Take Heed of Yourself and of the Teaching
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III reminds his disciple with the words of the Apostle Paul “Take heed of yourself and of the teaching, and persevere in them”, and emphasizes that a servant of the church must first take heed of himself before teaching others. The lecture calls for discipleship, humility, and watching the inner life rather than external appearances.
Main idea
The lecture focuses on the necessity of self-examination and spiritual submission so that the servant does not become merely a transmitter of teachings without an inner life. A servant who neglects himself may lose his salvation or lose his humility and become proud or a teacher without a living example.
Spiritual and educational dimension (from a Coptic Orthodox perspective)
- Importance of discipleship: returning to the life of discipleship, constant learning, and living in humility as Christ taught.
- Prayer and reading are not only for external preparation of lessons but to nourish the spirit and delight in God.
- Virtues must be inward (of the heart) and not merely external; true spirituality appears first within the servant.
Practical points
- Examine yourself before you teach: measure your spiritual life and conduct before you give teaching to others.
- Make your teaching conform to the Church’s teachings, not your personal opinion; study subjects before presenting them.
- Care for discipling the youth because they may have no other teacher in their lives; neglected teaching is a great spiritual responsibility.
- Avoid philosophizing to obscure faults: confess the fault and flee from it instead of justifying it.
Conclusion
The purpose of taking heed of oneself is to delight in God and to be filled by the work of the Holy Spirit so that the servant may pour out upon others sincerely and not only be an appearance. Commitment to discipleship, humility, and inner sincerity in virtues makes the servant a true and effective example.
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