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Share the Cup of Salvation!
Metaphysical Application Ideas for the Christian Science Bible Lesson on
“Sacrament”
for the week ofJanuary 2 – 8, 2012
by Phebe Telschow, St. Louis, Missouri
[Bracketed italics by Warren Huff, CedarS Director and Editor of its Newsletters]
 
[Editor's Note: 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 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]

 [Thanks to all you generous friends we met our Maintenance Musts MATCHING challenge by 12-31!]
 
The Bible is full of symbols and metaphors, and in her writings, Mary Baker Eddy teaches students of Christian Science how to look far beyond a literal interpretation to find the deeper spiritual meaning of the Scriptures. 
Many of the metaphors in the Bible are really object lessons – the spiritual lessons available to us when we look at material images or objects from a spiritual point of view. Apparently one of the main object lessons in this week's lesson has to do with a cup. There are over 20 references to “cup” in the lesson this week, starting with the “cup of salvation” in the Golden Text [(GT). More on GT and cups in Warren's Addendum] This thorough emphasis on the cup offers us the opportunity to give the topic some deeper thought.  
 
Drinking from a cup seems like such a simple thing to do. We do it every day, and hopefully several times a day.  But what kinds of spiritual lessons could there possibly be in the mundane activity of drinking from a cup; and what in the world does it have to do with sacrament?
In addition to defining sacrament as “an outward and visible sign of inward spiritual grace,” Webster's First Edition says that sacrament is also an oath or ceremony observed by followers of Jesus by which their special relationship to him is created, observed, renewed and ratified.

There are lots of things that have come to symbolize this kind of oath or Christian ceremony. One example is baptism, which we'll read about in the first section this week. Another sacrament, oath or ceremony is what most religions refer to as “Eucharist”. The tradition of Eucharist has its roots in the Last Supper where Jesus broke bread and shared a cup of wine with his disciples and taught them the spiritual significance of those things. We'll read the story of The Last Supper in the fifth section, and find additional inspiration in the citations in Science and Health where we'll get some fresh insight from Mrs. Eddy. 
 
What significance do the symbols of baptism and drinking from a cup have for us today? Baptism isn't too mysterious. It's all about purity. It's symbolizes being our willingness to be clean and hold ourselves separate from worldly habits of thinking and living. 
 
But drinking from a cup may not be so obvious. If we think carefully about it, sharing the same cup with someone is a very intimate thing to do. It's generally not something we do with strangers, but only with a dear friend or family member. How often do we place Christ Jesus in that kind of category in our thinking? (Hopefully, we can honestly say that we think of Christ Jesus as near and dear; but if we feel like we can improve along those lines, we can always start right here and now!)  
What exactly are we sharing with Christ Jesus when we drink of his cup? Traditionally, sharing someone's cup is a metaphor for sharing their lot in life – or perhaps even their life's purpose. What's inside the cup that we're drinking? In some cases in the Bible says it's a cup of cold water – as in of “a cup of cold water in Christ's name”, and sometimes it's a cup of wine as it was at the Last Supper. Both water and wine have a much deeper spiritual significance. Water often appears in the Bible as a metaphor for the word of God (e.g.  Deuteronomy 32:2 “My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass:”). Mrs. Eddy tells us in the Glossary of Science and Health that wine is inspiration and understanding.
 
How can we make sure that we're including sacrament in our lives every day? As part of the answer that question, let's consider a couple important words related to the concept of sacrament: sacred and sacrifice
 
The definition of the word sacred in Webster's 1st Edition of the Dictionary says that things that are sacred are entirely holy and pure, and pertain entirely to God and the worship of God. Things that are sacred deserve to be honored because they are above and beyond the reach of mortality, sin, disease, death and inharmony of any kind. If something is sacred, it can't be polluted, profaned, broken, or harmed in any way, no matter what.  
 
What actually qualifies as sacred in this day and age? Have you ever considered the fact that who and what you are as God's idea is entirely sacred?  (See Genesis 1:26-27, 31.) The fact that we are God's very own sacred ideas is a good reason to be faithful about the physical, mental, and moral purity of our lives. Maintaining this standard of purity is just one way of honoring our relationship with God and expressing how truly grateful we are for God's presence, power, and love.  This unselfish expression of gratitude and respect for God qualifies as sacrament.  
As for sacrifice, it doesn't need to be something dreadful. It can be a happy, positive thing to do and bring great growth and blessing. In a traditional religious sense, sacrifice includes exchanging something that might be considered materially valuable for something that's spiritually invaluable.  Mrs. Eddy might call that “exchanging the objects of sense for the ideas of Soul.”  (See Science and Health, p. 123:12, and p. 269:14)  
 
The third section of this lesson explains how a love of God can inspire us to become more like little children and exchange our old false concepts for new and true ideas. The fourth section shines a light on how we can exchange any claim of heredity in honor of our true spiritual heritage.  Can you think of some other sacred exchanges that we could make? Is there an opportunity today to exchange fear with renewed moral courage?  How about exchanging any long-standing grief for fresh spiritual joy? 
 
Popular thought may say that these kinds of exchanges (“sacrifices”) are very difficult to make. But an understanding of Christian Science and this lesson sermon shows that a pure and practical expression of love and gratitude for God makes these exchanges not only possible, but also normal and natural. [Visitors to the Tabernacle in the Wilderness in CedarS Bible Lands Park can learn the spiritual lesson that in order to get to the light and provision one expects when coming to God in prayer, one must go beyond the first stage of sacrifice. At the second stage is a bronze laver in which one is to wash his hands and mindset to get them clean from any sense that this offering is a sacrifice.  That makes one's “prayer some daily good to do to Thine for Thee, an offering pure of love whereto God leadeth me”. (Hymn 253)
Cherishing what is truly of God (e.g. that which is sacred) makes it much easier to “sacrifice” false concepts for the Truth. This healthy, healing exchange of the false for the true is not only a description of sacrament; it's one of the main ingredients of salvation.
As you read this week's lesson, consider these questions and themes:  
  • The cup: not only of water and wine, but of holy purpose, understanding, inspiration and salvation.  If we're sharing a cup with Christ, doesn't that also mean that we're sharing it with our fellow disciples? Consider the tender and true sense of fellowship this understanding brings to our church work and to our healing practice of Christian Science.   
  • Purity, washing with water, and the role of baptism: How often do we need to be submerged in Spirit, and exactly how do we go about doing that?  What difference does purity, innocence, childlikeness, and true spirituality make in our thinking and experience?   
  • The natural outcome of sacrament: What's the relationship between sacrament and healing? 
  • What is our responsibility (“response to God's ability”) in regard to sacrament?:  What would the world be like if everyone whole-heartedly dedicated themselves to a Christ-like purpose?  As the song says, “Let there be peace on Earth, and let it begin with me!”
  • What does it really mean to take up “the cup of salvation?”: What does it look like? How do we go about doing it?    
  • What is the relationship between sacrament, resurrection and ascension?: What is it about the qualities of sacrament that enabled not only the resurrection, but also the ascension? What was it about sacrament that put the disciples in a position to bear witness to these victories and see the true unreality of death? What kind of relevance do these examples have for us today?  Is it possible that including sacrament in our daily lives would enable a resurrection and ascension in us? 


[Warren's Addendum on the Golden Text (GT): Students of Economics and Business are trained to perform a Cost-Benefits Analysis on a course of action to weigh its impact and advisability. Whenever I see the word “benefits” as used in the GT, Ps. 116:12, I think of Mrs. Eddy's exegesis on Jesus' parable of the wise and foolish virgins, where she describes how worthwhile endeavors should cost us something since worthless endeavors certainly do: “Seek Truth, and pursue it. It should cost you something: you are willing to pay for error and receive nothing in return; but if you pay the price of Truth, you shall receive all.” (Misc. 342: 24) In the GT the Psalmist identifies “the price of Truth” as to: “take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord.” On one of CedarS three, delightful 50th Jubilee CDs, past CedarS counselor and vocalist Erin Williams, accompanied by CedarS alumni musicians, Jason and Dan Loomis, do a great job sharing a CedarS classic from the Bible: “I will call upon the Lord”.  The total cost of $25 (incl. postage) will go into CedarS 2012 Campership Fund which (with sufficient sales and donations) will produce life-long benefits for about 400 Sunday School pupils.]
 
[Warren's Addendum example of spiritual baptism (1st section) & basketball: 
As happens every week, the MyBibleLesson.com team has put together an inspiring, educational, engaging and practical presentation of the Christian Science Bible Lesson. For the weekly “MBL backpage” article from the CSPS periodicals that applies ideas in the Lesson, an article was selected about persistence, basketball and “spiritual Windex” that was written by past CedarS wrangler and Basketball Camp counselor, Sarah Jarvis. In September Sarah married Terry Grigsby who she met as another CedarS Basketball Camp counselor. We regard their continued contributions to the Christian Science Movement as yet another fulfillment of the 2nd of CedarS Five Fundamental Concept: “We respect each individual Christian Science young person as a future active worker in the Christian Science movement.” All 5 guiding principles and the whole, illustrated and easily-readable story of CEDARS CAMPS, ITS ORIGIN AND GROWTH, 1962-2001 by Founder, Ruth Huff, is available for $15 in softback or $20 in hardback.
 
 [Warren's Addendum on this week's 23rd Psalm references, the last in the RR & the lesson (S-28, 578): I don't know who first wrote the following summary of the 23rd Psalm, but for many years our family and many others have found it to be inspiring and helpful(Note the cup connection near the end.)

 TWENTY THIRD PSALM
 
The Lord is my shepherd;
THAT'S RELATIONSHIP
 
I shall not want.
THAT'S SUPPLY!
 
He maketh me to lie down
in green pastures:
THAT'S REST!
 
He leadeth me beside still waters.
THAT'S REFRESHMENT!
 
He restoreth my soul;
THAT'S HEALING!
 
He leadeth me in the paths
of righteousness
THAT'S GUIDANCE!
 
For His name's sake.
THAT'S PURPOSE!
 
Yea, though I walk through the valley
of the shadow of death,
THAT'S TESTING!
 
I will fear no evil:
THAT'S PROTECTION!
 
For Thou art with me;
THAT'S FAITHFULNESS!
 
Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.
THAT'S DISCIPLINE!
 
Thou preparest a table before me
in the presence of mine enemies:
THAT'S HOPE!
 
Thou anointest my head with oil;
THAT'S CONSECRATION!
 
My cup runneth over.
THAT'S ABUNDANCE!
 
Surely goodness and mercy shall
follow me all the days of my life:
THAT'S BLESSING!
 
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
THAT'S SECURITY!
 
forever.
THAT'S ETERNITY!
 
 
[Warren's Addendum on a camp app of a citation in Section 7: Citation S-27 is my favorite met for water-skiing.  After saying “Hit it!” for the boat to start pulling you, it's all too easy for most beginners to lean forward right away, as if to get up “on their own.” This causes quick nose-dives.  However, when we pause, waiting to acknowledge the boat, or really God, as the true power of EVERY event, able to pull us through it, God precedes us and we express such dominion that we almost feel able to walk on the water. (A successful pausing posture for skiers to mimic is that of a testifier getting halfway up out of his seat and pausing for a few seconds before proceeding, because another testifier got up at the same time.) “Beholding the infinite tasks of Truth, we pause, — wait on God. Then we push onward, until boundless thought walks enraptured and conception unconfined is winged to reach the divine glory.” (S&H 323:9)  In like manner, when we realize that life is about God, about Love, and not about us (as physical beings) or because of us (as personal procreators), we are free to merely reflect, instead of originate, the “incontrovertible” perfection of man AS A SPIRITUAL BEING, as the “image, reflection, of God, . . neither inverted” ('reversed in position, order, or relationship') “nor subverted,” ('overturned from the foundation : RUINED: perverted or corrupted by an undermining of morals, allegiance, or faith') “but upright and Godlike.” (S&H 200:19, with Merriam Webster's definitions in parenthesis)]

 [If you have been blessed by any of CedarS 3 weekly inspirational newsletters (our Mets or our PSSTs and PYCLs for Sunday School teachers), NOW would be a wonderful time to share your appreciation. 
 
Call us anytime at 636-394-6162 to make a donation or to inquire about a custom CedarS experience!
 
To send an actual check please mail to:
The CedarS Camps Office
1314 Parkview Valley Dr.
Ballwin, MO 63011
 
[Your 50th Anniversary gift to CedarS–as generous as divine Love directs-will play a needed part in CedarS important, year-round work for Christian Science Sunday School students.]

[Sharing the applicable principles of Christianity in CedarS Bible Lands Park:
Our new Fall-season outreach
(that is fostering a proper understanding of Christian Science) has led us to give tours of our new Bible Lands Park that clearly demonstrate to Bible-loving churches and youth groups of other denominations how Christian Scientists love and “take the inspired Word of the Bible as our sufficient guide to eternal Life.” (S&H 497:3)  As shown in video clips We are currently working in our Bible Lands Park to expand our ability to share applicable New Testament insights by building a trail with activity, learning stations that follow Paul's teachings and trips from Antioch to Ephesus, Corinth, Athens, Rome … We welcome all gifts to enable such inspiring “Home Improvements” to be made NOW as weather allows.]
 
[CedarS recurring needs are listed at http://www.cedarscamps.org/giving/unrestricted-gifts.htm Just click here to use a credit or debit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover card) or a virtual check to make very helpful monthly donations to CedarS (or to give one-time gifts) in support of spiritual growth.  International supporters can give to CedarS via PayPal using built-in currency exchange rates by filling in an amount under International Donors and clicking on the “Donate Online” button.  
 
[Lastly you can help by telling “un-camped” children and families about CedarS being a wise and happy place for them to glimpse and demonstrate more of their spiritual natures!  We'll gladly send anyone a DVD and info on CedarS financial aid forms; programs for all ages; 2012 session dates & rates; 2012 online enrollment; transportation… to help get them or anyone in your extended church family to camp!]
 
  [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.]
 
 Enjoy!    And, please contact us for more info about any and all things about CedarS!

[P.S.S.T.-Live the essence of 'The Sermon' to commemorate Jesus, (S8)]
Possible Sunday School Topics for the Christian Science Bible Lesson on
Sacrament for study during the week of January 2-8, 2012
by John Biggs, CS, of Bend, Oregon [ tojohnb@gmail.com (541) 316-0809]
[bracketed italics by Warren Huff, CedarS Director and Newsletters Editor.]
 
Before we dive into some of the great discussions that could take place about this week's lesson, I'd love to let you know about some of the other opportunities there are for sharing and learning together, anytime!
 
Did you know that there's a whole online community and resource toolkit for anyone interested in Sunday School? Every week, there is a discussion about that week's lesson (the current discussion thread is located here http://bit.ly/xTmdqE). Many of the frequent readers of this email series will be familiar with the various videos that TMCYouth (now Time4Thinkers) has done – and you can access many, if not all, of them through the “Teaching Tools” button found on this page: http://bit.ly/zN0hjU That same page is a wonderful jumping-off point for exploring the Global Sunday School community. So, if any of these questions and topics, or any others you talk about in Sunday School, provide some neat discussion, it'd be so great if you shared about it on the community discussion forums! Any questions come up, or inspiration to share? We'd all love to hear from you! Just like the family, community nature of all the Christian Science camps, this online community exists to bring us together and share our love for God and Christian Science. Check it out, and encourage anyone who may be interested to take a look!
 
There's also a brand new site up at Time4Thinkers.com, which would be a great fit for high schoolers and up. Encourage your high school and college students to browse the discussion forums and post any reflections or questions they may have, and to share their light with other seekers.
 
PSST–Golden Text & Responsive Reading (RR)
It's {very special and therefore] pretty common to reflect and rejoice in how much God loves us. It's such a refreshing theme and rock to hold to. This RR also reveals the importance of declaring our love for God. The Golden Text (GT) pretty much asks this question (and also provides a response): How has your class shown their love for God? It's hard to love an abstract concept [like “the Lord” mentioned in the GT], so the RR also gives us the gift of specifically identifying and giving gratitude for some of God's qualities [“strength…rock…fortress…deliverer…buckler, …salvation, …high tower.”] and some of God's gifts. [i.e. being brought into a larger place, deliverance, rewards, mercy, gentleness…] Keep expanding that list. Why do you love God? How can you show that love, fresh every day?
 
PSST–Section One
Is Jesus the only one to whom God could say “This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased”? [B2, Matt. 3:17] Could God say that to you? What is that ‘cup' that Jesus speaks of having to drink (B3)? Do we need to drink it today?
 
You may enjoy discussing ‘baptism' at greater length with your class. Baptism is a very important concept for many Christians, and it's good to be familiar with how important baptism is in Christian Science, as well! I had some visitors from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints last year and we had a very engaging conversation sharing our understandings of baptism. Have you been baptized? Is your baptism a one-time thing?
 
PSST–Section Two
One definition of pure that I have heard somewhere is “being made up of one element.” So it's only natural that as we realize the ‘single-ness' of what we're made of (the expression and idea of God, good), we will see God more clearly. You may enjoy this “Daily Lift” [by Mark Swinney] from last spring, about our one-ness with God. http://bit.ly/zIHVjX What do you think about Mrs. Eddy's definition of ‘eyes' in the Glossary [S&H 586], in conjunction with Jesus' [Beatitude] promise that the pure in heart shall see God? [B7, Matt. 5:8]
 
This week, how can you live the ‘real-ness' of God's love for His idea, man? How can we take this love out of the realm of the abstract and theoretical, and really live as the loved of Love? [P.S.S.T.-We need to live the essence of the Semon on the Mount to commemorate it and Jesus who gave it and all to and for us, See citation S8, S&H 271:21]
 
PSST–Section Three
What are the qualities of thought that a child represents, which would inspire Jesus to say what he said in citation B10 [about receiving children in my name – or nature]? Are the pre-teen classes the only ones that have those childlike qualities? Or do the high school and college classes also represent and share those childlike ideas? How about the teachers and superintendents? How can we receive more childlike thoughts into our days?
 
You may also enjoy sharing stories in class about times when you've given “a cup of cold water in Christ's name.” (S9) Why do it – why share that water? What is in that cup that you've offered someone? If you don't think you've ever given that cup of cold water, are there any encouragements or promises in this section that could give you the confidence to do so? [(B11, S9) Could it be that you could stand to become more childlike and quickly ready to share what you love without concern that your gift will be rejected or questioned? See also S16.]
 
PSST–Section Four
When Jesus talked about being the light of the world, does the entirety of that sentence mean that the light is now gone, since Jesus isn't physically present? [B15] Is there anything that can prevent you from seeing the presence of Christ? Are we attaching labels to ourselves or others that justify not seeing or expressing the fullness of Christ?
 
Citation S15 talks a lot about awakening. When you wake up, are you suddenly creating your bedroom, dorm room, hotel room, or campground? Or was it always there, and now you get to see what was always there? When we awaken to see the presence of Love, did God suddenly make you more loved? When we ‘give a cup of cold water in Christ's name,' are you the source of good for that person you blessed, so that when you leave they'll be down in the dumps again?
 
PSST–Section Five
What are some of the promises that have been made to you? Has God made any promises? How do you know you can trust a promise that's made?
 
Have you ever taken a sacrament [or oath or communion covenant (S18, S19)]? What would go into a modern-day sacrament [or sacred promise to full rely on “that Mind … which was also in Christ Jesus” (497:25)]? Maybe your class would enjoy [either] coming up with a New Year's resolution or [pledge of allegiance–or finding a solemn promise or] sacrament that everyone would commit to [like the 6th Tenet of Christian Science, S&H 497:24. ] You may enjoy reading and sharing [an example of a big New Year's resolution and 4 steps to reach it by] Michelle Nanouche, CSB. http://bit.ly/y3eXFv
 
PSST–Section Six
How can we echo Mary's action in ‘turn(ing) again' to see the Christ? Are there any assumptions we've made that we can ‘turn' to see the truth about?
 
What a loving statement – ‘so far as we apprehend it.' (S22) You may enjoy sharing within your class about what each of you apprehends so far about God, man, and Christian Science. This could be a great opportunity for sharing honestly and confidently, and encouraging and showing love for each other, as you all share whatever it is that you do know. Can we know ‘too little' and feel ashamed about it? Is there a parable that might relate to this question of how much we know? [Maybe the getting and using of a different number of talents as Jesus shared in Matt. 25:14-29.]
 
PSST–Section Seven
When Love is in our day, do we recognize it? Do we hang out with Christ? Do we cherish every instance of knowing the presence of God, good?
 
What is the ‘real essence of manhood' (S25)? Is the cup that runneth over (S28) the same cup that Jesus talked about in citation B3? Do we each have that cup?


 
[PYCL: Make non-rituals of baptism & communion heartfelt HOURLY! Share cookies!]
CedarS PYCL–Possible Younger Class Lessons for:  
 
Sacrament
The Christian Science Bible Lesson for January 8, 2012
by Kerry Jenkins, CS, House Springs, MO (314) 406-0041
[Bracketed titles & links by Warren Huff, PYCL Editor]
 
[PYCL: Seek a meaningful application of sacrament for your age of pupils.]
Get a good understanding of the word sacrament. What does the dictionary definition say? Then break that definition down to something that means something to whatever age group you are working with. Look at what Mrs. Eddy says about Sacrament, in citation S18 and in her breakdown in citation S19. She defines each symbol of the Eucharist: bread is Truth; the cup is the cross; wine, the inspiration of Love. If you wish you can look at the paragraph in its entirety on p. 35:19.  Here she defines baptism, what our church foundation consists of, and even how we can “unite” with this church (become a member!).  It's quite illuminating and consistent with what we are learning in this week's lesson.  
 
[PYCL: Make non-rituals of baptism & communion heartfelt DAILY. Winnow to win now!]
CedarS lesson notes this week, shared by Phebe, are a great way to beef up on thoughts about sacrament and the symbols involved.  We don't have much in the way of ritual acts in our worship services at C.S churches.  Is that because we don't place the same value on the sacraments such as the Eucharist and baptism?  This is something you could discuss with maybe third grade or so and up.  How do we celebrate these things?  When you've come up with some ways that we honor the bread and wine and maybe baptism, can you talk about whether these are things that happen daily?  Can they be nurtured to become part of our daily activities and thought? [See Warren’s Addendum for a possible hands-on example of how to winnow to win now!]
 
[PYCL: Communicate with God closely, as a real friend or family member, and receive grace.]
 
Look at Mrs. Eddy's poem, Communion Hymn (#298) and look at Hymn #1.  Check out the text.  Why are these usually two of the hymns we sing at this particular service?  [Why are the Tenets of The Mother Church read?  See Church Manual 125-126] What does Communion have to do with sacrament?  What is the difference between “communion” and “prayer”?  If there is overlap that's o.k. too!  To commune is to communicate intimately; communion implies intimate fellowship (as well as the literal sacrament ceremony from other Protestant churches).  It is so beautiful to think of communicating intimately, closely, as a real friend or family member, with the Christ or with God.  (See Phebe’s comment about sharing a cup!)  We are not “asking” for anything in this communion, rather we are sharing our love, our acknowledgment of God's power and goodness and grace in our lives.  We are acknowledging our own purity and qualities of character that are wholly derived from our Father-Mother.  You may be led to talk about what we do in the church services at the end of the Sunday service on Communion Sunday.  Why do they think we kneeland why repeat the Lord's Prayer again?  How does the silent prayer during this time differ from the usual silent prayer?
 
[PYCL: Win a World Cup Challenge DAILY-not just in 2014 for Brazil’s World Cup soccer!]
Some “cup” work! Find all 21 references to cup if you have pupils who read in your class.  Discuss the symbolism of cup looking at these references.  If you need to collect them all in ones place you can bring in something printed out to look at after they have found all the references.  For the older classes take a sheet of paper and draw a large, paper-sized picture of a cup. [For avid soccer players and fans, the cup might be drawn to resemble a World Cup Soccer trophy.] Brainstorm all the things that are in this cup that Jesus asked us to drink [and to “be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)]  First there are the “cross”- like challenges [that we must challenge and overcome daily if we are to demonstrate that we too are spiritual ideas and not merely mortal earthlings. Then], the 23rd Psalm reminds us that there is overflowing “oil”, or inspiration, consecration, (see her definition of oil in the Glossary of S&H, p.592), to meet each challenges that we face!  Write these ideas on the cup picture.  Other things to consider including in this “cup challenge” [picture and discussion]: that we can't “pick and choose” how we devote ourselves, but must drink “all of it” (S20); that drinking this cup opens up “infinite possibilities” (S24); that it leads to eternal life (S8); [that the more demanding “baptism of the Holy Ghost and fire” that Jesus brought demands the hourly win-now-ing of thought like the separating of chaff and wheat to Win Now;]and so on. 
 
[PYCL: DAILY share the joy & encouragement of your World Cup victory with the thirsty!]
Once you've looked at this cup with all of its contents [and made them your own,] you can discuss whether this is the cup of cold water that we are supposed to share with others.  How do we discern when to share and who to share with?  How can we be more obedient to this command to share and how can we be less afraid to share?  If we share a plate of cookies with someone, are we worried about whether they will like them and will they be offended or unkind if you share cookies with them that they don't like?  You know you are sharing love and while we try to guess what someone might enjoy, we usually don't stress over their reaction to our plate of cookies [-especially if they are hungry. Nor would we withhold “water” if they are “thirsty”! I plan to bring in a several instructive props-including a couple plates of cookies for my 5th graders to share with the other classes. This hopefully will encourage] erring on the side of generosity rather than on the side of fearing over being embarrassed by someone's reaction to our love of Christian Science.  If we are sharing out of a desire to bless (that cup of cold water), then there is a blessing in it, whether we see it or not.
 
[PYCL: “Drill down” on what it means to think & act with the divine Mind of Christ.]
With the littler kids [or even a 5th grade class like Warren’s Sunday,] you might try bringing in an actual large cup and writing [on strips of paper the] ideas that you come up with together that represent the [disciplined thinking and acting, the sacrificial giving or the] “blood of Christ”.  (Don't put it in those words!)  [After reading and solemnly promising together the 6th Tenet (at the end of S&H p. 497–like will be read in church with all the other 5 Tenets), let your pupils] decide what [detail] belongs in the cup [–how we can better apply that solemn promise as a sort of New Year’s resolution.] Also talk about how the challenges that might be included in following Jesus are answered by the overflowing oil that we mentioned earlier [and at the end of the RR]. Have the pupils fold up these ideas and put them inside the cup.  How do they share this “cup” with those who need it?  How do they themselves obey the things that are included in the cup?
 
[PYCL: Share like a child– illogically “cast your net on the right” even after vain efforts.]
What does being a child have to do with this subject?  Look at section 3 together. [(B11, S9) Could it be that we all should become more childlike and quickly ready to share what we love-like a plate of cookies–without concern that our gift will be rejected or questioned? See also S16.] Also notice that in section 7 Jesus addressed his disciples “children, have ye any meat?”  I don't actually know if that is an accurate translation of the text, but I love the implications of this followed by their childlike obedience that doesn't resist the illogical command to “cast the nets on the right side of the ship”. [B20, John 21:6]  Talk about why this obedience is so pure and good.  Can we listen to God this way, even when it doesn't feel logical to us or maybe comfortable to us?
I hope this gives you a few ideas to share; have fun, as always!
 
[Warren’s Addendum with much text pasted from my April 4, 2004 CedarS Met:
Use a fork, pennies & confetti to show how to winnow to win now! The following “penny for your thoughts” exercise will hopefully arrive in time to be doable and worth more than a penny! I plan to take to Sunday School a bag of several household props – to use as everyday object lessons such as Jesus readily referred to in his parables. I hope that my 5th grade class tomorrow will have a good time learning more about what John the Baptist identified as the more advanced method of baptism to be used by Jesus-and hopefully by us as his followers. MyBibleLesson for Section 1 this week has a good illustration of winnowing with a fan in hand (that looks like a pitch fork). 
After harvesting wheat, it is all mixed in with the chaff (straw and wheat husks) and cannot be used to make bread and other foods that nurture and sustain life. Without modern farm equipment, which costs a fortune, the most effective way to separate the mixed-up mess and save the valuable wheat, is to carry it all together to the highest point and toss it up into the air with a fork-shaped-“FAN.” The wind (Spirit, pneuma) will blow the lighter chaff downwind into a waiting fire, never to blow back into the mix, while the heavier wheat falls into a “save pile.” According to late C.S. Bible scholar B. Cobbey Crisler, this perfectly describes what John the Baptist meant when he prophesied that Jesus would “baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” (B2, Matt. 3:11, 12) To illustrate this with a hands-on demo I hope first to experiment a bit on Saturday and then to let pupils do so on Sunday with: several pennies (representing the valuable wheat) mixed into a pile of chaff-like confetti (or paper punch-outs from a paper-hole punch, or with sawdust or wood-shavings) explaining how to “lift and separate” the mixture of true (pennies) and false (confetti) that would try to ticker-tape parade though our heads. Mrs. Eddy picks up on the chaff and wheat theme raised in the Bible and takes it to a new level (as usual). Better than HD (High Definition) TV are her “High Definitions” of most Biblical terms, including “FAN. Separator of fable from fact; that which gives action to thought.” (S&H 586:7) Since a fan gives action to thought, to awake from sleep, we need to “hit the fan,” instead of the snooze button!  Although a fan in Bible times was not electric, it did perform a similar function: that of allowing the Holy Ghost, or Spirit, God (Pneuma in Greek which is also the word for air and wind) to blow away the chaff. “The Science of Christianity comes with fan in hand to separate the chaff from the wheat. Science will declare God aright, and Christianity will demonstrate this declaration and its divine Principle, making mankind better physically, morally and spiritually.” (S&H 466:26) Why not hourly do our baptism job of lifting up the mixed-up mess of physical health theories (diets, exercise and all) along with our daily duties and decisions and the moral dilemmas that abound and let God's divine wind do its job of blowing away all the chaff, fluff and stuff!]
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