If you’ve ever wondered about taking class instruction in Christian Science, here are some ideas that may answer some of your questions.
The purpose of class instruction is to teach students how to practice Christian Science more effectively.
Class instruction is a twelve session course taught by accredited teachers around the world for aspiring students of Christian Science. It is open for application from people who value the teachings of Mary Baker Eddy and want to heal themselves and their neighbors through prayer like Jesus Christ taught. Course content is drawn from the Bible and the writings of Mary Baker Eddy. Students learn the truth about God, Jesus Christ, the spiritual individuality of man, the illusive nature of evil, and how to give a Christian Science treatment that heals the sick.
It doesn’t matter how long you’ve studied Christian Science to qualify for entry. Some students have studied the faith for a few weeks and others for decades. The most important qualification is love for the truths taught and a commitment to uphold the moral and spiritual ideals of its teachings.
Some questions to answer when deciding whether you are ready to benefit from class might include, “Do I see truth in the teachings of Christian Science? Do I want to put them into practice and be a more effective healer? Am I willing to sacrifice selfish wants in order to participate?” If practicing Christian Science is important to you and you’re willing to make the commitment necessary to make it happen, taking class can be a major boost to your spiritual progress.
Long time students of Christian Science often take class for granted. Perhaps they intend to take class but delay application because they believe everything else happening in their life is more important. They procrastinate—sometimes for decades. One recent graduate of class wrote, “I long wanted to take class instruction, but almost anything—work, travel, even a weekend activity—would cause me to wait. After all, I reasoned, ‘I could take class next year, right?’ Having now taken class, it’s hard to imagine trading a year without this knowledge for anything else.”
In the grand scheme of living a meaningful life there is no education more significant than learning the truth about God. An understanding of God answers big questions of life such as, “What is my purpose? What is trustworthy? What is not trustworthy? How do I prevent lack and loss? How do I find love? What goals are worth pursuing?” Earning a college degree or learning a trade to start a career may get the bills paid. But the more pressing concerns of how to stay healthy and happy to live a purposeful life and get along with others is advanced by understanding God. Class instruction provides that understanding.
In class, students are taught answers to tough questions like, “How do I heal a physical problem with a spiritual prayer? How can Divine Science state that matter is not real? If God is all and God is good, why does evil look real? What happens after death? How do I explain Christian Science to my friends?” A recent graduate of class wrote, “For the first time in my life after many years of practicing Christian Science, I now understand what it means to say, ‘there is no substance in matter.’ The illumination of how our real life is spiritual has been a huge eye-opener. I feel strong in my newfound understanding and feel equipped to heal as never before.”
The purpose of class is to learn how to heal like Jesus Christ taught his students to heal. The book of Luke records that after Jesus instructed his disciples “…he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick” (Luke 9:2). Class instruction is a modern day preparation course for healing the sick through the power of God and learning to share truth with neighbors in an understanding way.
Some graduates are so inspired by what they learn in class that they leave previous careers and enter the full-time practice of Christian Science—a public ministry of healing others through prayer. Devoted practitioners find their work richly rewarding. It allows them to serve God with their whole heart, heal their neighbors of suffering, make the world a better place and support their families all at the same time.
Class instruction is a colossal opportunity to grow in spiritual understanding that blesses all endeavors. People read books, attend seminars, and take courses to become better mothers and fathers, teachers, mechanics, programmers and writers. Christian Science class instruction provides education that prepares people to be healers in every line of work and in every type of situation. It equips students to do the most important work of all—to understand God, love their neighbor unselfishly, pray for solutions and find them, and to walk the path to heaven.
The benefits of class instruction extend throughout a lifetime. They improve the individual and every activity that person’s thought rests upon—their family, work, community, state of health, happiness, and outlook on life. Class instruction increases a student’s spiritual mindedness and awareness of God. Inspired ideas taught in class have eternal consequences.
The Bible instructs, “With all thy getting, get understanding” (Pro. 4:7). Class instruction gives one an opportunity to get the understanding they need to demonstrate the healing power of God, overthrow the lies of evil, and heal the sick.
If you’re looking for a teacher to take class with, you can search through a directory of teachers at the back of a Christian Science Journal or online at www.jsh-online.com. I am one of those teachers, and will hold my next class July 27 – August 7, 2014.
Dear Evan
This is so true – I finished class only just last week. It has served to reposition the basis of my thought to focus ever so much more clearly on the Truth of being! It was like opening up an infinity of never before seen currently and ever available good! I find it difficult to find words to describe the calm at the centre of my thought now.
If anyone feels it is the right time for them to do class, then the way will be opened and the right teacher will be found.
It is such a wonderful experience. I am very grateful for the provision for class instruction. As always, I am also grateful for your timely and relevant blogs.
Blessings
Kate
Evan, could you elaborate on: “Am I willing to sacrifice selfish wants to participate more?” I’m not sure I understand selfish wants in relation to taking class instruction. What a wonderful blog. What you don’t mention in this blog is the provision for the annual association meeting which for me is like a lifeline. Could you write about that also?
Much love and appreciation to you
Selfish wants would be activities that get in the way of taking class that really aren’t that important, compared to learning about God, but feel more important at the time. For instance, sunbathing on the beach in the belief that you needed the “rest,” not understanding that the rest gained from spiritual growth is far more peaceful….
Ha! That may have been YOU were thinking when you wrote that, but when I read this it meant something different to me. In the chapter of “Christian Science Practice” in Science and Health, the first few pages contrast Simon’s (the Pharisee) attitude towards Jesus with that of Mary Magdalene. To me Mary Baker Eddy is warning us through these pages NOT to think C.S. practice is a means of getting our selfish material wants and desires. So even though you may have not been thinking along those lines when you wrote that sentence, could it be that God speaking through you via this wonderful blog was communicating the fact that class instruction should not be entered into by people only hoping to use it to GET things? But rather the desire of the student should be towards gaining a better understanding so they can GIVE to others…as you explicitly stated in other parts of this blog. (From a person who learned this lesson the hard way…I too was very young when I took class and in retrospect I may have entered into it partly (certainly not entirely) from selfish motives…but over time I’ve learned better and that awakening was no doubt due to what I learned in class. So even if the student’s motives are not entirely pure, class instruction will help to purify them!)
Excellent point Brian! What you explain is right on, and another way to view the same truth. Very good! Thanks for pointing that out.
Thank You Evan…I love your explaniation it is a wonderful reminder of all the benefits I sought calss instruction many years ago and it was the best experience. I would love the Mother Church to allow a refresher course. My Teacher is gone and my Asssociation is a far distance away. I do attend occassionally my class and definately I take the opportunity to attend as a guest another teacher’s class but I need to zero in on some of the subjects you mentioned in you wonderful description.of Class Instruction. Maybe you have some advise for me and others. Love to You for all your work.
Thanks for the comment, Barbara, I echo your desire to take a refresher class. The total immersion Class provides is different than revisiting old notes made 40+ years ago when my understanding was at a different point. I wouldn’t want to take the place of a new student, but auditing Class maybe?
Class instruction is a wonderful experience and yearly Association meetings continue the fulfillment experience. Now that I am unable to take part in the yearly Association I still feel the connection with my teacher and class and the new things I still learn every day.. Thank you Evan, for your enthusiasm and all you do for the Christian Science movement.
I am home bound with 24/7 Nurse Aide help and because of being in this condition for at least 5 years, my son bought me an I-PAD and taught me how to use it. Since I’ve acquired a subscription to the JSH-ONLINE and have really gotten to understand more of C/S now than when I came into it back in 1962. If it is all possible to have class instruction given at home? I believe that I have fallen in the first qualification that I love all the ideas that C/S brings to thought. I am just asking anyone out there if home instruction is possible?
Well done! Thank you so much for today’s blog. It was so simply and clearly written and, I am sure it will reach many receptive hearts because it is just what they need to hear:)
Like Barbara and Carolyn B, I took Class over thirty years ago when I was quite young. Although my practice of CS benefited greatly from the experience and from attending the subsequent association meetings, I also feel the need to spend another two weeks immersed in guided study and prayer. I wonder what the reasons are behind allowing for only one primary class and one teacher?
Drew
Hi Drew,
Taking class is like going to college and getting a degree. You graduate with a degree and then build the rest of your life on what you’ve gained. You don’t go back and redo the degree. You can take continuing education, however, and that’s what Association meetings are for.
Thanks Evan, I understand the concept. Perhaps Association meetings should be increased from one day to fourteen 🙂
Kind regards,
Drew
Hi Evan,
Thank YOU very much for this lesson regarding the benefits of Christian Science Class Instruction. I joined in on your January 27th Webinar … wonderful lecture using this new technology. Would you ever try using the Webinar technology idea for Class Instruction ?
Thank you Evan !!
Bonnie
Well, it’s an idea to consider. It has its pros and cons…
To those who had class years ago.
I felt the same need, after many decades, grandchildren grown, widowed twice, living in a totally different way and time. Well, I asked my heavenly Father why I should not have this orderly teaching again. I left it in His hands.
Shortly after, I visited our Reading Room, and there was a carton on the floor with some older used books. I saw that I already had them, and that the box had been thoroughly picked over. There was one very old book that no one had taken, and I picked it up to see what it was, and why it was still there. Well, I surmise that no one recognized the author. It was a well known teacher’s works from the early days of Christian Science, who played a major role and was taught in the Massachusetts Metaphysical college, and whose diploma was signed by Mary Baker Eddy. It included the complete work on class. I learned a lot, and was challenged on points I wasn’t ready to contemplate in my youth. The point here is not to find an old book, it is to ask your dear Father, and leave it with him.
After I took class instruction, I was inspired (actually, strongly directed), to change careers, and go into the Christian Science Nursing ministry. I am so grateful for class instruction! Can’t imagine my life without this rich ministry!
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