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[Boldly challenge evil with Christian Science and be free!]
CedarS Metaphysical Application Ideas from the Christian Science Bible Lesson on
“Christian Science” for June 26, 2011
by Dan Carnesciali, CS of St. Louis, MO (314.374.5616/ dancarne@gmail.com)
CedarS Metaphysical Application Ideas from the Christian Science Bible Lesson on
“Christian Science” for June 26, 2011
by Dan Carnesciali, CS of St. Louis, MO (314.374.5616/ dancarne@gmail.com)
[with bracketed italics by Editor Warren Huff, Director of CedarS Camps that have had a wonderful 1st week of our 50th season as you can see for yourself in a slideshow. We are offering (and also seeking) Campership help as needed for Sunday School students to fill our remaining 1 and 2 wk. sessions. Most camper programs still have a few places, as do our adult and family programs with their FUN Bible Classes:; Aug. 14-18 Family Camp; & Sep. 15-18 Bible Conference]
[The following application ideas for this week, and the Possible Sunday School Topics that will follow, are offered primarily to help CEDARS campers and staff (as well as friends) see and demonstrate the great value of daily study and application of the Christian Science Bible lessons year-round, not just at camp! You can sign up to have them emailed to you free — in English by Monday each week, or by each Wednesday you can get a FREE TRANSLATION in French thanks to Pascal, in German thanks to Helga or in Spanish thanks to a team of Ana, Erick, Claudia and Patricio. YOU CAN SIGN UP at www.cedarscamps.org/newsletters]
This week we are going to talk about biblical prophecy. Biblical prophecy is often associated with Apocalypse, Armageddon, revelation, end times, etc. When people hear these topics, they think that it means that the world is heading for a violent end. However, the popular notion that biblical prophecy is about predicting the future, especially thousands of years in the future is not accurate. Biblical prophets mainly spoke to people of their own time, challenging injustice and the people who were not giving God much thought. In the Hebrew Bible, the word for “prophet” is usually nabi', literally spokesperson. It is derived from the root verb naba', which means to prophesy, to speak on behalf of another. [Like an advocate or defense attorney] A prophet is a seer. A seer is someone who sees and observes. A prophet is one who has moral and spiritual insight. A prophet is one who has courage to do the right thing and say what God says needs to be spoken. This week we are going to practice our prophet skills. We are going to be ready to speak when God wants us to say something. We are going to have the courage to speak up when something needs to be said.
Do you worry about the future? There are several wars going on in the world. The United States and other countries are struggling with people out of work. Fresh water and food are becoming scarce. And, poverty is a problem, too. Some people think the natural response is to worry. But, it's not the only way. For example a study showed that anxiety clouds one's decisions, leading one to believe that things are significantly worse than they are. You can live your life anxious about the future (that's really the only kind of anxiety there is). Anxious, worried thinking drags you down, clouding your judgment of what is happening and what is coming. [At CedarS we identify worry as “ingratitude in advance.”] Instead you can live your life confidently, [as a spiritual seer, grateful in advance, like Jesus at Lazarus' tomb and at the feeding of the 5,000*] assured that through every challenge the power of prayer is at hand. [*see John 11:41, Matt. 14:19, Matt. 6:25-33 CedarS 2011 theme]
Golden Text:
“… prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” (New International Version) True prophecy is from God, not from men and women who say that their words are from God.
Responsive Reading:
“Son of man, you've heard that proverb they quote in Israel: 'Time passes, and prophecies come to nothing. Tell the people, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I will put an end to this proverb, and you will soon stop quoting it.' Now give them this new proverb to replace the old one: 'The time has come for every prophecy to be fulfilled!'” (New Living Translation) A prophet is one who has spiritual insight and vision. The following passages from Isaiah are prophetic messages. “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns!” “The LORD has demonstrated his holy power before the eyes of all the nations. All the ends of the earth will see the victory of our God.” What Isaiah was doing was prophesying salvation (protection from harm, risk, loss, etc.). As you walk around camp, you can spread the message of safety too. (To be a prophet, you don't have to say anything – just be the presence of God.)
Section 1 – Prophecy Confirmed
Some prophets have visions. That means they get vivid messages from God in pictures. The prophet Zechariah had a vision of an oil lamp that got its oil from two olive trees. (Candles were not in use yet.) Zechariah asked the angel who was giving him the vision who these two olive trees were. The angel answered that they were the two “chosen ones” or witnesses. Mary Baker Eddy refers to these “two witnesses” in this passage. “Science and Health makes it plain to all Christian Scientists that the manhood and womanhood of God have already been revealed in a degree through Christ Jesus and Christian Science, His two witnesses.” (My. 346:29-2) In the Old Testament, people were anointed with oil to show that God had chosen them. You are important to God and God has chosen you for important work. (B-2) “… when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative-that is, the Holy Spirit-he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.” (The word Comforter in the King James translation of the Greek word Advokat, or advocate.) (B-3) Mary Baker Eddy said, “In the words of St. John: ‘He shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever.' This Comforter I understand to be Divine Science.” (S-6) Christ is defending you, advocating for you, [speaking on your behalf]. Be alert to sad feelings about Christian Science. Remind yourself that Christian Science is God's law, the divine laws of Life, Truth and Love. As a prophet, be God's advocate or witness. God's witnesses do not accept sickness [for a person, for a church or for any right idea]. They love the person [church, ideas] and see them as God sees them.
Section 2 – Leaven
The prophet Micah is known for his powerful message. His life purpose was to expose injustice and inequity. Micah vocally opposed the religious and political leaders of his day because they had abandoned their responsibility of maintaining justice. Micah means, “Who is like the Lord?” Out of the little town of Bethlehem came the Messiah, who revealed our salvation. “The relationship between Bethlehem and Ephrathah is unclear. Ephrathah may have been the ancient name of Bethlehem, or it may have been absorbed into Bethlehem.” (Harper Collins Study Bible) The bread you eat would be flat and hard as a cracker if it weren't for one thing. Yeast. A tiny amount of yeast, which is an enzyme, multiplies and causes bread to become fluffy. Leaven is a substance that produces an altering or transforming influence. Why would Jesus compare the kingdom of heaven to something so tiny? It may be to remind us that something small and hidden can be powerful. Remember leaven/yeast starts off small, but it gains momentum as it multiplies. So part of being a prophet is remembering that even if you are small, you are actually mighty! As a prophet, stand up for the little guy and don't allow bullying. Claim your freedom – don't allow mortal mind to bully you into inaction.
Section 3 – Divine Healing
“Now is the time (promised by God)! Here comes God's kingdom! Change your hearts and lives, and trust this good news!” (Common English Bible) (B-11) If we consciously think or subconsciously accept that healing is unnatural, it holds up healing. If we consciously are aware that healing is natural, then it tends to flow. Jesus prophesied that we will heal in his name. (B-12) When the Bible says, “In Jesus' name” it means in the manner of Jesus. It also means with the full authority of Jesus, with the same authority that Jesus had. Testimonies in the Christian Science Journal and Christian Science Sentinel vividly share lives transformed through prayer. “The physical healing of Christian Science results now, as in Jesus' time, from the operation of divine Principle, before which sin and disease lose their reality in human consciousness and disappear as naturally and as necessarily as darkness gives place to light and sin to reformation.” (S-11) You can see from this passage that the burden of healing is clearly on God, not you. As Principle is eternal and healing is the action of Principle, the time for healing is throughout all time. What opposes scientific Christian healing is various suggestions, such as: I can't heal; there is less healing going on; there is more evil going on; sure, healing is for them; it's too late; I'm too inexperienced; I'm too old; I've had healings before, but not now …; I can help others, but I can't help myself; there is so much more medical thought now; I don't know enough to heal this; I have a whole list of things to heal; I have already taken this in; I'll just work harder. None of those suggestions are/were ever yours. That's a fact. Since God, the infinite Mind of the whole universe, is performing the healing, spiritual healing is scientific. Even if you know just a little, you are tapping into the Principle that governs the universe. All is infinite Mind and Mind's infinite manifestation. So, Mind's Mind is your Mind. And, Mind's Mind is everyone else's Mind too. A prophet is constantly aware of his/her oneness with God. A prophet is the presence of Christ.* [“CHRIST. The divine manifestation of God, which comes the flesh to destroy incarnate error.” S&H 583:10, *] A prophet knows that anything that comes into contact with Christ, leaves healed. (It can't leave that presence not healed.) *[“Christ's Christianity is the chain of scientific being reappearing in all ages, maintaining its obvious correspondence with the Scriptures and uniting all periods in the design of God.” This passage from Science & Health (271:1) is carved in granite at the top of CedarS “Time Traveler Trail” that traverses over 1000 feet across the face of a beautiful, wooded hillside (climbing over 100 feet vertically) from a before-Abraham well to a Christian-era cave and beyond. Markers and descriptions of Bible characters and books set them in context chronologically and bring to life their spiritual significance in the record of scriptural healing. Come and see!]
Section 4 – Revelation and Prophecy
Here the prophet Habakkuk takes his watchpost to wait for God's Word. “I will climb up to my watchtower and stand at my guardpost. There I will wait to see what the LORD says and how he will answer my complaint. Then the LORD said to me, “Write my [vision] plainly on tablets, so that a runner can carry the correct message to others.” (B-13) (NLT) A vision is written down to preserve it for the appropriate time of fulfillment. (Harper Collins Study Bible) So, as a prophet be willing to write down what God tells you. The prophet St. John's vision is recorded in the last book of the New Testament, Revelation. It is also known as “The Revelation to John”, Revelations and as Apocalypse. “An apocalypse is a first-person narrative in which the author relates one or more revelatory visions about the future, heavenly world, or both.” (Interpreter's Dictionary of the Bible) Many, many books have been written about this book of the Bible. Its meaning needs spiritual interpretation and I am so grateful for the Key to the Scriptures section in Science and Health. In the chapter Apocalypse, Mary Baker Eddy helps us to understand what the author really meant. In the verses in citation B-15 an angel had in his hand a “little book”. Read page 558 and 559 of Science and Health and you will see several references to the angel and the “little book”. According to these passages, Science and Health is the fulfillment of this biblical prophecy. The little book is Science and Health and the angel is Christian Science. Mrs. Eddy urges you to read this book from beginning to end. (S-14) As they say, you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink. (You've got to pick it up and start reading.) If you aren't hearing God, it helps to quiet your own thought. I like to be quiet, not even praying for 5 minutes a day. I call this “just being”. I find that when I have done this I can hear God speak more clearly.
Section 5 – Woman in Revelation
In the previous section, the angel had a face as bright as the sun. In this section, a woman appeared clothed with the sun. In her own words Mrs. Eddy said that, “For three years after my discovery, I sought the solution of this problem of Mind-healing, searched the Scriptures and read little else, kept aloof from society, and devoted time and energies to discovering a positive rule. The search was sweet, calm, and buoyant with hope, not selfish nor depressing. I knew the Principle of all harmonious Mind-action to be God, and that cures were produced in primitive Christian healing by holy, uplifting faith; but I must know the Science of this healing, and I won my way to absolute conclusions through divine revelation, reason, and demonstration.” (S&H 109:11-22) In those three years after her discovery of the divine laws of Life and Love, she studied the Bible all day, taking careful notes. This research was the basis of the chapters Genesis and Apocalypse. Think of how Mary Baker Eddy was a messenger for God, despite lots of obstacles. She shook up the status quo of a male-dominated society, she healed, she was a pastor, she founded a worldwide church, published books, magazines and a newspaper. How can YOU share God's message of unconditional love today?
Section 6 – Victory over Evil
In Revelation, a great battle commences between the angels, lead by the archangel (top-ranking angel) Michael. The angels battle Satan, pictured here as a dragon. The angels win and the dragon is cast out. Evil by any name is already defeated. Humanly it appears you are gaining ground, transitioning towards perfection and Christly selfhood. Actually, you are in the state of Mind and being that God is. You are God's experience. As Mrs. Eddy said [S&H 203:32]: “God is at once the centre and circumference of being.” That's where the real you is. As you calmly realize who you really are and refuse to be tricked into believing what mortal mind is putting on its movie screen, you heal, you destroy evil. Leaning on Christian Science (the divine laws of Love and Truth), you stop mortal mind's movie, turn on the lights, and walk out of its theater. Truth uncovers evil, it arrests evil (stops it), it destroys evil, and dissolves/erases it. If God is the center and circumference of being (meaning all space and consciousness), then evil is cast out of the only place it seemed to be, which is somewhere beyond allness or infinity. As a prophet, see that right now you have the power, strength, intelligence and confidence to cast out false beliefs, big and small, from your life. Make sure you invite a bunch of angels to your victory party. To recap, you can live your life anxious about the future or you can confidently challenge evil with Christian Science and be free. Go prophets!
[CEDARS weekly “Mets” or Metaphysical Newsletters, Possible Sunday School Topics (PSSTs) and Possible Younger Class Lessons (PYCLs) are all provided at no charge to the 1,200 campers and staff blessed each summer at CEDARS–as well as to thousands of CEDARS alumni, families, Sunday School teachers and friends who find these “Mets”, PSSTs and PYCLs weekly on our website or through CS Directory. We need generous contributions ASAP to complete our new Bible Time Travelers Trail and other fun additions to Bible Lands Park before Opening Day. Other CedarS needs are spelled out at http://www.cedarscamps.org/giving/ . Just click here to use a credit or debit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover card) or a virtual check to make monthly and one-time donations to CedarS' funds that support spiritual growth. International supporters can give to CedarS via PayPal using built-in currency exchange rates by filling in an amount under International Donors and clicking on the “Donate Online” button.
Please help fulfill our mission by telling every “un-camped” family you know about CedarS! We'll gladly send them–and you–a DVD and more to help get them to camp – including info on: CedarS programs for all ages; session dates & rates; online enrollment info; transportation; financial aid forms; & more.]
Please help fulfill our mission by telling every “un-camped” family you know about CedarS! We'll gladly send them–and you–a DVD and more to help get them to camp – including info on: CedarS programs for all ages; session dates & rates; online enrollment info; transportation; financial aid forms; & more.]
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[Camp Director's Note: This sharing is the latest in an ongoing, 11-year series of CedarS Bible Lesson “Mets” (Metaphysical application ideas) contributed weekly by a rotation of CedarS Resident Practitioners and occasionally by other metaphysicians. (Ask and look for “Possible Sunday School Topics “and “Possible Younger Class Lessons” in subsequent emails.) These weekly offerings are intended to encourage further study and application of ideas in the lesson and to invigorate Sunday School participation by students and by the budding teachers on our staff. Originally sent JUST to my Sunday School students and 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, application and inspiration they had felt at camp, CedarS lesson “mets”and Sunday School ideas are in no way meant to be definitive or conclusive or in any way a substitute for daily study of the lesson. The thoughts presented are the inspiration of the moment and are offered to give a bit more dimension and background as well as new angles (and angels) on the daily applicability of some of the ideas and passages being studied. The weekly Bible Lessons are copyrighted by the Christian Science Publishing Society and are printed in the Christian Science Quarterly as available at Christian Science Reading Rooms or online at eBibleLesson.com or myBibleLesson.com. The citations referenced (i.e.B-1 and S-28) from this week's Bible Lesson in the “Met” (Metaphysical application ideas) are taken from the Bible (B-1 thru B-24) and the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health With Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy (S-1 thru S-30). The Bible and Science and Health are the ordained pastor of the Churches of Christ, Scientist. The Bible Lesson is the sermon read in Christian Science church services throughout the world. 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 the ideas helpful in your daily spiritual journey, in your deeper digging in the books and in closer bonding with your Comforter and Pastor.]
Enjoy! Warren Huff, Executive Director director@cedarscamps.org
[PSST: As a prophet “brake” for angels — your “dearest allies” who do your errands! My. 129:20 ]
Possible Sunday School Topics for the Christian Science Bible Lesson on “Christian Science” for June 26, 2011 by Steve Henn, St. Louis, Mo steven.henn@gmail.com [Warren Huff additions in italics]
PSST Golden Text (GT) – Are your students willing to be prophets? What does it take to be a good prophet? One idea is that prophets are just regular people who choose to be open to angel messages more frequently – with more and more practice, the angel messages they hear get bigger and more relevant to the world around them… [Check out having angels as your “dearest allies” doing your errands! My. 129:20 Click here to get a “I brake for angels” bumper sticker/discussion starter for about $4. Use with S&H 581:4]
PSST Responsive Reading (RR) – Do the suggestions/distractions in Ezekiel ever apply to your students' practice of Christian Science? Identify the lies/suggestions/distractions with your students and then discuss how they might appear today. Finish this conversation with ideas about how to counter these suggestions.
Does Isaiah's prophecy in the RR apply to your students? How does it apply?
PSST Section 1 – What is the significance of prophecy? Do your students understand that Christian Science is the comforter? What does this mean for us as Christian Scientists – is the Comforter here for us only, or could it be that we as Christian Scientists have the duty and responsibility to bring the Comforter to the whole world? [You may want to read with students Retrospection & Introspection 93:22-94:3 and talk about how “we owe to ourselves and to the world” to “give the world convincing proof of the scientific statement of being” before your students hear or repeat it at the close of Sunday School.]
PSST Section 2 – What qualities does leaven represent? What does leaven do? How does that reveal more about the Kingdom of Heaven? Why does Jesus compare the Kingdom of Heaven to leaven? Consider the first tenet of Christian Science (found on page 497 of Science and Health). Look in this section for comments about the spiritual interpretation of the Bible. How can we use Christian Science to further understand the Bible?
PSST Section 3 – Are your students willing to be true laborers for Christ? Do they know the difference that each of them, even as one person, can make? When does belief come according to Jesus? Are they willing to believe before the signs that follow? (S10) Do your students hear Jesus' promise which is perpetual? Do they apply it to themselves? (S12) What are the rules of Christian Science? What rules of Christian Science are evident in this section?
PSST Section 4 – What are the qualities of a willing prophet in this section? Are any of us/them willing to listen for God's word now? Are we ever committed not just to listening, but to actually hearing and doing God's will? Why does Mrs. Eddy pair moral and physical symptoms? Lastly, you might discuss whether or not Science needs our defense from those who would distort or misinterpret it (S16).
PSST Section 5 – How does a discussion of manhood/womanhood enter into the conversation of Christian Science? [B16, S19, S20] You may want to extend this discussion extend into one of self-hood?
PSST Section 6 – Are we willing to “grapple with and overcome the mortal belief in a power opposed to God”? [S23] Is there really no power apart from God? What does it mean to touch the hem of Christ's garment these days? [S23 referring to Matt. 14:36 & Matt. 9:20] Can we ever fail of achieving? Read this section and discuss it with the mindset of a fail-proof practice.
[PYCLS: Start training Interpreters & Prophets, Act out a parable/ “Science” experiment… ]
Possible Younger Class Lessons for the Christian Science Bible Lesson on
“Christian Science” forJune 26, 2011
by Kerry Jenkins, CS, House Springs, MO kerry.helen.jenkins@gmail.com (314) 406-0041
[PCYL: Start training Interpreters]
One pleasant “side-effect” of being a student of Christian Science when we are children, is the edge it gives us in literature classes in high school and college when we grow older. Okay, I am kind of joking, but really, I had a huge advantage in high school upper level English classes, being one of the few kids who was familiar with the Bible (which is heavily referenced in much literature), and was familiar with the idea of looking for the meaning behind the words. Why not spend some time with the kids that are readers, looking for some of the symbolism behind the words in the lesson. Don't shy away from the prophecies, even those in Revelation. We shouldn't be uncomfortable with understanding our Leader's place in prophecy, in fact our true understanding of this will certainly aid in healing, as this lesson points out! So with this in mind look at the Responsive Reading: what does it mean, “There shall none of my words be prolonged any more, but the word which I have spoken shall be done, saith the Lord God.” (Ezek. 12:28) What are “my words” here. We often use the “word” to symbolize the Christ; also the “word of God” is often what they call the Bible. How is it being used here? What does it mean that it is “done”? I know that we are familiar with looking at these passages spiritually, but do you think an eight- or seven-year old (or nine-, ten- etc.) has thought of these things? We have to start sometime! What does it mean that “The Lord hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations”? (Isa. 52:10) What an exciting thought, His work is visible, obvious, shown to us here and now! Do you think that you can ask questions that will help them to think in these directions without actually telling them what you think things mean? See if they can kind of go for a “treasure hunt” and discover some of these interpretations themselves. Maybe they will come up with some unusual ideas, but that doesn't necessarily mean that they are “wrong”; avoid saying that there is one “right” way to view things unless it's a matter of linguistic translation. Kids won't stick their necks out and try if they think that something they say will be laughed at or “wrong”. Instead you can offer alternatives, or find something about what they say that points to a truth.
There are many references in the last couple sections to the “woman” in the wilderness. Take the opportunity to talk about that “woman”. What is the dragon? (It pretty much tells us!) What does it mean that the “earth helped the woman”? I've often thought that this is how C.S helps us right here in our present experience to combat the “flood” of error [and its false suggestions]. But there are many ways to look at this and certainly books written to help you with understanding this chapter. I love how the final section points out that in that “final conflict” (between truth and error) it is our understanding of Christian Science that helps us see the reign of spiritual harmony. There are many other passages that could be looked at; I just offer a few as “jumping off” points.
[PCYL: Be Prophets!]
What are prophets and prophecies? Are there any today? Can we be prophets? Should we be? If so, what should we be prophesying about? What does Mrs. Eddy have to say about prophecy? Check out the “Rule for Motives and Acts” in The Manual of the Mother Church and see what she says there about “prophesying…erroneously”. [p. 40:11] So presumably she expects us to prophesy “rightly”. How do we think of ourselves and others and our abilities? Do we “prophesy” accurately about our abilities or do we accept certain things… “I'm not good at math…athletics…etc.” Prophecy in the Bible is often about symbols as well, so the first topic can certainly lead into the second. What/who are those “olive trees” in the first section (B2)? What does all this prophecy talk have to do with our subject this week of Christian Science? Most of the kids will be familiar with the prophecy of Jesus' coming because we focus so much on that around the Christmas story. So bring that into the picture and talk about the prophecy of the “Comforter” that Jesus spoke of. How does Christian Science fulfill this prophecy? Who gave us this prophecy? When was it fulfilled? Did it take a long time?
[PCYL: Act out a parable/a science/ “Science” experiment]
So we have talked about this experiment before but I know some are new to this website so if you haven't thought of using the leaven parable in a literal way in class with the really young classes, consider it now. You can talk about this parable in the context of the lesson. Then about the properties of yeast, what it does. The little ones probably won't care about the chemical changes that take place, but they might enjoy watching what yeast does. Bring a cup or so of flour, some yeast and sugar (to speed the rising process). Add the yeast to the warm water and sugar, let it float on top and see if it “melts” and maybe bubbles (this will depend a little on the type of yeast you use, the old-fashioned type bubbles more in the water than the “instant” yeast does, but either will work). Then add the flour, let them stir it gently until it makes a sticky ball. You may want to bring extra flour in case there is too much water. When everyone has had a turn to stir, etc., cover the bowl and put it in a warm place if that exists (maybe outdoors in the sun if it's a warm day). Check on it near the end of Sunday School. If you get it made early in class it should have risen substantially in the forty-five minutes or so that it has had to rise. You may need to do the project first and the discussion second in order for the dough to have time to rise! You can use a little extra yeast to hurry the experiment along. Talk about how such a tiny amount of yeast lifts up such heavy dough! What can we do to be like that yeast? How can we let our “light shine” and “lift” up heavy ones around us with our obedience, joy, love, kindness, sharing and so on? You may want to make sure they understand that bread was an important part of their diet and that this was why the yeast analogy meant something to them. Bring some bread to show/share so they know what their ball of dough eventually turns into!
Have a great time with the kids!
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