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[Find a Best Friend in Christ Jesus!]
Metaphysical Application Ideas for the Christian Science Bible Lesson for August 26, 2012

 

 

 
Subject: “CHRIST JESUS”
by: Rick Stewart, C.S. of Dresden, Germany (RickStewartCS@aol.com)
 
[Bracketed Notes from Warren Huff, CedarS Camps Director and Editor of its Weekly Newsletters: The following application ideas for this week, and the Possible Sunday School Topics (PSST) 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 Joseph and Pascal, in German thanks to Helga and Manfred or in Spanish thanks to a team of Ana, Erick, Claudia and Patricio. YOU CAN SIGN UP at www.cedarscamps.org/newsletters]
 
There are lots of ways we usually think about Christ Jesus. Lord and Master. Messiah. Savior. The Son of God. Wayshower. But this week's Christian Science Bible Lesson alerted me to a whole new view of our Savior, Christ Jesus. Maybe you noticed Jesus' words as quoted in the Responsive Reading, “Ye are my friends…” John 15:14.
Have you ever thought of Jesus as your friend? Perhaps the best friend you could ever have?
 
Just a couple weeks ago I was wrapping up a two week session at CedarS Camp as resident Christian Science practitioner. It was the Friday night before the end of Session 4. On Friday night the campers receive their quality awards. This is when counselors write on an award ribbon the special qualities and talents that they have witnessed expressed by their campers.   It is also a time of lots of goodbyes as campers get ready to head home.
 
One particular good bye seemed to say it all. Rachel and Madison, who I have watched grow up from young campers to gracious young ladies were having to say goodbye. They have been almost inseparable for the four years I have known each of them. And this summer [during Ski Camp] was no exception. After weeks together living as best of friends, they were about to go home and would be thousands of miles apart.    Well, all I can say is the long summer drought seemed to end right there with that good bye. I may have never seen so many tears in my whole life. It was obvious that here were two young ladies that had made a friendship that was deep and meaningful to each of them. It appeared as if it would be unbearable for the two to be apart as they each got ready to head home.
 
Those kind of deep, lasting friendships are one of the many wonderful things to witness at CedarS. And true friendship is a glorious thing. Just wait till you read this week's Christian Science Bible Lesson from the perspective of the old standard hymn, ” What a friend we have in Jesus.” (en.wikipedia.org/…/What_a_Friend_We_Have_In_Jesus)
Golden Text: John 14:15 “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”
 
This Golden Text is echoed in the Responsive Reading, John 15:14,15. “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: But I have called you friends; for all things I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.”
One obvious strength of a real friendship is being able to share. Have you ever thought how thrilled Jesus must have been to find friends (and that can include you and me) that he could share his spiritual insights with?
 
Section 1: Watching for a friend's arrival, the arrival of the Christ.
Isn't it nice to come home to a warm reception? Usually our dog, Theo, accompanies the family wherever we go. But sometimes if it seems best he stays at home. And what do you think he does while we are gone? He sits at the window looking down from the second story and watches. We pull the car into the parking place below our apartment, and there sits Theo at the window, watching. 
In Bible citation B-3 we are told of Simeon, a just and devout man, who was waiting “for the consolation of Israel…” The Holy Ghost had revealed to Simeon that he would not “see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.” When Jesus' parents brought Jesus into the Temple when he was around 8 days old, Simeon recognized Jesus as fulfillment of the promise found in Isaiah 42 (B-2.) There Simeon was, patiently and devotedly watching for the promised coming of the Messiah, and Simeon's spiritual insight allowed him to see in the tiny baby the promised salvation. The Science and Health citation, (S-1), explains the relationship between this Messiah or Christ and Jesus. This Christ , this spiritual idea of God's salvation comes to “all prepared to receive Christ, Truth.” (S-1)
Like Theo at the window or Simeon in the temple the anticipated arrival results in a joyful celebration.
 
Section 2: The unselfed Love of true friendship.
In this section is the account of the woman who comes into the dinner party hosted by Simon the Pharisee. (B-5, Luke 7.) It seems that Jesus host, Simon, had failed to welcome Jesus with the traditional and customary welcome of a dinner guest. But this woman came to the dinner party prepared to anoint Jesus' feet, a special sign of hospitality at that time. After all remember that everybody got where they were going by foot. Can't you imagine that it feels pretty good to have someone wash and anoint your feet after a day of walking about? But it also took the courage of unselfed love for this woman to do this, because can't you imagine all eyes were on her as she came in, an obvious sinner. But she did not let what others were thinking about her affect what she was going to do. Regardless of what they were thinking she was going to care for Jesus.
 
In the Science and Health sections of this section, Mrs. Eddy asks us if we are ready to act with the same radical friendship. Are we so worried about what others will think about us, that we fail to act in radical forms of Christian friendship?   Do we worry what our fellow church members might say or think about our actions? Or do we act like this woman, and show how grateful we are for what Jesus has shown us?
 
Remember Jesus had begun his public ministry with a call to repentance and a promise that the Kingdom of God was “at hand.” (B-4, Mark 1) Don't you think that Jesus would be thrilled if someone really listened to what he was saying and changed their life accordingly? I mean that is real friendship. Listening to what someone is saying and then doing it. And the opposite is also true, having to ask someone repeatedly to do something, and then they still don't do it!!! Which do you think is the truest form of friendship and respect? I think this “woman” wins hands down.
 
Section 3: True Friendship: Faith in Truth, rejection of “what people say.”
Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue (the Jewish church) asked Jesus for help. His daughter was sick. Jesus came to help, but when it appeared the little girl had died, Jesus told Jairus to “Be not afraid, only believe.” 
 
Friendship with Jesus cannot be seen as simple friendship with a man. To be friends with Jesus, you have to accept the the entire spirit of his life, the coming of the Christ. Jairus was reaching out to Jesus for help, but to do so he also had to acknowledge that Jesus was more than just a nice guy. Jesus had the words of Life; the spirit of the Christ motivated his every act. So that is where Jairus was putting his trust. And the reward, Jairus saw his daughter restored right before his eyes.
It is clear from Jesus' example that a common mistake among mortals, embracing death as a friend, was not in his idea of Life. Jesus never saw death as a friend that must be succumbed to. Through Jesus' clear understanding of Life as the fact and friend of man, Jairus daughter was completely restored.
 
Section 4: Who goes there, friend or foe?
Alert watchfulness is illustrated in Jesus' parable of the ten virgins. The Science and Health citations expand on this theme. Becoming familiar with good and being alert to evil and error. (S-17) Mrs. Eddy points out, “We should become more familiar with good than with evil, and guard against false beliefs as watchfully as we bar our doors against the approach of thieves and murderers.”
 
When I was 19 I learned the lesson of alert watchfulness that can discern between friendly and evil intentions. My Colombian friend Ivan and I had just driven through the night from Manizales, Colombia to Cucuta, Colombia. It was very early in the morning, Ivan, was sleeping as I drove our jeep. I came into Cucuta and wanted to drive to the neighborhood where we would be staying. Although I had been there one other time, I became a little disoriented in the dark, and had stopped to ask directions from two young men I saw. I told them the neighborhood I was looking for and they smiled and said they could help me. They were quietly talking with each other when my friend, Ivan, was slowly waking up. Suddenly he yelled out, “Rick, go, drive, quick!” I sped away wondering what was the problem. Then Ivan explained that the young men were not friends at all. They did not want to help us out, they were planning to hijack us and take the car. Even though I spoke Spanish, my ear and understanding was not discerning enough when the men were whispering. Their smiles seemed to promise friendship and help, their plans were exactly the opposite. A good example of how important it is to be thoroughly “familiar” with good, and alert to “evil.” (S-17)
 
Section 5: True friends share freely, unselfishly.
In Bible citation, (B-12, Mark 10) Jesus shares freely the instructions that equip his disciples to heal. From his understanding he empowers them and encourages them. The citations in Science and Health further enlighten us of the possibilities that come through our friendship with Christ Jesus.
 
In citation S-20 we read, “It is possible,-yea, it is the duty and privilege of every child, man, and woman,- to follow in some degree the example of our Master by the demonstration of Truth and Life, of health and holiness.”
As a faithful follower of Christ Jesus, Mary Baker Eddy, showed herself as a true friend of humanity. When she was healed and discovered the continuing power of the Christ in healing disease she did not just keep it selfishly to herself. She labored for years in teaching, writing, and demonstrating what true friendship with the Christ means. It is not a shallow, empty friendship, but rather a deep, lasting, and enriching friendship that results in healing and restoration.
 
Like the trust that might share your computer password with a friend, so they could freely use your computer, just so Mrs. Eddy shared what she had discovered. Her example in this way was our best friend, Christ Jesus in what he labored to share with us.
 
The study and practice of Christian Science is just like that. I remember a story my mom told. A woman approached at the railing of a cruise ship as it left port. The woman was sad, lonely, heartbroken. Her husband has recently passed on, her son's family was supposed to meet her for the cruise and had cancelled at the last minute. She was sad. My mom lovingly shared the Truth with this stranger. My mom's friend standing nearby was amazed that mom had shared so freely with a complete stranger. My mom's reply, “Mary do you think she was talking to us because we were the best looking people on board? She came for the Christ.” My mom said that all during the cruise every time they saw this woman she was having a wonderful time. As the cruise ship was coming into port, this lady came up to my mom and simply said, “Thank you for sharing with me what you did. I have had a wonderful time.” We have to be friends to humanity; we cannot keep this friendship of the Christ to ourselves!
 
Section 6: Friend to friend!
The question to ask ourselves is will this valuable friendship die with us? Shall we hide this friendship of the Christ in our lives? Or shall we share freely what has been shared with us.
 
Remember my little story of Rachel and Madison's good bye. I have another example of the beautiful development I have witnessed in these young girls lives. My son, Noah, was in water ski camp with the two girls. When the water skiers came back to camp after one week away, Madison, saw me come up to them as they cleaned their boat. Noah was standing there also. Madison, with authority and tenderness, said to Noah, “Noah your Papa is here, give him a hug!” Well right now that is not Noah's way; I knew he was glad to see me. But you know what; I really loved Madison's kind attention to seeing that Papa was welcomed! 
 
Let's follow Madison's example and our Master's example. Let's be aware of what is going on around us and make sure we are also “sharing the friendship of the Christ” with all that we meet.
 
As our Leader writes in citation S-29: “Practice not profession, understanding not belief, gain the ear and right hand of omnipotence and they assuredly call down infinite blessings.”
 
Let's practice our friendship with our Master, Christ Jesus, and let's share freely with our old friends and the new friends we have yet to meet. 
Best friends forever! 


[The College Summit taking place at The CedarS Camps this Labor Day weekend is an event not to be missed by any student or young adult near college age!  To make sure that no rising high school junior thru recent college grad misses this life-changing event because of finances, this College Summit is being heavily subsidized by The CedarS Camps, The Mother Church, the Asher Student Foundation, the Albert Baker Foundation, the Principle Foundation, and the Texas Sunnyside Foundation, as well as by many local churches and Sunday Schools attended by eligible students. To unite with us in sponsoring the attendance at this event of all interested Christian Science youth, PLEASE, PLEASE help us not only by encouraging all the eligible youth you know to come, but also by picking and clicking on one or on all of the above organizations and backing us with love gifts of however much divine Love impels you to give. Your gift in any amount will be very well spent to encourage and “respect each individual young person as a future active worker in the Christian Science Movement.” (The 2nd of the Founders 5 Fundamental Concepts of The CedarS Camps written by my mom, Ruth Huff.) Lecturers at the College Summit include Chet Manchester (the new Mother Church president), Ginny Luedeman, Christine Driessen, Tom McElroy and Shirley Paulson.  There will be a Weekly Musicians Concert with Alex Cook, Jay & Tessa Frost, and Grant Taylor. Check out the Summit webpage:   http://time4thinkers.com/summit-events/collegesummit12/ ]
 
 

[If you don't qualify to come to CedarS for the College Summit over Labor Day weekend, but are a student of the Bible, do come to CedarS and its rising Conference Center on the following “weekend” (Sep. 6-9) to experience CedarS Bible Lands Park and attend the Midwest Bible Conference sponsored by Bible Studies Seminars. Be inspired by talks and workshops given by Christian Science class-taught, Bible scholars.  You can stay in a single (for $340 per person), shared, or triple/quad room with a private bathroom or choose a cabin with a bathroom for $200 per person. All housing prices include meals, snacks, meeting rooms, and activities.  Linens are included for any housing chosen for the Conference.Enjoy camp activities during free time and great meals catered by Vicki Wolfe and friends.  The theme for the 2012 Midwest Bible Conference is:  “Healing and the Kingdom of God.”  Tentative Conference Schedule for Thursday, September 6 through Sunday, September 9 includes: a Thursday evening, Multi-Media Theme Presentation – “Healing and the Kingdom of God”; Bonfire, S'mores, Hot Chocolate, and Singalong; Four Friday TED Talks – (focused presentations that do not exceed twenty minutes in length) followed by brief question and answer sessions; concurrent breakout sessions after Friday lunch that will be interactive and allow individuals to choose the sessions that most speak to their own interests; a Friday evening Screening and Discussion of Fambul Tok:  a film about the power of forgiveness in the wake of Sierra Leone's brutal civil war; a Saturday morning Bible talk by Madelon Maupin on “Taking a Deep Dive into the Book of Ephesians:  How to Study and Unpack Its Lessons, with a Focus on the Difficult Passages”; Saturday's extended World Cafe Lunch and Discussions with three-course world cafe discussion of the ideas presented and our response to them in a mix of people at each table that changes with each courses and set of new questions to discuss; Saturday afternoon free time for Fellowship, Recreational Offerings, or Personal Time; Saturday evening Panel Discussions followed by Groups Sharing; Sunday Christian Science Service ; Sunday early departure or lingering until 4:00 pm to enjoy the facilities, Bible Lands Park and its educational Time Traveler ziplines and trails, lake and waterfront activities… If you have any questions about the program please contact Dick@BibleStudySeminars.com or 636.207.7392. Enroll today online for the Bible Conference at www.biblestudyseminars.com ;  for housing at http://www.cedarscamps.org/information/programs.htm?id=40 ]
 
 [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 ideas 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.]

Possible Sunday School Topics for the Christian Science Bible Lesson on;
Christ Jesus” for 8-26-12
By Steve Henn, C.S. St. Louis, Missouri steven.henn@gmail.com

[Steve's been a CedarS Program Director & teaches English at The Principia School.]


PSST-Golden Text (GT) – What does it mean to love Christ? What are his commandments? (consider John 13:34)

PSST-Responsive Reading (RR) – How is love connected to commandments?
[Warren: Jesus approved this summary of them: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind;” (Commandments 1-4, tablet 1) “and thy neighbor as thyself.” (Commandments 5-10, tablet 2) Luke 10: 27]

How can we think differently about commandments to include more love in them?
[Warren: One of the 1st stops on CedarS’ new “Back to the Bible” zipline tour of “Answered Prayer (A.P.) History” is Mt. Horeb where the Commandments were given as an answer to Moses’ prayer to free his people and keep them free (“written with the finger of God” Deut. 9:10). Jesus later said he healed by “the finger of God” (Luke 11:20). Consider (before going forward after your class, as after our zipline tour) the healing power of “taking just 2 tablets a day”, of making a heartfelt pledge of Love to: “1. ACKNOWLEDGE GOD’S ALLNESS. 2. SHUN THE SMALLNESS OF GRAVEN IMAGES, OBSESSIONS. 3. WORSHIP GOD WITH UNSELFISH AWE. 4. REMEMBER TO REST IN GOD’S SABBATH DAY COMPLETENESS. 5. TREAT YOUR PARENTS WITH RESPECT EVERY DAY. 6. STOP ALL ANGER & NAME-CALLING. (THEY LEAD TO KILLING, MATT. 5:21-22.) 7. KEEP PURE WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT, VIEW & DO. 8. “REFUSE TO LOSE” YOUR INTEGRITY BY STEALING. 9. “TELL… THE WHOLE TRUTH & NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH.” 10. TRADE JEALOUSY FOR GRATITUDE.” Gifts are welcome to help carve these and the original Ten Commandments (Exodus 20, King James Version) in granite at CedarS “Horeb Height” stop along “Ruth’s Rapid Transit System”.]

In verse twelve, what is the new commandment Jesus gives us? By what standard are we to measure our love for one another? What does that look like? Do each of your students strive for this high standard?

PSST-Section 1 – B1 – Define Immanuel. Why is that the name given to Christ?

B2 – What is a covenant? What are the promises of this covenant? What are our responsibilities in this covenant?

S1 – What is the Christ? Who is Jesus? What is distinct about each of them (how are they separate) and how are they the same?

What does the Christ mean for us today?

PSST-Section 2 – B4 – What does it mean to say that the ‘kingdom of God is at hand’? What does that mean for your students? Define repent. What is Jesus asking us to do?

B5 – Why did Jesus not reject the woman in the Pharisee’s house? Why did the Pharisee think Jesus should have rejected her?

S2 – Where/how do we find the footsteps of Truth?

S4-8 – What can we learn from the woman in this section? What was true of her character? How can we emulate that character more closely today?

PSST-Section 3 – B6 – Why might our heart be troubled, or afraid? Why should we not let that happen – how can we be confidently free of trouble and fear?

B7 – Why did Jesus put out all the mourners from Jairus’s daughter’s room? How did Jesus heal the young girl?

B8 – What is ‘perfect love’? How/why does it cast out fear?

S10 – Where does Christian Science practice begin?

S12 – What is behind the first commandment? What does it really mean?

S14 – What does it mean to keep Jesus’ word? How do we keep it? What are the false trusts that we need to avoid?

PSST-Section 4 – B10 – What is the oil we have to keep in our experience at all times?

B11 – What does it mean to ‘watch’?

S17 – How aggressive should we be against false thoughts?

S18-19 – Why does controlling/governing/watching our own thought matter so much? How do we go about doing that on a regular basis?

S19 – This citation is a prayer that many Christian Scientists know by heart. As a result, it is pretty easy to gloss over this and not truly read and understand it. Take the time to break this citation down closely – define ‘solemnly’ – why is Mind capitalized?

PSST-Section 5 – B12 – How can the commands in this citation apply to us today, and particularly to your students? Where are the ‘lost sheep’ that we can approach (are we sometimes lost ourselves, and if so, how do we find our way)? What does it mean that the kingdom of heaven is ‘at hand’? And how are we to freely give – what have we freely received?

S21 – How will we overcome evil, disease and death?

S23 – What stories in the Bible do Mrs. Eddy’s references to serpent and staff refer to? Where are these stories and characters found?

S26 – Discuss ways we can give cups of cold water in Christ’s name? First discuss what it means to do anything in someone’s name, such as Christ. Then, what can be a cup of cold water?

PSST-Section 6 – B13-14 – What is the result of Christ’s work? What is the ultimate outcome?

B15 – Define blessed.

S27 – What are the elements of Christianity? What does it mean to be Christ-like? What does the Christ-spirit contain?

S28 – What are Jesus’ commandments that we must follow? What would attempt to stop us from following them? How can we be sure to follow them closely, and resist the various temptations around us?

What does unceasing prayer look like?

S29 – How do we connect more closely with omnipotent good? How do we access God’s infinite blessings?


[PYCL: Translate Jesus' commands to today and DO them!.]

CedarS PYCLs–Possible Younger Class Lessons for:  
Christ Jesus”
The Christian Science Bible Lesson for August 26, 2012
by Kerry Jenkins, CS, House Springs, MO (314) 406-0041 [Bracketed titles by Warren Huff]
 
[PYCL: Highlight the commands Jesus makes in this lesson and say what they mean today:]
This lesson is packed with stories that you can share with kids of all ages.  I was immediately drawn to the idea of searching through the lesson to find all the commands that Jesus makes throughout.  If you have some good readers you may enjoy having them make a search for the first ten or fifteen minutes of Sunday School and highlight these commands if you have a lesson printout.  If they are not quick readers, do a search ahead of time, look at the stories briefly with the students and then present a list.  Give them some examples of what a “command” might look like.  For example: you immediately have the Golden Text, but in the second section he says within a verse: “repent ye, and believe the gospel” B4.  Once you've identified together a number of these commands you can look them over and decide what you think they mean for each of us today. What does it mean to “repent” and to “believe the gospel”?  How are we/do we give a “cup of cold water”?  Those are deep and thoughtful questions and could easily take the entire class under the right circumstances.  As MyBibleLesson points out, there are at least 10 commands in the lesson. I found that many without trouble.  You may also enjoy seeing how these commands that Jesus issues relate to the stories in each section from which they are derived.
 
[PYCL: Let an overview “connect the dots” with a golden thread.]
Consider an overview of the lesson once everyone has seen which stories are in there and the order in which they are presented. My overview in brief looks something like this: Simeon/birth (or prediction of birth), Magdalene/repentance, Jairus' daughter/fearlessness, virgins with lamps/watch, sending disciples out to heal, sending them to preach universally/ascension. When I look at the lesson this way I feel like there is a thread that ties it together making apparent how the Christ is welcomed into our experience. First we must recognize it and rejoice in it (Simeon), we must repent or rethink in great humility how we are responding to the Christ's urging in our lives, we must allow the knowledge of the Christ and His power to render us fearless, we must watch always to keep the world from stealing our sense of the Christ presence, we must heal, and we must share, and ultimately this all is an ascending path to a heavenly existence!
 
 [PYCL: Share walking sticks and demonstrations on which to lean.]
If you want to share a tangible item from the lesson you could discuss with the littler ones the idea of being wise as serpents and harmless as doves. You can do a translation of the Science and Health portion of that section for them. Discuss what the serpent represents and then talk about how it can be turned into a “staff” (S22). What is a staff? Why would a “serpent” experience become something that we can lean on? What are the origins of that analogy (Moses when he first talks with God on Mt. Horeb/and again in Pharaoh's court). Can they think of any times when something that was a “serpent” got turned into a “staff” for themselves? Perhaps you can come up with an example to share? Then you can share some walking sticks or staffs that you have brought in for them. You can write on these sticks what some of the strong, Christ-like ideas are that you can lean on in times when serpent temptations come to thought. You would want to use peeled sticks and permanent marker. For best results they should be peeled earlier so they are somewhat dry to write on. If you are sharing these staffs with a very young class, they should maybe be distributed at the car or to a parent after Sunday School, lest they become a tool for mayhem, tears and destruction in small (usually boy) hands. Or you can make a class staff and keep it in Sunday School for future reference. (You can also purchase dowels at Lowes or Home Depot or the like and cut them in store to length, for a small fee). Talk about some times that Moses used his staff (the Red Sea crossing, bringing water from the rock, and holding it up in battle to keep their side winning, to name a few). How was this use of a staff related to our lesson on Christ Jesus?
 
[PCYL: Be clear about Christ and Jesus; acknowledge his sacrifice & ours today in his name.]
With the last question comes one which perhaps should have come first. Be sure to review or present the question about Jesus and the Christ and what the difference is. Make sure they understand that Jesus was truly unique and special, but lived in a time and place, whereas the Christ is eternally powerful and present. Christian Scientists have been accused of downplaying Jesus' importance so I think it's crucial to really help the kids understand his great role in the understanding that we have today of healing and of God and man. Also to really appreciate the obvious sacrifice he made for us. We don't have to dwell on it maybe, but it was a real and deep sacrifice and we should acknowledge that as any Christian does! You can even link this to the sacrifice of worldliness that he is asking us to make today in his name. What does that mean for each of us? What is the Christ demanding we do to be more like our Master? Along these lines you can look at citation S29 and ask “what is our own practice of Christ today?” How are we “practicing” Christians?
 
[PCYL: Covering just the stories will be inspiring and productive!]

Even if you only look into each story in this week's lesson I think you can find plenty of material to have a productive and inspiring time together. So have a wonderful Sunday!

 
  
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