UNREALITY - October 5, 2008

Hello everyone,

I hope you are all AWAKE and have the LIGHT on as you read your lesson this week.  If you keep DREAMING, you will stay in the DARK as to your true nature.

So I just gave you a few clues as to what to look for as you read this week's lesson.

The vocab words are at the end.  Let's make sure you are looking those up.

Have a great week - and remember I will be gone this next Sunday, but the substitute will have this outline, so it will be helpful for you to bring your copies and have done some preparation.

As always - call if you need anything.

Mrs. J

The RR starts us right off - Be Awake & Alert - and you need to be as you learn who you really are.
Section I
B1 & B2 - Are you agreeing with yourself as a child who is found created spiritual and perfect like in Genesis 1 - or are you living in the mist of material creation starting in Genesis 2:6?  It makes a difference.

Section II
B3 - Adam & Eve's kids - Cain & Abel.  What does each of them do for a living?  Does God like what they do?  What happens when one of the brothers gets jealous of the other brother?

What do you think it means that "Cain went out from the presence of the Lord"? - (hint-see SH10)

S7 - Did God create sin?

S8 - Can matter create anything?

S10 - Are you trying to understand God better?  Can you recognize God through matter?

Section 3
B4 - Are you a sleeping, sluggard?  How do you know you are or are not?  If you are, do you even want to wake up, or is life pretty nice in matter?  What will you wake up to, if you put off matter?

B7 - Read all of this - and then explain how to search in order to find God.

S12 - So, if we're experiencing pain and pleasure in matter, sin, sickness and death - are we awake or asleep?  Do dreams have any reality? (both waking and sleeping dreams)

How can you be alert to know whether you are sleeping/dreaming through life - or if you're awake to your spiritual freedom and reality?

Sec. IV
S16 - Can light and darkness ever exist together?  What does this tell you about light?  What does this tell you about handling ideas that are dark, material, limiting and false?

Sec. V
B14 - Story of Lazarus -
Was Jesus in a rush to get to Lazarus? Why or why not?
Did Jesus first acknowledge that Lazarus was dead prior to raising him from death? - why does it matter? (see S22)

S23 - According to this paragraph what is your privilege at this moment?  How can you fulfill that privilege?  Do you even want to?  If you don't, ask yourself what is stopping you.

S24 - What closed "the gates of paradise"? What do we need to use to open those gates?  Are you ready and willing to do this?  How will you doing this affect your life?

Sec VI
B20 - Have you ever felt "unsatisfied in your life?"  What have you learned in the lesson this week that allows you to be satisfied?  What likeness are you waking up to see?

S25 - What is the great gift that awaits you when you wake up to the "truth of being"?

S28 - Are you the likeness that is spoken of in this last verse of the lesson?

VOCABULARY

lulled

stupefying

oblivion

firmament

fratricidal

progeny

verities

commingle

REALITY - September 22-27, 2008

Hi everyone,

I'm glad we cleared up the confusion about you all thinking you had to answer every single one of the questions I put on these weekly letters.  What I'd like is if each one of you would find one thing in the lesson that you had a question about, or if you had an "AHA" moment you could share.  It's always a much better class if you all come prepared to question and discuss things that are relevant to your life.

So this week lets try to see others (and ourselves) as God sees them (and us).  The entire lesson gives us ideas on how to do this and the good that comes when you actually do it.  This ability to see as God sees shows us REALITY!!!!  So the big question of the week is - What is your reality?

Throughout the lesson this week look for words that relate to "seeing" - words like behold, reveal, look, resemblance, appear, picture, etc.  There are a lot of them.

VOCABULARY

• reckoning
  
• manifestation
  
• immutable
  
• celestial
  
• verity
  
• renders
  
• disposition
  
• precipitate
  
• transcendental
  
• self-abnegation
  

Golden Text:  Look for the action words - Do you have some responsibility?

B2 - What does it mean to see God face to face?  Was this a normal occurence?

S3- What tries to be reality? What do you have to do to see what is real?

S4 - CS CLUE *** What are the "tests" you can give to determine if something is "real"?

I'll help.  Ask these questions about whatever it is:

1. 1. Are you spiritual?
   
2. 2. Are you harmonious?
   
3. 3. Are you immutable? (vocab word)
   
4. 4. Are you immortal
   
5. 5. Are you divine?
   
6. 6. Are you eternal?
   

B6 - In this story, what aspect of it do you recognize from another bible story?  What is the main point of this story.

S11 - Prophet's ability - where does it come from?  

B11 - Do you want to see God?  What does it take?  What does it mean to have a pure heart?

S14 - Man is perfect in proportion to what?

If you were in charge of determining whether a $100 bill was real or a counterfeit, what would you study in order to figure out what was the real one?  Would you study the counterfeit or the real $100 bill?

S16 - What are some false landmarks in your experience?

B12 - What is different between eyes seeing & God revealing?  In your experience can you think of ways in which your eyes have deceived you?  Once you realize you've been deceived how can you recognize what God is actually revealing?

B14 - What lesson is Jesus trying to teach the Pharisees and Sudducees?  Check S17 for the answer.  Explain the answer in your own words.  

S18 - Tell me which artist you relate to and why?  What material beliefs are you holding on to?

S20 - Is Christian Science healing the sign of the times?

B15 - Healing of the blind man - We all know this story pretty well - it is a wonderful example of not allowing the logic of the times you live in to determine the outcome of your life.  

Ask yourself - what am I blind to?  Am I blind to my own spiritual reality?  Am I blind to seeing the real identity of someone in my life?  Work on changing your view of that individual.

S23 - Do you see others the way Jesus would see them? 

S26 - What does this "Life Divine" that is entirely separate from matter look like?  How do we little humans experience that Life?

B18 - This revelation - the New Heaven and New Earth - means different things to different religions.  Most religions take it quite literally and are awaiting a physical new earth.  Does this make sense in REALITY?  Can you see the New Heaven and New Earth?  Do you want to?  

You've got lots to chew on this week.  Be ready to see those around you as God sees them.  - Let's share how we were able to do this, or what stopped us from really being able to do it.  

Have a great week - and as always, I am available by phone or e-mail.  

Mrs. J

tracyjsbr@gmail.com

(314) 239-9205

Subject: Matter - for Sunday September 22, 2008

Hi Guys - Sorry to have missed you all this past Sunday - That was quite a rainstorm.  I look forward to seeing you all again this week.  Remember to bring your books and marking stuff - so we can work on that while we wait for Sunday School to start.

For this week's lesson there are some overall things I want you to look for as you read:

• Pay attention to the book of the bible you are reading from (including if it is from the Old or New Testament)
  
• Pay attention to the chapter in Science & Health you are reading from
  
• Make a note of any landmarks (geography) that is noted in the lesson
  
• Make a note of specific people that are mentioned or are speaking
  
• Write down any words that you don't know the meaning of
  

I always keep a notebook with me when I read the lesson to jot down questions, words, ideas and thoughts that come to me - I would suggest you do the same, and then bring the notebook with you to class.

Now here are the words I want you to find definitions for - if you have others, bring them to class:

1. diligent
   
2. Supposition
   
3. Manifestation
   
4. mocked
   
5. supersede
   
6. precept
   
7. delusion
   

O.K. - now for the lesson!  It's a good one (aren't they all?) 

In the Responsive reading do you know who the God of Jacob is?  If so, it must mean you know who Jacob is right?  Who is Jacob?  

There is a mention of "Zion" - look in S&H page 599 Mrs. Eddy's definition and then find out where Zion is physically (location) - Why does Mrs. Eddy's definition have significance?

Section I

B1 - What is in the book of Acts?  Did it come before or after Jesus was crucified?

Where is Paul when he is giving this sermon?  Why does it matter?

S1 - I hope you have all memorized the SSB (Scientific Statement of Being) - if not, lets work on it.

Section II

B2 - What kind of an individual was Jeremiah?  Why does it matter?  What is he trying to tell us about "the customs of the people?"  What does he want you to understand about the Adam-man and God's man?

S3 - What is a supposition?  Try re-writing this sentence in a simple way.

S5 - What do you have to understand to be able to reach a provable conclusion?

Section III

B7 - What would it mean to "mock" God?  Are there times in your life when you might have mocked God?  How can you avoid that behavior?  Bring examples.

B9 - Think about your life experience.  Are there times when you've felt some "enemy" has planted weeds in your life?  In this marker we see how Jesus suggested we respond to that kind of evil - what would be some practical ways to handle the supposed weeds that are placed into your life?

S12 - What in this marker can give you ideas on how to work to remove those supposed weeds?

Section IV

B11 - What are you setting your eyes on?  

S16 - What kind of unnecessary knowledge are you tempted to gain?  How does gaining that kind of knowledge help or hurt you?  

S18 - We read in this marker "to prevent the experience of error and its sufferings; keep out of the minds of your children either sinful or diseased thoughts." - So have your parents done things to help keep things out of your thoughts?  Now guess what it's your turn to take charge of this responsibility, your job this week is to take any thought you have and ask "is this spiritually based or materially based - then get rid of the material based thought by replacing the thought with its spiritual reality.  Does that sound too hard?  Let's talk about ways to do this on a very consistent basis.  Doing this will change your experience.  

* Remind me to tell you the clear mountain lake story *

Section V

B16 & B17 - Which man is the perfect man?  What does it mean to "mark" that man?  Which man are you marking?  - Which man/woman are you?

B20 - Have you ever "touched the hem"?  Do you know what it means to do so?  Share a story with us if you have one.

S21 - So if matter is not the likeness of God - can you see, touch, smell the likeness of God?  How then can you recognize God's man?  How can understanding this concept help you with thoughts and experiences in your daily life like:

• I'm not good enough
  
• I don't understand my school work
  
• I feel alone
  
• I feel left-out
  
• I am not as good as so and so
  
• I am not pretty enough
  
• I am not athletic enough
  
• etc., etc., etc.
  

S22 - What is the basis of thought & demonstration?

S24 - This is not a "when" statement, but it is the same idea.  It gives you an opportunity to see whether you are advancing spiritually.  So figure it out based on this marker - what are the clues to figure out whether you are "getting it"?

Section VI 

B22 - What an amazing promise.  Please read this and share ideas on how having this hope can advance our spiritual existence.  Then ask yourself?  "Do I have this hope?"  If yes, how are you experiencing it?  If no, do you want to? How can you get this hope?

S26 - The question of the week:

Are you living an "is" life or a "shall be" life?  It makes a difference!!

S28 - Big Clue in this one - What do you have to do to gain "the unspeakable peace"?  What does it look like in practice?  Does it take a lot of talking or a lot of real living?  

So much to share this week.  As always my questions are just a jumping off point - something to think about.  Please bring your own questions, concerns, stories and healings.  We can all learn from you already "get" - 

I look forward to seeing you all on Sunday.

Please feel free to e-mail or call me with any questions.  tracyjsbr@gmail.com

Mrs. J

Sunday September 14 - Subject: Substance

Hi Everyone - It was fun to meet all of you this past Sunday - and I look forward to being with you this year.  I was grateful to have you all thinking through the type of Sunday School class you each want to be a part of.  Let's remember to abide by our ground rules:

1. What happens in Sunday School stays in Sunday School.

2.  Respect others when they speak or share ideas.

3. Come to class prepared - having read or studied the lesson and having questions, concerns or comments to share.

4.  Bring your Books - we will work on marking them  - and we will use them throughout each class.

5.  No cell phones

6.  Mrs. Jenkins will ignore those who don't seem to be paying attention, But will always be ready to hear if they want to share something.

If you think of other things we need to add - let me know.

I will communicate each week through this e-mail/blog/web-site - so be prepared to read and respond to the e-mail.  You are welcome to write comments or questions you may have during the week on the blog - which will allow me time to find answers, etc.

My hope is that each of you will take the time to read and understand SOMETHING in the Bible and Science & Health each week.  As I said in class - if you only read one sentence over and over until you understand it - and it is the only thing you read all week - that's great - just be prepared to share with the class what it is that you "got" from reading it.

I have things I like to call "AHA" moments - so when you are reading the lesson and all the sudden you get what it's saying - make a note - "AHA-I get it" either on your quarterly or on a separate piece of paper.  These are great moments - each "AHA" is another step in our understanding of Christian Science and in our ability to heal.  

So here are some thoughts, suggestions, questions and comments from this week's lesson. (Be sure to look at the sidebar for vocabulary words - and be prepared to know what they mean)

SUBSTANCE -

We read the Golden Text from the Contemporary English Version of the bible - Below see how other translations (including King James) translated the same Text:

"Besides, God is able to make every blessing of yours overflow for you, so that in every situation you will always have all you need for any good work." - International Standard Version

"And God is able to make all grace abound toward you: that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:" - King James Version

"Besides, God will give you his constantly overflowing kindness.  Then, when you always have everything you need, you can do more and more good things." - GOD's WORD Translation

"God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you're ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done."  - The Message

Q: After reading the Golden Text and Responsive Reading - Is there a main message that comes to you as important in order for you to receive these abundant blessings?  What is your responsibility?

Look at Marker 3 in the Bible where it talks about treasures - then look at marker 1 in Science & Health. -  This is definitely one of the keys to "unlock the scriptures" - Think about the kind of things you "treasure"?  Are they spiritual things or material things?

SH2 - What are the "things" that belong to God?  How much of it belongs to God?  Is there anything left for you?  

SH3 - When you read this - do you realize that you have to make a choice - Is Spirit/God all - or is there matter?  

Q: What is substance?  Make a list of things that are cannot have discord or decay:  (Bring the list to class) 

B4:  WOW!  What a great question - What is your answer to this question?

B6: Fiery Furnace Story

Why did King Nebby (Nebuchadnezzar) see 4 men in the fire?  

Do you think that event changed Nebby's thinking in anyway?  If yes, How?

Have you ever been put in a situation where you had to stand up for your beliefs?  How did that work out?  

SH9:  Find the "when/then" statement - What do you have to do to get "the THEN"?

B8: Vessels of Oil story

Ask yourself - "What do I already have in my house"?  How am I using it?

SH11:  Do you want things that last or things that disappear?

Make a list of Spiritual things that are eternal

Make a list of material things that are temporary

What list really matters?

S13 - What is an example of a fading, finite form?

Look for the "When" statement.

B12: What does this statement suggest?  Is it the first welfare/robinhood type concept?  NO!  It was never about material things.

SH16: Another "When" Statement - What do you have to do to see the true likeness everywhere?

SH19:  What objects are you pursuing?  What are you winning?  You are winning something - so be prepared to share.

SH21&22: After reading the story of the man at the pool of Bethesda - contrast that with the two different states of thought presented in this example from Mrs. Eddy.  Medical/material thought - spiritual thought.  Can you see how we can apply this to our daily life?

SH23:  What allows you to demonstrate the rule of healing?

This entire lesson can be broken down into the simple concept of turning Things into thoughts - so if you don't do anything else this week - make a list of "things" in your life - it could be anything - your dog, your homework, your xbox, your phone, your football team - whatever - Try to come up with at least 10 "things" - now, turn each "thing" into a thought - into what it represents - write it next to "the thing" - Let's share our lists in class this next Sunday.

And Don't forget the last line in this week's lesson - is the first line in Science & Health.

"To Those leaning on the sustaining infinite, today is big with blessings."

Remember you have to be leaning on the sustaining infinite - not on matter to have a day filled with big blessings - so go out there and LEAN away!

Have a great week.

MamaJ

Sunday September 7 - Subject: Man

Each week - I will relay some questions that came to me as I studied the lesson.  On the right hand column you will see vocabulary words that would be helpful to look up to understand more about the lesson.  Also on the right side are some links that you can use for further study.  Take advantage of the Websters 1828 Dictionary link - this is the Dictionary that Mrs. Eddy used while writing Science & Health.  In many cases the definitions have changed over the last 150 years - so it is worth learning what Mrs. Eddy was trying to convey when she used a specific word.

As you read below you will see a format I use which allows you to go right to the place where the question/comment occurred to me.  For example B5 - means Bible Marker #5 & SH12 - means Science & Health Marker 12. 

Something to think about while reading the Golden Text and Responsive Reading

1. What does it take to be a witness?
2. What are you witnessing?
3. Faith - What kind of faith is needed for healing
   

SH5 - What was Mrs. Eddy trying to help us understand about "in proportion"?  What is enlarged?  How?

B5 - What in your life do you think is impossible?

SH6 - Why do you think Mrs. Eddy employs the word "when" over and over again in Science & Health?  How can understanding this help you grow in knowledge of Christian Science.

SH10 - There is a huge clue for how to heal in this marker - What is the clue?

B9 - What is a centurion?  Why are the centurion's actions so meaningful?  Why was the servant healed?

SH13 - There is that word "when" again - Look for these "When, Then" statements and see what you can do to advance your healing work.  What are the things you can do from this marker?

SH14 - Look for the action words in this marker.  This is pretty exciting stuff - no sitting around here, This is putting thought into action.  Let's work with these words.  List them (I found 4 - what can you find)

SH15 - What can Mind do? Why does it matter?  What do you have to do - what is your responsibility?

B13 -What was the first thing Jesus did with the loaves and fishes?  Why?  Do you believe this really happened?

SH16 - What is a latent ability?  What do you need to do to reveal these "latent" abilities?

SH19 - What tricks us about calm waters?  What does it say about encountering storms?  What does it mean?

SH22 - Pay attention when you see the words "IF" and "When"

What is chemicalization?

What are the signs of true spirituality?  When you see these signs what does it do for you?