Observe yourself and learn – Said in Alexandria

His Holiness Pope Shenouda III presents a spiritual and educational lecture based on Paul’s exhortation to Timothy (“Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine, continue in them…”) intended for servants, teachers and clergy, explaining how ministerial responsibility does not replace the watchfulness of the self and the spiritual life.

Main idea

1. Origin of the text and its addressee: the text is from the Apostle Paul to Timothy (1 Timothy 4:16) and it affirms that even the bishop and preacher must watch himself and continue in doctrine.

2. Priority of self-watching over ministry: the servant must not neglect himself when he rises in ministry; rather he must remain vigilant in his thought, speech, deed, and dealings with people.

3. The danger of hidden decline in ministry: preoccupation with positions, activities, meetings and politics may consume the time for prayer, meditation and self-examination leading to spiritual lethargy and loss of example.

4. Signs of a servant’s spiritual deterioration: pride, judging others without self-examination, turning the church into merely a “field of service,” loss of humility, and a spiritual appearance without inner life.

5. The necessity of balance: ministry is beneficial if one gives it a pure heart, prayer and spiritual time; the true servant is filled so that he may overflow with love, spirit, knowledge and good example.

6. Quality of teaching and ministry: teaching must be soundly Orthodox, crowned with spiritual life, not blind transmission of personal opinions or foreign books unedited, and it must be prepared with prayer and meditation.

7. Practical preparation: organizing time, preparing sermons in advance, caring for a spiritual library, and blending the lesson with prayer and reverence so that the sermon becomes a means of salvation for listeners.

8. Final appeal: a constant reminder that self-examination and continued teaching are the basis for the servant to remain a true example and a channel of salvation for others.

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