Join us for the best summer yet!

[Get ready for some great demonstrations of Truth!] 
Metaphysical Application Ideas for the Christian Science Bible Lesson on 

 “Truth” 

for Sunday, January 25, 2015 
 
by Rick Stewart, C.S.,Dresden, Germany,
+49 351 312 4736      rickstewartcs@aol.com 

[Bracketed italics added by CedarS Director, Warren, who’s very grateful for good support already received with more neededat CedarS Giving Tree &  Adopt the Herd Riding Fund.]

Golden Text:
Psalms 33:4 ". . . the word of the Lord is right; and all his works are done in truth."

This Golden Text lets us know we are going to hear about the Word of God in this lesson and "works" "done in truth."  So let's get ready for some great demonstrations!

Responsive Reading
John 7:14–17 Jesus;  18:19, 28 (to :), 29, 30, 33, 36–38 (to ?)

Important note is that this super Responsive Reading comes in two sections.  John 7 tells about Jesus in Galilee and Judea at the Feast of Tabernacles.  Six months later (John 18) he is in Jerusalem  at Passover and is betrayed and arrested at that time.

This Responsive Reading serves as a key introduction to the ideas in this lesson.  Its choice of the two chapters from the Gospel of John, chapter 7 and 18 is brilliant!  These chapters set the theme for all that follows in the lesson.  Many scholars think that there are six months between the events in these two chapters.  In Chapter 7 Jesus is in Galilee at the time of the Feast of Tabernacles.  (A feast that commemorates the children of Israel's 40 year wilderness experience.) 

Jesus was aware of a plot against him and also the hatred directed toward him, so he chose to stay in Galilee during this feast.  His "brothers" criticized him for his decision and said he should go to Jerusalem.  Their idea was it would better promote his ministry.  He first told them he would stay in Galilee, so they headed for Jerusalem without him.  Later he secretly went to Jerusalem and at the height of the festival he was teaching  in the Temple.  People cannot believe what they are hearing, they ask, "How knoweth this man letters, having never learned." Jesus reply was that his doctrine was sourced in God, and not his own.

The next part of the Responsive Reading is from Chapter 18 and is about Pilate's interrogation of Jesus. Was Jesus King of the Jews?  Jesus states his kingdom is not "of this world." And when Pilate asks, "Art thou a king then?"  Jesus replies "To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth."

Pilate asks, "What is truth?"  And that is exactly what we will learn in this Bible Lesson.

The following links give some interesting perspective on these events.

http://www.icogsfg.org/john-gos.html  (Chronology of John's Gospel )

http://www.hebrew4christians.com/Holidays/Fall_Holidays/Sukkot/sukkot.html

http://www.ccel.org/bible/phillips/CN186-OPPONENTS.htm

Section 1:  Well, what is Truth?  God is Truth
As mentioned in the Responsive Reading, John 18, Pilate questioned Jesus.  "Are thou the King of the Jews?" Jesus answered that his kingdom was not "of this world." Pilate continued,  "Art thou a king then?" Jesus responded, "Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth."

Jesus was a good witness for the Truth.  If someone challenged him with, "You can't handle the Truth," all that would be needed was a simple, honest, sincere look at Jesus' life. His life would show that yes, he could handle the truth.

Historically those who have spoken truth have faced resistance, criticism and even hatred directed at them.  Although these attacks are directed at a person they are usually trying to discredit their message.  Mary Baker Eddy was someone who overcame such attacks.  At one time she was faced with a lawsuit that challenged her integrity and her capacity to manage her own estate that had grown from nothing to be quite sizable. A group of newspaper reporters were sent to her community of Concord, New Hampshire, to see if something sensational could be written about her.

Mrs.Eddy asked a member of her staff to talk with the reporters.  His name was Irving Tomlinson.  In a book he wrote about his years of service to her.  He wrote, “The chief man among this group, representing a big New York newspaper, was known as a particularly hard-boiled reporter and a steady drinker. He had been afflicted for some years with a cancerous growth of the throat, which was extremely painful and at times overwhelmed him completely.

“One evening as they were all sitting in his room at the Eagle Hotel, drinking and smoking, bored with their stay, this man was suffering with his throat; he had lost his voice entirely and was unable to speak a word. Mrs. Eddy had asked me to call these men by telephone and inform them that it was impossible for her to see them. But she cautioned me at the same time, ‘Be sure to ask for the leading man and speak directly to him.’”

Tomlinson was told that the head man could not speak to him. Eddy – who characteristically embraced even her enemies in the unchanging and universal love of God – had told Tomlinson to insist on speaking to this man – that if he could not speak, at least he could listen. He did – and he was healed.

Tomlinson continued, “the healing stirred these men. . .[They] had believed Mrs. Eddy to be only a humbug, and the reputed healings of Christian Science to be a great hoax. Their whole position was overthrown by this proof offered before their very eyes. They packed their bags and left.

“Some years later a relative of this man called at my office in Boston, and gave me the following message: ‘My uncle requested me to see you and to tell you that in his last days he turned to Christian Science, and he knew that he owed a debt of gratitude to Mrs. Eddy for his healing in Concord.'” (Twelve Years with Mary Baker Eddy, pp. 63-65)

This first section of the Bible Lesson  establishes that God is Truth.  And that Truth is understood as it is demonstrated.  As Science and Health citation S6 states, "The question, What is Truth, is answered by demonstration, — by healing both disease and sin; and this demonstration shows that Christian healing confers the most health and makes the best men."  (viii:12–15)

Section 2: Elijah, "the word of the Lord in thy mouth is truth."
This story from I Kings 17 is an inspiration.  Elijah, the prophet has served faithfully and is led by God to an answer that not only meets his needs, but also provides a secure hiding place.  In the midst of a severe, two-year drought, does it make sense to go to a very poor widow woman about to die from starvation and ask her for help?  That is exactly what God directed Elijah to do.  And that was just the beginning of Elijah and the widow going beyond the testimony of the material senses to demonstrate truth. (See citation B-6, I Kings 17.)

Elijah asks this widow woman in Zarephath to give him a place to stay and food to eat.  Her unselfish and courageous acceptance of the request, being willing to give when it appears she had nothing to give, resulted in her having more than enough food for herself, her son, and the prophet.  That kind of faith is also often the basis of wonderful healings.  When the widow's only son appears to have died, the prophet Elijah is able to raise the son to life.

Science and Health citation S11 instrusts us to: "Let Christian Science, instead of corporeal sense, support your understanding of being, and this understanding will supplant error with Truth, replace mortality with immortality, and silence discord with harmony." (495:20)

The truths demonsrated in this section can give us a Biblical basis for hope and faith to help meet the needs of refugees fleeing violence and war.   As the world is called upon to respond to the largest refugee crisis since the 2nd World War, we can find encouragement and faith in this story of giving.  Fear cannot freeze our ability to reach out and welcome those in need of shelter and home.  This widow woman was blessed as she was willing to give from her apparent insufficiency.  As she gave she was supplied.  And when the need seemed to be urgent as her son appeared to have died, the Truth was revealed, Life was indeed present.

Doing the right thing often involves faith.  My mom told of such a time in what was called the Great Depression.  My grandfather, Archie Lafferty had worked for the railroad, but for two years he had been without work. One Sunday morning he sat in the congregation of the Christian Science church in Perry, Iowa.  The time in the church service came along for the collection to be taken up.  My grandfather knew he had a dollar and a dime (ten cents) in his pocket [about $17.50 in 2015 purchasing power].  He also knew he had no job and seven children at home.  He debated with himself, what should he put in the collection basket, the dollar or the dime?  Suddenly he knew he had to give the dollar.  And he did.

At exactly the same time my mom was at home with her brothers and sisters.  They had already been to Sunday School earlier.  The telephone rang.  It was the city light plant.  The generators at the plant had stopped and none of the engineers could figure out a solution.  Someone had the idea, "Call Archie Lafferty, he can fix anything."  My mom ran from home to the church and met grandfather just as he was coming out.  He went directly to the plant.  And he was able to solve the problem.  And that was the last time he was without work in his entire life.  The dollar or the dime?  [The twenty or the quarter?]  We can defy the false evidence arguing for lack and give, Truth will shine through and supply the need.

Section 3: Separating the tares of error from the wheat of Truth.
The main Bible story in Section 3 is Jesus parable of the "tares and wheat."  Jesus tells the story of a field of wheat.  A farmer plants good seed, but as it sprouts, there are good wheat plants, but also weeds growing.  What to do?  Start pulling out the weeds? In the parable Jesus cautions about disturbing the young plants and possibly destroying the wheat plants.  Let it grow, then separate at harvest.  The Science and Health citations are super in promoting a spiritual understanding of this parable [and PS#2 adds a hands-on perspective].

Then yesterday a friend called for some help.  As we talked I remembered a healing from my "Little League" Baseball days.  I could see how over the years I had continued to learn from that healing. 

One Tuesday evening I was getting ready for a baseball game.  As I was putting on my uniform, I realized that I did not have my baseball shoes.   I did not know what to do. I was visiting my adult sister Candy's house and she had an idea, I could wear her tennis shoes.  What, wear girls shoes?  You see nowadays boys and girls sport shoes are pretty much the same.  But back then girls tennis shoes were pointy.  You could look at the shoe and know it was a girl's shoe.  "No way!"  I telephoned my coach to tell him I would not be at the game.  Since I was not a star player I had reasoned that it would not make much difference.  I thought my coach would agree.  So I was really surprised when he said I had to come, "I was the spirit of the team."  He talked me into it.  But I was not happy.

When I got to the ballpark my coach told me that I would not be playing my usual position, right field.  I would be catching. Now I had been praying about this situation, and praying about trying not to be embarrassed and humiliated.  And what grace from my coach!  You see a baseball catcher when he puts on all his protective gear, including shin guards you can hardly see what kind of shoes he is wearing.

The game went well.  No one kidded me about my shoes.  And all the praying seemed to help with my playing until a low pitch hit me right on the middle toe of my right foot.  It hurt a lot and seemed to be broken.  As the inning ended I walked to the dug-out and was really praying.  I let my sister know, and she prayed also.  Although the toe seemed to be injured pretty seriously, by the time the next inning started I was ready to play.

Now when I said that healings are like the tares and wheat, continually growing, coming to fruition, what I learned from this one is that I kept understanding more about it.  It was only years later that I realized that my coach had purposely asked me to catch to help out with the concern about girl's shoes.  And when it appeared that my injury was more severe because I did not have on my cleats and instead canvas tennis shoes, that was taken care of as our prayers healed my toe.  When the harvest comes we can see more clearly to separate the Truth from the error.  And we can rejoice [in the present-day 'Word made flesh… among us (and… the glory as of…'  "the only real man that God could ever beget." See PS#1 for an insight from this translation of the Greek in John 1:14 (B7).]

Section 4: The authority of Truth
As a rule a Roman centurion was not a beloved figure [to most Jews, but rather a despised occupier].  He commanded 100 soldiers and he would have been in a position of authority. He was used to telling people what to do!  But could it be that this Centurion we read about in Matthew 8 (B12) was a pretty special man?  He was concerned about the sufferings of his servant and he also expected Jesus to be able to do something about it.  Also with a touch of humility to go with his authority?  He was ready to let Jesus stay right where he was and "speak the word only."  This man recognized the authority of the Christ, he expected the healing.   And Jesus assured him, "Go thy way and; and as thou hast believed be it done unto thee."  And the servant was healed.

Jesus had faith in the Truth.  He knew his teachings and doctrine were not his, but God's.  Isn't that why his words of truth have come down over centuries and still heal today as they did then. [See PS#3 for more on Jesus' proof of prayer's power of "action-at-a-distance" and on Jesus being "the most important scientist in the history of the world in the sense of demonstrating his theory and proving… what is possible… in exercising the spiritual forces available to us." Download #3, Book of Matthew…, by Cobbey Crisler, 41.]

As Science and Health citation S16 states this, "Christ, Truth was demonstrated through Jesus to prove the power of Spirit over the flesh, — to show that Truth is made manifest by its effects upon the human mind and body, healing sickness and destroying sin." (316:7)

Section 5: Rise above persecution: "Shake it off."
It is interesting to read that Taylor Swift is not the first person to learn the need to just "shake it off" when it comes to attacks, criticism, and gossip.  In citation B16 we read about the Apostles Paul and Barnabas and their experience, "And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.  But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts.  But they shook off the dust of their feet against them and came unto Iconium.  And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost." (B16, Acts 13: 49-52)

My brother, Gary, was asked to share the following healing years ago on the TV program, "Christian Science Heals".  When he was in elementary school in Alabama he fell on the playground.  It was obvious that his arm was broken.  The school contacted my mom who immediately came to the school to pick Gary up.  The Principal asked if they should call for an ambulance.  My mom asked Gary what he wanted tp do and Gary wanted to pray and rely on Christian Science treatment.  So mom and Gary went home and together prayed and listened for healing ideas.  The next day Gary was able to return to school with full use of the arm.  His teacher was so disturbed to see him come to school with out a cast that she took him around to several classes to show that nothing had been done. She was telling Gary that he was going to have a deformed arm.  It did not seem to make any difference to the teacher that Gary was able to  use the arm and all was well.  The School Principal called my mom and told her what was going on.  Mom came and picked up Gary from school.  The Principal apologized to both my mom and Gary and said it was wonderful to see the healing take place but that some people coud just not understand what had happened.

In Science and Health citation S23 Mrs. Eddy writes, "The determination to hold Spirit in the grasp of matter is the persecutor of Truth and Love." (28:6)

Section 6:   Cherishing the Word of Truth
This has been an interesting time as our Alma is in the first grade.  For the most part children in Germany do not learn to read until the First Grade.  Kindergarten is play time.  Although they learn lots and have lots of fun, there is no reading instruction in kindergarten.  With that in mind it is just so much fun to see Alma learning to read and enjoying herself this past fall and now after the Christmas holidays.  She delights in sounding out words and being able to decipher the jumble we call writing.

And isn't that what the Apostle Paul was encouraging in his spiritual son, and young associate, Timothy? "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman  t.hat needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."  According to the Message translation, "Concentrate on doing your best for God, work you won’t be ashamed of, laying out the truth plain and simple." (B17, II Timothy 2:15)

Mrs. Eddy writes, "Beyond the frail premises of human beliefs, above the loosening grasp of creeds, the demonstration of Christian Mind-healing stands a revealed and practical Science.  It is imperious throughout all ages, as Christ's revelation of Truth, of Life, and of Love, which remains inviolate for every man to understand and to practice." (S30, 98:15)

As Jesus identified that the words he was sharing, his doctrine was not his, but he that sent him.  As he identified God as Truth and the source of Truth he insured the eternity of his words and works.  Not mortal, not limited, not personal, but the eternal, ever-present Word of Truth was Jesus' wonderful gift to humanity.  And this Truth remains for each and every one of us to learn and cherish.  

As Alma grows daily in her ability to decipher the gobbeldy goop of the printed page, her understanding grows, the light dawns in her eyes.  She is reading and loving it.

And we also have that right to joy, enthusiasm, and adventure as we learn to know and read and live the Word of Truth.


[PS#1: From CedarS online version of this Met, click on Download 1 of John 1:14 at the upper right to get a Cobbey Crisler insight from a translation of the Greek in citation B7.]

[PS#2: From CedarS online version of this Met, click on Download 2 of Matthew 3:24-30 at the upper right to get a hands-on perspective of Jesus' parable of the tares and wheat (B9), thanks to a Cobbey Crisler trip with students to the Bible lands.]

[PS#3: From CedarS online version of this Met, click on Download 3 of Matthew 8:5-13 at the upper right for Cobbey Crisler insights on Jesus' healing of the paralyzed servant of the Centurian in citation B12.]


[The weekly Metaphysical Newsletter is provided at no charge to the 1,200 campers and staff blessed each summer at CedarS, as well as to CedarS alumni, families and friends who have requested it. However, current and planned gifts are a big help and are greatly appreciated in defraying the costs of running this service and of providing needed camperships, programs and operations support. Click http://www.cedarscamps.org/giving/ for more about how you can provide even monthly support online. Or you can always call the Huffs at 636-394-6162 get information or discuss privately how to transfer securities or other assets to help support and perpetuate CedarS work.]

[You can also reach a member of the Founding family nearly anytime by
PHONE at 636-394-6162
or MAIL your tax-deductible support to our 501C3 organization
(Our not-for-profit, Federal Identification Number is #440-66-3883):

The CedarS Camps, Inc.
1314 Parkview Valley Drive
Ballwin, MO 63011

THANKS TO YOU PRECIOUS DONORS FOR YOUR ONGOING, GENEROUS and NEEDED SUPPORT OF CedarS IMPORTANT WORK!

[LETTING 2 SPECIAL NEEDS BE KNOWN –
Significant funding is still needed for these special opportunities:
1. Over 100 needed items are featured on CedarS Giving Tree that could fit the budget of every grateful Met-recipient and camper. You can choose for yourself $1-and-up ways to give to support CedarS needs. Click here to see 2 young alumni tell their reasons to give.

2. “Adopt the Herd” Matching Opportunity! Generous donors, aware of the ongoing need to care for CedarS herd, will match donations for our horse program! ($22,007 needed to reach $50k goal)]

Thank all who helped us meet our "Maintenance Musts" Matching Opportunity!
($25k goal reached by 12-14-14—has been matched by generous donors in January 2015!)


[The Met application ideas above are provided primarily to help CedarS campers and staff (as well as friends) see and daily demonstrate the great value of studying and applying the Christian Science Bible lessons throughout the year, not just at camp! YOU CAN ALSO SIGN UP for weekly emails from past CedarS staff of possible ways to share Bible Lesson applications with older, as well as younger, Sunday School classes by clicking the "Subscribe Now" button (lower left) at http://www.cedarscamps.org/metaphysical/ ]

[Additional Director's Note: You can sign up to have these application ideas emailed to you free – by Monday each week in English; or by each Wednesday you can get a FREE TRANSLATION: in German, thanks to Manfred and Jeanette; or in Spanish, thanks to a team of Ana, Erick, Claudia and Patricio, or in Portuguese, thanks to helpers of Orlando Trentini in Brazil. A voluntary French translation by Rodger Glokpor, a Christian Scientist from Togo (West Africa) has been contributed in the past. Thank you, Rodger and all translators! Go to http://www.cedarscamps.org/and click "Newsletters" to sign-up for a free translation into these languages. This sharing is the latest in an ongoing, 14-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 emails to follow.) 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 serve as 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 and in a variety of useful formats 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-26) and the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health With Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy (S-1 thru S-32). 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.]

American Camp Association

MAIN OFFICE
(November - May)
410 Sovereign Court #8
Ballwin, MO 63011
(636) 394-6162

CAMP OFFICE
(Memorial Day Weekend - October)
19772 Sugar Dr.
Lebanon, MO 65536
(417) 532-6699

Support our mission!

CedarS Camps

Back
to top