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2026-05-10: 4th Sunday - Reading the Scripture

Introduction

 

Background

 

How to Read the Scripture
  • Prayer before reading (short prayer)
    • See examples of Litany of the Gospel, Inaudible Prayers before the readingsd
  • Reverence while reading
    • Wearing an esharb
    • Sitting up straight
    • Holding the Bible
  • Consistency
    • Imagine a flashlight turning on for a second and then waiting two weeks to turn it on again - you will stumble for two weeks
    • Imagine a flashlight that’s always on
  • Memorize
  • Spend time to understand
Techniques for Understanding the Scripture
  1. Read the Chapter
  2. If there is a verse you don’t understand, read a commentary on it (Coptic Commentary app, Anba Youssef, Fr Daoud, Fr Antonios Fikry, Fr Tadros)
  3. Ask the Six Questions
  4. Write a Contemplation
  5. Take a verse to memorize
Six Questions
  1. Is there a commandment for me? 
    • Something that I need to start doing or I need to increase in it
    • ”Love your enemies”
    • ”Bless those who curse you”
    • ”Pray for those who spitefully use you”
  2. Is there a sin to repent?
    • Something I need to STOP doing
  3. Is there a promise?
    • ”Do not fear little flock for it is Your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom”
    • ”Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age”
    • These promises give me hope - in a time when the devil attacks me with despair
  4. Is there a benefit for me?
    • ”No longer do I call you servants but friends, for a servant does not know the will of his master”
  5. What qualities (or names) of God do I find in this passage?
    1. Good, Long-suffering, Merciful, Slow to Anger, Fair, etc.
    2. Father, Good Shepherd, Teacher, My God, My Light, My salvation, My joy, My glory, etc.
    3. So when the devil comes and attacks me and makes me think something evil about God… someone might say “God lets bad things to happen” - “God does not love me” - “God is not fair” - I will recall those stories and verses and passages
  6. Is there a character I can learn from in this passage?
    1. St Mary, King David, Ruth, Esther, St Paul, etc.

In every passage, you will be able to answer at least a few of these questions - not all six, but at least two or three of them.

 

 
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