St. Paul American Coptic Orthodox Church of Houston

Fr. Matthias Shehad continues his Bible study on the harmony of the Gospels by comparing The Sermon on the Mount in Matthew with the shorter version in Luke. He explores the Beatitudes variations and teachings on loving enemies, forgiveness, mercy, and the characteristics of true discipleship. Fr. Matthias highlights lessons from biblical stories like the healing of the Centurion’s servant, emphasizing faith and the authority of Christ.

The discussion includes reflections on miracles, spiritual growth, and the importance of daily commitment to God beyond witnessing wonders. Fr. Matthias also examines John the Baptist’s role, his disciples’ questions about Jesus as the Messiah, and Jesus’ response revealing his fulfillment of messianic prophecy. Throughout, he underscores the need for faith expressed in action and perseverance amid spiritual challenges. This teaching blends scriptural comparison, spiritual insight, and practical application for Christian living.#SermonOnTheMount #HarmonyOfTheGospels #BibleStudy #ChristianFaith #Beatitudes #FaithInAction #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias

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In this Bible study, Fr. Matthias Shehad continues exploring the Sermon on the Mount, focusing on the teachings of Christ about meekness, forgiveness, and love of enemies as a new perspective beyond Old Testament law. He explains the difference between retaliation and meek endurance, emphasizing mercy and the call to forgive without conditions.

Fr. Matthias also examines the importance of secrecy in charitable deeds, prayer, and fasting, highlighting sincerity over public recognition. He unpacks the Lord’s Prayer and its meaning, addressing trust in God’s provision and spiritual priorities over earthly concerns.

The session concludes with a discussion on judgment, self-examination, false prophets, and the necessity of living out faith through actions, comparing a life built on Christ to a house founded on rock. This study offers a detailed reflection on living the Christian life according to the standards laid out in Matthew 5-7.#SermonOnTheMount #BibleStudy #ChristianFaith #Forgiveness #LordsPrayer #LivingTheWord #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias

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Albert Girgis explores practical ways to integrate God’s word into daily family routines based on Justin Early’s book, *Habits of the Household*. Albert discusses ten key habits categorized into forming parents, children, and family, such as waking up, mealtime, discipline, screen time, family devotion, marriage, work, play, conversation, and bedtime. Emphasizing the importance of intentional and consistent spiritual practices, Albert highlights how small daily habits shape both parents and children toward discipleship and love for God.

He draws from Deuteronomy 6 to show the biblical foundation for teaching and nurturing faith at home throughout every part of the day. The talk addresses challenges of modern parenting, including managing screen time, disciplining with grace, and fostering meaningful conversations, while encouraging reliance on God’s grace in imperfect circumstances.

This discussion offers tools for parents to create a home environment that nurtures spiritual growth, transforms hearts, and strengthens family bonds.#ChristianParenting #HabitsOfTheHousehold #FaithAtHome #SpiritualParenting #FamilyDevotions #DiscipleshipInTheHome #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias

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Fr. Matthias Shehad begins a Bible study on the Sermon on the Mount, focusing on the first chapters of the Gospel of Matthew. He explains how this passage reveals the principles of the Christian life as a fulfillment and deeper interpretation of Old Testament law under the New Covenant. Fr. Matthias discusses the Beatitudes, highlighting their call to humility, repentance, mercy, purity, peace-making, and perseverance through persecution for righteousness’ sake.

He explores how Christ elevates the commandments by addressing internal attitudes like anger and lust, not just external actions, and emphasizes reconciliation as essential for true worship. Fr. Matthias also explains the call to be the salt and light of the world through both active and passive evangelism, urging Christians to live by the spirit of the law with humility and mercy.

This teaching challenges believers to pursue sincere repentance, forgiveness, and righteousness through the work of the Holy Spirit in daily life.#SermonOnTheMount #BibleStudy #ChristianLife #Beatitudes #NewCovenant #GospelOfMatthew #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias

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In this Bible study, Fr. Matthias Shehad examines key events from the Gospels focusing on Sabbath laws and the selection of the 12 Apostles. He explores the incident where Jesus’ disciples pluck grain on the Sabbath, explaining its alignment with Old Testament law and the deeper purpose of Sabbath observance as serving humanity rather than imposing burdens. Fr. Matthias also discusses the healing of the man with the withered hand on the Sabbath, highlighting Jesus’ teaching that doing good and saving life are lawful even on the Sabbath.

The study concludes with an overview of the official appointment and naming of the 12 Apostles, detailing their backgrounds, roles, and the authority given to them by Christ to preach, heal, and cast out demons. Fr. Matthias emphasizes the mission of Jesus as servant and teacher whose work extended to both Jews and Gentiles, setting the stage for the spread of the Gospel.#BibleStudy #SabbathLaws #TwelveApostles #GospelHarmony #JesusTeachings #ChristianFaith #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias

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In this St. Monica Parenting Meeting, Susan Wisa and Caroline Marcos discuss how to disciple children through apologetics amid today’s cultural challenges. Susan explains why parents are the first line of defense for their children’s faith and highlights the importance of building a strong foundation in biblical truth rather than addressing every cultural issue separately. She emphasizes encouraging children to ask questions and equipping them to discern and refute cultural lies.

Caroline explores the concept of linguistic theft—the redefinition of Christian values like love, truth, and tolerance by modern culture—and how recognizing these changes is essential for defending faith. They also examine postmodernism’s impact on Christianity, particularly Progressive Christianity’s rejection of core doctrines, and how these philosophies affect youth worldview.

Together, they offer practical advice for fostering critical thinking, engaging with tough questions, and reinforcing a biblical worldview to prepare children to uphold their faith confidently in a skeptical world.#ChristianParenting #Discipleship #BiblicalTruth #FaithFormation #ApologeticsForKids #StMonicaParenting #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias

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Fr. Matthias Shehad continues his Bible study on the harmony of the Gospels by exploring several miracles of Christ recorded in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. He discusses the challenges of Gospel chronology and how the Evangelists present miracles thematically rather than strictly sequentially. Fr. Matthias examines Jesus calming the storm, revealing lessons on faith amid fear and trusting God’s presence even when He seems silent.

He explains the background and role of the scribes and Pharisees, highlighting their legalistic approach that contrasted with Christ’s message. The episode also covers the deliverance of demon-possessed men in the region of the Gergesenes, illustrating the nature of demonic possession and Christ’s authority over evil spirits.

Fr. Matthias then details the healing of a woman with a twelve-year flow of blood and the raising of Jairus’s daughter, emphasizing faith as the key to receiving Christ’s healing power. Throughout, reflections connect these miracles to practical faith challenges faced by believers today.#MiraclesOfChrist #HarmonyOfTheGospels #BibleStudy #FaithAndHealing #JesusHeals #ChristianFaith #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias

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In this Bible study, Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the harmony of the Gospels through Christ’s return to Galilee, His encounter in the synagogue at Nazareth, and the calling of the first apostles. Fr. Matthias explains the historical and spiritual significance of the synagogue as a place of assembly and scripture reading, contrasting it with the Old Testament sacrificial system. He examines Jesus’ proclamation of His mission by reading from Isaiah 61, emphasizing His role as the Anointed One bringing spiritual liberation and the “acceptable year of the Lord,” understood as an eternal Jubilee.

Fr. Matthias also discusses the skepticism Jesus faced in His hometown and the reasons for people’s rejection of Him. He then details the calling of fishermen Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John, highlighting their immediate response to follow Jesus and the transformative nature of their calling. This study looks at themes of faith, submission, and the true value of discipleship grounded in service and trust in God’s plan.#HarmonyOfTheGospels #BibleStudy #JesusInNazareth #CallingOfTheApostles #FaithAndDiscipleship #ChristTheAnointedOne #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias

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In this episode of the Living Incense Podcast, we reflect on evangelism as a core calling of the Christian life—not as a program, argument, or checklist, but as a natural response to encountering the truth of Christ. Fr. Matthias explains how evangelism has always been central to the life of the Church, from the apostles after Pentecost to the everyday witness of believers today.

The conversation explores why evangelism flows from love rather than obligation, how neglecting it can lead the Church to become inward-focused, and why authentic evangelism is rooted in relationships, humility, and personal transformation rather than information alone. We discuss the role of joy, integrity, and daily life as powerful witnesses to the Gospel, as well as the place of the sacraments at the heart of Orthodox evangelism.

This episode also addresses common fears and misconceptions, reminding us that success in evangelism is faithfulness, not results, and that every Christian—regardless of personality or knowledge—has a role to play. Evangelism is ultimately about living as a servant of Christ in every place, trusting the Holy Spirit to work through love, patience, and truth.#Evangelism #ChristianLife #LivingIncense #Faithfulness #OrthodoxChristianity #WitnessingChrist #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias

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His Grace Bishop Gregory reflects on the commandment to love God with all heart, soul, mind, and strength as the foundation for inheriting eternal life. He explores how true love for God demands fervent labor and zeal in serving Him, emphasizing that this inner fervency transforms even small acts into offerings pleasing to God.

Bishop Gregory explains that this zeal sustains believers through the challenges of following God’s commandments, making what seems burdensome into a source of spiritual joy. He also highlights how a fervent spirit protects against temptation, likening it to a fire that wards off intrusion.

By meditating on Scripture and seeking God’s help to “enlarge the heart,” believers can develop this fervent spirit, enabling their spiritual efforts to be accepted by God and leading to joy and perseverance in the Christian life.#FerventSpirit #ChristianZeal #LoveGodFully #BishopGregory #SpiritualPerseverance #FaithInAction #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias

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