The Inn Bible Study: Proverbs - Fr. Mina Dimitri

Proverbs 4:1-9 - Reintroduction to Proverbs

Fr. Mina continues with lectures 6 and 7 of Proverbs. King Solomon teaches us about growing in wisdom and accepting advice that the quality of our lives may improve. Fr. Mina then explains how the way of wisdom is one but there are many paths. Fr. Mina then expounds on not opening the door to sin and the harm this causes to an individual, especially in their youth, because of sin’s addictive nature. Lecture 7 then consists of King Solomon speaking about the importance of the commandments of God and the importance of the Heart.

Proverbs 4:10-23 - Do Not Enter the Path of the Wicked

King Solomon warns us against going down the path of immorality in this chapter of Proverbs and asks us to listen to him with understanding. Father Mina Dimitri emphasizes that the proverb is intended to serve as a warning not only about immoral women and the deathly path of adultery, but also about many other things in our lives that can take the appearance of immoral women, such as our attachments, fantasies, and false beliefs. God provided us with numerous teachers to guide us along the path of eternal life, despite the numerous attempts to cause us to stumble and fall under the devil's spell.

Proverbs 4:24-5:14 - Flee from the Immoral

Fr. Mina continues by discussing the virtues of marriage in chapter 5 of the book of Proverbs, which states: "There is newness in marriage." Lust is there all around us and at the tips of our fingers. However, the holy mystery of marriage offers an opportunity to encounter a new kind of love—an unfathomably selfless love. This is the "running water" that King Solomon encourages us to drink from, as stated in Proverbs 5:15. The proverb concludes by emphasizing the value of privacy and stressing how much God values family life because it is the first system He established and was raised in. Fr. Mina divides the first three sorts of men in Proverbs 6 as follows: 1) The financially strapped 2) Indolent 3) A source of trouble. Fr. Mina discusses the significance of giving without expecting anything in return as he wraps up his discussion on the first category of men.

Proverbs 5:15-6:5 - Rejoice with the Wife of your Youth

This week's Bible study continues with a discussion on the value of work in one's life. According to what the Bible says, a person who does not labor should not eat. The work of God is not distinct from our occupations or our studies! God hastened us to subdue the earth during creation; every minute we spend studying or working at a job is a kind of subduing the earth. The proverb then goes on to describe the ant's labors, showing how, although producing relatively little each day, it accumulates enough food for the winter months over time, even if it does not see the results of its labors right away.  Similar to how one's soul experiences winter, we must prepare ourselves by reading spiritual books that will keep our souls warm during this dark period. On the other hand, there is the slothful person who hides from God and the outside world and confides through a single habit. Fr. Mina talks about the seven things that God hates as he wraps up the proverb!

Proverbs 6:6-19 - Consider the Ways of the Ant, and be Wise!

Fr. Mina begins with Proverbs 6:20, where it is urgently urged that we retain God's commandment in our minds. According to Fr. Mina, until we temporarily live without God's commands, we are unable to fully appreciate their significance. The proverb then goes on to discuss living an immoral lifestyle outside of marriage, highlighting how many lives have been destroyed as a result of this route to sin and lifestyle. Pride and lust caused many people to lose their lives and walks with God. Fr. Mina makes a connection between the two, stating that people have made it their mission to follow their passions, which is why they are inextricably linked and frequently lead to one another. This week concludes with the opening of chapter 7, which emphasizes once more how crucial it is that we live according to God's instructions and bear His remembrance present in our lives!

Proverbs 6:20-7:5 - Can a Man Take Fire to his Bosom and his Clothes not be Burned?

Fr. Marcos gives the sermon on the eve of Covenant Thursday.

ليلة خميس العهد - أبونا مرقص حبيب

Fr. Benjamin gives the sermon on the eve of Great Friday. He speaks about the New Covenant, what it means to us as Orthodox Christians and the love of God for humanity.

The New Covenant - Fr. Benjamin Girgis

The Resurrection reenactment as prayed by Fr. Kyrillos Said, Fr. Morcos Habib, Dr. George Doss, George Tadros, Dr. Thomas Doss, and Daniel Doss.

Resurrection Reenactment

Fr. Mark gives the sermon on the gospel of Thomas Sunday, concerning Thomas, his doubt, and how our Lord healed and dealt with him.

Thomas Sunday - Fr. Mark Hanna

Fr. Benjamin gives the sermon on the gospel of Thomas Sunday concerning the character of Thomas, his doubt, and how our Lord dealt with and healed this doubt.

Thomas Sunday - Fr. Benjamin Girgis

This week’s proverb marks the last Bible study of the Spring 2024 which shall be resumed in September. As we were led into looking at the impact of wisdom on a wise man’s life. Proverb 10 continues on by showing how a wise son makes his parents glad. Who is the wise son but one who takes all types of lustful temptations and turns them into chances for growth in his spiritual life and fuel for prayer? Such a person, gladdens the heart of God and the hearts of his parents, as he is rescued by his righteousness from death by fleeing from any unjust way of attaining wealth or meeting his desires. Moreover, righteousness is in small things like a small meal made with love under simple ceilings. It is also in one who gathers and doesn't sleep in times of harvest, although times of harvest are difficult and require much work. Those times of harvest are the periods in one’s life when he is able to prostrate, fast, memorize scripture and raise his heart in prayer. These practices are what save and what is kept in one’s heart and mind for days of rain and old age. Fr. Mina emphasizes that a human being was not created to be idle.

Proverbs 10:1-14 - Righteousness Delivers From Death

Fr. Mina gives the sermon on the 3rd Sunday of the Holy 50 days concerning the bread of life in Gospel of St. John chapter 6.

ثابت قلبي مع المسيح – أبونا مينا ديمتري

Michael George gives the sermon on the 3rd Sunday of the Holy 50 days concerning the bread of life in Gospel of St. John chapter 6.

The Bread of Life - Michael Georgi

الحجر عند القبر – نيافة الأنبا مارتيروس

الماء الحي – نيافة الأنبا يوحنا

The Official SoundCloud account of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Saint Mary in East Brunswick, NJ.

Proverbs 6:20-7:5 - Can a Man Take Fire to his Bosom and his Clothes not be Burned?

Theotokos EB

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