Take a Daily Dip in your Divine Origin to Remove the “Curse” of Every Kind of Sin!

Take a Daily Dip in your Divine Origin to Remove the “Curse” of Every Kind of Sin!
Metaphysical Application Ideas for the Christian Science Bible Lesson for Nov. 2-8, 2009
Subject: Adam and Fallen Man
by Meg Welch Dendler, CS, of Houston, Texas [with bracketed italics by Warren Huff]

[Editor’s Note: The following application ideas for this week and the 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 — by Monday each week in English, or by each Wednesday you can get a FREE TRANSLATION in French from Pascal or in Spanish from Ana. JUST SIGN UP at www.cedarscamps.org/newsletters]

Wow!  10 sections this week!  But don’t stress out.   No matter how many sections the Bible Lesson is broken up into, it is still the same amount of content–though the MET covering it may run a bit longer. Looking at the subject this week, which has its basis in the Biblical story of Adam and Eve and what is called “original sin” (the false theology that we are all sinners from birth because of the curse on Adam), it is important to remember that when we talk about sin in Christian Science we are really going with the larger definition of it–meaning to “miss the mark” or fall short. Anything that pulls us away from seeing ourselves as glorious and spiritual and divinely created really can be classified as sin. We are missing out on living the life God has perfectly planned for us. This Lesson covers some of the “biggies” as far as sinful behavior goes, but the good news is that we are already FREE. We were created that way! [We can demonstrate our freedom here and now-“One step at a time” as Christian Science lecturer, Sarah Hyatt, tells us so well with a clear Bible example in today’s “Daily Lift”. You can hear it free by clicking here.] 
http://christianscience.com/blogs/daily-lift/2009/11/02/one-step-at-a-time/

Golden Text: Being Free From Sin ROCKS!
The idea of “imputing” someone has a definite negative slant to it, especially when what one is being imputed with is sin! The definition at www.dictionary.com says that to impute is to attribute something discreditable to a person. But what this Golden Text suggests is that God will NOT impute sin to us. Or as the Amplified Bible translates this passage: “Blessed and happy and to be envied is the person of whose sin the Lord will take no account nor reckon it against him.” It also references Psalm 32:1, 2 as the source for this Scripture: “Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is he who has forgiveness of his transgression continually exercised upon him, whose sin is covered. Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man to whom the Lord imputes no iniquity and in whose spirit there is no deceit.” Clearly the promise is that people who God forgives of their sins will feel blessed and happy. But who are those people? Who is it that is forgiven? It’s ALL of us, without question. The teachings of Christian Science are very clear on the fact that God knows nothing of sin, sickness, or death. But that flies in the face of the teachings of other churches that God allows man to sin, maybe even tempts him to sin. One less familiar resource for discussion on this topic is the article “The Deep Things of God,” from Mary Baker Eddy’s book Unity of Good, but she talks about the subject many times because it is part of a prevalent theological discussion. This Lesson helps us to be clear about what Christian Science teaches on this subject.

Responsive Reading: The Seven Deadly Sins = Bad Fruit
In the first part, from Proverbs, we are introduced to what are often called “the seven deadly sins”–meaning that they will drag you right down to the depths of despair and, well, death. Sections 4-9 go into great detail on each of these false attractions and lies about what will bring man pleasure. (Also check out “A Look at ‘The Seven Deadly Sins,'” by Patricia Tupper Hyatt, in The Christian Science Journal for November and December.) Just as taking a bite from the fruit of the tree in Section 3 turns out to be a trick of useless knowledge that leads man into nothing but grief, so these seven wrong ways of thinking and acting, that promise reward or joy or satisfaction, lead to nothing but sorrow and loss and despair.
According to encarta.com, the listing of the seven deadly sins is historically: “pride, avarice, lust, anger, gluttony, envy, and sloth. There is no foundation in the Bible for this classification, but the above list has been found in the works of several spiritual writers and theologians, including Saint Thomas Aquinas, a leading Roman Catholic theologian during the 13th century. Aquinas slightly modified the earlier lists of Saint John Climacus and Saint Gregory the Great. These seven sins are not singled out because they are all grievous sins or because of their severity, but because they are the inevitable source of other sins.” This suggests that these seven classifications of sin are the first steps on a downhill slide away from living the life God has planned for you. [Remember that God’s word takes us “One step at a time” away from a downhill slide. http://christianscience.com/blogs/daily-lift/2009/11/02/one-step-at-a-time/]

But the second half of the Responsive Reading offers freedom and what our real ambitions should be. God comforts us because we are His witnesses, He has formed us to praise and glorify Him, and no one can pull us out of His hand. What sinful attraction has more pull than God’s love? When we uncover the true nature of those false attractions–awake and open our eyes to see what nasty fruits they will really bring to our lives–then we easily lose all interest in them. We will just want to praise God.

Section 1: God’s Man is Totally Cultivated
Just to be clear, we start out with the true facts of man’s creation, foundation, and perfection. This glorious work is done and it is very good. Heading off the false statements coming in Section 2, we have the assurance (S-2) that spiritual creation does not need to be “cultivated.” That’s often a word associated with planting and caring for crops on a farm, but it also relates to any sense of improving and upgrading and working on making better. Does God’s creation need to be made better or improved?  Absolutely not.  And the next citation (S-3) assures us that man does not need to be fixed or re-created again. Man is unfallen!  Keep your feet planted on this rock of Truth, what the truth of creation really is, and then all the lies that are challenged in the next 8 sections have no way to impress you.

Section 2: Re-creation is a Big, Fat Myth
Now begins the myth. Many people believe that the story of Adam and Eve is literal, historical fact, so Mrs. Eddy included this subject in our Bible Lesson cycle to repeatedly explore how that cannot possibly be true. No matter how many people want to see this story as fact, it just simply isn’t. Creation is done. It is very good. There was no dust involved. But since this is not the creation that we see when we look around at the material world, it is logical that some spiritual thinkers along the way came up with a myth to explain it all. Every culture in the world does that–creates stories and legends to explain things or give moral advice. Think about the legends of Greek and Roman mythology, and how those gods were actually worshiped and feared. Someone just made up those myths to explain things going on around them. But none of that fear of those false gods can give them power any more than lots of people believing that Adam and Eve were real can give it power or make it real or give us something to fear. (Adults may enjoy Elaine Pagels’ book on this subject: Adam, Eve, and the Serpent.) We can simply follow the advice in B-3 from Isaiah and turn away from material, mortal man, whose “breath is in his nostrils,” and turn instead to spiritual man, who lives and breathes in God. The Science and Health (S) citations lay out clearly that this portion of the Genesis story is proven to be false simply by the truth of the first account. Man cannot be both perfect and imperfect. Let’s choose to stand with the Genesis 1 version.

Section 3: “Original sin” or God given dominion?
This portion of the story is the basis for many religions’ beliefs that man is born a sinner (because of the curse on Adam) and must be saved from this natural, sinful state. What the process of this salvation needs to be varies greatly. But in Christian Science we learn a very simple path: we are saved from this false doctrine of “original sin” by waking up to the fact that God’s creation cannot be born fallen or lacking. God’s creation is “very good”–as the first section talks about–and that’s the end of the story. Can you imagine calling a Christian Science practitioner to help you pray about a problem and getting the response: “Well, you are a pretty big sinner, but let’s see what we can do to fix you”??? Of course not! Healing begins with refusing to accept those lies about God’s perfect child, and that is where that healer would begin too. No matter what garbage you may think is attached to you, the spiritual reality is that you are clean and clear and free. “Shake yourself from the dust…” (Isa. 52:2). The only sin we ever have to fight with is the fear that we are separated from God, or as S-9 has it, that we fear we live in matter and that this is the source of our life. Stand with the assurance from S-8: “God’s man, spiritually created, is not material and mortal.” The lie of mortality and matter-based life comes from that mortal dream, that deep sleep of Adam. Notice that the story never says that Adam woke up from that dream. That’s our job! “Arise, shine, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee!” (Isa. 60:1)   S-6 states that the purpose of the myth of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden is to “depict the falsity of error and the effects of error.” That’s what the next 6 sections will focus on by looking at what are classically considered the seven big categories of error–the “seven deadly sins.”

Section 4: Cement or a Ghastly Farce?
I’ve been reading the book of Proverbs recently, and it is amazing how much of the text is devoted to advising men, young and old, to avoid naughty women. Citation after citation gives great detail to the total desecration of life that will follow straying from moral behavior, and the text constantly loops back to this theme. The temptations are still the same now as they were 2,000 years ago, both for men and women, and so are the outcomes. B-6 stresses that we cannot have it both ways. Fleshly desires and spiritual desires war against each other because they are as opposite as the two stories of creation. If we allow that battle to go on in our thinking and lives–not taking a clear stand for walking in goodness and honesty and self-control–then we are missing out. We “cannot do the things that ye would,”–or as the Amplified Bible translates it, since these two directions of desire (spiritual and material) are antagonistic to each other, “you are not free but are prevented from doing what you desire to do” (Gal. 17). We have to choose.  S-10 instructs us that there is only one way that will lead us to living that Genesis 1 account of our lives–following God’s direction.

Section 5: Couch Potatoes, ARISE!
There’s nothing wrong with taking a break after some hard work, but if you find you are spending more time resting and lazing around than doing anything productive it might be time to rethink things a bit. This section is pretty clear that slothful and lazy behavior lead to poverty and want, instead of the rest and peace that we are tricked into thinking that they will bring.  S-14 gives some rousing advice–that we need to be up and doing something worthwhile. Now, that doesn’t mean playing “Guitar Hero”, even though you may be up off the sofa for that. Play has its place in life, but every day gives us opportunities to be doing and working and helping in productive ways. “Be not weary in well doing” citation S-14 quotes from Galatians 6:9 and II Thessalonians 3:13. In our textbook Mrs. Eddy also tells us, “Mind-science teaches that mortals need ‘not be weary in well doing.’ It dissipates fatigue in doing good” (S&H 79:29-31). Be alert to whether you are being restful or just simply slothful. We will receive according to our deserving, so be sure to be deserving of a good reward!

Section 6: Honorable, Humble Men Listen to Servants
Little did Naaman know that he would end up the ultimate Biblical example of pride overcome. What we don’t have in the Lesson this week is the fact that Naaman’s first step of action is to get a formal letter from his boss, the king of Syria, and to amass a huge pile of gifts of tribute, and go straight to the king of Israel for healing. Does he think only a king [or a government health care program] can possess this power? The king is horrified because he knows he can’t heal Naaman, but Elisha quickly finds out about the problem and has Naaman sent to his house instead. But then, when Naaman is still seeking some personal show of power, he just gets a message to wash in the muddy, to him pretty yucky, Jordan River seven times. [Maybe one thorough dip, or lesson study daily, for each one of the “7 deadly sins”?]  Brave servants (willing to speak so out-of-turn to their master) convince him to overcome his pride of person and place, and through this new-found humility, Naaman is healed. (For a little lesson in greed/avarice and disobedience, continue on with the story to the next few citations on what happens to Gehazi when he tries to sneak off with gifts from Naaman, against Elisha’s commands. Greedy Gehazi, irony is a bummer!) 
S-15 implies that Naaman was seeking a “stereotyped” healing activity, based on a culturally-traditional worship of kings and idols. But his “mortal sense is subdued” (S-18) and he is receptive to following the directions of both the little maid and the servants–actions unheard of for mighty, powerful men in great power. We can learn many lessons from his example. We can move past even what we think is the right way to handle a problem through prayer in Christian Science and be willing to open our thought and learn and grow. We can “become receptive to the new idea” (S-17) and listen to continue on that path of humility. Then, pride doesn’t have a leg to stand on.

Section 7: Gluttony,… Again?
Yes, we have covered this topic quite a bit in the last few Bible Lessons. Maybe because it seems to be a big problem for many people. Years ago, when she still had a weekday talk show, Rosie O’Donnell shared her own challenges with overeating. One of her comments really stuck with me: “So many people worry about WHAT they eat, instead of WHY they eat.” Her personal battle with overeating is more about emotions and need-fulfillment–issues the best diet plan will not handle–and many people find themselves in the same fight. Overindulging in food does not bring the satisfaction that this mortal appetite promises. To paraphrase a quote my mother kept on our refrigerator door: “Wait and think–is it appetite or hunger?” We can expect to have our basic human need for food met, and without pain, but just indulging appetite is simply bowing down to matter’s demand to be entertained. Also, using alcohol or drugs to avoid feeling pain or problems or just for the joy of a “high” will ultimate in being even lower than when you started–and possibly with the added “bonus” of regret for words and actions that occurred during that indulgence. “Temperance” is often used to talk about avoiding alcohol, but it really just means to express moderation in all things and use good judgment–to have self-control.  B-15 reminds us that we can only have one power in charge of our lives. Do you ever feel that food and meal times run the show? Does weighing and measuring and counting calories take over the simplicity of “breaking bread”? Do you avoid certain foods because they have (or promise to have) a bad effect of some kind? Seek to eat and drink and live in the kingdom of heaven where we don’t have to fuss and bother about or overindulge in anything. S-22 is clear: “gluttony is a sensual illusion” and a “phantasm of mortal mind” that will disappear in proportion to how we put spiritual life and nourishment first. Choose your master well! Don’t let food and drink govern you. God has given us dominion to express temperance. [Another refrigerator-reminder about temperance might be the MyBibleLesson.com (MBL) cartoon of “Snakey” with a bulging tail saying: “Why does everything I eat go straight to my tail?” MBL cartoons are in every section of each lesson and show humorous–and shareable–ways for us all to see through the silly lies of sin.]

Section 8: “Avoid Anger” in 100 Words or Less
This is probably about as quickly as you can cover this subject! Both the Bible and our textbook have LOTS and LOTS to say about avoiding anger. “Hate no one;” Mrs. Eddy says in Miscellaneous Writings, “for hatred is a plague-spot that spreads its virus and kills at last. If indulged, it masters us; brings suffering upon suffering to its possessor, through-out time and beyond the grave” (Mis. 12:2-5). Avoiding anger/revenge and promoting love and forgiveness are basics of Christianity and most other world religions. Indulging them, even when we feel justified or badly wronged, is a slippery slope that sends us sliding away from walking in the Spirit. It is like a plague (horrible disease) over all our thoughts that infects them all. Jesus was very clear in the Sermon on the Mount: “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you, That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven:…”(Matt. 5:44, 45). Being God’s children means behaving like the Genesis 1 creation. No slippery slope there. Only good.
[A great article by Rachel Miller about her healing anger over a frustrating lack of adequate work can be found in the Dec. 2008 Christian Science Journal. It is reprised on page 10 of this week’s MyBibleLesson.com .]

Section 9: Avarice and Envy–Not Worth the Cost
We would translate “avarice” now as greed or being miserly (like Scrooge). The Biblical example that we have to consider here is Judas. There are tons of opinions on why Judas betrayed Jesus. I’ve seen a movie version depicting Judas’ actions as a big misunderstanding–Judas thinking he was just setting up a meeting with the authorities to explain his teachings, instead of handing Jesus over for execution (see the glorious version of Jesus’ story in Jesus of Nazareth by Franco Zeffirelli on DVD). But Mrs. Eddy’s take on it all (S-25) is that envy, greed, and even jealousy were at the source of Judas’ actions. Now, none of the events of the crucifixion could have taken place if Jesus didn’t allow them to so that we could learn the lessons of everlasting life. Jesus was never really a victim here. He even tells the disciples that he has power to lay down his life and to take it up again (John 10:17, 18). Judas, however, must have quickly realized the true nature of his act and the deadly results of his betrayal because he felt that he could no longer live with the guilt. According to the Gospel of Matthew (Chapter 27) he repented and returned the bribe money he had taken. Then Judas went out and hung himself in sorrow and remorse. That’s a pretty clear answer to the question, “Where will greed and jealousy get us in life?” S-26: “As in Adam (error) all die, even so in Christ [Truth] shall all be made alive.” The choice seems pretty simple when you look at it that way!

Section 10: Wake Up and Quit Thinking You Can Sin!
The end of the story is pretty simple–God’s man is not a sinner. That’s what we can take away from all of this. No matter how many times, or in how many ways, we forget who we are and fall (miss the mark of living out a God-directed life) we will always be able to get up and start fresh because God does not ever impute sin to us, as we learned first thing in the Golden Text.

And we wrap things up with the whole reason why man can be and is naturally free from sin. S-30 states plainly that man is governed by God, who is perfect, so man is sinless and eternal. That’s really all we need to know.

Conclusion: See, that wasn’t too long! And I hope you took the time to STUDY, not just READ the Lesson this week. It’s jammed full of divine inspiration for all of us–our daily bread–the Word of God, so there is always something more to discover. Have the humility of Naaman and wonder: “What can I learn in a new, fresh way today?”
 

This weekly Metaphysical Newsletter is provided at no charge to the 1,200 campers and staff who were blessed this summer at CEDARS–as well as to thousands of CEDARS alumni, families and friends who request it, or find it weekly on our website. But, current and planned gifts are much-needed to help cover the costs of running this service and of supporting operations and providing camperships. Your support is always tax-deductible and appreciated — but this year, especially in the coming months your help is very much needed and precious to us! This is the ideal time before winter to do needed “Maintenance Must” projects, yet our 5-year grant for this has expired. We look to God–and to friends like you–for help. You can always call Warren or Gay Huff at (636) 394-6162 to charge your gift or to discuss any short-term or long-term gift that you are considering. CLICK HERE RIGHT AWAY TO SUPPORT CEDARS WORK!
Or, while your gratitude for freely receiving is fresh, you can “freely give” a tax-deductible check payable to CedarS Camps mailed to the office: 1314 Parkview Valley, Manchester, MO 63011.

[Camp Director’s Note: This sharing is the latest in an ongoing, 9-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 the “Possible Sunday School Topics” come in a subsequent email.) This weekly offering 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 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” 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 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, Camp Director      director@cedarscamps.org      (636) 394-6162

PSST-Ways for the student in each of us to find new ways to apply truths from the lesson. [How your Genesis 1, divine reflection & the 10 Commandments keep you from the 7 deadly sins]
Possible Sunday School Topics for the Christian Science Bible Lesson on “Adam and Fallen Man” for the week of November 2-8, 2009
By Amy Robbins, St. Louis, MO [with bracketed italics by Warren Huff, CedarS Director]

PSST for Golden Text and Responsive Reading
The word “impute” means to attribute or ascribe. What does it mean if God does not hold sin as a part of our identities? What kind of freedom does that give us? How do we feel blessed?
Froward is defined as willfully contrary or obstinate. Why might that be found in the Responsive Reading as something to avoid? Think about the 7 things that God “hates”. What does it mean for God to hate something. Why are these specific things detailed as ones to avoid. How do you ensure that you are not doing them? What does it mean to be a witness for God? What types of responsibilities does that entail? How much work does it take to witness something?

PSST for Section 1
What does the image of God look like? What do you expect to see when you see your image? What does God see when He sees His image? What does it mean to be good? What are some examples of good that you see in your experience all around you? We were created good, so what more do we need to do? Is there anything more that we must do to show our love for God, other than being his image, good?
[Help your students soak up and never forget our Genesis 1, nonstop heritage as reflections of God-each of us a Divine Image And Likeness-D.I.A.L.. This “high estate” keeps us from experiencing the low life with its sins, lack, pain . . . . (S-3, S&H 258:30]

PSST for Section 2
What is wrong with the second record in Genesis? What are some things that happen in this record that go against what we know to be true about God and our relationship with Him? What are the major differences between chapter 1 and 2 of Genesis? What are some of the differences between Elohim and Jehovah? Which type of a relationship with God do you want to experience and witness?

PSST for Section 3
Why is this story referred to as the “Adam dream”? How do you wake up or snap out of a dream? What about when the dream is incredibly vivid? What about the subtle serpent thought? How do you avoid being tricked or fooled? What are some ways that we need to remember to be extra alert and say no to the subtle serpent? Citation S-9 states that the “belief of life in matter sins at every step”. How does this happen? Why do we care about it? How does that protect us?

PSST for Section 4
How do you redirect away from the flesh and towards the Spirit? What does it mean to “walk in the Spirit”? What does that look like? What’s so important about chastity and purity? Why does Mrs. Eddy say that “chastity is the cement of civilization and progress” (S-12)? Do you agree? How have you seen this in your life? What is the role of cement? Why is it so important?

[Our last 10-section lesson started out the year right on January 4th with a focus on the 10 Commandments. You may want to click here for CedarS Possible Sunday School Topics (after Craig Ghislin’s met) and use the Commandment-based questions there as a springboard for yourself and/or your students to think about this week’s lesson and its warning against the 7 deadly sins. Here’s an excerpt from that January PSST for example: “The Ten Commandments have been compared to signs on a frozen lake, pointing out spots where the ice is thin. God is saying to these people who have just been freed from slavery that you can ice-skate on the whole lake of freedom except for these ten areas of thin ice which will abruptly end your freedom skate.” (Barry Huff’s 10 Commandment podcast. To hear this podcast in full go to http://www.tmcyouth.com/downloads/audio/huff-commandments-00.mp3) Q. Which warning signs/commandments do your friends choose to ignore? Q. How can you help them without coming off as “holier than thou?” Q. Do you have an obligation to warn them of the danger? (A. Science & Health p. 571:12 & 452:10) You may want to ask students which of the 10 Commandments warns us “not to skate on the thin ice” of lust and body worship. Commenting on the 7th Commandment against adult-ery, “Jesus taught that living with lust in your heart is what leads to adulterous actions. (Matt 5: 27-28)” Focusing on and being “at home in the body” (II Cor. 5:6) results in a “gnawing incompleteness and inner lack called lust. We can insulate ourselves from the hot flashes of lust and the cold disappointments of self-contempt and broken promises by daily reveling in God’s view of true manhood and womanhood.” Quotes from Warren’s 1-4-09 CedarS P.S.S.T. on seeing the 10 Commandments as God’s 10 Architectural Specifications.]

PSST for Section 5
This is the field and wall of the “slothful.” What would the homework of the slothful look like? Is this strictly laziness? Is it a state of thought? Why do we want to avoid sloth/sleep/laziness? When you seek something, what are you doing? What type of a verb is seek? Active or passive? What does sleep have to do with salvation? Why should we keep working? What is the end result? What are you hoping to achieve?

[You may want to ask students to think about and discuss the differences between resting on the Sabbath day (4th Commandment) and being lazy.]

PSST for Section 6
What needed to change in order for Naaman to be healed? Was the River Jordan the healing spot, or was humility the actual healing? What’s the problem with pride? How can we make sure we aren’t trying to heal nothingness? What happens when you resist evil? How do you resist evil?

[You may want to ask students to think about and discuss the difficulties of putting God first and of honoring authority figures (1st and 5th Commandments) when one is feeling proud and full of oneself.]

PSST for Section 7
Which master are your serving? What is the problem with gluttony? Where does it put your focus? How can you keep your thought balanced? What should you not take any thought for what you are eating? What happens when you get caught up and distracted by food, eating, dieting, etc? What are some ways that we are the master of food? How can you ensure that you don’t make a God out of your meal, or the calories in what you are eating?

[You may want to ask students to think about not coveting (10th Commandment) in dialogue with not desiring or consuming more than what we really need to be sustained as individuals and as nations.]

PSST for Section 8
Why do we want to be free of anger? Look at citation B-18. Do you agree? Give an example in your life. We all have practical ways of not being angry. What are some spiritual ways that we can know that anger does not have to be a part of our experience. Consider road rage, and the freedom that comes with releasing that anger. Citation S-24 talks about man’s inalienable rights, including self-government, reason, and conscience. What do these have to do with being free from anger?

[You may wish to share with students: “Jesus proposed stopping murder by healing the attitudes that led to it. (See Matt 5:25-26) . . . Beware of the prevalent trend of seemingly innocent humor that features labeling and ridiculing others. It is a subtle form of disobedience to “Thou shalt not kill” (6th Commandment) that really injures the bully more than the bullied. Are you ready to stop the futility of anger and of tearing others down? What makes you angry? Are you willing to make a consistent effort to “chill” by repeating and understanding that “There’s nothing in this world getting angry about!”?Quotes from Warren’s 1-4-09 CedarS P.S.S.T. on using the 10 Commandments as God’s 10 Architectural Specifications.]

PSST for Section 9
How can we be sure that we are keeping envy, jealousy and greed from our thought? What was so bad about Judas Iscariot’s betrayal? What was the end result of that betrayal? What destroyed itself? What does that mean for anything opposing Truth and God? What happens to the lie?

[You may want to ask students to think about the 8th and 10th Commandments (about not stealing and not coveting) in dialogue with their right desire to not want or take another’s God-given place, attention or resources.]

PSST for Section 10
How do we rise from the dust? Why do we sing? What happens when we rejoice, even when things don’t seem to be going well? How do we keep the likeness of God in our thought? Look at S-28. Are you waking to the “truth of being”? What will be the result of this awakening? What will happen to the dream? The perfect man is sinless and eternal (S-30). That’s us, so what does that mean for our experience? How will you go out into the world and show this?