In Christian Science, you have all the tools and rules to live as a child of light! Be a law-lover and use them!

In Christian Science, you have all the tools and rules to live as a child of light! Be a law-lover and use them!
Metaphysical Application Ideas for the Weekly Bible Lesson on the subject “Christian Science” for the week of June 23 – 29, 2008
Prepared by Corde Hanzlik, C.S. of Austin, TX

Editor’s Note: The following application ideas for this week and Possible Sunday School Topics that 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 or Tuesday each week, or by each Wednesday you can get a FREE TRANSLATION in French from Pascal, in Spanish from Ana or in German by Gabriele when her schedule allows. JUST SIGN UP at www.cedarscamps.org/newsletters.

In this week’s Lesson, Christian Science, we have the opportunity to study more of the history and background of the Science of the Christ. What is a science? Theories, tests, proofs, laws about many topics from math to music, peace to cacophony, time to timelessness, etc. Christian Science could be considered a religious doctrine, but it’s much bigger, more inclusive. It is the universal Law of God written and explained, with guidelines and rules established for our use. Jesus was the Master example/teacher, Mrs. Eddy, the all-comprehensive educator/author/founder. Of course, God is running the entire big picture. Watch throughout the Lesson for all of the different words meaning law. Our first example is in the Golden Text. Statutes and law. Whose? God’s!

Watch too, for words that connect with law. Such as in the Responsive Reading, righteousness, honorable, judgments, covenant, mercy.

Section 1: Give me that old time religion!
(Watch for more law words)  In the very first Bible marker, we are given the bottom line for our living and being – one God. We also have the command as to acknowledge that – “Love the Lord thy God” just a little bit? No, “with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” Our Bible heroes proved this allegiance to be the basis for major “miracle” works. (B2,3,4,5) We’ve read, studied and pondered them, especially in the last several Lessons. Just as we have seen specific actions of the heroes, we see God’s Law in effect today, not perhaps in the same spectacles of parting waters, feeding multitudes, or chariots of fire. Yet, aren’t the Midwest floods our opportunity today? Bible is the backbone of Christian Science.

The last half of Mrs. Eddy’s life was spent proving, explaining, documenting and publishing the biblical principles. (Science and Health 1,2,3)  Her Science, by whatever name you call it, (S&H4) is the final revelation that denies any reality to matter while it defines God as the ultimate Creator of All, the only, good, pure Reality as based on the proofs of our biblical heroes. The cardinal rule of Christian Science is “that by knowing the unreality of disease, sin, and death, you demonstrate the allness of God.” (Unity of Good 9:27)

Section 2: Jesus specific example to Mrs. Eddy
Repeat – the Bible is the backbone of Christian Science! (B6)  Jesus took his turn to demonstrate the Word (Is this another synonym for law?) of God to the world. Through his healing the palsied man (that man was sick and tired of the palsy), Jesus exploded one of the many theological limitations of the Hebrews. That of sin. Remember, it was believed that if someone had a physical affliction that it was the result of having sinned at some time, even pre-birth. (B9)

What is more important about this particular healing, it is understood to be the healing that Mrs. Eddy read and pondered while on her “death bed.” She rose up healed with such speed an completeness of healing that her friends waiting in the next room were frightened by the “ghost or spirit” that they saw when she walked in. Her healing gave Mrs. Eddy the curiosity, drive and fervor to find out “the why” and “how” Jesus did his work. Aren’t we grateful that she took on this quest? (That’s putting it mildly.) The autobiographical explanations in Science and Health are quite clear. (S&H 7,8,) Retrospection and Introspection (Mrs. Eddy’s autobiography found in Prose Works or as a separate book) is a must-read for all students of Christian Science for greater insight to her discovery. One of her conclusions in S&H 9 is the “supremely natural” mental attitude or altitude. It is our right to be children of the light!  Mrs. Eddy gave us the rules and tools.

Section 3: What good is a scientific, metaphysical system if it isn’t used?
Bible marker 10 is a wonderful prayer for all of us as we are the undefiled. What is the request? To understand. We’ve made our choice. Turn away. We won’t be fooled by the emptiness of error. Let mercies come. Let me have the benefit of your goodness, God. Let’s be law lovers! (B10) We are grateful for Paul’s honesty for describing the battles that we may have, but the victory is ours in Christ. (B11) We have the right and authority to use our foundation of Principle to prove this Science. (B12,13) We are each unique in our application of Science, working one-on-one with God, Love, but the results are the same – holy wholeness.

In the Science and Health, Mrs. Eddy explains that her healing Science isn’t the result of whim, but is based and proved with care and solid experiences. If it were a personal law it wouldn’t work for all of us, but it’s not. She demonstrated God’s Law in totality for the universe. The healing described in marker 12 is a proof of the mental nature of disease. We don’t need to suffer from any delusion of mortal mind. Why? We have the principles of Principle to be one with Mind in recognizing the lie. Matter adds up to nothing. It is not the basis for anything. (S&H13)

Section 4: What is sin? Just a few immoral activities? Or, a denial of God?
Bible marker 14 answers the question of sin.  Any thought less than obedient to the commandments and God is sin. That means that any thought that is not in line with God is a sinful thought. The drinking, smoking, chewing, sex, drugs (either recreational or medicinal), are considered the biggies, but they are only a distraction to the greatest sin – any thought that might separate us from the love of or obedience to God. What are we going to bow down to and serve? (B17) The prayer in marker 18 is simple – create, renew, restore, uphold. (B18)

God knows nothing of sin. He makes man pure, daily, moment-by-moment. “There is no real pleasure in sin.” (S&H16) We all have the wonderful opportunity of working out our own salvation based on our divine heritage. Quite often it is tempting to want to work out someone else’s salvation or to tell them how to (husband, wife, children, friends, etc.), but we can’t do it. Each individual is one-on-one with God. We have the duty to trust that all will be lifted out of the muck of mortality through the recognition of Christian Science as the universal remedy for all ills (panacea). (S&H17)

Section 5: Are we like Philip? Maybe a little?
Each of us is a student of the Science of Christ. Are we waiting for the lightening bolts of understanding? Or are we claiming the presence of the Christ Comforter, Christian Science, now? Or are we waiting for a personal guide, a specific healing? Or, just waiting?(B19) All we need is love! The same love of the Father and His Son with which they love us. Yes, present tense.(B19)

Jesus is our proof. We have the final revelation. (S&H18) With that Truth, watch out!!! (S&H19) So what is the key to healing that Mrs. Eddy tells us in marker 20? We have to “reach his patient through divine Love.” How is that Love defined in this marker? As “rightful nutriment, such as peace, patience in tribulation, and a priceless sense of the dear Father’s loving-kindness.” Our Father, Daddy loves us! No matter what! So our marching orders and promise are in S&H marker 22. Surely we can hold that thought!! What a great thought. We not the healers – the Holy Ghost and Christ are enabling, Principle, Love are revealing.

Section 6: Universal victory!
Recently a friend pointed out that we don’t get on the cross with crucifixion experiences. Rather as Jesus says to take up the cross, we take up the proof, courage, power and authority that the cross represents and go forward. (B21) Again, we get more instructions in marker 22 as to our job. I don’t think that many of us will go pick up snakes, but we will take up the argument against any “serpent” delusion of sin, sickness or death.

The last four markers of Science and Health summarize the entire Lesson so wonderfully. We have the revealed and proven Science of the Christ. Anyone can use it with consistency and constancy. We’ve got the rules. Sometimes the going gets rough, but we can do it. Why? It’s God’s Word and Law! We are today’s prophets. (Read the definition of prophet in S&H 593:4) What a terrific occupation!!! The pay is terrific and the retirement benefits are infinite!

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Camp Director’s Note: This sharing is the latest in an ongoing, seven-year series of CedarS Bible Lesson “mets” (metaphysical application ideas) contributed weekly by a rotation of CedarS Resident Practitioners and occasionally by other metaphysicians. (To keep the flow of the practitioner’s ideas intact and to allow for more selective printing the “Possible Sunday School Topics” and Homework options come on a following page or subsequent email.) This weekly email (and website posting) is 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 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” 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, background and new angles on daily applicability to 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. 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. Have fun unwrapping, cherishing and sharing your special, spiritual gift(s)!
Enjoy!
Warren Huff, Camp Director, director@cedarscamps.org (636) 394-6162
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Possible Sunday School Topics by Merrill Boudreaux
for the lesson: “Christian Science”

Possible Sunday School Topic [P.S.S.T. – Golden Text ] – What is it that God wants us to understand, about who God is? About who I am? About who other people are?

Possible Sunday School Topic [P.S.S.T. – Responsive Reading ] – List three laws of God with which you are familiar.
If one used a magnifying glass what would it reveal about that which is being observed? If one used a law you listed as a magnifier, what would it reveal? See what Mary Baker Eddy says about “The lens of Spirit…” in MY 129: 15. See also what “The divine law gives to man” in that same passage, MY 129: 22

Possible Sunday School Topic [P.S.S.T. – Section 1] –
What are the 10 Commandments?

Possible Sunday School Topic [P.S.S.T. – Section 2] –
Laws are based on foundational truths. What is the test for whether something is true and therefore a law?
Is it universal? That is, is it available everywhere, simultaneously?
Is it permanent? That is, is it available throughout all time, past, present, and future?
Is it usable/provable? That is, can it be applied and evidenced by anyone, anywhere with guaranteed results?
Think of three laws with which you are familiar and apply the above test. Do they pass the test? A key component for understanding a law, is that it exists as an idea.

Possible Sunday School Topic [P.S.S.T. – Section 3] – What is a foundation? Why does one need a foundation? What happens when one builds on the sand? On rock? Have you ever seen or built a sand castle? What is the process for building it? What happens to it when the tide or a wave comes ashore? List three types of physical structures that are built on firm foundations – buildings, bridges, pyramids. What laws are applied that permits them to stand over time? – foundation down to bedrock, engineering, gravity, aerodynamics.

Possible Sunday School Topic [P.S.S.T. – Section 4] – On what law am I or you built? What is my/your foundation? What temptations might try to erode my foundation? – anger, hate, envy, pleasure in drink or drugs, physical pain. Can they erode my foundation? Why not?

Possible Sunday School Topic [P.S.S.T. – Section 5] –
When Jesus said, “I will pray the father…” John 14: 16, he could have been referring to the laws found in the Lord’s Prayer. Identify three laws found in the Lord’s Prayer. What does Mary Baker Eddy tell us the Lord’s Prayer provides for humanity? See S&H 16: 9-11. What is the role of a comforter? In the S&H portion of this section select five words or phrases that provide comfort to humanity in general and you specifically.

Possible Sunday School Topic [P.S.S.T. – Section 6] –
What does it mean to be a Christian? What does it mean to be a follower of Jesus Christ? What are the actions listed for the followers of Jesus Christ in the seal on every copy of Science and Health? Are those actions demonstrable today? Are they universal, permanent, provable, and usable? Share an experience about your use of one of these laws in action in your life.