Lesson Met for January 6-12, 2003 by Gary Duke, CS
SUBJECT: Sacrament
Golden Text: “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
Why not just take care of ourselves and let everyone else fend for themselves? Mrs. Eddy said, “Thus may each member of this church rise above the oft-repeated inquiry, What am I? to the scientific response: I am able to impart truth, health, and happiness, and this is my rock of salvation and my reason for existing.” (My 165:18) Is she suggesting the road to happiness and our very reason for existing is found in caring for others by imparting truth, health, and happiness? If so, let’s start truly bearing another’s burdens in every facet of our lives ~ home, school, sports, jobs… thereby fulfilling the law of Christ.
Resp. Rdg.: “I delight to do thy will, O my God..not refrained my lips…I have not hid righteousness…I have not concealed thy lovingkindness…in the presence of all his people….” It’s not enough to just know God’s will but we must do it and multiply it among many or His will is really not understood. Remember the parable about the talents and what happened to the servant who buried his talent? (Matt 25:14-30)
Section 1: Let’s say we’re upset by our appearance, stress of an upcoming test, a bad relationship, fill in the blank. Instead of focusing on the problem, how about focusing upon what is most needed ~ prayer of fervent desire for growth in grace, which when truly understood takes care of all these symptoms. S3 “What we most need is the prayer of fervent desire for growth in grace, expressed in patience, meekness, love, and good deeds.”
Section 2: Do you want to feel important, worthy, #1? B8 “…whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister…shall be servant of all.” Check out Jesus’ washing of the disciples’ feet. ( John 13:3-17) How can we better “wash our neighbors’ feet?” One church took this assignment literally and washed the feet of the homeless and clipped their toenails. It transformed the church and gave renewed hope to the homeless about man’s humanity.
Section 3: About age 9 a Catholic friend and I attended his church service and received Communion, eating a wafer and drinking grape juice. When I attended a Christian Science Sunday School at age 14 I understood the symbolism. S11 states the bread (wafer) is Truth ~ how can we be more truthful in all we think, say and do? The cup is the cross ~ are we willing to carry the cross of possible trials in our practice of Christian Science? The wine (grape juice) is the inspiration of Love ~ are we listening for this daily and putting into practice our inspiration to write that meaningful note, to truly forgive, to try and see everything and everybody from a spiritual standpoint?
Section 4: Haven’t we all had our Gethsemane moments prior to possible “crucifixion” experiences. B11 Sometimes we’re asleep like the disciples which means we’ll be given another opportunity to prove dominion. Other times we do as Jesus did: S15 “When the human element in him struggled with the divine, our great Teacher said: ‘Not my will, but Thine, be done!’ – that is, Let not the flesh, but the Spirit, be represented in me. This is the new understanding of spiritual Love. It gives all for Christ, or Truth.” This type of yielding results in daily “resurrection.”
Section 5: Have you ever “struck out?” The disciples came up with no fish after an entire night of hard work (casting heavy nets by hand). Jesus appeared and directed them to cast their nets on the right side and they came up with a boatload of fish. B14 What happened? “Convinced of the fruitlessness of their toil in the dark and wakened by their Master’s voice, they changed their methods, turned away from material things, and cast their net on the right side. Discerning Christ, Truth, anew on the shore of time, they were enabled to rise somewhat from mortal sensuousness, or the burial of mind in matter, into newness of life as Spirit.” S22 Cast your net on the right side and you too shall have boatloads of true success in every area of your life.
Section 6: What citation surrounds the cross and crown? Please look carefully at the emblem on our textbook. The following command from B17 sums up the lesson well, “…freely ye have received, freely give.”
