St. Mary Magdalene Orthodox Church Bible Study

Fr Stephen Osburn

Each week, under the guidance of Mr. Anthony Ally, we delve into the Holy Scriptures through the rich and timeless lens of the Orthodox Church. Drawing from the wisdom of the Church Fathers, the rhythms of liturgical life, and the sacred Tradition handed down through the ages, our studies seek to illuminate the Scriptures in the light of Christ. Whether we’re reflecting on the daily readings, commemorating a feast or saint, or exploring the practical aspects of Orthodox Christian living, our purpose remains steadfast: to encounter the living Christ more deeply and more truly. These sessions are open to everyone—whether you’re an inquirer, a catechumen, newly received into the Church, or a lifelong Orthodox Christian seeking a deeper understanding of the faith. Come and journey with us.

  1. Q&A: How Should Christians Understand Spiritual Dreams?

    1D AGO

    Q&A: How Should Christians Understand Spiritual Dreams?

    In this Q&A from our Orthodox Bible study, we look at a common question: what should we make of dreams and visions in the spiritual life? The Orthodox Church teaches caution here, reminding us that not everything we experience comes from God, even if it seems spiritual. The discussion explains how the Fathers approach dreams with sobriety and humility. Sometimes dreams are simply natural, even influenced by what we eat or think about. Other times, they may be temptations or deceptions, since Scripture warns that even Satan can appear as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). Because of this, Orthodox Christians are taught not to trust spiritual experiences quickly or place too much importance on them. Instead, the focus remains on prayer, humility, and obedience. The saints teach that if something is truly from God, it will endure testing and be confirmed through a spiritual father. This protects us from delusion and keeps us grounded in the life of the Church rather than chasing experiences. This short conversation also highlights one of the greatest dangers in the spiritual life: pride. As we grow, we must remain watchful, remembering that even the highest angels fell through pride. The call is simple but serious, to stay humble, stay watchful, and continue seeking Christ above all.

    8 min
  2. Learning to Pray Without Ceasing

    1D AGO

    Learning to Pray Without Ceasing

    In this Bible study, we look at what it means to grow spiritually in Orthodox Christianity and why the journey toward Christ takes a lifetime. The teaching focuses on becoming an “unfinished icon,” slowly shaped into the likeness of Christ through prayer and repentance. We explore the levels of prayer described in the Orthodox tradition, including the Jesus Prayer and the call to “pray without ceasing” from 1 Thessalonians 5:17. The study also explains the eight passions from the teachings of the Church Fathers and how they affect the heart. It shows how spiritual growth is not about perfection, but about steady movement toward God. This matters for everyday life because every Christian faces struggle, distraction, and temptation. The Orthodox Church teaches that growth comes through perseverance, watchfulness, and participation in the life of the Church. Even when we fall, getting back up and continuing in faith is what leads to healing. As you listen, consider where you are on this journey and where you hope to be in the years ahead. The spiritual life is not rushed, and God is patient. The invitation is simple: keep going, keep praying, and allow Christ to continue His work in you.

    57 min
  3. March 22nd, 2026: The Ladder of Great Lent

    2D AGO

    March 22nd, 2026: The Ladder of Great Lent

    In this sermon, we reflect on the image of the Ladder of Divine Ascent and what it teaches about the Orthodox Christian life. Why does following Christ sometimes feel harder, especially during Great Lent? The Orthodox Church teaches that the spiritual life is a steady climb toward Christ. Drawing from the teaching of St. John Climacus, this sermon explains how growth in faith often brings increased struggle. As we take steps toward God through prayer, fasting, and repentance, we also face stronger temptations and distractions. This sermon also addresses why many people experience Lent as spiritually difficult. When we become more focused on Christ, we often feel the weight of spiritual warfare more clearly. This is not a sign of failure, but a sign that we are engaged in the real work of the spiritual life. We are reminded to stay focused, to keep climbing, and not to be pulled off the path. Through prayer, repentance, forgiveness, and perseverance, we continue moving toward Christ, who waits for us at the top of the ladder. Take time to reflect on this teaching and consider where you are in your own journey. Keep climbing, even when it feels difficult, and remain rooted in the life of the Orthodox Church.

    16 min
  4. What Happens After Death?

    MAR 15

    What Happens After Death?

    In this Bible study, Anthony Ally reflects on one of the deepest questions every human being asks: what happens after death? Orthodox Christianity teaches that death is not the end of the person. The soul remains alive before God, the body rests in hope of the resurrection, and every person will stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ. This is why the Orthodox Church speaks about death with both sobriety and hope. Christians grieve, but they do not grieve without hope because Christ has conquered death. The study explains that some things about life after death have been clearly revealed in Scripture and the life of the Church, while other things remain mystery. The Orthodox Church teaches that there is a temporary judgment after death and a final judgment to come, but not purgatory as a place where people pay for sins. It also explains why the Church prays for the departed, especially on the third, ninth, and fortieth day. These prayers are acts of love and trust in God’s mercy. The study also looks at heaven and hell, not simply as future locations, but as ways of experiencing the love of God. This matters for everyday Christian life because eternity begins now. Every act of repentance, every prayer, every confession, and every reception of the Holy Mysteries shapes the heart for communion with God. The Orthodox Church teaches that heaven begins in a heart open to grace, and hell begins in a heart that hardens itself against love. That means the Christian life is not just about preparing for death at the end. It is about learning to live in Christ now. To prepare for death rightly is to prepare to meet the Lord with faith, humility, and peace. This Bible study invites listeners to look directly at death without despair and to remember the victory of Christ over the grave. It calls Christians to repent now, love now, pray now, and trust that the risen Lord holds His people even in sorrow. The message is serious, but it is also full of hope. If you want to understand how the Orthodox Church speaks about death, judgment, prayer for the departed, and the life of the world to come, this study offers a clear and pastoral place to begin.

    1h 18m
  5. March 15th, 2026: Lent Feels Hard But Leads to Resurrection

    MAR 15

    March 15th, 2026: Lent Feels Hard But Leads to Resurrection

    In this sermon we reflect on one of the most important themes of Great Lent in Orthodox Christianity: spiritual struggle and victory. Many people think of Lent only as a time of fasting and repentance, but the Orthodox Church teaches that these struggles lead toward the victory of Christ’s Resurrection. The Cross may look like defeat, but in the Gospel it becomes the instrument of salvation. The Orthodox Christian life includes real spiritual effort. Prayer, fasting, and repentance reveal the passions that hold us back from God. During Lent we often see our weaknesses more clearly, and this can feel discouraging. Yet the Church reminds us that these struggles are part of the healing of the soul. When we fight against sin, we are learning to share in Christ’s victory. This teaching matters because every Christian experiences moments of failure. We fall into old habits. We miss prayers. We struggle with fasting or repentance. The Orthodox Church does not respond to these failures with despair. Instead, the spiritual life teaches us to rise again, turn back toward God, and continue the journey toward salvation. Lent prepares us for the celebration of Pascha, the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Every effort, every prayer, and every struggle points toward that victory. As we continue through the Lenten season, we are reminded that Christ has already conquered death and opened the path to eternal life.

    16 min
  6. Equipping the Saints: Feeding the Body of Christ: Session Q & A

    MAR 9

    Equipping the Saints: Feeding the Body of Christ: Session Q & A

    In this last session of our 2026 Lenten Retreat, Fr. John Dresko took questions on stewardship, repentance, and the Christian life in the Orthodox Church. What does it mean to live faithfully with the gifts God has given us? This discussion helps answer that question in a clear and practical way. It shows that stewardship is not only about money, but about offering our whole life back to God. Orthodox Christians believe everything we have is a gift from Him. The talk explains that our time, resources, relationships, and abilities are all part of our stewardship. The Orthodox Church teaches that believers are called to use these gifts for God’s glory and for the good of others. This is why generosity matters so much in Christian life. It is not just about supporting the Church financially. It is about becoming a person who lives with gratitude, trust, and love. The discussion also turns to repentance and the human struggle with sin. Orthodox Christianity teaches that repentance is more than feeling sorry. It means turning around, changing direction, and returning to God again and again. Fr. John also reflects on mortality, prayer, and the way Christians grow through spiritual struggle. These themes help show why repentance is central to the spiritual life. This conversation matters because it connects theology to daily life. It helps listeners think about how they pray, how they give, how they repent, and how they live before God. In a noisy and distracted world, the call to silence, trust, and faithfulness becomes even more important. This retreat Q&A invites listeners to think more deeply about how every part of life can be offered back to Christ.

    1 hr
  7. Equipping the Saints: Feeding the Body of Christ: Session Two

    MAR 9

    Equipping the Saints: Feeding the Body of Christ: Session Two

    In this 2nd retreat session we explore what stewardship means in the life of the Orthodox Church. Stewardship is not just about finances. It is about how Christians respond to the blessings God has given them. The talk explains how Scripture describes offerings such as first fruits and sacrificial giving. From the Old Testament sacrifices to the perfect sacrifice of Christ, the Bible shows that giving is an act of faith. Orthodox Christians believe that our offerings reveal our love for God and our trust in His provision. This teaching matters because it challenges how we think about our resources. Christians are called to offer their time, talents, and possessions for the mission of the Church. Generosity supports the life of the parish and allows the Church to serve others. As we reflect on these teachings, we are invited to consider how our lives express gratitude to God. Stewardship is ultimately about trust. When believers give generously, they participate in the life of Christ and help build up the Body of the Church.

    37 min
  8. Equipping the Saints: Feeding the Body of Christ: Session One

    MAR 9

    Equipping the Saints: Feeding the Body of Christ: Session One

    Stewardship in the Orthodox Church means more than giving money. It means offering our whole life back to God because everything we have comes from Him. In this retreat talk, Fr. John Dresko explains why stewardship is really about putting Christ first and learning to live as faithful servants in His Kingdom. He also shows how Great Lent is a time to reorder our priorities and let God reshape the heart. The talk begins by challenging a common misunderstanding. Many people hear the word stewardship and think only about parish budgets or fundraising. Fr. John explains that Orthodox Christians believe stewardship begins with the lordship of Jesus Christ. If Christ is Lord, then our life, our choices, our time, and our resources must all be placed under Him. He also connects this to Matthew 6 and Christ’s command to seek first the Kingdom of God. The retreat then explores several main themes: God is Lord, God is the owner of all things, and the Church is the Body of Christ. Fr. John explains that Christians are not self-made people and that every blessing, ability, and opportunity is a gift from God. He also speaks about the difference between dominion and consumption, showing that Orthodox Christianity teaches us to care for creation and not simply use it up. From there he turns to the life of the parish and explains why caring for the Church is one of the main ways we serve Christ in the world. The talk also addresses tithing, proportional giving, and the practical side of Christian generosity. Fr. John explains that the biblical tithe is not meant to be a cold rule but a training of the heart in trust and faithfulness. More importantly, he reminds listeners that stewardship also includes time, talent, service, mercy, and care for the people God places before us. This retreat invites listeners to think more deeply about what it means to offer their whole life to Christ and to serve the Body of Christ with joy, gratitude, and love.

    1h 3m
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About

Each week, under the guidance of Mr. Anthony Ally, we delve into the Holy Scriptures through the rich and timeless lens of the Orthodox Church. Drawing from the wisdom of the Church Fathers, the rhythms of liturgical life, and the sacred Tradition handed down through the ages, our studies seek to illuminate the Scriptures in the light of Christ. Whether we’re reflecting on the daily readings, commemorating a feast or saint, or exploring the practical aspects of Orthodox Christian living, our purpose remains steadfast: to encounter the living Christ more deeply and more truly. These sessions are open to everyone—whether you’re an inquirer, a catechumen, newly received into the Church, or a lifelong Orthodox Christian seeking a deeper understanding of the faith. Come and journey with us.

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