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Metaphysical Application Ideas for the Christian Science Bible Lesson on “Truth”
For the week of January 21 – 27, 2008
Prepared by Janet Hegarty, C.S. of St. Louis, MO
Editor’s Note: The following 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 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 of each week. Or by Wednesday you can get a FREE TRANSLATION in French by Pascal or in Spanish by Ana: JUST SIGN UP at www.cedarscamps.org/newsletters
Golden Text: Truth breaks the dream and sets us free.
Are lack, limitations, past failures, or mistakes weighing you down? Don’t give up hope. There is a way out. Discover your true identity, your everlasting relationship with God [and live it out.] You have been created out of His infinite goodness to reflect His glory. Mentally wrap your arms around this truth, love it, keep it at the center of your thought [and stick with its inspiration and demands,] soon the limitations and false fears will dissolve and your true unlimited, God-powered, selfhood will shine forth. [Possible Sunday School Topics (P.S.S.T.): What is the cost of the freedom promised in the Golden Text (GT)? Hint: the GT promise is preceded with a condition: “If you continue in my word (or “hold to my teaching,” (NIV) or “stick with this, living out what I tell you, you are my disciples for sure; Then you will experience for yourself the truth, and the truth will free you.” (John 8:31, 32, The Message) Mrs. Eddy coaches us on “Fidelity.” “Seek Truth and pursue it. It should cost you something: you are willing to pay for error and receive nothing in return; but if you pay the price of truth you will receive all.” (Misc. 342:24) Let’s ask ourselves as Christian Scientists if we adhere (stick) to its 1st Tenet (important point) listed in Science and Health, 497:3. “As adherents of Truth,” do we really seek out and “take the inspired Word of the Bible as our sufficient guide to eternal Life?” If not, why not?]
Responsive Reading: “Our Father answers every call.” (Hymn 139)
Like the Psalmist we’ve all had moments when we’ve had an immediate need and have called out to God for help. Rest assured your loving Father-Mother God does answer every call. The verses from Psalms that follow this call for help give us reassurance and show the wonderful, reliable, and loving nature of God. God, the governing Principle of your being, your source and ever present guide is strong. (Ps 70:2) His help, Love, and Truth pour out through all time and space like the mighty sunlight which shines brilliantly and reaches all the corners of the earth. God’s love powerfully blesses each individual idea of His grand creation with perpetual blessings. (Ps 70:3) [Eugene Peterson gives a wonderful wording for Ps. 89:15 that makes me rethink any words of disrespect or of complaint as if they are like unsuccessful computer passwords: “Blessed are the people who know the passwords of praise, who shout on parade the bright presence of God.” Ps. 89: 15 The Message. The Psalmist continues (past the Responsive Reading): “Your vibrant beauty has gotten inside us-you’ve been so good to us! We’re walking on air!” Ps. 89: 17 The Message Possible Uplifting Sunday School Homework (P.U.S.S.H.): This week rule out of your conversation all “passwords” that are not ones of praise, because they’ll never get you into the kingdom of heaven within. Stop expecting joy and healing to come from the outside in. To experience “walking on air,” expect God’s “vibrant beauty” and joyous healing to naturally spring from your inside out, melting away all frozenness from your “chosenness.” ]
Section 1: The power of God brings freedom from limitations.
One morning I took a walk in a park that is near my home. As I came over the crest of a small hill, I noticed a row of small crab apple trees in the distance off to my right. I had seen these trees many times before, but on that morning one of the trees looked quite odd. One tree looked as if it was on fire. Small flames danced about on the branches. Very curious! I left the path and walked towards the tree to get a closer look. As I approached the tree I was reminded of Moses’ experience at the burning bush and imagined he may have felt the same curiosity I felt at that moment. Soon, I was close to the tree and immediately noticed that I could not see or smell any smoke. However even at this close distance, I could still see what appeared to be small flames in the tree branches. As I looked more closely, I noticed pieces of thin gray curling ribbon tangled among the branches of the tree. This still didn’t solve the mystery for me, though. So, I looked in every direction to see if anything outside of the tree was creating this effect. There I found my answer. The bright morning sun was shining directly on this little tree. Its powerful light shimmered on the ribbon and created the appearance of flames. At that moment it occurred to me that Moses’ burning bush was more than a curiosity to attract his attention. (B3) It was an object lesson to help Moses understand his true relationship with God. In order to have the courage to do the great work that he was about to undertake, Moses needed to understand that the power to do the work was not his own personal power. Rather, the power came from outside of himself – it was God’s power. Behind every suggestion of limitation you will find the mistaken idea that success or failure in a particular situation depends on one’s own personal power. This is never true. The truth is that God has all the power. God’s powerful light shimmers on you. [P.U.S.S.H.:] Give up false fears and let that light shine!!! [To find out how the full 1st Commandment of Judaism (B4) differs from ours and positions them as “the Top Ten Ways to be Free” click on the new Sunday School podcasts by TMCYouth and scroll down and hear The Ten Commandments Introduction & 1st Commandment by Barry Huff. (P.S.S.T.): What “bondage” would you like to exchange for “bonding with God?” What view of a Commandment as a “straight jacket” would you like to exchange for a view of it as a “life jacket?” What “offers freedom that turns out to be slavery?” “What am I relying on to make friends? Be happy? Pass my classes? Do well in sports? The 1st Commandment urges us not to put something in place of God that isn’t up to the job — because, if we do, we’re setting ourselves up for disappointment.” quotes from Barry Huff’s 10 Commandment Podcasts, Introduction and #1]
Section 2: God’s Love is without limits.
In the second month of their journey the children of Israel started looking back to the “good old days” in Egypt. (B6) They were hungry now and longingly thought about the regular supply of food they had when they were slaves in Egypt. With their thought fearfully focused on the food problem, they seem to have totally forgotten the joy of being freed from a merciless life of slavery and their dramatic rescue from the Egyptian army at the Red Sea. [Read Moses’ awesome prayer at the surprising parting of the Red Sea as part of the 3rd Section P.S.S.T.] The Israelites must have thought that God was only able to do great things but not able to care for their daily needs. (S5 & S7) They had a limited understanding of God, who is actually loving, perfect, and unlimited. Surely, infinite Love would not deliver them from oppression and then abandon them, leaving them to suffer from a lack of food! Moses was aware of the infinite nature of Love. (S6) He understood that God not only governed the big dramatic things but also lovingly governed the minute details of everyday living. Are we, like the children of Israel, still hanging on to an outmoded and false sense of ourselves as an oppressed people? The children of Israel had been freed from human slavery but they were not yet free from the belief that they could be oppressed by evil of any kind including hunger or lack of human needs. (S8) Moses understood and proved that it is impossible to lack anything since Love, the all-in-all, has already provided more than we will ever be able to use. Follow Moses’ example, embrace the limitless love of Love, rejoice in it every day and you, too, will prove it!!!!! [P.S.S.T.: What evidence of lack are you seeing that you’d like to see replaced by a daily divine supply? What lesson are we to “learn well” from 40-years of miraculous manna meals? See Hymn 46, 47:“Daily strength for daily needs. Cast foreboding fears away Take the manna of today … my times are in Thy hand … To Thy wisdom I resign, And would mold my will to Thine Thou my daily task shalt give; Day by day to Thee I live; So shall added years fulfill Not my own, my Father’s will. ]
Section 3: You can follow the Master and be a healer – you are governed by God. (S10 & S11)
The promise given in the Golden Text shows the direct path to becoming a healer — “know the truth.” Do you have to reach a certain level of human perfection first, to be a healer? No! Don’t be fooled by this silly argument. It’s not human perfection that heals. It’s the knowing of the truth that brings healing. Mrs. Eddy’s statement, “God will heal the sick through man, whenever man is governed by God,” (S10) might cause you to wonder, “To be governed by God could take at least a lifetime.” When we think of ourselves as a faulty mortal it can seem impossible to better ourselves. How could a limited mortal improve its own condition. But what does the Golden Text say – know the truth. The truth of immortal Mind does awaken mortals out of their limited dream state. A Christian Science healer is one who is daily knowing the spiritual truth about themselves and the world they live in. The statement, “…man is governed by God,” is a truth to be known. [P.U.S.S.H.:] When you doubt that you are governed by God or when you confront evidence that seems to indicate that you are not – know the truth. “I am governed by God. Because God is the only governor, the only Mind, the only Life.” Mentally affirm this truth, set your thought on it, and be alert to divine Mind’s inspirations. Angel thoughts will come to you to deepen your understanding. This will transform your life and open the way for you to help others. Be active knowing the truth!! You are a healer and that’s what a healer does. [Below is the inspiring prayer of Moses “knowing the Truth” as recoded in Josephus Complete Works (63) when the pursuing Egyptian chariots trapped the Israelites in” the awful conflict the Red Sea and the wilderness” (S12, S&H 226:30) “Thou art not ignorant, O Lord, that it is beyond human strength and human contrivance to avoid the difficulties we are now under; but it must be thy work altogether to procure deliverance to this army which has left Egypt at thy appointment. We despair of any other assistance or contrivance, and have recourse only to that hope we have in thee; and if there be any method that can promise us an escape by thy providence, we look up to thee for it. And, let it come quickly, and manifest thy power to us; and do thou raise up this people unto good courage and hope of deliverance, who are deeply sunk into a disconsolate state of mind. We are in a hopeless place, but still it is a place that thou possessest; still the sea is thine, the mountains also that enclose us are thine; so these mountains will open themselves if thou commandest them, and the sea also, if thou commandest it will become dry land. Nay, we might escape by a flight through the air, if thou shouldst determine we should have that way of salvation.”]
Section 4: “Man’s real existence as a child of God comes to light.” (S20)
Is man a sinful mortal? Several years ago I talked with a Christian minister about Christian Science. He had a copy of Science and Health in his library and had a general understanding of it. He appreciated some of the ideas he had read. However, he said there was one point he could never agree with. He was convinced that man was a sinner and he could not accept any other view of man’s identity. Christian Science, following Christ Jesus’ example, identifies man as sinless. That doesn’t mean, however, that we can go around doing bad things. Christian Science calls on us to prove that we are not sinful. The more we understand who we really are, and wake up to our true spiritual selfhood, the less we will be apt to hold onto sinful thoughts. By this process, we are freed from the limitations of sin. Then, only the pure sinless ideas of God will remain in our consciousness. In the story of Zacchaeus, Christ Jesus was a witness to Zacchaeus’ perfect spiritual selfhood. Christ Jesus knew the history of Zacchaeus’ dishonesty. But unlike Zacchaeus’ neighbors who were eager to condemn him, Jesus put the man’s human history aside and instead considered Zacchaeus’ spiritual history. Jesus understood that Zacchaeus was created by God to do good. The pure and uplifted thought of Jesus awoke Zacchaeus from his sinful mortal dream. This spiritual light opened his eyes and allowed Zacchaeus to see his true unlimited, sinless nature. His life was transformed. [The article by Beth Carey on page 36 of the January 14-21st issue of the Sentinel offers additional insights on this story.] You, too, are a child of God — pure, loving, gentle, and kind. [P.U.S.S.H.:] Let the purifying light of the Christ dwell in your consciousness to transform it. [Like Zach and Moses (B3) exercise your natural curiosity about spiritual people and things by turning aside to see them, even if it means some climbing. Then, honor any holy ground of revelation by “removing your shoes” (being respectful). Pay tribute to Christly individuals by expressing the moral courage (S15) to be redeemed by them and to entertain them. (B15) To what revelations and individuals do you owe respect today?]
Section 5: Fix your thought on the Truth and be at peace.
Jesus was so convinced of the Truth that he was completely undisturbed by the raging waves of human life that churned all around him. He knew without a doubt that God, good, was the only power and this gave him conscious dominion, even in the most dire of circumstances. In the middle of a terrible storm, with his ship tossed to and fro on the waves, he remained peacefully asleep. (B18) Even when his disciples, full of fear, awoke him and rebuked him for sleeping, he didn’t get swept up into their excitement. With absolute confidence he immediately changed the chaotic scene into a scene of harmony. He has blessed each of us with the same authority and peace which he demonstrated throughout his career. “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you,” he said. (B19) This is undoubtedly the most priceless gift you’ve ever been given. And then he added this encouragement, “Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (B19) [P.U.S.S.H. Check out the classic myBibleLesson cartoon where a disciple says to Jesus: “Wake up and look at our storm!” Jesus replies: “Wake up and look at my peace.”] Consider the life of Jesus to understand the depth of the peace he’s given you. Search the Bible Lessons to learn more about the Truth that is the foundation of this peace. (S21) When we are aware of the spiritual Truth of any situation we cannot be afraid. (S25) Take this priceless gift of peace and put it to good use. Bring the gift of peace with you and use it in your classroom, on the ball field, or when you’re driving in heavy traffic. You have the gift that the world needs most. Distribute it generously!
Section 6: To sum it all up: [“In God we’ll do our very best; he’ll flatten the opposition for good.” (B20) Ps. 60:12 The Message]
God is strong, just, and merciful. (B22) You can depend on the power of God to help you break free from all limitations. (B20) Truth is active in the human consciousness. It brings transformation and guides us step by step as we discover our real status as children of God. (S26) [P.U.S.S.H.] “Walk in the light (of Truth).” (S 27) Rejoice and be glad. Depend on Truth, since Truth is always the winner!!!!! [Let your victories over evil always be occasioned by wisely exercising your divine right to know yourself spiritually. (S28, S&H 571:15-18) Bring a testimony to share how this spiritual identification work set right an apparent reversal of God’s law that “Ability and opportunity (“wisdom and … occasion”) are coordinate ideas.” Know and prove that the ability you divinely reflect will never be allowed to go untapped — left “on the bench.” Expect and prove that whenever you are given an opportunity (no matter how hopeless it seems, like Moses at the Red Sea), you’ll never flop. Remember that by “know(ing) yourself” (spiritually), by “knowing the truth,” Truth’s power (not by mere “human strength or contrivance” Josephus) will make you free and victorious!]
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 [with bracketed, italicized notes and “Possible Sunday School Topics” and Homework offered by me as editor and sometimes by the author]. 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, 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 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. 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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