Junior High - Sample Questions Contemplation on the Prayer of Thanksgiving & Psalm 50 Last Updated 07/07/14. 1. Recite the Prayer of Thanksgiving. 2. What does giving thanks to the Lord and remembering His loving-kindness do for us? 3. What is David the Prophet praying for when he says, Bless the Lord in Psalm 103? 4. What is the difference between a contrite soul and heart? Please state any biblical verse(s) and/or reference(s), if 5. Explain Mar Isaac s saying, He who does not give thanks for one dirham would be lying if he said that he gave thanks for a thousand dinare! 6. According to H.H. Pope Shenouda III, The reason for giving thanks is the fact that God is gracious. Please explain and state any biblical verse(s) and/or reference(s), if 7. Let us give thanks to the gracious and merciful God. H.H. Pope Shenouda III says that when we pray this line, we must remember what about ourselves? 8. H.H. Pope Shenouda III states, Jesus went about doing good till the hour of His crucifixion, while being nailed on the cross. List the many ways that Jesus did good on the cross? 9. H.H. Pope Shenouda III says that We give thanks to God because He is God, the Father of our Lord, God and Saviour Jesus Christ. List and explain the other characteristics and capabilities of God that H.H. says we must thank Him for. 10.How does remembering that Christ is our God and Savior remind us of salvation? Provide the verse that H.H. Pope Shenouda III references when speaking about neglecting the great gift of salvation. 11.We thank our Lord because He has protected us. What is the meaning of God protecting us? Please state any biblical verse(s) and/or reference(s), if 12.H.H. Pope Shenouda III references St. John Chrysostom saying, If you can t take another person s sin and relate it to yourself, enduring the guilt on his behalf, sacrificing yourself for his sin, then at least remain silent and do not uncover the sins of other people How does H.H. interpret this saying and what verse does He provide as biblical support? 13.How did Adam and Eve s actions prove that humans cannot protect themselves, but only God can?
14.Even though God knew the heart of Job, He still showed mercy to Job by covering his sins. What verse does H.H. Pope Shenouda III provide to demonstrate that Our Lord covered the sins of Job, even when speaking to Satan? 15.How is God s forgiveness of our sins an action of covering and protecting us? 16.What does H.H. Pope Shenouda III say is the difference between asking/thanking God for His protection and asking/thanking God for His assistance? Please state any biblical verse(s) and/or reference(s), if 17.According to H.H. Pope Shenouda III, we must acknowledge that God, and not man, is the one who assists in the action of doing good. What verse does H.H provide to reference a man who does not trust in God s assistance? What practical way does H.H recommend in order for us to learn that God is the one who assisted us, even in acts of worship? 18.Mar Isaac states, No gift does not increase except the one without thanksgiving. How does H.H. Pope Shenouda III explain the meaning of this saying? 19.Recite and explain the two verses that H.H. Pope Shenouda III references when discussing how and who God preserves? 20.H.H. Pope Shenouda III says that there are two types of sin that we are protected and preserved from. List and explain these two types of sin. Please state any biblical verse(s) and/or reference(s), if 21.According to H.H. Pope Shenouda III God has long suffering. His arms are always open for us. He will not always strive with us, nor will He keep His anger forever. (Psalm 103:9) Therefore we should thank Him for He accepted us. List the things H.H. says God accepts from us. 22.God does not deal with us according to our sins and does not punish us according to our inquities. What verse does H.H. Pope Shenouda III reference to explain the above statement? 23.According to H.H. Pope Shenouda III, is there forgiveness for every sin? 24.How does H.H. Pope Shenouda III explain why God has compassion on us? 25.Since God deals with us with compassion, how does H.H. Pope Shenouda III explain the obligation we have towards one another? 26.Discuss how H.H. Pope Shenouda III explains and brought us till this hour. 27.How does H.H. Pope Shenouda III explain Let us also ask Him to keep us in peace this blessed day? 28.Why must we ask for peace all the days of our life? List and discuss the verses and the story of St. Macarius that H.H. Pope Shenouda III explains in this section.
29.When we say: let us ask God to grant us to live in peace. H.H. Pope Shenouda III lists in peace with who? 30.We thank the Almighty God, our Lord On every occasion, in every condition and for all things. According to H.H. Pope Shenouda III, why should thanking God be a habit? 31.What are the two points (that are problems) mentioned by H.H. Pope Shenouda III when we do not give thanks? 32.Explain how all things are worthy of giving thanks? 33.How does H.H. Pope Shenouda III explain, Because you have done all that for us, therefore we ask and appeal? 34.Why does H.H. Pope Shenouda III say we must consider each day of our life as a holy day? 35.Why also, should we pray for all the days of our lives? Why do we have to be careful until the end? Please state any biblical verse(s) and/or reference(s), if 36.H.H. Pope Shenouda III says that we should count the days of our life, day by day. Explain what he means by that statement. Please state any biblical verse(s) and/or reference(s), if 37.Grant us to conclude these days in peace. State who we should be in peace with? 38.H.H. Pope Shenouda III says that the words In Your fear are beautiful and gentle. Explain what H.H. means in detail? Please state any biblical verse(s) and/or reference(s), if 39.List and explain the characteristics of one who fears God? 40.After thanking God, the first thing we ask for is for God to take away envy from us. Why is that the first thing we ask for Him to take away? 41.Provide biblical examples where envy caused many to sin. 42.According to H.H. Pope Shenouda III, what are the causes of envy? 43.What are the three types of envy that we pray to God to cast away from us? List and explain each one of them, according to H.H. Pope Shenouda III. List references and examples, where 44.H.H. Pope Shenouda III explains the difference between Lead us not into temptation and the verse My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials. (James 1:2) Summarize his explanation of the above verses. Please state any biblical verse(s) and/or reference(s), if
45.H.H. Pope Shenouda III discusses all the works of Satan. In what way does H.H. say we should behave in order to be saved from the works of satan? Which saint does H.H. mention who overcame satan with humility? 46.In all intrigues of the wicked, who are the wicked according to H.H. Pope Shenouda III, and how should you overcome the thought of a particular person being wicked? 47.H.H. Pope Shenouda III explains rising up of enemies, seen and unseen with various meanings. List and explain the 5 meanings. 48.Who should we pray for when we say: Do cast away from us and from all your people? 49.When praying for the holy place that we are in, it becomes blessed. How does H.H. Pope Shenouda III explain how it becomes blessed? 50.When you say to God, this Holy place of Yours, what do you mean by that? 51.We pray to God to grant us the endowments and benefactions. What are endowments and benefactions? 52.When we say: as you have give us the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions. What is meant by serpent? Please state any biblical verse(s) and/or reference(s), if 53.On the disciples first mission by our Lord Jesus, He gave power over the unclean spirits. (Matthew 10:1). Why is this verse very comforting to us? Provide examples of two Saints who were feared by the devils. 54.H.H. Pope Shenouda III explains how we can have authority over the devils and make them fear us. According to H.H. what are the temptations that we must overcome? 55.Name and explain the story of a person who surrended himself to Satan and gave up all his powers. 56. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. How does H.H. Pope Shenouda III explain the process of being saved from evil? 57. Glory and honor are due to Him. Who does Him refer to in this sentence? and why, according to H.H. Pope Shenouda III, do we offer glory and honor to Him? 58.To whom else is the glory and honor due to in the final part of the Prayer of Thanksgiving? 59.Psalm 51(50) is what type of psalm? What other psalms may be considered to be similar to psalm 51, but are not as well known? 60.Discuss the use of Psalm 51 in the church.
61.Who was the first person to pray Psalm 51 and what was the background story behind praying it? Please state any biblical verse(s) and/or reference(s), if 62.H.H. Pope Shenouda III states that the opening line of Psalm 51, which says Have mercy upon me, O God is said by everyone, no matter their position. Discuss the several times that Have Mercy is prayed in the church. 63.H.H. Pope Shenouda III reminds us that there is only one way for us to reach God, and that is through His mercy. Therefore in Psalm 103, the psalmist mentions mercy before referring to what? 64.When placed before God s mercies, man s sins are nothing. What example in nature does H.H. Pope Shenouda III use to compare with man s sins and God s mercy? What biblical verses and references does H.H provide to show us that we must pray and ask for God s mercy? 65.H.H. Pope Shenouda III says that when we pray Psalm 51, we add to God s mercies, including those that came after the time period of David, the Prophet. Who are the many people that H.H lists as people who God showed mercy to after David, the prophet? 66.When David the psalmist prays, According to the multitude of your tender mercies blot out my transgression, he not only depends on God s great mercy but also on God s graciousness. What biblical reference combines these two qualities of God? What other character in the Bible also combined these two qualities of God? Please state any biblical verse(s) and/or reference(s), if 67.David not only asks God to forgive him his transgressions but to blot them out completely. Discuss three biblical references that H.H. Pope Shenouda III provides to show that God completely blots out humanity s sins. 68.David asked God to blot out his sin but did not ask God to blot out what? 69.What were the three punishments that David s sin resulted in? Explain all three and their effect on David. Please state any biblical verse(s) and/or reference(s), if 70.What three words or phrases does David the prophet use to describe his sin? David also asks God to wash him thoroughly from his sin. What does this phrase mean and reflect? 71.When David the psalmist says, For I acknowledge my transgressions and my sin is ever before me, who does he confess his sin to? 72.Why does H.H. Pope Shenouda III say that it is good for one to put his sins always before him? 73.How do we become able to know ourselves and know our sins?
74.Although David sinned against many, he still says to the Lord Against you only I have sinned. H.H. Pope Shenouda III says that feeling that the sin is against God results in four things. The first is that it makes all other aspects decrease and diminish. Explain in detail what H.H means by this. Please state any biblical verse(s) and/or reference(s), if 75.H.H. Pope Shenouda III says that the second feeling that results from sinning against God only, is that one also sins against others because the others are not separated from the Lord. Explain in detail how sinning against God is automatically sinning against members of the body of Christ. Please state any biblical verse(s) and/or reference(s), if 76.The third consideration when a person sins against God is that any sin against oneself is automatically a sin directed toward the Lord. How does H.H. Pope Shenouda III explain this using biblical references and the example of David and Nathan? 77. I have sinned against You only because You have carried all my iniquities. Explain this statement when considering how we sin against God and redemption in the New Testament. 78.Why should you not say I have not sinned because I did not cause harm to anyone.? 79.H.H. Pope Shenouda III says that we are mistaken to God when we neglect His book and ignore His knowledge. Why is this considered a sin against God? 80.According to H.H. Pope Shenouda III, there are two things that hinder us from saying Against You only have I sinned. State and explain in detail what these two matters are. Please state any biblical verse(s) and/or reference(s), if 81.H.H. Pope Shenouda III says that we must not separate our confession from our repentance. How does H.H. explain this in regard to the sacrament of confession in the church? 82.What are we telling the Lord when we say That You may be found just when You speak, and blameless when you judge? 83.What does David the psalmist mean by saying Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean? Please state any biblical verse(s) and/or reference(s), if 84.When David the psalmist says Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow, he is repeating his need for cleanliness and purification. Elaborate on the meaning of this phrase when considering how God purifies us and forgets our sins. Please state any biblical verse(s) and/or reference(s), if 85.When David asks the Lord to Make me to hear joy and gladness, That the bones which You have broken may rejoice, he is emphasizing his sorrow and contrition. How does H.H. Pope Shenouda III explain this holy sorrow and contrition? 86.List and briefly explain the 7 reasons that a person may not mourn over his sin.
87.According to H.H. Pope Shenouda III, why does God not always restore joy to a person right away? 88.List and describe biblical characters who were drenched in their grief due to their sin and did not receive joy from God right away. Please state any biblical verse(s) and/or reference(s), if 89.List and describe four biblical characters or saints that H.H. Pope Shenouda III discusses as people whose sins were made known in the Bible but whose sins are also used today as prayers and lessons in the church? 90.H.H. Pope Shenouda III says that when David the Psalmist prays, Create in me a clean heart, O God, the word create means more than just fixing or renovating. What does this phrase mean? Please state any biblical verse(s) and/or reference(s), if 91.Explain the meaning of the following, God requires the blood of those who perished from the ones who caused that to happen? Provide examples mentioned in the text. 92.God will also require the blood of those who spread new doctrines, heresies, or wrong teachings. Explain this and provide examples mentioned in the text. 93.God requires the blood of those who neglect their pastoral/parental care, service or teaching. Explain this in detail and provide biblical verses when 94.H.H. Pope Shenouda III contemplates on two people that address God as The God of my salvation. Who are these two biblical characters? Provide biblical verses when 95.In the last Psalm of the Morning Prayer, David says to God In Your faithfulness answer me. Why does David not say In Your mercy? Elaborate on this statement when considering God s faithfulness. Please state any biblical verse(s) and/or reference(s), if 96.What are the two enemies that God sees that we have? Please state any biblical verse(s) and/or reference(s), if 97.What are we asking God for when we say O Lord, Open my lips, and my mouth shall show forth Your Praise? 98.What happens when you practice the phrase no longer I in prayer? 99. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit. What offerings does God not delight in and reject? Please state any biblical verse(s) and/or reference(s), if 100. Discuss the two men in the book of Luke that went up to the temple to pray. Which man returned home justified and why?
101. State and discuss the four feelings that are connected to the acceptable burnt offerings. Please state any biblical verse(s) and/or reference(s), if 102. An innocent carried the sin of the guilty, died for him, to pay the divine Justice. When considering this statement, what feelings go through the heart of the person offering the sacrifice? 103. When a person rejoices for the remission of sin, you must have the contrite heart that knows by what means the sin has been forgiven. What Old Testament story does H.H. Pope Shenouda III use to relate to a person who is contrite? Please state any biblical verse(s) and/or reference(s), if 104. Explain how the contrite spirit is also sensitive and loving at the same time. 105. A contrite heart is known to pray what kind of prayer? Which biblical characters does H.H. Pope Shenouda III use to display the heart and prayer of a contrite person? 106. What are the spiritual characteristics of a contrite heart? 107. What do the words Zion and Jerusalem mean?