This week’s lesson is the start of a short run of topics that appear (on the surface at least) more theologically orientated subjects. We’ll see though that these topics offer very practical guidance for every day life. This week’s topic is “Doctrine of Atonement”.
It’s really about how we overcome “sin” and feel that at-one-ment with God.
What is “sin”? What did Christ Jesus do to rid the world of sin? What’s our role?
The 3rd section of the lesson begins with Philippians 2:5:
Let this mind by in you, which was also in Christ Jesus
How do we adopt this Mind of Christ?
One of the last citation in the lesson is comprised of the last three Tenets of Christian Science, it may be very worthwhile for us to review these. But do bring your own questions, looking forward to seeing you Sunday!
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Didn’t the time really fly in our discussion on Sunday? Let’s hope we can find some time to return to the discussion about “moral freedom” and how the Commandments and the Covenant with God fit into that.
This week’s Bible lesson in on Mind – another of Mary Baker Eddy’s seven synonyms for God. The Golden text is from Philippians (2:5).
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.
And the question of the week video on tmcyouth.com asks:
Question of the Week
if there is just one Mind (one God and intelligence of the universe), then how come there are so many disasters (like Haiti) and so on.
Do check out the video before Sunday and we’ll watch it again in class before discussing this topic.
There lots in the lesson to help us answer this question and to spark other discussions.
The first section reminds us “The time for thinkers has come”. How do God’s thoughts and mortals differ? The section ends with Mary Baker Eddy – the author of Science and Health – and founder of our church – describing herself as “a willing disciple at the heavenly gate, waiting for the Mind of Christ.” (S&H ix:16)
In section 2 – we see how Solomon serves God with “a perfect heart and with a willing mind”. We see how God opens the way, blesses and rewards, those with the right motives. Here there are perhaps some links back to last week’s question about “moral freedom”. There is also a big clue in this section to what it really means to have “that Mind which was also in Christ.”
The third section focuses on Christ Jesus himself. We read of his childhood as described in the Gospel of Luke – and how at the age of twelve he was found discussing religious and spiritual matters with the learned men of the church. It is perhaps no coincidence that 12 is the age one can unite with The Mother Church. In this section we are reminded that “we owe (Christ Jesus) endless homage.” Why?
The fourth section contains the bible story of the woman healed by touching Jesus garment. Jesus felt her spiritual touch – even while the multitude thronged him. The story illustrates how Christ Jesus read “mortal mind on a scientific basis”, and the passages in Science and Health explain this form of mental discernment or intuition and the essential role it continues to play in the healing the sick today.
The Fifth section features Jesus overcoming the power of death when he heals Jairus’ daughter (see Luke 8 40-55) and reminds us that while the same God-given healing power is available in every age – we need the “Mind .. which was also in Christ Jesus” if we are to “repeat the ancient demonstrations of prophets and apostles” (S&H 243:12)
The sixth and final section explains how having the Mind that was in Christ Jesus is the “foundation of fellowship” - how it is needed to establish the brotherhood of man. It’s a great section to work with in overcoming disputes in families, at work, in our churches and the world. The lesson ends with the sixth Tenet of Christian Science from Science and Health by Mary Baker Eddy:
6. And we solemnly promise to watch, and pray for that Mind to be in us which was also in Christ Jesus; to do unto others as we would have them do unto us; and to be merciful, just, and pure. (S&H 497:24)
BTW I have just posted all the Tenets of Christian Science on this site.
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