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!

This week we are taken on a trip through the lens of Proverbs 7 which shows us the way that leads to the chambers of death. King Solomon shows us an example of a man who is lured down the path of iniquity. Not knowing that it would cost him his life. Sin here is represented by the immoral woman who seduces the simple to go with her and enjoy the luxurious, prideful, sinful life on her bed which is adorned with the finest linen on the outside, but in essence, it distorts the one word that best describes God: Love. Saying that love is the embrace of worldly longing and a vapid satisfaction.

Proverbs 7:6-27 - A Young Man Devoid of Understanding

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

Fr. Mark gives the sermon on the 4th week of the Holy 50 Days, concerning our Lord Jesus Christ being the True Light.

Christ the Light - Fr. Mark Hanna

Fr. Benjamin gives the sermon on the 4th week of the Holy 50 Days, concerning our Lord Jesus Christ being the Light of the world.

The Light of the World - Fr. Benjamin Girgis

Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled -  Fr. Mark Hanna

الإيمان – نيافة الأنبا رافائيل

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

Proverbs 7:6-27 - A Young Man Devoid of Understanding

Theotokos EB

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