Grade 12 - Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States

Sunday School Curriculum Grade 12
B. Peer pressure
Peer pressure from wrong friends and the fear of losing them if we walk in the spiritual path is a
major obstacle. Now I ask you, ―Who is the one who is more permanent, eternal and beneficial to
you? Is it the evil friend, or God who is the best supporter, helper, and consoler and who can
compensate by giving you saintly friends in this life, friends who will love you in the deep sense of
the word and will treat you with appreciation and respect.
Noah disregarded the sneers of sinners for many years while he was building the ark. Lot obeyed
the call of the Lord and quickly walked away from the uncleanness of Sodom and Gomorrah. Daniel
disregarded people‘s words and refused to bow to the idols of the king, similarly, the three youths
whom God protected from the lions and the fiery pit. We should learn that the important issue is the
testimony of God in our inner conscience, rather than man‘s judgment - whoever he may be. For it is
God who indicts, saves, and punishes, while man has no power whatsoever. The testimony of God in
the conscience of Athanasius was more powerful than any worldly hallucinations. Consequently,
when he was told that the whole world is against him, he inverted it and said, ―and I am against the
world.‖
C. Pride and self-esteem
I could be self-confident and believe in my personality, opinions, and views of life. I could
consider the cross as a mark of ignorance, weakness, and a stumbling block since it is actually weak
for the sake of achieving love. The cross is a stumbling block because it does not share in the foolish
wisdom of this world rather; the cross signifies sacrifice and endless giving. Under the cross, you
learn true love and lay aside your selfishness and your pride and personal self-glorification. You learn
gentleness and humility and find peace for your soul that has been fatigued by jealousy, hatred and
envy towards others.
IV. The Labyrinth And The Failure To Specify Goals
The true Christian has a specific and fixed goal or destination that is founded on the Rock and not
on sand. John the Baptist illustrates this by not giving in to any threats, and Jesus spoke about him
saying, ―he is not like straw carried by the winds.‖ A person may feel distracted and lost due to
listening to all contradictor‘s views and because he mingles with the wicked while anxiously desiring
to preserve his spirituality. The Bible warns us through the words of St. Paul, who says, ―And do not
be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind ―through
repentance‖(Romans 12:2). We should be devoted in our love to God and beware of negotiating with
the devil. Let us try to get away from his subjugation as a final issue and that can be done by God‘s
grace. Then we can say as Moses and the people of Israel said to Pharaoh, ―there is no cloven hoof,‖
when he negotiated that they leave and then return. Through prayer and the obedience to spiritual
leaders we are able to distinguish between the voice of our Shepherd and that of Satan.
V. Laziness
Although this seems to be an unreasonable cause, laziness could be a detrimental factor to spiritual
perseverance. Therefore our Lord blessed the honest servant who is on vigil so that when his master
comes he is still up and active. On the other hand, laziness leads to a diminishing state of the soul that
has not exploited its talents or potentials, even though it has been made in the Likeness of God. A
lazy person is like a still pool whose water has become stagnant and like a forsaken place where
wolves can be heard. To oppose laziness we need to practice positive faith, and lovingly seek to study
the history of saints and martyrs and the crown prepared for all those who conquer.
DECEMBER 95