Church School - Home School 
Lesson #3 - Holy Scripture

Many of the lesson ideas in the weeks to come will be taken from Anthony Coniaris’ book “Making God Real in the Orthodox Christian Home.” 

.”In honor of our fellow sojourner and Bible teacher, Michael Simmons, who is setting out by bicycle this coming week to spread the Truth across the Southern U.S.A., this week’s lesson is Holy Scripture.

“Holy Scripture is given by God not only to humanity in general, but to each individual, to me, to you, to every one…Every time we either read it ourselves or hear it read in church, we hear our God conversing with us.”

St Tikhon of Zadonskk, 18^th century

 1.     On the way home from church today, read over or color and then discuss the page on the gospel lesson for today.

2.     How to read the Bible

     a.     General Guidelines

              i.      Get an OSB (Orthodox Study Bible) or other good translation.

             ii.      Set a regular time for reading.  (Supper, bedtime, etc.)

             iii.      Don’t read too much or too fast.  Let what you read sink in.  Small children can be read to from a Bible storybook.  Start with the biographies of Jesus. (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John)

             iv.      Have an icon of Christ or the writer of what you are reading before you as you read.  This will help you to realize who is speaking to you.

              v.      Always pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit before you read. The priest’s prayer before reading the Gospel is recommended.

             vi.      Each day memorize at least one verse that grips you.  (See # 3 below for this week’s verses.)  Say it out loud as a family 3 or 4 time.  Encourage your children to fall asleep with this verse on their lips.

      b.    Teens should read “How to Read the Bible”, page 762, and “Interpreting the Scripture”, page 820, in the OSB.

3.     Mike’s Top Seven Verses to Memorize (one per day, this week)

       a.     II Timothy 3:16                      The Word

       b.    Mark 11:23                            Positive Faith

       c.     John 3:16                              God’s Love

       d.    John 7:37-39                          Holy Spirit

       e.     Titus 2:11-13                         Blessed Hope

       f.      Mark 1:17                             Fishers of Men

       g.     Romans 8:37                         More than Conquerors

GOD Be With You!