Lead the Life that is Led of God! Receive the Spirit and Be the Child of God that you Are!

Lead the Life that is Led of God -Receive the Spirit and Be the Child of God that you Are!
Metaphysical Application Ideas for the Weekly Bible Lesson on “Mortals and Immortals,” May 12-18, 2008
Prepared by Kathy Fitzer, C.S. of St. Louis, MO

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. JUST SIGN UP at www.cedarscamps.org/newsletters.

Let’s see what it means to be the child of God. We can learn from Moses’ experience how God, as Love, cares for, instructs, and leads His children out of slavery. Through the grace that came of Christ Jesus we have received the “spirit of God” which frees us eternally from the bondage of mortality (mortal = “to die”) and reveals the freedom of immortality (immortal = “exempt from death.”) You are free to live!

Golden Text: We’ve never stopped being God’s children. But, whether or not we experience the life that corresponds to being the child of God depends on how we respond to God’s leading.

Responsive Reading: In the verses from Psalms, take note of what God does and is. We need to constantly praise God for His goodness. After all, it is God that cleans up our “mess-ups” (our transgressions) – removes them so far from us, we are no longer plagued by them. It’s kind of fun to think about this definition of transgression: “the spread of the sea over land areas and the consequent unconformable deposit of sediments on older rocks.” (Webster, 1828)Let’s think of “messing up” as the action of the sea (which Mrs. Eddy identifies as latent error responsible for all visible forms of error) that sometimes washes over thought and deposits “stuff” that doesn’t conform to our nature. Love removes that unwanted deposit, until we are seen to be what God made us to be.
Do you recognize the second part of the Responsive Reading as the Correlative Scripture read at the end of every Sunday church service? It correlates to the Scientific Statement of Being. Consider the message: God’s great love upholds us in our present status as His children (the offspring of immortal Mind.) As such, our natures are separate from and unrecognized by the world (mortal mind), because Christ is separate from the world (Truth is separate from error) – and can’t be recognized by it. At this point we don’t know exactly what it “looks like” to be the child of Spirit. But we do know that as we identify ourselves as the children of a pure God, we are purified. And, in this pure state, we are able to recognize Christ (the divine manifestation of God) and be Christ-like. Led by God, we see ourselves as free, immortal children of God – completely separate from the limitations and death of mortality.

Section 1: God made us and cares for us – and freely reveals our nature to us
Not only is God the only creator, but this Creator eternally governs His creation! (B1) It is helpful to understand that as we deal with issues of identity – parent-child relationships, feelings of not “belonging,” heredity. In order to understand our immortal nature – as God’s child – and recognize God’s blessings, God has given us His Spirit. We are filled with the very essence of God, so it is natural to recognize God’s gifts of good. (B2) Breathing Spirit, we are filled with Life – as naturally as breathing air fills us with oxygen. (B3)
The so-called “spirit of the world” gets things all confused. It reports things from a limited, distorted perspective – which is like looking at things upside down, or through a lens that is out of focus – and ends up with a false scenario of mortal mind and mortal man as creators. (S2) We can’t ever really understand God’s creation as long as we believe that man creates. So, whether you are tempted to think you have created a child, been created by a mortal parent, or are responsible for creating an idea or project – think again! (S4) Spirit enables us to think again. “Infinite Spirit being all, mortal consciousness will at last yield to the scientific fact and disappear, and the real sense of being, perfect and forever intact, will appear.” (S5) So, why hold on to a false premise? Spirit ALONE creates – and is immortal!

Section 2: Safe in Love
This week’s lesson illustrates God’s care for His immortal children as we examine Moses’ life-experience. Each step was preparing him for his Life-mission as the liberator of the Children of Israel. You’ll remember Mrs. Eddy speaking of being “graciously prepared” for her mission, as well. Why do we so often want to avoid the “challenges” that come our way? Moses (like all Hebrew boys) was supposed to be thrown into the river and drowned when he was born. (B4) But, it is impossible to shut down the power of Good. Baby Moses WAS put in the river – but an ark kept him safe and he was even nursed by his own mother. And he was not raised as a slave – but as an Egyptian prince. (B5) Certainly, as we MENTALLY keep ourselves in an ark (S6) we will find ourselves dwelling in safety with God. (B6)
Moses’ mother was willing to release him – trust him to his true Mother-Father – God. Her love for him was so pure and so constant, that she was able to hear this creative solution that enabled Moses to live on – even if it meant turning him over to the “enemy.” (S9) Whether dealing with the birth of a human baby, or of an idea of any kind (a paper, a project, school or career, etc.), we MUST give up the idea that WE are the creator. Understanding that “a spiritual idea has not a single element of error” “removes properly whatever is offensive” – injurious. Certainly, Moses’ life illustrates the development of a spiritual idea – a meek beginning, sturdy growth, and undecaying maturity. (S8) Each of us – like Moses – is created as an idea in Mind. Human belief must be exchanged for the “perfect model of God’s creation.” (S10) An immortal idea grows sturdy and never decays! Insist on the fact that we don’t peek and then slide downhill – in life, in sports, in a career or relationship! Only progress!

Section 3: Enslaved by passion
Enslaved by anger and rage – feeling he needed to personally take charge of an unjust situation – Moses’ freedom was threatened. Moses’ outrage over the cruel treatment given his fellow-Hebrews may have been justified, but breaking God’s commandments is never acceptable. Moses also thought it wouldn’t matter what he did – as long as he wasn’t caught. And he reacted intolerantly when he saw others resort to violence to solve their problems. (B7) Are we ever tempted by similar reactions? It seems to be part of human nature to be tempted by the “dark side,” but the Bible assures us that we “are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.” (B10) In other words, we haven’t been given the “spirit of the world” that mortals are subject to. WE have received the “Spirit of God” and must claim our (and everyone’s) immortal nature, recognizing that ALL of “God’s children in divine Science, are one harmonious family.” (S11) We all seem enslaved – to one degree or another – to the “most relentless masters – passion, selfishness, envy, hatred, and revenge.” And, these are overcome only “by a mighty struggle.” But, we don’t have to (nor can we) do it alone – or through will-power. Christian Science – the law of God – gives us “strength from the immortal and omnipotent Mind” and humanity is lifted out of its own weakness, into “spiritual power and good-will to man.” (S13) Our job is to understand that we all really have one Mind – ONE God and Father. (S14) Then, we’re willing to let this Father correct our – and others’ – mistakes and weaknesses. We can trust TRUTH to uncover error, and destroy error in God’s way – because that’s what Truth does! (S12) If we are willing to be led by Truth, instead of thinking WE are responsible, everyone finds freedom – freedom from wrong actions AND from RE-action!

Section 4: Redemption and preparation
Moses went from prince to fugitive to hero to shepherd in the space of a very short period of time. His self-righteous indignation gave way to reveal his God-given unselfish nature. The daughters of the priest of Midian had been sent to get water from the well for their father’s sheep. When shepherds came, as they often did, to take advantage of the women and confiscate the water that had been drawn for their own sheep, Moses defended the women. Helping them recover whatever water had been taken, the women were able to return home much earlier than expected. Hearing about Moses’ good deed, their father demanded that they go back and invite him to stay at their home. And, so, Moses returned to his roots, so to speak, remained with this family, married one of the daughters, and learned responsibility and the shepherding trade. It is thought that he may have remained in Midian for 40 years, becoming familiar with life in the wilderness and developing the leadership skills he would need when he was later called to shepherd people, rather than sheep. (B12) Check out the promises in the Bible citations for all that God does for us – as we turn to Him. God is a “fountain of light” – in whose light we see light. (B14)Progress comes as we realize that being IS “holiness, harmony, immortality.” And this progress ultimately allows the light of this Being to reveal the immortality that provides lasting good to all. (S20)
We need to learn from Moses’ example and take every opportunity that comes our way to do good. (S16) Moses broke out of the chains of mortality as he left behind selfishness, judgment and intolerance. Receiving the “spirit of God” we are rich in spirit. As such, we have an obligation (and it is our joy) to help others, seeking our good in the good of others. (S18) Moses didn’t help the women because he expected to GET something for it. He did it because it was natural for him – as it is for us!
The “spirit of the world” has all kinds of theories about what is necessary to attain happy, strong, and permanent relationships, including what kinds of games we have to play with each other. But, Mrs. Eddy identifies just three things – “unselfish ambition, noble life-motives, and purity.” As these qualities of thought are practiced, the blessing extends to the individual AND every member of the group. (S19) We don’t have to worry about competing with others – beating someone out for a job, a relationship, a place on a team or any kind of ranking or position. God provides for ALL, and we will see this as we think of others first – rejoice in THEIR good, and do what we can to help them achieve THEIR goals.

Section 5: Approached by God – Preparations put into service
Moses appeared to be quite content being a shepherd, husband, and father. And then, one day, something happened that would change his life forever – and the lives of a whole nation! Moses was being prepared for this his whole life, and gratefully was willing to respond when God visited him and sent him on his new life-saving mission. As Michael Hamilton concludes in the May 12th Christian Science Sentinel, “In many ways Moses individualizes the struggles of his people – and of all humanity – for survival, justice, meaning – immortality.” Just as Moses had seen evidence of God’s provision for himself, “the Lord” – that is Yahweh, the God of Genesis 1 – now assures him that he knows of the needs of the Children of Israel, and has chosen Moses to deliver them from their slavery and teach them obedience to a higher law which will ultimately deliver them from the bondage of mortality. Sure, Moses doubted his ability to accomplish such a mission. But, God promised (and this promise extends to ALL), “Certainly I will be with thee.” (B15)
So, when we are asked to do something that seems way beyond our skill level, let’s remember, “Certainly Principle, Mind, Soul, Spirit, Life, Truth, and Love will be with us.” Because God’s covenant is intact, all those who love Him and keep His commandments are rescued from slavery. (B16) And, that includes slavery to disease, injury, addiction, doubt, fear, abuse, and sin of any kind. The message that was introduced in the Responsive Reading (from I John) is echoed here – the Spirit of God dwells in us, so we are not in bondage to the flesh, or in bondage to fear. We are the children of God! God is our Daddy and continually delivers us! (B17)
Mrs. Eddy urges us to ACCEPT the “glorious liberty of the children of God” and be free! (S21) We’ve been offered two packages – the bondage of material (corporeal) sense and the freedom of Spirit. CHOOSE to open and utilize the gift of Spirit. Whatever corporeal sense has wrapped up to give you is nothing but illusion! (S22) MIND is the master of the corporeal senses. So, stop being a slave to the body (or to bad habits or fear, or peer pressure, etc), and become a master! God enables us to do just that. (S24&25) Just as Moses demanded that the Children of Israel conform to the law of God, we can demand that our body (and our lives) conform to God’s law – unlimited by the mortal senses. (S26) Your body is in thought – defend its innocence with the strength bestowed upon you by Spirit! (S24)

Section 6: Put on incorruption – watch mortality get swallowed up!
Every morning when we get up, we decide what clothes to put on that day. What if we made the same decision regarding what thoughts to put on? God’s grace (the divine influence of unconditional love) lays out a thought-wardrobe for us that is just right for every occasion. Jesus introduced this grace to us and demonstrated its practicality. (B18) When faced with the image of death, he put out the mortal thoughts of despair, sorrow, defeat, and clothed the atmosphere of thought in Life. He called Jairus’ daughter back from the dream of mortality – death – and presented her alive. And, there was no recuperation time – he requested that she be given meat! (B-19) What is our reaction when faced with mortality – whether it appears as a doomed relationship, project, or career – or as failing health or an injured or aging body? We need to put on a fresh set of thought-clothes! Rather than worrying about how to FIX a problem (Jesus refused to accept death as a reality needing fixing), recognize your present state of immortal (life-filled) splendor! Put on your best outfit of incorruption (your best Spirit-of-God thoughts) and know that dressed in the divine nature, nothing about you can ever wear out!) (B20) Christ led the children of Israel out of bondage – and leads us out – whenever we are ready to RECEIVE this Christ – the Truth of being! (S27) The key is to accept the standard of Christlike understanding – perfect God/perfect man! (S28) Spirit and matter are contradictions. Spirit is immortal and freeing. Matter is mortal and enslaving. We are dealing with spiritual FACT and material BELIEF! Life is FACT. Life is in never in belief – never in matter. Both matter and death are illusions. So, don’t accept them as fact – but search until you find the immortal fact that reverses the moral illusion. You are not born of mortal parents (nor have you given birth to mortal children.) (S29) God is your origin (“the Principle of man”) and you are the idea of God! Nothing can interrupt an idea held intact in Mind. So, when belief is exchanged for fact, immortality will just swallow up mortality – like the fact of the sun at the center of the universe swallowed up the belief of the earth at the center! (S30) Accept the gift of the spirit of God; reject the spirit of the world; be led of God and BE the child of God that you are!
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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 I put the “Possible Sunday School Topics” and Homework options on the following page – after the practitioner’s application ideas.) 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: “Mortals and Immortals,” May 17, 2008

P.U.S.H. Possible Uplifting Sunday School Homework from the Golden Text:  List the names of Bible characters you know who were led by God. What were the results?

Possible Sunday School Topic [P.S.S.T – Golden Text] Each Sunday School student share an example of how they were led by God.

Possible Sunday School Topic [P.S.S.T – Responsive Reading] Who are the “WE” in the statement “…we should be called the children of God!”? That would make all the people in the world brothers and sisters. See also, Malachi 2:10 in Section 3 “Have we not all one father? Hath not one God created us?” How do brothers and sisters treat each other? What would you do for your brother or sister? What actions can “WE” take locally to be a help to our brothers and sisters around the world? See also Section 4 (S&H, 518:15-19,) “The rich in spirit help the poor in one grand brotherhood, all having the same Principle, or Father; and blessed is that man who seeth his brother’s need and supplieth it, seeking his own in another’s good.”

Possible Sunday School Topic [P.S.S.T – Section 1] Learn to ask the right questions “concerning the works of my hands.” Isa. 45:11. If you ask, “If God is good and eternally all, then where does evil, error, sin, sickness, or death come from? You are asking the wrong question. Looking to matter or physicality to define who you are will always give the wrong answer. Begin with the answers to these questions: What do I know of God? What does God know of me? What is God’s nature? Of what is God made? What did God use to create me and all my brothers and sisters? What is my nature? What does God want me to understand about my self? What does God want me to understand about the selves of all my brothers and sisters?

Possible Sunday School Topic [P.S.S.T – Section 2] What did God lead the woman who “bare a son” to do? What did God lead the sister to do? What did God lead Pharaoh’s daughter to do? They were all led by the Lord. What was the impact of these local actions taken by these three people on the rest of the world? On us today? Teacher, link these steps taken to Moses’ life – the freeing of the children of Israel and the Ten Commandments. Possible role play opportunity for each step of Moses’ experiences.

Possible Sunday School Topic [P.S.S.T – Section 3] What is the result of “…all men have one Mind, one God and Father, one Life, Truth, and Love.” (S&H 467:9-10) What is slavery? In slavery there are two components: a master and a slave. What is the role of the master? What is the role of the slave? If God or Truth is the master, what would He command the slave to do? What would be the result of this commanding? See (S&H 467: 11-13.) “Mankind will become perfect in proportion as this fact becomes apparent, war will cease and the true brotherhood of man will be established.”

Possible Sunday School Topic [P.S.S.T – Section 4] Our relationship with our brothers and sisters is not so much to make them happy but to help them be holy. What is the result of being holy? See (S&H 492: 7-12.) “Being is holiness, immortality. It is already proved that knowledge of this, even in small degree, will uplift the physical and moral standard of mortals, will increase longevity, will purify and elevate character. Thus progress will finally destroy all error, and bring immortality to light.” How long do you wish to live? List some progress mankind has made in your lifetime, in your parents lifetime, in your grandparents lifetime. How can what you think or do today impact the future lives of your brothers and sisters around the world? If you respond “nothing” then think of Moses or Christ Jesus. We may not always know how a small thing we do will have long-lasting impact but it will. Define “unselfish ambition,” “noble life-motives,” and “purity” from (S&H 58:7) “Unselfish ambition, noble life-motives, and purity, – these constituents of thought, mingling, constitute individually and collectively true happiness, strength, and permanence.”

Possible Sunday School Topic [P.S.S.T – Section 5] Are you a “citizen of the world?” What are your rights as a citizen of your town, of your country? What are your rights as a citizen of the world God created? What are your obligations to this world? What are your glorious possibilities as an immortal man raised in Christian Science?

Possible Sunday School Topic [P.S.S.T – Section 6] How was Jesus being a brother and a good citizen when he helped the man, Jairus, and his daughter? Did Jesus have to be present with Jairus’ daughter to help her? What can we do by our prayers to help people in other cities, countries? Go away from class today to pray once each day this week about something going on in your family, town, city, country, or in the world. This is your divine right as a child of God, as a brother or sister, to use the power of God present in you, to help someone else. This is your obligation as a Christian Scientist. ____________________________________________________________________________
Go to www.myBibleLesson.com to check out this visually-oriented and very helpful study resource for the weekly Christian Science Bible Lesson. It’s being produced by The Christian Science Publishing Society. What a great auxiliary to lesson study – and to reading beyond citation markers using the handsome new student books now in Reading Rooms. MyBibleLesson contains word definitions, Bible background Notes, fun, topical cartoons, timelines and translations, plus many healing ideas to use. Why not check out this vehicle to help bring new meaning and life to each beloved Bible lesson and so bless the youthful thinker and Sunday School student (and teacher) in us all!

CEDARS 2008 theme: “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the leper, cast out demons: Freely you have received, freely give!” (Matthew 10:8)