Feel the energy of Spirit!  Catch the vision of newness of Life!
Application ideas for the Christian Science Bible lesson on “Spirit” for Feb. 11, 2007

by Corde Hanzlik, C.S. of Austin, Texas

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 (as well as friends) see and demonstrate the great value of daily study of the Christian Science Bible lessons year-round, not just at camp! EACH WEDNESDAY: CHECK www.cedarscamps.org/metaphysical/  FOR A FREE FRENCH TRANSLATION of this weekly “met” offered by Pascal Bujard of Switzerland.

Remember our recent Bible Lesson on “Truth?”  The final statement from the Science and Health (p. 117:27), “Truth is a revelation” is a key to what we will glean from this week’s Bible Lesson on “Spirit.”  Spirit is not only the substance of all ideas (that would be devoid of matter), it is the power that moves us, inspires us.  We shall see visions as the Golden Text announces!  We see and live revealed Truth!

Note that the revelation that is in the Responsive Reading isn’t John’s revelation, but the revelation of Jesus Christ through John.   What a trip!  Remember that Revelation is the codebook of the early Christians who are hiding from persecution.  This Revelation gives them the full picture of the triumph of good over evil — actually the destruction of evil — to encourage them in the way of salvation.  That is the message for us too.  We are today’s prophets!  We must ask ourselves if we are ready for the quest.  Of course we are!

 

Section 1
With 20/20 hindsight, we should be included in Moses’ 70 as Eldad and Medad were.

Even though darkness (ignorance) may cover the thoughts of people, we have the light of the Lord.  Actually we are the light, aren’t we?  (B1)  God has chosen us! (B2)  So, in the story of Moses and the 70, two guys (Eldad and Medad) miss the big gathering — yet the spirit (the energy of God) inspires them too!  Moses is smart enough to tell the tattle tales that if God chose these two, who is he to deny them?  Let them prophesy!  Eldad and Medad were loved of God, as the translation of their names would tell us.  Both mean love.  (Boyd’s Bible dictionary)

 

So if Moses got the elders going, who is firing us up?  Isn’t it the same Spirit?  Yes!  Without limit!  (S&H1,2,3)  Check out the definition of prophet.  What a wonderful opportunity we have – – to “see” Truth.  Where?  In consciousness. (S&H 4, 5)

 

Section 2
Do we act on what we know or what we see?

(B4, 5)  Moses sent out scouts ahead of the children of Israel to see what the land and the inhabitants were like.  The land looked great — a land of milk and honey!  (It means really productive and plentiful, not of cows and sticky stuff.)  The report by most of the scouts said the big people were going to be a problem.  Caleb disagreed, as he felt empowered by God to enter the land.  The Lord was provoked by the mixed report and apparent lack of total trust, so He basically made the people wander 40 years (a generation) so that a new generation would be the privileged immigrants to the Promised Land.  As Caleb was a “seer” beyond threat, he was blest to enter the Land, too.  So we have in B6, Caleb’s gratitude for the honor and goodness that God bestowed on him to allow him entry into the Promised Land.  He still had lots of spunk!  This prophet was proof of the immortality of man as Spirit’s idea.

 

So?  “Let us feel the divine energy of Spirit!” (S&H6) in our land of milk and honey.  We can do it (“Yes we can!” says Bob the Builder) (S&H7) with God directing.  The other scouts measured man by size and were afraid.  Mrs. Eddy tells us if we measure years, it is erroneous limitation. (S&H8)  Let’s not measure!  (As Hymn 361 promises: “He (God) cares for thee PAST measure!”)  We are immortal.  We must watch our model.  How often are we tempted to look at what is being made or how we are doing than keeping the true vision in thought? (S&H9, 10)  We will walk in the direction of right thought, without limit. Continuity is . . . . .

 

Section 3
Cousin John – a worthy prophet

Jesus’ cousin John knew all along that he was the “preparer” of the way, not the Christ.  He knew that Jesus was coming.  Why did Jesus allow the baptism?  He had to make himself believable to the people; and, to tear apart all tradition with a real attention getter — the sky opening and the Spirit of the Lord; then, most important, a voice of proclamation from God — “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” that would establish, renew, man’s relationship to God.  The CedarS musical production this summer is “Godspell.”  We’ll sing and dance our way through the story of Jesus.  Come see!

Jesus’ mission as Mrs. Eddy tells us was/is to have a “truer reflection” and lift “their poor thought models” to “perfect God and perfect man.” (S&H12)  What’s our job?  “To find the footsteps of Truth?”  Yes, but also go in those footsteps. (S&H13)  Aren’t we all baptized continually? (S&H14) But, it’s more of a dry cleaning.  

 

Section 4
Just when we’re feeling real good and close to God, doesn’t error try to sneak in a take that joy away? Jesus teaches us what to do in this section.

(B8) No sooner than Jesus was baptized, before the water even dried, he went into the wilderness for a loooooong time. (Check out the definition of wilderness in the Glossary of the S&H page 597. Jesus no doubt experienced both segments of the definition.  But to the “Loneliness, darkness, doubt” part, Jesus — and Mrs. Eddy in this definition — put a “full stop” (what the English call the punctuation mark that Americans call a period.)  Three different temptations appealing to Jesus’ mortal selfhood were suggested by the devil, but without real appeal!  First one, hunger.  (Notice in each of the temptations that the opening line is, “If thou be the Son of God.”  Isn’t that what the booming dove-like voice had confirmed in the last section?  Jesus knew who he was.  This experience is for us also to learn that we too are God’s beloved in whom (S)He is well-pleased!  It’s also good to see and follow our Master’s example of responding to temptations by referring to the Bible to confirm our convictions.  Rather that waxing original, this “original man, Jesus” (S&H 386:13) quoted memorized citations from the Scriptures.  First, Deut. 8:3; second, Deut. 6:16; third, Deut 6:13) Jesus knew what the real bread of Truth was.  He didn’t have to do magic or give in to the taunt.  He just “threw the Book” at each temptation.  Second, the human need of physical safety/healing.  Jesus didn’t have to prove his immortality and health by example.  He knew it as God-given fact.  Third, POWER!  Jesus had all of the power of God on his side.  What greater power is there?  Of course, the devil was suggesting all of the things to Jesus yet, had no authority to challenge or offer anything.  He had no power, not even to push Jesus off the mountain!  Jesus was amazingly patient.  He waited until the third suggestion when he finally put Satan in his place!  He knew from the get-go that Satan was nobody and nothing.

Mrs. Eddy again accentuates the authority of Spirit as all power and all. (S&H15, 16, 17)  Jesus proved it for us as a role model extraordinaire.  Are we taking our stand?  YES!  Will we give in to the suggestions of confusion, duality, physicality?  NO!  Our authority?   God.

 

Section 5
The first ones to recognize the power of the Christ celebrated!

If the Jews had a problem when Jesus was teaching, preaching and healing in normal everyday activity, it became a much larger problem after the crucifixion and resurrection!  40 days  (Hmmmm, like the wilderness experience?)  (B9)  Jesus’ students must have been thrilled!  As people from all areas came together at Pentecostal season, they all understood each other.  Everyone had the true vision and language of Christ Jesus.  They got their marching orders to be prophets. (B10)

This was the continuing of the Christian era.  All of the true followers of Jesus realized the fullness of his sacrifice and proof, as did the ancient prophets.  (S&H20, 22)  They were all totally inspired, energized and encouraged.  Death had no power over man.  Man is immortal! (S&H21)   Mrs. Eddy shares her example of a resurrection testimony.  The testifier proclaims, “I should have died, but.”  Christian Science explains that life has nothing to do with the body! Spirit is Life! (S& H23, 24)  The effect of prophecy!

 

Section 6
The prophet, as well as the scribe, of the BIG vision is John.

Another angel comes to make a proclamation in book form.  This angel had total control and power over all. Yet, he couldn’t just give it to John.  John – like each of us — has to take it for himself and make it his own!  (See S&H 559:1-8 to read about the foot placement dominion.)   The angel said, “John, I’ve got this best seller here.  Some will like it, some won’t.  Some will understand it, some won’t.  Some will get angry over it, but then love it.  Others will love it, but then hate it.  No matter what anyone thinks or believes, it is the truth.  You have got to tell the world!”

We have got that book!  We have all wrestled with it and the lessons that we are “forced” to learn.  Divine Science is for the world to finally understand.  The foundations of the Bible Lesson on “Truth” are again emphasized. (S&H25, 26, 27)  Progress is demanded no matter what!  With the battle of the cross comes the victorious crown!  We are the prophets now!  Nothing can take away this Science, the final vision.  (S&H 28)  It is “the calm and exalted thought!”  Amen!  Have we got Spirit? Yes, we do.

 

Camp Director’s Note: The above sharing is the latest in a 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 citations referenced (i.e. B1 and S28) from this week’s Bible Lesson in the “met” (metaphysical application ideas) are taken from the King James Version of the Bible (B1-24) and the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health With Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy. (S1-30) 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 these ideas helpful in your daily spiritual journey, in your deeper digging in the books and in closer bonding with your Comforter and Pastor.)  Spirituality is your innate estate that connects you moment by moment with God.  (See S&H 258:30) Christ is the gift of light that Jesus gave.  This Christ light of spiritual understanding comes with and reveals infinite blessings. So, have fun unwrapping and cherishing your very special, spiritual gift(s)!  Then, wherever you are, share them with all as big blessings that make the Infinite difference!

 
Enjoy!
Warren Huff, Camp Director     director@cedarscamps.org     (636) 394-6162
CedarS Camps Office (where you can now mail requests or support till the office moves back to camp in May)
1314 Parkview Valley
Manchester, MO 63011

The weekly Metaphysical Newsletter is provided at no charge to the 1,200 campers and staff blessed each summer at CedarS, as well as to CedarS alumni, families and friends who have requested it.  However, current and planned giving contributions are a big help and are greatly appreciated in defraying the costs of running this service and of providing needed camperships, programs and operations support. Click http://www.cedarscamps.org/giving for more about how you can provide support online or to get information or discuss privately how to make a special gift to help perpetuate CedarS work.
You can also just mail your tax-deductible support to:
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To print a formatted and printer-friendly version of this week’s Met just go to: http://www.cedarscamps.org/metaphysical/met.asp or copy and paste this link into your browser.  You can receive this weekly newsletter in your email box by Sunday or Monday of each week by subscribing at or your e-mail address can be added per your request by our staff at CedarS.  For additional support, or if you have any concerns, please send e-mail to: director@cedarscamps.org.

Another new, visually-oriented and very helpful resource for study of the weekly Bible Lesson is being produced by The Christian Science Publishing Society and can be found at: myBibleLesson.com.  What a great auxiliary to lesson study– maybe from a handsome set of new student books now sold in Reading Rooms! MyBibleLesson contains word definitions, Bible background, timelines and translations, plus many healing ideas to use.  Why not check out this effort to help bring to life each beloved Bible lesson in order to bless the youthful thinker and Sunday School student (and teacher) in us all!