Editor’s Note: The following background information and application ideas for the Christian Science Bible Lesson for this week are offered primarily to help CedarS campers and staff see and demonstrate the great value of daily study of the Christian Science Bible lessons year-round, not just at camp. If more information or the text of this Lesson is desired, please see the Director’s Note at the end. The citations referenced in the “met” (metaphysical application ideas) are taken from the King James Version of the Bible and the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy. The Bible and Science and Health are the ordained pastor of Churches of Christ, Scientist. The Bible Lesson is the sermon read in Christian Science church services throughout the world. (Other reference books are fully noted at the end.)
You’re Controlled by the Ultimate G.P.S. – God’s Preservation System!
Application Ideas for the Christian Science Bible Lesson on “God the Preserver of Man” for June 6-12, 2005
by Corde Hanzlik, (CS) of Austin, TX
Last week we had the true creation/Creator Lesson. Why would the Creator, God, go to all the trouble of making a perfect creation if He wasn’t going to take care of it? God didn’t create us to live by our own devices. Old, wrong theology would suggest that scenario and that there can be separation from God, but, it is false.
The Golden Text suggests a pledge for us to trust in Him, our Creator, as He “is our rock and our fortress”. We are safe!
Section 1: Where do we live? How do we live?
We live in His habitation. Our real estate does not need land or house. It is appropriate that there is a camp song “Whither” Ps 139 (B2) in the Lesson as we start pre-camp this week. There is no place that we can get away from God’s loving care. Not that we would ever want to get away. What is the definition of angels in the Glossary of Science and Health With Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy? “God’s thoughts passing to man;….”(S&H 581) Then, how many angels are there? “They are more in number than the sand. ” (B2) Think of how much sand there is in this world, and there’s more angels than that? We do “live , and move, and have our being” in God’s world.
Our oneness with God is how we live. We can never be separate from Him. Ponder how close a drop of water is with the ocean. (S&H 2) All that God is, we are, as we reflect Him. (M3) The last sentence in that marker would be a good one to memorize. “God, the divine Principle of man, and man in God’s likeness are inseparable, harmonious, and eternal.” There is nothing else! (S&H 4)
Section 2: Sarah gives Hagar the boot
Poor Abraham is between a rock and a hard spot. But, Abraham knew that all would be well with Hagar and her son (13-15 years old) as Abraham had been told by God that Hagar’s son will be the seed of a nation. Sarah had a promise, too. Sarah had a lesson to learn about love and forgiveness. Hagar’s lesson was to trust God. If she hadn’t been so busy crying, wallowing in self pity, she would have seen the water for her and her son.
We all have our wilderness experiences. (S&H 5) Both Sarah and Hagar had their issues. “God is a very present help in trouble.” (S&H 6) If we would only use our untroubled times to learn more about Him, we would see the “open fount”. (S&H 6) We shall “bud and blossom”. (S&H 9)
Section 3: This is the section guiding prayers for Iraq.
We are safe! All are safe! (B7) The wicked or violent man has no place with God ever present. Even if we seem to witness tragic events, God keeps us safe. Even if someone or news broadcasts shout otherwise, there is no separation between God and His idea. (B10) Who does that include? Everyone! Who could possibly be the “who” to separate? Shouldn’t we realize that the perpetrator is not a “who”, but a “what”? Erroneous suggestion tries to fool us into believing that it is a “someone”. It is good to be persuaded by the right influence. (B10)
Mrs. Eddy answers the question of who the “Who” really the “what” is – ignorance and false belief” (S&H 10) and “tyranny, intolerance, and bloodshed from personality, passion and impulse”. (S&H 11) We remain undisturbed. (S&H 14
Section 4: Preserved from plague! Never in a jam!
In earlier centuries, disease plagues would wipe out hundreds. These plagues were as a result of ignorance. What is our excuse now? Medical science is still looking for causes and cures in matter, but never finds an answer. God is the Preserver, the Refuge, again. Until Jesus came along to teach the real Science, mankind was in the dark. The Christ light wasn’t fooled by material sight or suggestion. Jesus knew Peter’s mother-in-law could not be subject to matter’s lies. Jesus rebuked the fever belief. Without recovery time, she went to work. (B13)
We have the Science explained – Christian Science. (S&H 15) So what’s our job? (S&H 16) What are Mrs. Eddy’s directives in marker 18? What image do we hold? Begin – allay fear, reassure, watch. The first instruction is to begin! FEAR, remember, is forgetting everything about reality, false evidence appearing real?
Section 5: What is our real estate? Is it intact?
House and home are not in or of the body material, but spiritual consciousness. (B 14+15) We are preserved in the peace of God and the understading of Jesus Christ. (B16)
We are indestructible! (S&H 19) Like a trial lawyer, we must argue for the right, correct side. We are not with matter or of it. We are spiritual ideas. (S&H20+21) We will not only be that idea, we’ll see it. “….we shall see this true likeness and reflection everywhere”. (S&H 22)
Section 6: another GPS (God Preserving Sheep)
We are never without our GPS! (global positioning system, and God’s Preservation System!). God always knows where we are – with Him. Like sheep, our shepherd will never lose us! Even if we think that we have wandered, God knows where we are at all times. Remember whither? Let’s be sheep-like following our Shepherd.
As we lean, we are sustained. (S&H24) We have a tendency not to trust leaning. The play on words in this line is – as we lean, cut out the fat, we are sustained, well fed. The fat of diet fads, compulsive eating, addictive habits or abusive restraints, have no power to control or use us. We are fed well by our Shepherd., Love. S&H26 tells us the kind of care we have. Well fed, cared for, comforted in a perfect pasture. Of course, “Divine Love always has met and always will meet every human need. ” (S&H 27) That is the ultimate preservation!
Camp Director’s Note: The above sharing is the latest in a long series of CedarS Bible Lesson “mets” (metaphysical application ideas) contributed weekly by a rotation of CedarS Resident Practitioners and occasionally by other metaphysicians. This document is intended to initiate further study as well as to encourage the application of ideas found in the Weekly Bible Lessons as printed in the Christian Science Quarterly and as available at Christian Science Reading Rooms.* Originally sent JUST to campers, staff and CedarS families who wanted to continue at home and in their home Sunday Schools the same type of focused Lesson study and inspiration they had felt at camp, CedarS lesson “mets” are in no way meant to be definitive or conclusive or in any way a substitute for daily study of the lesson in the books. The thoughts presented are the inspiration of the moment and are offered to give a bit more dimension, background and daily applicability to some of the ideas and passages being studied. The Lesson-Sermon speaks individually through the Christ to everyone, providing unique insights and tailor-made applications for each one. We are glad you requested this metaphysical sharing and hope that you find some of these ideas helpful in your daily spiritual journey, in your deeper digging in the books and in closer bonding with your Comforter and Pastor.)
