Christian Living and Doctrines – Page 3 – Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo Church Sunday School Department

“Let the Little Children Come to Me, and do not forbid them” (Luke 18:16)

The precious gifts of God are children. They are as pure and white as dove can be. They have no harm and evil inside them. Their mind and hearts have no evil but good. They are filled with decent and pure thoughts. They are innocent but have not guilt; are kind and devoid of cruelty.

The Holy Bible has stated children as those who inherit the Kingdom of God. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ said to the disciples, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” (Luke 18:16-17)

“All things whatsoever you would that men should do to you, do you even so for them” (Matthew 7:12)

The virtuous and most valuable price a person sacrifice for a love of God and brotherhood, is loving others from the heart as much as oneself and doing whatsoever for others just as oneself. Humans have the tendency of seeking basic need as well as providing their daily bread and fulfilling routines. Yet, we must crave for others vitality indeed for the love of neighbors. Loving from the heart is to desire others welfare, safety, nurture and amity. This is thru sharing our sustenance, attire, grief or fiesta.

Mystery of Incarnation

Dear Children of God! how are you? How was feast of Easter (resurrection)? We assume you had a joyful holiday! How is school and your life at home with your family? Hope you have become good children to your parents and brave students at school. It is always important to remember the value of having proper discipline and character so that we could be good children of God, to be given a life full of peace, love and happiness.

Children, the life that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ gave us is filled with true love, peace and joy. If we could be aware (know) and understand His way of salvation which is known as “Mystery of Incarnation,” we would be saved from all the problems and suffering that our enemy Satan brings upon us. Our Lord died for us because He loved us dearly (so much). He was crucified on the cross, on the sixth day known as “Arebe” locally, and buried. But then, He rise on the third day, the Sabbath (“Ehud” in Amharic) and declared resurrection of the dead (life after bodily death and life in heaven).

The House of Mercy

In Jerusalem where the Lord was born, near the temple, there was a baptism sacred place for all the aliments to be cured known as in Hebrew “Bethsaida” to mean the “The House of Mercy.” This holy place had five porticoes and steps for the aliment to enter the pool and be baptized. On the first Sabbath Day, the Angel of God came down from the heavens and stirred up the water, and the first to enter was cured. Many were healed witnessing this miracle of God and work of salvation in faith and hope of His mercy.

At one of the porticoes in Bethsaida, there was an impotent man, embedded for 38 years. On that era, Lord and Savior Jesus Christ visited that house of mercy and saw the impotent man lying in bed. He knew he was paralytic for many years but still asked saying, “Will you be made whole?” The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another step down before me.” Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.” And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the Sabbath.” (John 5:7-9)

“What comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches” (2 Corinthians 11:28)

Beloveds, the sons and daughters of God, Saint Mary’s families, praise to God for His kindness to teach us His Holy words. Amen!

“What comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches.” (2 Corinthians 11:28) This is the message of the great Apostle Saint Paul.

Laity’s Role in Church

Feasts known by the order of Holy Orthodox Incarnation Church have their own liturgy and laities have role in them. In this section, we will see what is expected from laities during the celebration of the feasts.

Laity’s Role in Church

Fasting, Prostration and alms giving are ways of spirituality and obedience through the governance of our corporeal to our soul. Prostration is made not only by humans but the celestial (heavenly) being, The Angels. (Isaiah 6:3) It is the main aim of the two creations Angles and humans. We shall also help the weak, aid the victims of tribal wars and in trails within the Church. As it is necessary to make alms giving, it is necessary to realize the good virtue of our good endeavors in particular to fasting seasons,

Laity’s Role in Church

Whether a person is blessed or not it is based on the wills of the soul or flesh. To get blessings for our soul and flesh, we must fast according to the Liturgy of the Church, humbly, in repentance and in a broken heart.

The Liturgy of Prayer

Dear Children of God, how are you? How is life and school? How are you doing in your education? Are you studying well and getting good grades? How about house chores? Are you helping your families by obeying their house rule? Hope you have become an obedient child to your families and God more than anything.

Children, we hope you remember our last lesson about prayer because today we have presented to you the second part. We will see the seven times of prayer which are Prime, Terce, Sext, None, Vespers/Compline/, Bed time and Midnight.

Laity’s Role in Church

All who are living in sinful world, notice how repentance is seeking forgiveness in regret of disappointing the Lord. It is an alarm of returning to God and so repentance then is returning to God. He says, “Return to me, and I will return to you” (Malachi 3:7).