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 see and demonstrate the great value of daily study of the Christian Science Bible lessons year-round, not just at camp. If more information or the text of this Lesson is desired, please see the Director’s Note at the end. The citations referenced in the “met” (metaphysical application ideas) are taken from the King James Version of the Bible and the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy. 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.
Let’s Promise to Hear and Share Truth, “the whole truth, and nothing but the truth,” so help us all, God!
Lesson Application Ideas on “Truth,” January 16-22, 2006
By Gary Duke, C.S., Saint Louis, Missouri
Golden Text: The Right Word Demonstrates Truth.
How do we know if “the word of the Lord is right” (Ps. 33:4)? Demonstration! “His works are done in truth.”
Responsive Reading: Our Job.
God is always speaking to us; what do we have to do? Listen, worship, praise and if you can hold a tune (or even if you can’t), sing! And the rewards? Peace, salvation, mercy, righteousness, goodness, increase/plenty (Ps. 85 & 138).
Section 1: Voice of God.
A metaphysical talk was given where a volunteer was asked to come up on stage. The speaker blindfolded the high-school girl and asked the audience of over 200 to help her to get back to her seat by giving instructions–all at once! The speaker asked for greater volume which compounded the confusion and left the girl frozen, not knowing how to proceed. Then silence was called for and permission given for only one voice to give direction, that of the speaker. Confidently, steadily, and successfully she made her way back to her seat.
To whose voice are you listening? The voice of the world/mortal mind was represented by the voice of the audience, which paralyzes man, as it is “the counsel of the heathen,” whose “devices” are of “none effect” (B2).
The voice of God was represented by the speaker. Even if we are temporarily without sight or knowledge of the right way, we can proceed successfully by this voice. “The voice of the Lord is full of majesty” (B1) and is “The still, small voice of scientific thought” which reveals truth a continent away, just as readily as one-on-one (S&H 2).
Section 2: Truth Understood and Applied, Heals.
We’ve probably all experienced “drought,” a belief of lack in our lives, when we knowingly follow other “gods” or ignorantly believe in a punishing God. That’s what happened about 850 B.C. when Ahab, King of Israel, encouraged the worship of Baal, a foreign god. At the same time, a widow woman from Zarephath believed God took her son’s life in punishment for her sins. The prophet Elijah knew better, and revived her son (B7).
What truths do you suppose Elijah understood and applied which healed the boy?
“God shall send forth his mercy and his truth” (B6);
“God, Life, Truth, and Love make man undying” (S&H 6);
“-the error that life, substance, or intelligence can be in matter” (S&H 8);
“-be thoroughly persuaded in your own mind concerning the truth which you think or speak, and you will be the victor” (S&H 9).
Section 3: Truth, Freedom, Victory!
If you were feeling sick or sinful (a bruised reed) and your hope was about gone (smoking flax/a low burning wick), to whom would you be drawn:
A. To a judgmental Pharisee saying, “You must have done something wrong, so you’re being punished by God;” or–
B. To Jesus who would heal the discord with right “judgment,” the truth of a loving God (B8, S&H 12)?
Jewish law required two witnesses to verify Jesus’ statement about him being the “light of the world.” Multitudes being healed, comfort of others and glorification of God were insufficient proof for the Pharisees. Jesus replied that he and God were the required witnesses and furthermore, those who believe “shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free” (B9,10; S&H 11).
Does this Science work every time? Do the truths of mathematics, a small evidence of God’s law, ever falter? “Truth is always the victor” (S&H 14; refer back to Section 2, S&H 7,9).
Section 4: Preach the Truth.
In 1992, in a little mountain town in Guatemala on Christmas Eve, in a church built in the 1700s, I heard a Catholic priest say to the congregation, “We must pray for the Buddhists, Baptists and Christian Scientists.” After his sermon, my wife and I thanked the priest and said we were students of Christian Science. His reply, “Ah, Mary Baker Eddy-I have Science and Health in my library and refer to it often.” This example illustrates what Mrs. Eddy urged, “Clergymen, occupying the watchtowers of the world, should uplift the standard of Truth-a special privilege is vested in the ministry-in the interests of humanity, not of sect” (S&H 18).
Paul’s preaching was also not limited to sect, but included all of humanity. Luke records in Acts that Paul’s first sermon in Antioch (modern Turkey), was so well received by the Gentiles that they told many others and “the next Sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God” (B14). And why was this preaching so powerful? Healing (B15).
Section 5: Publish the Truth.
As a little girl, Mary Baker announced that when she grew up, she would write a book. Later in life, Mrs. Eddy described herself as a “scribe under orders” obeying God’s directive to Jeremiah, “Write thee all the words that I have spoken unto thee in a book. For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee” (B18).
Little did she know as a youngster that the book she would write, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, would be published in 1875 (S&H 21), would number over 400 editions, be translated into 17 languages, sell over 10 million copies to date and become the foundation for the Church of Christ, Scientist and much more. In commenting about her seminal work, Mrs. Eddy tells why the book is required reading by Christian Scientists and their patients (S&H 22), says that healing proves her “correct interpretation of Scripture” (S&H 23) and “commits these pages to honest seekers for Truth” (S&H 24).
Section 6: Unity of Truth.
Just as the Catholic priest in Guatemala had S&H in his library and referred to it often (Section 4), this book is leavening all thought because it states the unconditional and universal laws of Life, Truth and Love thereby uniting instead of dividing.
“–speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you” (B20);
“-have unity of Principle and spiritual power” (S&H 28);
“The cement of a higher humanity will unite all interests” (S&H 29).
Section Summary Benediction:
May our words be right, the words of the Lord, leading to works done in truth. Our job is to listen to the voice of God versus the masses, and apply the truth which heals. Truth spoken and demonstrated leads to freedom, and victory is assured. To keep progressing, it is not enough to know the truth for ourselves, but we must heal, preach and assist in the publishing of the truth, all in the way of God’s appointing. Giving mankind the bread of truth and cup of cold water in Christ’s name, will lead to brotherhood and unity.
Resources:
American Dictionary of the English Language, by Noah Webster 1828, 800-352-3223,
website www.face.net
Researched Bible Guide, 561-776-5711, e-mail DayBreakPlease@cs.com
The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language, by Eugene H. Peterson,
NavPress 800-366-7788, website www.MessageBible.com
The New Westminster Dictionary of the Bible, by Henry Gehman
The One Volume Bible Commentary, by J.R. Dummelow
Camp Director’s Note: The above sharing is the latest in a long 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 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.) Enjoy!
Warren Huff, Director director@cedarscamps.org
1314 Parkview Valley
Manchester, MO 63011
(636) 394-6162
