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Live Fearlessly and See through Unreality
CedarS Metaphysical Application ideas for the Christian Science Bible Lesson on
“Unreality”
for study during the week ofMarch 28-April 3, 2011
by Craig L. Ghislin, C.S., Glen Ellyn, IL
 
[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]
 
What are you afraid of?  Why are you afraid of it?  Is your fear legitimate?  At CedarS Camps when preparing for the high ropes course, we explain to the campers the difference between a perceived danger and an actual danger.  On the ropes course, precautions are taken to ensure that Christian Science everyone is securely tethered to strong safety wires.  It may seem scary to walk on wires and logs high above the ground, but using all the safety equipment changes it from an actual danger to a perceived danger.  Of course we can't just rely on the equipment.  We are also praying right there for strength, wisdom, and protection from any danger, perceived or otherwise.
 
In our daily experience, we might enumerate many dangers that certainly seem very real.  But through the understanding of the infinite power of the Omnipotent God, we learn that all danger is unreal because God is ever-present and keeps us safe from any harm.
 
In the Golden Text, Jesus is addressing his disciples in what is called his farewell discourse.  They are going to be facing extreme challenges and their Master is lovingly preparing them.  Their hearts are troubled “like a churning sea,” but Jesus urges them not to be afraid. According to A.T. Robinson's Word Pictures in the New Testament, the Greek word deiliao was used only once in the New Testament. Robinson notes that the word is rare and found in Aristotle, in a papyrus of one condemned to death. In other words, they were dealing with more than a perceived fear. Theologian Adam Clarke paraphrases the command this way: “Let not your heart shrink back through fear of any approaching evil.”
 
In this week's Lesson we will see many examples of fear overcome when one is unimpressed with what appears to be an “approaching evil.” When standing with God we can see that all evil, no matter how challenging, is unreal.
 
Whether you're afraid of a bully, the “tax man,” a terrorist, a temptation, or a disease, the scriptures in the Responsive Reading are clear: “Fear thou not.” And God isn't just within calling distance; He's right with you-always. In fact, you are in Him. Nothing can get through God to harm you. Have you ever looked for a shadow with a flashlight? You'll never find it, because wherever the flashlight points, the shadows flee. So shall be your enemies, says Isaiah. You'll look for them, but won't find them. The power of God strengthens us. Rather than being dismayed-frantically looking around for danger in every direction, we should be calm, free of all apprehension. As we behold the power of God, the situation will be reversed. Our blind eyes shall be opened, and deaf ears unstopped. We will sing with joy, and where there seemed to be barrenness and waste, shall be abundance and plenty. Our sighing shall disappear, to be replaced with everlasting joy.
 
Section 1: The Light of Truth and Love Eliminates the Darkness of Fear.
One meaning of magnify is “to make great.” It is believed that this Psalm (B1) was composed after David had been banished. David is calling the people together to make great the name of the Lord right where they were, even in the middle of a challenge. The next verse (B2) is thought to have been composed the day that David had been delivered from his enemy's hand: “…thou wilt light my candle…my God will enlighten my darkness…” Every time I read that I'm reminded of The Lord of the Rings. The unlikely hero, Frodo Baggins, is given a Phial from Galedriel the Elvin-Queen, containing the light of the Star of Earendil.  Her benediction is, “May it be a light to you in dark places, when all other lights go out.”
 
We have a light like that too, but ours is not fantasy; ours is the light of Truth and Love.  And the light that comes from God is not confined to a single source as a flashlight or mystical phial.  The light of God fills all space and there is no place for darkness at all.  This light is our salvation in every situation (B3).  It guides, leads, and protects.  Even if an army is arrayed against us, we will have confidence in God's all-power.  The enemy will be unable to detect us.  We will remain secure and safe.
 
Recognizing God as all good, and as the Source of all good, Mary Baker Eddy concluded that evil or error had no creator and was therefore, unreal (S1).  She too, utilized the image of light destroying darkness to illustrate the power of Truth over error (S2).  She points out that darkness only appears to be real.  Darkness is not a presence, but an absence of light.  Darkness flees when the light shines (S3).  She uses the analogy of humanity as a frightened child in the dark, seeing danger in every direction (S4).  When our daughter was little, the night-light made a shadow on her wall that looked like a shark.  This made her fearful.  Turning on the light changed the picture and she was no longer afraid.  The next time you're tempted to be afraid, turn on the light!
 
Section 2: Face the Unknown without Fear (Trust God)
Have you ever been apprehensive about doing something brand new?  About going outside of your comfort zone?  That's another thing we talk about with CedarS campers on the ropes course.  Whether it's in our home, business, or church life, forging into unknown and unfamiliar territory can be a challenge.  The Bible tells us we don't need to fear the future, because God is the only one in charge.  “Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth…I will even make a way in the wilderness…” (B4).  Abram (B5-B7) was challenged to leave his comfort zone in a big way.  Many today routinely fly hundreds or thousands of miles away from home.  But in ancient times it was not unusual for a person to live his entire life within a radius of about five miles.  Again, I'm reminded of The Lord of the Rings, when Sam stops the journey to announce that his next step would take him farther away from home than he'd ever been.  It was a momentous occasion.  So it was for Abram.  Theologian John Wesley puts it well: “… God let him know this was not the place he was intended for.  Get thee out of thy country – Now. By this precept he was tried whether he loved God better than he loved his native soil, and dearest friends, whether he could willingly leave all to go along with God.  His country was become idolatrous, his kindred and his father's house were a constant temptation to him, and he could not continue with them without danger of being infected by them; therefore get thee out, (Heb.) vade tibi, get thee gone with all speed, escape for thy life, look not behind thee.”  Quite a challenge to say the least!  [And possibly a divine directive for campers whose hometown friends have drifted into inappropriate habits.]
 
Our Leader instructs us, “When outgrowing the old, you should not fear to put on the new” (S6). How much of what we do is the result of tradition, or from hesitation to progress?  Abraham represented an example of trusting God, good, beyond all else (S7).  Abraham utilized faith. Faith in truth leads to understanding, and this enables us to distinguish reality from unreality (S8).  Evidence before the senses is unreal and we should be willing to let it go. It was imperative that Abraham let go of the past to move forward, and so it is with us.   Christian Science enlarges our spiritual understanding and we naturally turn toward that which is beneficial.  Our Leader recommends we “divest thought of false trusts…that the spiritual facts of being may appear” (S10).  We can all do it.  We can step beyond our comfort zone-out of the rut of the familiar and outgrown-into the realm of the real.
[CedarS Tire Traversal is an easy-to-remember, hands-on illustration that you have to let go of tires #1, 2, 3 … to get to tire #10 and beyond to the real.  Our St. Paul-inspired met is: “Forgetting those things that are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 3:13-14]
 
 
Section 3: Face Giants Fearlessly (Be Confident)
We're all familiar with the story of David and Goliath (B9).  Practically everyone has, or will, face a giant challenge at one time or another.  There are a few things to remember about David's unlikely victory.  While everyone else was afraid, David was confident.  Not in his own abilities, but in God's ability to protect him and defend Israel.  David was also well prepared.  He had saved his sheep with God's help from the bear and lion, but this was a challenge to his nation and to his God.  He was ready for it.  Theologian Adam Clarke tells us that the idea of a shepherd with a sling felling a giant warrior is not as far-fetched as one might suppose.  He quotes, Diodorus Siculus, lib. v., c. 18, p. 287:
“The Baleares, in time of war, sling greater stones than any other people, and with such force, that they seem as if projected from a catapult.
   Therefore, in assaults made on fortified towns, they grievously wound the besieged; and in battle they break in pieces the shields, helmets, and every species of armor by which the body is defended.  And they are such exact marksmen that they scarcely ever miss that at which they aim.””
The account continues, “They attain to this perfection by frequent exercise from their childhood; for while they are young and under their mother's care, they are obliged to learn to sling; for they fasten bread for a mark at the top of the pole; and till the child hit the bread he must remain fasting; and when he has hit it, the mother gives it to him to eat.” – (Ibid.)  So, we can see that confidence is inspired by thorough preparation.  And so it must have been with David [as with young campers learning such lessons.]
Mrs. Eddy writes, “The confidence inspired by Science lies in the fact that Truth is real and error is unreal” (S11).  Mrs. Eddy also writes that “Every mortal at some period, here or hereafter, must grapple with and overcome the mortal belief in a power opposed to God” (S12).  She goes on to talk about being faithful over a few things.  David was well-practiced with his sling, and we should be regularly practicing the truths we know.  Then when a challenge arises, we will be prepared.  Also, note that, unlike everyone else, David was not impressed by the size or the threats of this giant.  Our leader gives us courage with the reminder that God never made a “wicked mortal” (S13).  We don't need to be impressed at the various boastings of sin.  They have no power, no life, and no cause.  David had what she called “a diviner sense” (S14), and to that “diviner sense” evil was unreal.  What confidence she has to ask the question, “Why should we stand aghast at nothingness?”  Why indeed!
Section 4: Be Not Afraid, God Is in Control (Have Faith)
Have you ever felt that things were just out of control?  That there were certain things happening that nobody could do anything about?  The psalmist starts us off with the recognition that irrespective of what seems to be going on around us (B10), God's law is firmly established and always will remain so.  This law holds us up through any circumstance.
In the story of Jesus walking on the waves (Mark 6, B11), there are several levels where fear appears to be winning the day.  Right from the outset, we see that Jesus “constrained” -literally, “compelled” or ‘forced” the disciples to get into a ship.  There are varying opinions as to why this was necessary.  Some scholars think that the apostles were afraid to go to enemy territory, some that they were hesitant to leave without Jesus.  But whatever the particulars, they were scared before they ever got on the ship.  They were about four miles into the sea and it was a serious storm, when some time between 3 and 6 am, they saw Jesus walking to them.  This sight terrified them.  Jesus told them not to be afraid.  Peter not really thinking clearly, asks Jesus to bid him to step out and walk to him.  His impetuosity was stronger than his faith, and in the midst of the waves, his fear got the better of him.  Yet the Master still rescued him.  As soon as they entered the ship, the storm ceased.
Throughout the experience Jesus remained calm and settled.  He was in command of the situation because he wasn't impressed by the storm around him.  He knew there was no reality in a power apart from God.  Mrs. Eddy tells us that we should know the same thing (S16).  To Jesus' spiritual sense, the storm was unreal.  It only seemed real to frightened material sense. Jesus not only had dominion over the metaphorical storms of life, but also over literal storms too.  We may think we aren't capable of overcoming these challenges, but it's only a lack of faith that would make us think so (S18).  Peter's demonstration needed to catch up to his theory.  Christ makes demands on us too, to move forward in our demonstrations; and sometimes it's quite a challenge (S19).  But just as Peter was held up in the waves, the Christ will always reach us and save us. Jesus knew Love held everything up and that nothing was out of control in God's kingdom.  He lived in the settled calm of God's word, and so can you.
Section 5: It's Never Too Late (Only Believe)
Have you ever been in a situation in which delays seemingly beyond your control made you even more afraid?  Then to top it off, it looks like you've missed your chance at healing?  That's what's going on in this section.  We've been realizing in this Lesson that fear seems to be on both ends of the belief that something unreal is real.  Fear causes the unreal to appear real, and then we are even more afraid of what we see.  The scriptures however, affirm that “perfect love casteth out fear”-that is, it drives fear out of the door (B12).
No doubt, when Jairus came beseeching Jesus (B13), he was afraid.  His daughter appeared to be dying.  Jesus agreed to come, but was held up by someone else seeking healing.  Can you imagine how antsy Jairus must have been while Jesus was ministering to the woman, knowing that his daughter was at home on the brink of death?  Next, imagine the sense of fear and despair when someone comes to say it's too late.  What is Jesus response?  “Be not afraid, only believe.”  As you arrive at the house everyone is already in mourning.  It certainly seems that all the evidence points to defeat.  But what does Jesus do?  He proclaims the exact opposite of what the senses are saying and drives them all out the door.  [Cobbey Crisler pointed out that it was easier for Jesus to dismiss the paid mourners when they were laughing at his comment about the girl being not dead, but sleeping. This cleared the room and established this right atmosphere for healing. It enabled Jesus to] silence the boasting of evil and cast out fear.  Jesus saw through the unreality of death and healed the girl. 
Jesus knew, as did our Leader, that “suffering, sinning, dying beliefs are unreal” (S21).  Mrs. Eddy tells us that the tougher the trial, the stronger must be our faith and love (S22).  Casting out fear, enables truth to be seen (S23). Our textbook states categorically, that once we remove fear, the patient is healed (S24).  When fear is gone, we realize there is nothing left to be afraid of.  We can cast out fear because we know that we are not governed by organs or material conditions.  Fear is powerless in the face of reality.  If we feel unable to see the truth by ourselves, we can take comfort in the fact that the divine Mind made and maintains us (S25).  Even something as seemingly final as “the king of terrors” is not beyond God's healing power.  Mrs. Eddy declares death to be a “mortal illusion” (S26).  We have a way to go to prove this, but overcoming fear of it is the right place to start.
Section 6: Any Light Will Do (Turn on the Power)
Isaiah beckons, “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee” (B14).  Here we are again with the light dispelling darkness.  Various translations of this phrase are, “Be light,” “pass into a stage of light,” “be surrounded and resplendent with light.”  In other words, let the light of truth dispel the darkness of unreality.  As we live in this light no weapon can harm us; no lie can hurt us (B15).  No legislation can deny us our ability to heal.  No evil or pandemic can come upon us, for God is our constant refuge (B16).  The master bids us to “fear not” (B17).  Irrespective of whatever challenge the senses may present, we are always protected in our heavenly Father's flock. There  is nothing to fear because God is all.
Discord may seem to reign, but all discord is unreal.  God alone reigns (S27) .  Whether we're faced with the unknown, a giant threat, a tempest of sin or of sickness, or the apparent finality of death, we need not fear.  These threats are not real.  The light of Truth dissolves them.  Only the power of Truth prevents the fear of error (S28).  Truth is the opposite of error, and it's absurd to think that they can dwell together or that both are real.  If one is real the other is unreal.  Truth destroys falsity as light destroys darkness (S29).  In the upcoming CedarS' Musical Theater production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, there's a tune called “Any Dream Will Do.”  As anyone who's ever been in a cave can tell you, the smallest light is enough to pierce the darkness.  We don't need to understand everything to experience healing.  Any truth is better than none.  Abraham didn't know where he was going to end up, but he knew enough to trust and follow divine direction.  David didn't know about armor and combat, but he knew how to use a sling.  Peter didn't understand enough to stay atop the waves, but the Christ saved him.  Jairus may have had more fear than expectation, but he let go of the fear in order to believe.  Even a degree of understanding is potent enough to destroy the nothingness of evil (S30).  Whatever evil you are facing, it is unreal, because it isn't from God.  Understanding the “divine All-power destroys fear and plants the feet in the true path.”
We can borrow the slogan “No Fear” and put it to better use.  We can refuse to be tempted by any fear or threat no matter how impressive it may be.  We can live fearlessly-with trust, confidence, faith, and firm belief.  Turn it on.  “May it be a light to you in dark places, when all other lights go out.”

 [CEDARS weekly “Mets” or Metaphysical Newsletters are 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 request it, or find it weekly on our website or through CS Directory. But, current and planned gifts are needed. Just click here to use a credit or debit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover card) or a virtual check to make monthly and one-time donations to CedarS' many funds that support 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.]
 
[You can also help CedarS reach out to the “un-camped” students enrolled in Christian Science Sunday Schools across the world.  In the United States they outnumber Sunday School students who attend 1 of the 6 camps for Christian Scientists in N. America by more than 2 to 1. Experience shows that “CS-camped” children who are given the laboratory experience of putting their training from their homes and Sunday Schools into joyous practice in a “24-7” Christian-Science-laboratory experience at camp want to continue to make Christian Science their own. Therefore, please tell all the “un-camped” families you know about our work; and if possible let us know about them and their contact information. We will gladly send them–and you–a DVD, plus show host info for over 40 CedarS shows being scheduled and everything needed to help get “un-camped” students to camp — from info on our programs for all ages; to session dates and rates; to online enrollment info; to transportation;  to financial aid forms; and more.]

 [Camp Director's Note: This sharing is the latest in an ongoing, 10-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 “Possible Sunday School Topics” come in a subsequent email.) 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” 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

Possible Sunday School Topics by Merrill Boudreaux
for the Christian Science Bible Lesson: “UNREALITY April 3, 2011
 
P.S.S.T. Golden Text: Ask students to read aloud Psalm 91. This is a good anchor for this lesson with a focus on “fear not.”
 
P.S.S.T. Responsive Reading: Ask students to list the reasons in these passages from Isaiah why they can rely on God and not be afraid.
 
P.S.S.T. Section 1: Ask students to name different kinds or sources of light: candle, light bulb, campfire, sun, stars, headlights, etc. What is the purpose of light? Is there a primary purpose identified in this section? To dispel darkness. Good opportunity to talk about the qualities of light and to identify darkness as the absence of light. Darkness cannot stand alone for at the coming of light the darkness immediately disappears. Should one then fear darkness? How is a cartoon character often depicted when an idea is had? With a light bulb above the head. Of what is this symbolic? Look to S-5. (The coming of truth, the coming to an answer for a question or a solution to a problem – the coming of inspiration.)
 
P.S.S.T. Section 2: It has been said that the longest journey begins with the first step. What was Abraham's journey all about? (B-5 to B-8) Who directed it? Why do you suppose this was an odd journey to take? What was the result? Do you suppose Abraham was afraid? Why or why not? Think also about the journey of Moses at the Red Sea. Ask students about any first-time journeys they may have taken – a relocation of the family, going away from home for the first time, a new school experience. What aided them in taking the first step? Perhaps these qualities are the same ones Abraham used.
 
P.S.S.T. Section 3: Read aloud or act out the David and Goliath story in this section. What preparatory steps did David take? What previous experiences did David have that aided in removing the fear from this experience? How many stones did David take into battle? How many did he use? Perhaps those stones are emblematic of the qualities David needed and took with him. Ask students to list qualities of thought and action the stones represented. Why was only one stone used? How much truth is necessary to destroy evil? How much light is necessary to remove darkness?
 
P.S.S.T. Section 4: How long does truth last? Look to the first words in B-10. What was Peter's experience in B-11 when fear was removed or assurance was had? Fear often occurs when one feels separated from that which provides strength, aid, enlightenment. What happened when Jesus touched Peter?
  What happens to us when the Christ touches our thought? Look up definition of ‘Christ' in Science & Health, p. 583:10. See also S&H 473:10-12. Here is a good opportunity for students to share recent experiences of their being unafraid or when the Christ touched their lives.
 
P.S.S.T. Section 5: Christian Science practice begins with what three words? S-22.
   What is the result of removing the fear? S-24.
   From where does the fear need to be removed? The thought of the practitioner.
   What are some truths stated in the S&H portion of this lesson that can aid in removing fear?
   Do not look to the physical senses, they provide no aid. Why? See S-25.
   Why do you suppose Jesus took only a few people into the room with him in B-13? What were the rest of the people doing that indicated less than a Christ-like thought?
 
P.S.S.T. Section 6: What defeats the physical sense testimony or evidence? What are the great facts of life? God is, always has been, ever will be. I am, you are, as the result of God's being, always has been, ever will be. This is a truth and can destroy what? S-29.
   Ask students to list reasons they have gleaned from this lesson to not be afraid. See B-17 as a starter response. There is much in this Lesson for rejoicing. Conclude with reading aloud Hymn 382.

[PYCLs: De-light replaces unreality w/fun reality! Obey! Run to meet G.! Walk on Water!]
Possible Younger Class Lessons for the Christian Science Bible Lesson on
“Unreality” for April 3, 2011
By Kerry Jenkins, CS of House Springs, MO: kerry.helen.jenkins@gmail.com (314) 406-0041
[with bracketed italics by Warren Huff, Editor and CedarS Camps Director]
 
[PCYL Concept #1: De-light replaces “un-reality” with “Fun-reality!”]
For the littler kids how about preparing a box with some objects inside–nothing they wouldn’t recognize.  Make a small hole in the box only big enough to peek through without letting any light in.  Try this at home to make sure it is working properly.  Ask them to put their eye right to the box and peek through the hole and see if they can recognize anything in the box.  After they hopefully fail to see anything in the box, take off the lid and show them what is inside.  Talk about how the light makes the real things visible, it makes you “understand” what is in the box.  A little bit older kids, even the six- or seven-year olds might get the idea that light is a metaphor for understanding; darkness for confusion, fear and lack of understanding.  Citations such as citation S2 explains how dark and light are metaphorical.  Only light reveals the truth.  God is the only “truth-giver”.  Some may like to be reminded of what cartoons show above the heads of their characters when an idea dawns on them (i.e. a light bulb!)  Draw it for them and ask if they know what that symbolizes.  They maybe haven’t read any comic strips in the early grades [-unless their parents subscribe to MyBibleLesson.com (MBL) and show them the unique and fun “Sunday morning cartoons” designed each week by MBL staff to give us not only a few smiles and chuckles, but also unique spiritual insights about each section of the lesson. A simple and fun way to outline and teach each Sunday may be to show your student(s) the cartoon for each section and discuss its meanings and life applications for you and them and how it expresses a citation or 2 from that section. 
A fun adaptation of Kerry’s box concept may be to write the words “un-reality” on the bottom of the box-ideally a shoe box. On the side of the box (inside) you could write an F so that if you are looking properly at the same things and circumstance –not just looking “down” at them with a material view –you will see “Fun-Reality”-the spiritual sense perspective of everything.]
 
[PCYL #2: Step beyond your comfort & belief zones-“with God all things are possible!” Obey in faith!]
In Section 2 third graders and up may find it interesting to look at citation B4 in detail, especially verse 19 that uses the desert metaphor.  What does it mean to have rivers flowing in the desert?  [This was foreshadowed in the Responsive Reading by the “streams in the desert” prophesied in Isa 35:6-one of the Bible openings that inspired my mom, Ruth Huff, to start CedarS Camps 50 years ago. God has fulfilled His/Her Isaiah 35 promises literally and figuratively-from the streams flowing in the wilderness of CedarS. Bible Lands Park to the over 1200 campers and staff  each summer who are no longer blind or deaf or lame to the precious good present all around them but rather shout its lessons with joy from every fiber of their being. ] God is promising that he will cause the humanly impossible or at least improbable to happen.  It leads into the story of Abram.  Ask them to read (or read for them) from Genesis 12:1 all the way to verse 6.  Just have them read to themselves maybe.  Ask them when they are through how old Abram was when he left everything he was familiar with?  Did he and Sarai hop on a plane by themselves?  How did they travel and was it just them?  Do they know anyone Abram’s age that would jump up and take everything they have to travel in such an arduous fashion across a desert with flocks and herds and gear to look after?  Remind them that this was like an enormous and complicated camping trip.  Do their grandparents like to go camping, (not in an RV), for an extended period of time and live that way for a period of years and years?  Of course, I do realize that “all the comforts of home” in those days were pretty much a camping trip anyway, but it must have been quite a big undertaking, don’t you think?  What kind of strong, certain sense of God’s will must it have taken to do this?  Have any of them ever experienced even a small instance where they felt that God was telling them to do something?  [As God told Ruth Huff to start CedarS, she and her family obediently gave up a very comfortable job and home situation in Omaha, Nebraska to start CedarS Camps from scratch-even without running water! You can read “the rest of the story” in Ruth Huff’s book, The Origin and Growth of The CedarS Camps.] 
You may want to do a further study of Abraham and Sarah and add the story of the coming of Isaac and the “impossible” timing of that.  Then go back and talk about the desert and rivers analogy and how it fits in with this story.  What does Abram’s journey have to do with “light”?  Let them take some time to think about this; don’t rescue them right away with an answer.  See what interesting connections they make on their own between light and understanding–Abram’s understanding of good!
 
[PCYL Concept #3: Reenact and remember running to meet Goliath!]
Section 3:  The story of David and Goliath is fertile ground for younger classes to act out the story.  One Sunday School class I know of, prepared over a few weeks, a dramatization of the story and performed it for the rest of the Sunday School.  They used simple costumes and even included the rather gory ending.  If you are wondering: How does dramatizing the story help them learn about God and Christian Science?  Remember that little children learn the most from doing, not just from listening.  They will internalize the story, and who knows what they will glean from it as it sticks in their head as they grow up?  Some key points that will be helpful (among many I’m sure you will think of): What was unusual about how David faced Goliath? (Several answers are possible here).  What does Goliath represent?  Why did David run to meet Goliath?  How can we run to meet our scary challenges?  Have you ever thought about his story from King Saul’s point of view?  Imagine being the leader of a country and trusting the outcome of your people’s freedom to a young guy full of faith.
 
I think it’s important here to emphasize that the “light” or understanding that David had already demonstrated when herding his flock, was enough to defeat the whole army of the Philistines.  Just so, whatever we’ve each proved or demonstrated in our own lives is enough to heal whatever comes to us as a challenge.  In this way–with each demonstration, we add to our store of light/understanding and are never static.
 
Finally, try naming the “five smooth stones”–what were the qualities that took down Goliath/error?  This can be part of the drama–did it take all five?  He only needed one truth!  Citation S14 is a good example of what the Israelites were doing before David came along–marveling at discord!
 
[PCYL Concept #4: Start by defying little limits to get to walking on water!]
Section 4:  This section has Jesus and Peter walking on the water in a storm.  Citation S18 makes a strong statement that connects well after we have read about David and Goliath and the story of Abram.  “We must prove our faith by our demonstration”.  What are we exactly being asked to do here?  Do you have an example of healing from your own experience that draws on ideas in any of the stories–using the understanding that you already possessed: to find healing? or to defy certain human laws? or beliefs of aging? or athletic limits? or gravity perhaps?)
 
Also citation S18 makes a strong statement about why discouragement is inadmissible and that Science is a divine demand, not a human one.  What difference does that make?
 
[PCYL Concept #5: Dismiss the resistance!]
Section 5:  The raising of Jairus’ daughter is in this section.  Why did Jesus send the mourners out of the room before he healed her?  This may be apparent to you, but not necessarily to the kids.  What did sending them out represent?  Was he just casting out fear/darkness so Love could shine more obviously to those around him?  See if you can get some good suggestions for how to stop fear.  See if they can share an example, or can you?
 
I imagine this should give you enough to choose from for one class!  Have fun as always!

 
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