Malankara Orthodox Sunday School, North East American Diocese

Transcription

1 Malankara Orthodox Sunday School, North East American Diocese TTC EXAM PREP-GRADE- IX St.Gregorios Malankara Orthodox Church, Bensalem, PA Presented by: Daya Kappil

2 The Holy Bible v Record of the revelation of God to man, through the prophets and Jesus Christ. v Bible, from Greek word Biblia meaning Books v Total: 66 Books in the Bible v 39 :Old Testament v 27: New Testament

3 Old Testament & New Testament historical events OT was written in Hebrew and first writer was Moses. NT was written in Greek(except Gospel of St. Mathew) The first written books of NT were some letters of St. Paul By 280 B.C the OT was translated to Greek and later to Syriac. By the 14 th century English Bible was made. The King James version was made in A portion of the Bible was translated in to Malayalam in 1811 under the leadership of Valia Mar Dionysius Metropolitan. The first complete Malayalam Bible was printed by Benjamin Bailey in 1841.

4 Codex and Vulgate Codex: Manuscripts made in Papyrus/scrolls. Vulgate: Latin version of the Bible created mainly by Bishop Jerome at the end of the 4 th century A.D. Authorized and used by the Roman Catholic Church.

5 Apocrypha Books & Canonical books Ø Decided in the Council of Trent,7-books were added to the Bible accepted by Catholic and Orthodox churches. Ø Tobit, Judith,Wisdom of Solomon, 1&2 Maccabees, Sirach,Baruch. Ø Apocrypha means hidden. Ø Jews did not approve these books as scriptures. Ø Books in the Bible recognized by our Church are collectively known as Canonical books. Ø The Greek word Canon means measuring rod, Rules or Criteria

6 Significance of the Holy Bible v Bible is the foundation of our faith v Revealed by God to man, through the prophets and Jesus Christ. v It is written by ordinary people, but inspired by the Holy Spirit. v The teachings and commandments of Jesus Christ are found in the Bible. Hence we consider Bible as scriptures.

7 Bible and Science Does Bible Contradict Science? Bible is not a science book. Its purpose is to reveal God s will to man. It is a manual for life, not a manual of Science. Job 26:7 He stretches out the north over empty space; He hangs the earth on nothing : Earth is suspended in space. Job 25:5 Behold even the Moon is not bright :Moon is not a source of light. Proverbs 8:27 He set a compass upon the face of the deep. :Indicates earth is round. Job 28:7 Vultures seek their prey by keen eyesight not smell. Psalms 135:6,7 : about evaporation and formation of clouds and rainfall.

8 What does Bible Mean to Us? Bible is the word of God. Yet everything we believe in may not be found in the Bible. Bible reaffirms the faith of the word of God, the promises of God Our Church does not teach or promote literal interpretation of Bible, which might lead to contradictions and inaccuracies. However, the truth and message of the Bible have inspired generations, and will continue to do so forever It is said that, This book will keep you away from sin, or sin will keep you away from this book.

9 Books of Old Testament The Pentateuch Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy The Historical Books Joshua, Judges,Ruth,1 Samuel,11 Samuel,1 Kings,11 Kings,1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther The Poetical Books: Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon The prophetical Books: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi

10 Prophets Isaiah ü Son of Amos ü ü Known as greatest prophet of Israel. He gave hope about the redeeming Messiah Jeremiah ü Lamenting prophet ü Weeping about the injustice of the people and the persecution he had to face. ü Spoke about the new covenant which was fulfilled in Jesus Christ. ü Author of book Jeremiah and Lamentations.

11 Amos ü Prophet of justice. Prophets ü He spoke with great courage against Kings, priests, Lords and rich men. ü If people did not give up violence and injustice and turn to the true God, everybody including the King and the slave would be destroyed. Hosea ü Prophet of Love and Mercy ü He assured that God is always willing to accept if we confess and return to Him.

12 New Testament Historical Books Gospels : Matthew, Mark, Luke, John & Acts of the Apostles Instructive Books Letters of Paul: Romans,1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians,Colossians,1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians,1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon Hebrews Universal Letters James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter,1 John,2 John, 3 John, Jude Prophetic Book Revelation

13 Jesus spoke through Parables Parable of the Sower God s word is planted among the people in this world. The field represents-the world, the seed-god s words, which may not produce the same yield. The quantity of the yield depends on the soil

14 Parable of Sower The Path The path is hard and trampled on The birds come and eat the seed The seed does not have a chance to grow The Path The seed is the Word of God Satan takes away what is sown in them There is no growth of faith Rocky Ground The seed is allowed to grow The rocks prevent root growth There is not enough soil and the plants die. Rocky Ground The Word is received with joy The do not develop any roots When persecution comes they wither away from faith

15 Parable of Sower The Weeds The seed is allowed to grow The weeds surround it and deform it The plant produces no fruit The Good Soil The seed can grow It matures and increases It produces large amounts of fruit The Weeds The cares of the world and other desires surround The Word is choked It yields nothing The Good Soil They hear the Word They accept it They produce much fruit

16 Parables of Lost and Found Occasion: Tax collectors & other sinners are attracted to Jesus. The Pharisees complain that he receives them & even eat with them. Jesus gives his answer to the Pharisees (& to us) in these three parables. Lost sheep: The loving shepherd brings the sheep back on his shoulders. Lost coin: The owner finds it out. Lost son: The father is expressing his great love for his lost son who repents and come back.

17 The Kingdom of God is worth far more than anything else... The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Matthew 13:44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it. Matthew 13:45-46

18 Parable of Talents.. What do you think Jesus was trying to teach us by telling the parable of the talents? The Lord has given us talents, abilities, and opportunities (such as belonging to His church). He expects us to use all these things to make our lives better and to serve others. He also wants us to show our gratitude by developing our talents.

19 Final Selection 1. A man sowed good seed, but when the plants grew up weeds also appeared. When the harvest came, he tells the reapers to gather the weeds first and burn them. 2. Parable of the net thrown into the sea. All the fish gathered will not be taken. Only the good ones are taken. ü Christ at his second coming will separate good and the evil. ü Those who wait for him and died in his faith will inherit the Kingdom

20 Our Faithful Departed Who are these faithful departed? v People who led a righteous life according to God s will Where are these Departed souls? v Souls of these departed souls are with Christ in Paradise (Eg. Criminal (on right) crucified with Christ, Angels took poor man Lazarus with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob) Hope-for Departed souls? Christ himself declared in St. John 6: 40 for this is the will of my father, that everyone who sees the son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will rise him up at the last day Do we have to remember the departed? Yes, Hebrew: 13:7 St. Paul say Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God

21 continues 2 Timothy1:18 also says St. Paul s pray to the Lord, to have mercy on a departed person name Onesiphorus (one of the 70 disciples chosen and send to preach the word of God) Old Testament View on Departed souls: old testament mentioned a temporary place called Sheol without remembrance or a reward but later several passages clearly talks about the departed will rise and have an ever-lasting life Lord s Teaching about Departed Souls v They rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven v Jesus assures, I am the resurrection and the life, he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live

22 continues So what can we believe? St. Paul says it is far better to depart from this world and be with Christ Ø whether we are at home or away from body, our Aim is to please the Lord. Ø Souls of those who departed in Christ are in Paradise Ø Souls will join with Christ and enjoy eternal happiness on the second coming Ø Those who departed in Christ are called Great cloud of Witnesses Ø Faithful departed lead a righteous life according to God s will complete their race on this earth.

23 Thank you!!