Teach Me Thy Statutes

By The Ephesus School

Religion & Spirituality Christianity

What's Teach Me Thy Statutes about?

Each week, Fr. Aaron Warwick and Jason Ewertt meet to discuss biblical readings from the Orthodox lectionary.

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Teach Me Thy Statutes episodes:

04.17.2024
Following God's Commandments vs Philosophical Pursuits
We discuss how the Bible, generally, and today's passage from Proverbs, specifically, challenges the worldview of its time--seeking "sophia" (wisdom) through philosophical pursuits. Proverbs teaches us that true wisdom is found in following God's commandments. We specifically mention a passage...
04.10.2024
The Cross and the Midpoint of Lent
We discuss the scriptural reason why the cross is our focus on the 3rd Sunday and 4th week of Lent. We conclude by focusing on the true meaning of "taking up your cross," explaining why a common understanding of this...
03.27.2024
Cain, Abel, and Anti-Possessiveness
We discuss the story of Cain and Abel and how it teaches one of the most important lessons of Lent: becoming antipossesive.
03.20.2024
Genesis 1, Lent, and Pascha
We discuss the first reading of Lent, Genesis 1:1-13, and how this text relates to what we as Orthodox Christians do during Lent, and how it also connects with our celebration of Pascha.
03.13.2024
Joel Prepares Us For Lent
With Lent approaching, we now have readings from the Old Testament appointed. Today, we discuss the book of Joel and how it prepares us for the ultimate purpose of the Lenten season, which is to remind us of the upcoming...
02.21.2024
Peter & Marriage
We began our discussion on Peter's epistles and their unique audience of the Jewish Diaspora, highlighting how Peter shares the same message as Paul, but with slightly varying language due to the different audience. We concluded by focusing on Peter's...
02.14.2024
Faith or Works? A Biblical Understanding of Grace
In discussing James, we are confronted with a teaching that some believe contradicts Paul's teaching on salvation. In highlighting a comprehensive biblical understand of grace and faith, we show how James and Paul's teachings are actually complementary.
02.07.2024
St James on Judging Others
We discuss our innate tendency to judge others, but how the Bible, generally, and St James in his epistle, specifically, call us to overcome this sin. We talk about practical ways of changing our thoughts so we are not as...
01.31.2024
Spiritual Endurance & The Epistle to the Hebrews
Fr Aaron provides an overview of the Epistle to the Hebrews, paying special attention to the difficulties faced by early Jewish Christians in maintaining their radical faith as a minority group. We also discussed how we might gain spiritual endurance...
01.24.2024
God or Family: Who Comes First?
We discuss the implications of Jesus telling us that he who loves parents or spouses or children more than Him are not worthy of Him. What does that mean and how should it be applied? Are the two often synonymous,...
01.17.2024
Simon, Son of Jonah, Do You Love Me?
We discuss why Jesus seemingly pesters Simon Peter about whether he loves Him. We also emphasize the reason Simon is referred to in this passage as the "son of Jonah." Finally, we discuss John's statement that "Jesus did many other...
08.30.2023
The Collection For Jerusalem
In discussing 2 Corinthians 8, we referred back to Paul's collection from the Corinthian church for the church in Jerusalem. Fr Aaron highlighted the historical circumstances that led to Paul taking this collection, but also taught us about how this...
08.09.2023
Transfiguration, The Cross, & The Tabernacle
In highlighting the biblical account of the Transfiguration, Fr Aaron showed how that event relates both in Scripture and in the Orthodox Church tradition to Christ's work on the Cross. Further, we discussed the significance of Transfiguration occurring during the...
07.19.2023
The Traditions of Men
We discussed the dangers of placing the traditions of men above the Scriptures. Tradition is important, but we must ensure that nothing we do contradicts Scripture, nor serves to make us an exclusive community that prevents sinners from participating. Finally,...
07.12.2023
The Parable of the Seed
In discussing the parable of the sower, we recognized it should rather be referred to as the parable of the seed. For the emphasis of the parable is on the seed—spreading spreading the Gospel message in word and in deed....
06.28.2023
My Power Is Made Perfect In Weakness
We discuss the similarities between II Corinthians, Galatians, and the Acts of the Apostles as it relates to Paul and his teaching. Paul’s experience, as described in II Corinthians, put him on parallel to the other apostles who were “eyewitnesses”...
06.21.2023
The Epistle of Jude
Today we examined the book of Jude. Fr Aaron discussed the similarities between Jude and the epistles of Peter and James. He showed how these epistles served as a corrective to those who misunderstood Paul’s arguments about grace and freedom....
06.14.2023
Measuring Judgment
In discussing Jesus' teaching that we will be judged using the same measure with which we judge others, we touched on the importance of understanding Jesus' teachings literally. For in the judgment, Jesus will not ask whether we "believe" certain...
06.07.2023
Why Jesus Points to the Children
We began the episode by explaining how children were viewed as an underclass in the 1st century Roman Empire. Jesus, therefore, makes the point that children are humble, as they do not put their trust in themselves, but rely on...
05.24.2023
Jesus Challenges Those Who Believed In Him
We discussed how Jesus challenged the “insiders,” those “who believed in Him,” which is consistent with the entire Bible. This approach is different than what we so often hear today from Christians who are instead condemning those outside the Christian...
05.03.2023
The Conversion of Saul
We discussed the conversion of St Paul, previously named Saul, as told in Acts 9. We focused on the meaning of Saul's name change to Paul and its implication, which is underscored by the meaning of Ananias's name and function...
04.26.2023
If You Forgive the Sins of Any
We began by discussing the tragic tendency to “individualize” the Gospel, missing not only the fact that the Scriptures were written to a community, but also neglecting to share God’s forgiveness and mercy to others as part of our own...
03.08.2023
Food Does Not Commend Us To God
Today we are republishing Episode 109, "Food Does Not Commend Us To God." Right before we begin the Lenten fasting season, the Orthodox Church appoints a reading from St Paul that begins: "Brethren, food does not commend us to God."...
02.22.2023
The Last Judgment
Today’s episode centered around the readings appointed just prior to the beginning of Great Lent on the Saturday of Souls and the Sunday of the Last Judgment. Fr Aaron showed how the placement of these texts within the liturgical cycle...
02.15.2023
All Things Are Lawful
We began today by examining the word translated as “lawful” (from the passage “all things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful.”). Through this we see St. Paul demonstrating that while all humans have the authority to...
02.08.2023
The Publican & The Pharisee
In lieu of a regular episode, this week we are offering Fr Aaron's sermon from Sunday, February 5, the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee in the Orthodox Church.
01.25.2023
Zacchaeus & How The Rich May Be Saved
In discussing the story of Zacchaeus, Fr Aaron pointed out the double strike against him as a Jewish tax collector, making him the worst kind of traitor among his fellow Jews. We then analyzed the story in light of Jesus’...
01.18.2023
The Ten Lepers
We began by discuss the significance of the Samaritan being the one leper returning to give thanks to Jesus for being healed. We then discussed how all ten lepers demonstrated faith in Jesus, even though the nine neglected to show...
01.11.2023
Questioning Jesus' Authority
In Jesus’ refusal to answer the question of His authority posed by the Jewish authorities, Jesus shows these authorities care more about the praise of men than pursuing Scriptural truth. Fr Aaron discussed how this can also be true of...
12.28.2022
Christmas Homily
In lieu of a regular episode, we are sharing Fr Aaron's Christmas 2022 homily. In this homily, Fr Aaron emphasizes how we celebrate the birth of the King of Peace, and how we who are called by His name can...
12.21.2022
The Sunday Before Christmas
We discuss the readings for the Sunday before Christmas, from Hebrews 11 and Matthew 1 (the genealogy of Christ). We highlighted the similarities between the two readings, most specifically the fact that Christ is connected to a historical setting and...
12.14.2022
Healing on the Sabbath & Exalting the Humble
In discussing Jesus healing on the Sabbath, Fr Aaron explained why this was such a big deal to the Jewish leaders. He also highlighted how Jesus shows that the “law of mercy” supersedes all other laws in the Bible. We...
12.07.2022
Lighting A Lamp
In today’s episode we began by discussing the apparent discrepancy between Jesus telling us in today’s passage to let our lamp shine, but elsewhere indicating our good works should be done in secret. Fr Aaron talked about how we should...
11.16.2022
The Unjust Steward
We discuss the "Parable of the Unjust Steward." This parable often confuses readers because of the poor English translations. Fr Aaron noted the better translation of the "unjust steward" is the "steward of/to the unjust." Understood in this light, the...
11.09.2022
The Temptation of External Rituals
In today’s episode we discussed how St. Paul urges the Colossians to avoid the temptations of external rituals that lead to self-righteousness, whether they be pagan or Jewish rituals. In these rituals, we cannot add to what God has already...
11.02.2022
"Woe to you, hypocrites!"
Today’s episode began with a discussion about Jesus’ statement in Luke 12 relating to the Final Judgement. These verses follow Luke 11 in which Jesus’ conversation with the Pharisees included both the Beatitudes and the Woes (the latter of which...
10.19.2022
Becoming A Cheerful Giver
Today we discussed how we can become a “cheerful giver.” We first highlighted the need to re-orient ourselves around the biblical teaching of appreciating God’s gifts and of sharing them with others. Fr Aaron then suggested that even if we...
10.12.2022
The Ethiopian Eunuch
In today’s episode, we began by examining the significance of the Ethiopian eunuch and his conversion to Christianity, which highlights the inclusiveness of the Gospel as he extends the geographical reach of the Roman Empire as well as the color...
10.05.2022
Judge Not Lest You Be Judged
We discussed how the teaching of ‘judging not lest you be judged’ is not only Scriptural, but also deeply ingrained in our Orthodox tradition. This teaching of Jesus is at the heart of the Gospel. We explored, then, how it...
09.28.2022
John's Epistles: Love
In today’s episode, we briefly discussed the background of the three epistles of John and then focused on the reading appointed for his feast day. John’s epistles may have served as a corrective to those who were improperly using his...
09.21.2022
The Trinity as Community
Today we discussed Jesus' baptism and the presence of the Trinity. Fr Aaron explained how an important aspect of the Trinity for us to highlight in the community within the Godhead. We then discussed why that is so applicable, as...
09.14.2022
The Gospel of John
Today’s episode focused primarily on how John’s Gospel differs from the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, & Luke). We stressed that the key difference is that John moves away from the historical aspects of Jesus and instead focuses on His teaching,...
09.07.2022
Honor and Responsibility in Scripture
Today we focused on the urgency of accepting and living the Gospel message as emphasized in the epistle to the Hebrews. Further, we highlighted how in the Bible, one is never given an honor without a related responsibility. To that...
08.31.2022
Why Does Jesus Teach in Parables?
This is our final week of re-posting some prior episodes before returning to new content. Today we examined the role of parables in Scripture. We began by stressing the importance of viewing the entirety of Scripture as parable, as well...
08.24.2022
The Meaning of Fasting
For the next two weeks we will be re-posting some prior episodes before returning to new content. Today, we discuss the tradition of fasting, dating back to pre-Christian Judaism. This helps us better understand why Jesus was questioned by the...
08.17.2022
Talk Is Cheap
For the next three weeks we will be re-posting some prior episodes before returning to new content. Today, we are re-posting Episode 45, in which we discussed the significance of Jesus’ movement in and out of the great city of...
08.10.2022
Become Like Children
To highlight the significance of Jesus telling His disciples to become like little children, we discussed the role of children in the Roman Empire of Jesus’ time. Children of that time did not have the same rights and protections we...
08.03.2022
Let Him Who Thinks He Stands Take Heed Lest He Fall
In discussing Paul's admonition "Let him who thinks he stand take heed lest he fall," Fr Aaron pointed out the subtle, yet important, use of the Greek word "stasis" in the New Testament. We reviewed Paul's use of the word...
07.13.2022
Judging Others & The Roman Household
Today’s episode began with an explanation of how Paul sets up various metaphors to help make his point by using Jewish biblical teaching and well-known Roman concepts that would have been clearly understood by his readers. One specific example Fr...
07.06.2022
Overturning of Roe v. Wade
For today's episode, we are sharing Fr Aaron's sermon from June 26, 2022, the Sunday following the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Fr Aaron encourages Christians to understand our true goal, which is not changing laws, but changing hearts. Furthermore,...

What's Teach Me Thy Statutes about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Teach Me Thy Statutes episodes:

Following God's Commandments vs Philosophical Pursuits

The Cross and the Midpoint of Lent

Cain, Abel, and Anti-Possessiveness

Genesis 1, Lent, and Pascha

Joel Prepares Us For Lent

Peter & Marriage

Faith or Works? A Biblical Understanding of Grace

St James on Judging Others

Spiritual Endurance & The Epistle to the Hebrews

God or Family: Who Comes First?

Simon, Son of Jonah, Do You Love Me?

The Collection For Jerusalem

Transfiguration, The Cross, & The Tabernacle

The Traditions of Men

The Parable of the Seed

My Power Is Made Perfect In Weakness

The Epistle of Jude

Measuring Judgment

Why Jesus Points to the Children

Jesus Challenges Those Who Believed In Him

The Conversion of Saul

If You Forgive the Sins of Any

Food Does Not Commend Us To God

The Last Judgment

All Things Are Lawful

The Publican & The Pharisee

Zacchaeus & How The Rich May Be Saved

The Ten Lepers

Questioning Jesus' Authority

Christmas Homily

The Sunday Before Christmas

Healing on the Sabbath & Exalting the Humble

Lighting A Lamp

The Unjust Steward

The Temptation of External Rituals

"Woe to you, hypocrites!"

Becoming A Cheerful Giver

The Ethiopian Eunuch

Judge Not Lest You Be Judged

John's Epistles: Love

The Trinity as Community

The Gospel of John

Honor and Responsibility in Scripture

Why Does Jesus Teach in Parables?

The Meaning of Fasting

Talk Is Cheap

Become Like Children

Let Him Who Thinks He Stands Take Heed Lest He Fall

Judging Others & The Roman Household

Overturning of Roe v. Wade

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