, "Go again." Then it came to pass the seventh time that the servant said, "There is a cloud as small as a man's hand, rising out of the sea!" So, Elijah asked his servant to go up and tell Ahab to go down to the city quickly before the rain would stop him. In the meantime, the sky became black with clouds and wind and there was a heavy rain following a cessation of three years and six months.
E. Elijah the prophet collapses when he felt he was alone without God [1 Kings 19].
1. Elijah the prophet experiences weakness...but God supports him with His angels [1 Kings 19:1-8].
How would this great prophet run from the face of the wicked Jezebel? Was he running away from evil or from fear? Elijah ran away because of the severe disturbance, fear and distress so much so that he asked for death for himself.
A person may undergo a phase of weakness when he or she feels that God is not present with him or her. Jonah the prophet asked for death for himself because of his extreme keenness on the salvation of the people of Nineveh and his great fear that God might destroy the city.
Thank God, He does not leave us in our despair and weakness for He sent the angel twice to awaken Elijah from sleep and give him food and water. How would God not support him when He is our satiation and the giver of all blessings? God supported Jonah the prophet throughout his affliction with the plant, which gave him shade. He also supports us in all our distress and does not abandon us in time of ordeal or weakness on our part.
The secret of the weakness and collapse, which Elijah underwent, is revealed in the following extract from the chapter, where Elijah feels he is alone and is no longer saying, "As the Lord lives, before whom I stand."
2. God's meeting with Elijah through the still small voice [1 Kings 19:9-14]. The secret of the fall of that great man was his feeling of being alone "I alone am left". Amazing!! He who used to say, "As the Lord lives, before whom I stand," sees that he is alone now and, therefore, wishes death for himself.
When Peter was walking on water, as the wind was boisterous against the boat, his eyes were fixed on the Lord. Hence, he was peaceful steadily walking on the water. However, no sooner had he looked away from Christ, then he started to drown and cry.
Likewise, we are all that man: As long as I feel and firmly believe that God is with me, I should fear no evil "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil."
At the time when Elijah felt he was alone, there were 7000 whose knees have not bowed to Baal yet.
At the time when St. Macarious, the father of all wilderness fathers, wanted to know how saintly he was, through God's blessings, the Lord revealed to him two unknown women in Alexandria who loved each other, loved their respective husbands and children without discrimination. Thus, these two women, through that much love, surpassed the perseverance of this saint.
Saint Augustine says that even though this world is full of leaves [the evil], it is also full of fruits [the good].
Elijah was ardently jealous but he was furious. Therefore, he was in need for the spirit of tranquility and meekness. That is why God did not show up to him in the wind or in the earthquake or in the fire-rather in the still small voice.
The approach elaborates and demonstrates that one of God's characteristics is meekness, which was revealed in the Logos about Whom it was said "He will not quarrel nor cry out, nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets." [Matthew 12:19]. Likewise, whosever wants to give a testimony for the Lord and preach by His holy name should be having the spirit of tranquility and meekness. The Bible says about the witnesses of the Lord "There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard." [Ps. 19:3].
God's revelation to us occurs only in tranquility. Hence, we should practice retreat and silence, so that we may hear the voice of God.
Practice: keep saying the holy name of the Lord Jesus Christ in order to feel the perpetual presence of God around you.
3. The Lord said to Elijah: "Go, return on your way” [1 Kings 19:15-21]. This phrase of "go, return on your way" means that Elijah's weakness and fury made him retreat and go backward. Why was all this? All this was because Elijah needed to go back to retreat and tranquility. Thus, the Lord said to him "Go, return in your way to the Wilderness of Damascus." [1 Kings 19:15] Then the Lord arranged for a disciple for Elijah i.e. Elisha who used to serve him [1 Kings 19:21].
U Elijah the prophet witnesses for divinity with all might... [2 Kings 1].
U The sin of King Ahaziah [2 Kings 1:1-2]. He sought recourse to Satan in order to obtain an answer from him-instead of God. Why didn't Ahaziah ask God for recovery? So does every soul far away from God. It would rather go to the evil one-because it is soaked in evil, than pray asking for recovery and salvation.
U God's interference to reveal who the real God is [2 Kings 1:3-17]. God declares, through Elijah the prophet the error King Ahaziah committed and also the punishment which He would allow to befall him.
Amazingly enough, King Ahaziah sought violence instead of humbling himself before God so that God might make mercy with him. Contrarily, he dispatched fifty of his men with orders from the king. So, Elijah asked for fire to come down from heaven and consume this arrogance represented in the dispatch of these fifty men and also the second fifty men following the first fifty. As for the captain of the third fifty, he went forth in humbleness and, therefore, was not hurt and even Elijah went down with him.
U Elijah and the chariot of fire... [2 Kings 2:1-11].
U The last moments of Elijah in this world [2 Kings 2:1-11].
U "The Lord has sent me on to Bethel...The Lord has sent me on to Jericho...The Lord has sent me on to the Jordan."
F. When Elijah was about to be taken up into heaven, he was in a state of total submission to the command of God.
This has always been a characteristic required for any person desirous to have a share in heaven i.e. that he be in full submission and utter obedience to the word of God.
Whoever goes up to heaven has to pass by Bethel, which is the church and, pass by Jericho, where the victory over evil and the forces of devil took place, and then pass by the Jordan, where the river is a symbol of baptism and re-birth.
U "Stay here"
Thus Elijah wanted to go up to heaven without being seen by anyone. Therefore, he said to his disciple Elisha "stay here." Elijah wanted to leave this world alone all by himself so that he would not reveal the secret of his departure to anybody, otherwise, all the people would be standing to watch this amazing scene that humanity has never seen before.
Let us all deny ourselves and not be boastful of any service we render for the church.
U Elijah's love for Elisha, "ask! What may I do for you?"
One of the most important tasks and duties of the spiritual leader is to make disciples of spiritualists who would take over after him. Thus, Elijah was keen on discipleship, which is why he asked Elisha "ask! What may I do for you?"
It is worth mentioning that Elisha did not ask for any materialistic things, rather, his request was a spiritual one "Please let a double-portion of your spirit be upon me."
U The Lord gives Elijah lavishly.
|
