Lose Sight of Self to Follow Truth!

[Lose Sight of Self to Follow Truth!]
CedarS Metaphysical Application Ideas from the Christian Science Bible Lesson on
“Truth” for study during the week of July 18-24, 2011
by Dan Carnesciali, CS of St. Louis, MO 314.374.5616 / dancarne@gmail.com
[bracketed italic additions by Warren Huff, CedarS Camps Director and Met Editor.]

[Editor's Note: The following application ideas for this week, and the Possible Sunday School Topics that will 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 each week, or by each Wednesday you can get a FREE TRANSLATION in French thanks to Pascal, in German thanks to Helga or in Spanish thanks to a team of Ana, Erick, Claudia and Patricio. YOU CAN SIGN UP at www.cedarscamps.org/newsletters]

 

Discovering what Truth is has been discussed for thousands of years by some really smart people.  Truth reasonably could be studied for thousands of more years, couldn't it? At the following link are some examples of how people have reasoned about Truth. http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/truth/  Humanity says that truth is subjective, meaning that what truth is depends on your standpoint. This CedarS Met is written from the standpoint that Truth (God) is subjective only to itself and to nothing else. That means that divine Truth, God, defines truth.

 

Golden Text:

In biblical times, the Children of Israel who worshipped only one God, moved into Canaan, and lived around people who worshipped many gods. Worshipping one, supreme God they discovered a fundamental fact that good is the only God. Hymn 444 out of the Christian Science hymnal supplement (inspired by Isa 45: 5-6) says it this way, “I am the Lord, there is none else. There is no god beside me … I am the Truth, there is none else.  There is no truth beside me.”   You can listen to it here: http://tinyurl.com/hymn444

 

Responsive Reading:

The psalms were sacred songs, or hymns. This psalm tells us that the truth of the Lord lasts forever. (Think, if God-Truth didn't last forever, what would it be?) The psalm tells us that we have responsibilities, too. We have to choose the way of truth. It isn't enough to just recognize truth. We need to delight in God's commandments and keep them. (What if Moses had given us the Ten Recommendations?) The Psalmist says that all God's commandments are truth. (God's Commandments or laws, spiritually perceived, are truth.)   The psalmist says to trust the Truth. (It's easy to say that we trust the truth, but to show we trust it, we have to share it, live it and lean on it.) Lastly, we have to desire the truth. (We have to follow truth like a plant follows sunlight.)

 

Section 1 – How Bright You Are

Christian Science teaches that human efforts to understand truth can only go so far. That's logical. The human mind usually gets overly complex and confused. Even when it thinks it gets things right, it doesn't. No matter, absolute Truth exists. In Christian Science Truth, God is self-existent and declares itself. It is a revelation – it reveals itself. (S1, S2) Truth sheds light on itself. (S5) It removes ignorance. It necessarily and naturally removes whatever is unlike itself. Truth's opposite, error is offensive, so Truth's presence naturally destroys error/evil. (S4) Truth is light, as bright as the sun. It shines on the people walking in mental darkness. It is a great light shining on those living in deep darkness. (B2) Have you recognized the light of Truth shining from within? As you do, you will recognize this light of Truth shining from others.

 

Section 2- Truth is Bright

Referring to the famous passage from Isaiah 9:6, myBibleLesson.com shares, “Some scholars believe this passage is a prophecy, while others think the word structure indicates it was a speech announcing the coronation of a new king – possibly Hezekiah – who would sit on the throne once occupied by King David.” (B4) “The glory of the Lord shall be revealed and [everyone] shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.” (B3) Our Christ-likeness, which is our true nature, is perpetually renewed. God has delivered us. God has healed us. Our Christ-likeness honors the truth about us. Imagine if we all recognized the light, or kingdom of God, within. If we did, imagine how we would treat each other and how we would treat ourselves. (B5) In the passages from Science and Health in this section Mary Baker Eddy shares how her discovery of Christian Science dawned upon her. Her search for the source of her healing led her back to the Bible. She discovered that healing is the result of the laws of Truth, of Love and of Mind. It is a revelation that she thought that there was a Principle of all-harmonious Mind-action. She was heading into new territory and this revelation was fiercely opposed. She stood alone, preserving this discovery. She pressed on despite doubts and opposition. She realized that the practicality of scientific, mental, Bible-based healing had to be proved as practical and reliable. Before she could present the Science of being as something merely theoretical or philosophical, but practical, repeatable and dependable she proved it to be dependable through many, many healings. (S6, S7) You can read about these healings in the biography, “Mary Baker Eddy, Christian Healer“, [available in Christian Science Reading Rooms and online through the CSPS]. These spectacular healings allowed her to write confidently that, “Christian Science brings to light Truth and its supremacy, universal harmony, the entireness of God, good, and the nothingness of evil.” (S8) Evil is the awful condition of human existence. If both Truth and error were real, then there would be no Truth. Thought naturally progresses from intuition, hope, faith, reason, to understanding and then reality.

 

Section 3 – Born to be an Author

When Mary Baker Eddy was very young, her sisters would ask her, ‘”Mary what are you going to do when you grow up?” to which she would reply, “I will write a book.” … In 1902 Mrs. Eddy wrote that the title came to her in the silence of the night, and not till six months later did a friend find “science and health” in John Wycliffe's version of the New Testament, and bring it to her notice.' (Mary Baker Eddy: A Life Size Portrait)  “When it was first printed, the critics took pleasure in saying, ‘This book is indeed wholly original, but it will never be read.' … Even the Scriptures gave no direct interpretation of the scientific basis for demonstrating the spiritual Principle of healing, until our heavenly Father saw fit, through the Key to the Scriptures, in Science and Health, to unlock this “mystery of godliness.”' (Retrospection and Introspection) (S10)

 

Section 4 – Washing Feet with Tears

In the Gospel of Luke there is a story of the Pharisee Simon who invited Jesus to his house for a meal. A woman, who was not living according to God's Commandments, has been labeled a sinner. She shows up at the Pharisee's house uninvited.  (In American slang, she crashes the party.) Assume the woman knows Jesus is coming and waits outside the house for Jesus to arrive. Her plan is that she would anoint his feet (poor oil on them), per the custom of courtesy in that part of the world. She is genuinely surprised that no one in Simon's household has washed the Master's feet, which was also an expected way of welcoming a guest at that time. Maybe this makes her sad. She can't allow the Master to be treated this way.  Because of the way Jesus is sitting his feet are behind him. The woman, who is never named, has no water and no towel, but she tenderly washes Jesus' feet with her tears. She kisses his feet and then rubs them with the expensive oil she had purchased. What love and respect. Across the room, Simon squirms. He has heard the stories of Jesus hanging out with sinners, but now he is seeing it with his own eyes. He wonders to himself why Jesus, a prophet, isn't maintaining some dignity. How can this man of God allow this sinner to touch him? The way this story in Luke is written makes complete sense. Simon wonders what kind of prophet this is that doesn't seem to know when he is disobeying God's laws, but yet he heals. I believe that Jesus was acutely aware of this heavy mental atmosphere.  In Jesus' time, the atmosphere of Jewish religious tradition held that one of the very most important things in life was to keep yourself clean, untouched by anything that would make you unclean. If you were not clean, you couldn't worship God until you were purified.  Think how different that attitude was from the way Jesus lived! Think how often he touched someone who was “unclean” or allowed them to touch him.   He didn't fear the touch of the unclean. He knew that then, as today, the touch of Christ heals. Do you see that this was part of the Messiah's healing mission and how central this is to this story about Simon the “I'm looking down my nose at you” Pharisee? Jesus found a way to help Simon see how wrong he was and help him turn his thinking around. Jesus told a parable about debtors to teach a lesson.  In the parable, he who is forgiven the most loves the most. The story was obviously for Simon's benefit. Once Simon admits this, Jesus tells Simon that he has not been a good host. When Jesus arrived, he hadn't expressed grace by following the custom of the day by having a servant wash Jesus' feet after his journey. Simon had not shown him respect by putting oil on his head. (B12)   Mrs. Eddy asks all of us whether we are more like the woman who weeps at Jesus' feet and expresses love for him, or more like Simon who was trying to keep the established religious tradition, and wanting to rub shoulders with a celebrity. Mrs. Eddy asks, “Do [you] seek Truth as Simon sought the Saviour, through material conservatism and for personal homage”. Conservatism means efforts to “maintain the existing or traditional order,” (American Heritage Dictionary) or “retain what is established and to practice a policy of gradualism rather than abrupt change.” (-ologies and -isms, The Gale Group) How often do we approach something from the standpoint of maintaining the way things have been done? To seek Truth for homage would be to seek it so that you could be honored and acknowledged publicly. Do we seek the Truth as the woman did out of genuine repentance (voluntary, sincere regret or sorrow, deep desire for change) expressed in meekness and human affection? Seeking Truth this way is our intent as Christian Scientists. Isn't it interesting that this is the way that Mrs. Eddy chose to begin the chapter on how to be a Christian Science practitioner? (S13, S14)

 

Section 5 – Christ

As you read about the healing of the two blind men, ponder what Jesus saw in them. The two men followed Jesus and believed he was the Messiah (Son of David). From other writings in the Gospels, we know that following the truth that Jesus taught and honoring the Messiah (Christ) was important to him. The men asked Jesus to bless them.  They were following Jesus, but he was leading them straight to God. We can trust that others who seem to be taking a path different than ours are still being lead by the Christ to God. As you seek healing, draw near to your true selfhood, your Christ-self; this Christ-self is already fully aware of God and God's love for you.  If you are confused how to get close to God, you don't have to be. Get close to the Christ. As you feel close to Christ, remember that the Christ is not trying to find God, or understand God. It's already linked to God. Mrs. Eddy referred to Christ as “the true idea of God” (S&H 54:9) and “the ideal Truth, that comes to heal sickness and sin through Christian Science, and attributes all power to God.” (S17)  Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” I think Jesus was referring his Christ-selfhood.  (B14) In humility, Jesus said, “I can of mine own self do nothing.” (John 5:30) He realized that it was not Jesus of Nazareth who healed, but the Christ-self. St. Paul, recognizing the power of the Christ-consciousness, said: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Phil 4:13)

 

Section 6 – Lean on the Truth

John 8:31-32 says: “Then Jesus turned to the Jews who had claimed to believe in him. 'If you stick with this, living out what I tell you, you are my disciples for sure. Then you will experience for yourselves the truth, and the truth will free you.'”  While you are leaning on Truth, remember that Truth is declaring itself. Your consistency, devotion and understanding come to you naturally as a reflection of God. “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” (II Cor 3:17) It is your divine right to experience this liberty. (S22) “To those leaning on the sustaining infinite, to-day is big with blessings.” (S&H, vii: 1-2)  Our opportunity today is to lean on the Truth and reject that suggestion that today is big with disappointments, burdens or stresses. God looks at you and your life and thinks, “I see evidence of My infinite supply, infinite health, infinite wisdom and grace.”  You are able to see this and pray this way. And when you see what God is seeing darkness lifts.

 

Section 7- [“As in heaven, so on earth …”] S&H 17:2

Look at the Bible quotes in this section. They speak about earth as God sees it. When God looks at earth, God sees creation created in God's own image. “And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.” (B16) When God speaks, it is not a puny voice.  It is not an opinion; it is with the authority of the Creator. The “Word of God”, or Christ, as the Bible puts it, is what created earth. The first time I visited CedarS I was impressed by the wonderful mental climate of love. Everyone at CedarS always seems to be aware of how much they are loved. The 2009 CedarS' metaphysical focus was to ‘actively promote a positive climate change to the “atmosphere of Love divine” (CS Hymnal #144) by sharing the ingredients of love with “a little more grace, a motive made pure, a few truths tenderly told, a heart softened, a character subdued, a life consecrated, (that) would restore the right action of the mental mechanism, and make manifest the movement of body and soul in accord with God.”' (Miscellaneous Writings 354:15)  Daily you are called to be a witness to God's atmosphere. “Glory and honour are in his presence, strength and gladness are in his place.” (B17) The more you express God's qualities, the more you experience them. Here are a few qualities of Truth: courage, honor, honesty, simplicity, immediacy, light, clarity, openness, reliability, truthfulness, and correctness. Each day, take one of these qualities of God and express it to its fullest. Moses said, “I call Heaven and Earth to witness against you today: I place before you Life and Death, Blessing and Curse. Choose life so that you and your children will live. And love God, your God, listening obediently to him, firmly embracing him. Oh yes, he is life itself, a long life settled on the soil that God, your God, promised to give your ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” (Deuteronomy 30:19, 20, The Message) (B18) “For the earth shall be filled, that it know the glory of the Lord, as waters covering the sea. (For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, like the waters covering, or filling, the sea.)” (Wycliffe Bible, B20) If you were Truth itself, what would your perpetual demand be? [How about: “Let there be light!”-“the sunlight of Truth, which invigorates and purifies.” S&H 162:] Would you allow God to be lied about, pulled out of the game, and made so small that no one cared? [By contrast, see God described as the major Mover and Shaker of the universe, “changing chaos into order and discord into the music of the spheres.” (S23)]

 

Section 8 – Cross

Would we rather skip over the cross? (even though it is central to Christianity according to Mrs. Eddy) [Misc. 357:11] She also said, “There is a cross to be taken up before we can enjoy the fruition of our hope and faith.” The cross is our witness to Christ. It symbolizes denying the false sense of self that holds us back. The modern world is all about instant gratification, getting what you want right now. What Jesus and Mrs. Eddy have asked us to do is to give up the personal sense of self for the reflection of God, the I AM. (B21) Can you see why we want to take up our cross?  To live this way is to see and feel your Christ identity, to identify yourself correctly. A Christian Science treatment is Truth telling the truth about itself. It doesn't have to be complex. It can simply be: 1. God is. 2. So, I am. 3. This isn't. (What has come to you to be healed.) 4. And, that's that. (Error is done.) A treatment is Truth declaring itself to the whole universe. Acknowledge that only whatever is true to Truth can be your experience. Have a week of progress and freedom.

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[If you have been grateful for any of CedarS weekly inspirational emails, this would be a wonderful time to share your appreciation in the form of a gift–as generous as divine Love directs-in support of our work.  Remember that CEDARS weekly “Mets” or Metaphysical Newsletters, Possible Sunday School Topics (PSSTs) and Possible Younger Class Lessons (PYCLs) are all provided at no charge to the 1,200 campers and staff blessed each summer at CEDARS–as well as to thousands of CEDARS alumni, families, Sunday School teachers and friends who weekly find these “Mets”, PSSTs and PYCLs on our website or through CS Directory.  CedarS most significant recurring needs are spelled out at http://www.cedarscamps.org/giving/unrestricted-gifts.htm .   Just click here to use a credit or debit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover card) or a virtual check to make monthly or one-time donations to CedarS' in support of spiritual growth.  International supporters can give to CedarS via PayPal using built-in currency exchange rates by filling in an amount under International Donors and clicking on the “Donate Online” button.  

Please also help us fulfill our mission by telling every “un-camped” family you know about CedarS! We have a few bunks left for campers in 4th and especially 5th session–plus a couple of cabins and air-conditioned bedrooms with attached baths left for Family Campers, 50^th Jubilee celebrants and Bible conferees. We'll gladly send anyone a DVD and info to help get them to camp – including more on: CedarS financial aid forms; programs for all ages; session dates & rates; online enrollment; transportation….]

 

 

 ^{[Camp Director's Note: This sharing is the latest in an ongoing, 11-year series of CedarS Bible Lesson “Mets” (Metaphysical application ideas) contributed weekly by a rotation of CedarS Resident Practitioners and occasionally by other metaphysicians.  (Ask and look for “Possible Sunday School Topics “and “Possible Younger Class Lessons” in subsequent emails.) These weekly offerings are 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 my Sunday School students and 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 “and Sunday School idea  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 and background as well as new angles (and angels) on the daily applicability of 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.B-1 and S-28) from this week's Bible Lesson in the “Met” (Metaphysical application ideas) are taken from the Bible (B-1 thru B-24) and the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health With Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy (S-1 thru S-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 the 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, Executive Director   director@cedarscamps.org]

[PSST: Teach “the Truth-cure… among  … first lessons” S&H 237:15]
Possible Sunday School Topics for the Christian Science Bible Lesson on
“Truth” for study during the week of July 18-24, 2011
by Steve Henn, C.S. St. Louis, Missouri steven.henn@gmail.com 
[Steve Henn is a Class-taught Co-Program Director of CedarS Family Camp & 50^th Jubilee. 
He teaches Upper School English at The Principia School, ST. Louis, MO.]

Look over this whole lesson. What qualities are raised up as being necessary to our expression of Truth? How can we grow in those qualities?

PSST: Golden Text | Isa 46

“I am God,”
Who is God? How does this connect to a lesson on Truth?

“there is none else;”
What other 'gods' try to sneak in and pose as an alternative to God?

 

PSST: Responsive Reading (RR) | Ps 117 & 119
“the truth of the Lord”
What is the 'truth of the Lord'? What is true about God?  What truths will last forever?

“the way of truth:”
What is the way of truth? How do you know you are on it? Why would you want to follow it?
Look throughout this RR and the rest of the lesson for hints at answers to these questions.

“take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth;”
Lord, let the word of truth be always in my mouth; let me have the wisdom and courage which are necessary to enable me both to use my knowledge for the instruction of others, and, like the good householder, to bring out of my treasury things new and old, and to make profession of my faith whenever I am called to it. (Matthew Henry's complete notes)
What courage does it take to stick by God in the face of adversity? Are there ever times in the experiences of your students that they feel afraid to keep the word of God (Truth) in their mouths?

“thy law …thy precepts …thy commandments.”
What is the connection between law an truth?

 

PSST: Section 1

B1 | John 18

“What is truth?”
Context is good to provide for students, particularly with small snippets from big stories such as this one. Who is speaking here?  This is the moment when Jesus and Pilate are having their big debate, and in that debate this question plays a central role.  Consider opening the Bible to this story and explore some background/context with your students.

SH1 | 223 

“ology”

What is an 'ology'?  Do they play a role in our lives today, the lives of your students?

SH3 | 108

“When apparently near the confines of mortal existence, standing already within the shadow of the death-valley,”
Do your students know what experience this passage is referring to?  Context is so valuable in understanding the true meaning of a passage.  Consider exploring Mrs. Eddy's fall on the ice and subsequent healing.

“all real being is in God, the divine Mind, and that Life, Truth, and Love are all-powerful and ever- present; that the opposite of Truth, – called error, sin, sickness, disease, death, – is the false testimony of false material sense, of mind in matter; that this false sense evolves, in belief, a subjective state of mortal mind which this same so-called mind names matter, thereby shutting out the true sense of Spirit.”
Count the number of truths in this passage.  Then pick them apart. What is each truth actually saying; what does it teach about Truth; how does it apply to our lives today; are there any examples of this truth being evident?

SH5 | 510

 “Truth and Love”
 How does Love relate to Truth? Why are these two paired together? In what ways do the help each other?

 “light”
 Lots of references to light in this section. What does light have to do with Truth?

 

PSST: Section 2

B4 | Isa 9
 “there shall be no end,”
 How can this sense of unending progress and peace help us when we don't feel its presence? How can we reconnect with it?

B5 | Psalms 30:2, 3, 8
 http://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/treasury-of-david/psalms-30/
This link will take you to an in-depth exploration of each verse in this citation.  Notice how fully it calls us to rely on God and how strong is the faith in these verses that God will answer our calls.  Ask your students if they have ever called on God and felt Her loving response.  If not, share some stories of your own.  Consider making it an assignment for the coming week to call on God whenever the need arises for the purpose of improving this important skill.

B7 | Ps 119 “light…thy law is the truth. … commandments”
Again, light and law present themselves in this lesson.  Either can be a theme of conversation for your class this week.

SH6 | 107:1
“God had been graciously preparing me during many years for the reception of this final revelation of the ab- solute divine Principle of scientific mental healing.”
Again, context is so valuable. Do your students know how Mrs. Eddy was graciously prepared? One thing that will add great meaning to your students' study of Christian Science is to understand our leader and her journey.  There are many biographies out that illustrate her life and work.  This not only helps understand our leader, but also gain a perspective when faced with similar challenges, gain hope that we, too, can prevail in the face of fear, error, mortal mind, limitation…

SH8 | 293:28
 “Christian Science brings to light Truth and its supremacy, universal harmony, the entireness of God, good, and the nothingness of evil.”
What do this and surrounding citations teach about Truth?

SH9 | 482:26-29
“Error will not expel error.”
What errors trip us up most often?  What errors pretend to be truth and then distract us from demonstrating Truth?  Help your students get very good at identifying and casting these errors out.

“Christian Science is the law of Truth, which heals the sick on the basis of the one Mind or God.”
 Add this citation to your exploration of the connection between law and Truth.  Tie in the importance of 'one' at this point.  It is vital to understand there is only one Mind, Truth, God.  Help your students see this and understand its vitality.

PSST: Section 3

B8 | Isaiah 30:8, 15 (to 🙂
Look at the qualities presented here and discuss how they help in the demonstration of Christian Science.

B9 | Psalms 68:11
 “those that published it.”
Do your students yet write down their healings, insights, revelations?  Have any of them published their progress? The simple process of writing is invaluable in our growth, but the publishing of it adds a whole new dimension.  Most importantly, when we write, we have a catalog of our progress and it is harder then for error to convince us our progress has not happened.  Encourage your students to write and share.

SH10 | x:3-4, 11-17
“By thousands of well-authenticated cases of healing, she and her students have proved the worth of her teachings.”
You can find these testimonies in Christian Science Sentinels and Journals throughout the past 100 years.  Read them often to remind yourself of the power of Christian Science.  Bring them to your class for reading and discussion as well.  Use healings both new and old to show the timelessness of demonstration. [AP (Answered Prayer) History]
 

PSST: Section 4

B11 | John 9:39 (to 😉 39

“And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see;”
We are so often told not to judge others. In fact, we often quote Jesus' words that we must “Judge not lest ye be judged”… How does this fit in, then?  How will judgment help those who see not to see?

B12 | Luke 7:36-47

“when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying,”
 Is this the right form of judgment, the form that will help those who don't see to see?

 “Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much:”
 What is the difference between Jesus' view and his host's?  How can we judge after Jesus' fashion?

SH12 | 236:6-7
What do we seek?  What do your students seek in the community of high-school opinions?  Would they rather be seen as 'cool' than being recognized as one who is close to God?  What are the allurements of our human experience?  And are those satisfying?

 

SH13 | 362:1-12

“that she was debarred from such a place and such society,”
Do your students understand the societal rules that lead Mrs. Eddy to make this statement?  This sort of context will help understand the magnitude of Jesus' revelatory judgment.

SH14 | 364:16-31

“Do Christian Scientists seek Truth as Simon sought the Saviour, through material conservatism and for personal homage?”
“On the other hand, do they show their regard for Truth, or Christ, by their genuine repentance, by their broken hearts, expressed by meekness Genuine human affection, as did this woman?”
These are great questions to bring to your students.  How do they seek the Christ in their own lives? When it is convenient and does not block their personal desires?  Or are they willing to put in extraordinary effort?

SH15 | 365:19

“enough Christly affection…then he is Christian enough to practice scientifically”
Notice what it takes to heal scientifically, and what it doesn't take.  What is Christly affection?  It certainly isn't a birthright, or a status in society, or a well of spiritual power granted arbitrarily…

SH16 | x:22-23
“sincere seeker of Truth.”
This is the second time this sentiment has been expressed in this lesson.  Why is sincerity or honesty important to Truth or Christian Science?

 

PSST: Section 5

B13 | Matthew 9:27, 28, 30 (to ;), 32-35

“30 And their eyes were opened;”
How are these men healed?  Is it in Jesus' or their own belief/faith/understanding?
“They said unto him, Yea, Lord. 34 But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils. 35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.”
Notice the impact of others talking poorly about Jesus.  How can we experience the same in school, at work, at home, on the athletic field/court?

SH17 | 30:19

“rebuke rabbinical error”
Define 'rabbinical' for your students.  Why would Jesus want to rebuke this form of thinking? What about it is erroneous?
“the difference between the offspring of Soul and of material sense,”
What is this difference? How can we see it in our daily lives? How can we stop being tricked into believing that anyone we don't like is the offspring of material sense?

SH18 | 473:10-12

“Christ is the ideal Truth…attributes all power to God.”
 Do your students attribute ALL power to God?  What does this look like; what does it mean?

SH19 | 471:31

“God is the only Life,”
“God is to be understood, adored, and demonstrated;”
Sit on this citation with your students for a while.  How many times has someone said, 'I just don't know enough to demonstrate Science' or, 'God is a mystery.' How does this statement reject both of those sentiments?

SH20 | 288:29-1

“…man's real existence as a child of God comes to light.”
Do your students understand this to be man's real existence?  What does it mean to be a child of God?  How does that impact our experience/performance in life, school, family, sports…?

 

PSST: Section 6

SH22 | 227:24-26

“liberty… be free! This is your divine right.”
 What is the freedom being spoken of throughout this section?  Too often freedom is translated as, 'I do what I want!'  How else can it be taken?  What are the qualities of freedom?

PSST: Section 7
Look throughout this section for universal statements of Truth.  What do we learn about Truth here? What qualities make up this light and Truth?

B16 | Genesis 1:3
“And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.”
What happens when you turn on a light in a room?  What is the impact of light?  What sort of light is God turning on here?  What sort of light will help our lives?

 B19 | Psalms 46:2, 3 (to 1st .), 10
“Therefore will not we fear,”
Why will we not fear?  Look outside of this citation; there are answers to this question throughout the section.

SH23 | 255:1 (only), 3-6

“Eternal Truth”
Do your students feel this universal impact in their daily lives?  How does Truth play a role in sports, school, and the ins and outs of teenage lives?

SH24 | 223:28
“Marvels, calamities, and sin will much more abound”
Are your students aware of this challenge?  Do they feel up to it?  How do they respond to challenges? What is the hope that follows after this grim prediction?

 

SH25 | 368:6

“error is self- destroyed.”
Do your students understand this concept?  It is vital to grasp the ultimate end of all error.

 

PSST: Section 8
B22 | Mark 10:28
“have left all, and have followed thee.”
What are the disciples leaving? What do we need to leave in order to follow Christ more fully?

SH27 | 9:25-26 (to ?), 30-32 (to .)
“Consistent prayer is the desire to do right.”
This is a favorite quote of mine.  It is worth pointing out to any class.

 

SH28 | 192:4-6″
“We are Christian Scientists, only as we quit our reliance upon that which is false and grasp the true.”
Notice there is no mention of specific things here; there is only one standard to measure against: is what I am relying on a false or true idea?  This question precludes any moralism or set of moral rules.  When following this moral compass, we will always be led rightly.

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