Dear Friends, When reading the Old Testament, the original language was written in Hebrew. The New Testament was written originally in Greek. On page 24 of S&H, Mrs. Eddy tells us why we need to be familiar with the original language of the Scriptures and why we need to learn how to look up words in these original texts. From time to time, I will share with you some of the main words in the Lesson in Greek and Hebrew (The bold and underlines are mine in the following paragraph from page 24 in S&H are mine.)
Acquaintance with the original texts, and willingness to give up human beliefs (established by hierarchies, and instigated sometimes by the worst passions of men), open the way for Christian Science to be understood, and make the Bible the chart of life, where the buoys and healing currents of Truth are pointed out. (SH 24:4)
Word Study for the Lesson on Truth
Ps 119 The Way of Truth responsive reading
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Sometimes the Lesson has a theme that runs through it. For me, this week's Lesson is "way or path". Please know that you may see something totally different. Whatever makes sense and inspires you is the best way to think about it.
The Way: Jesus' followers were called the "followers of the Way' long before they were ever called Christians. That term is used 18 times in the Lesson. Path is also used. The terms 'lead' and 'teach' might be lesser themes.
Way: Greek is hodos: 3598
- The way
- A travelled road
- Journey
- Course of conduct
- A way or manner of thinking, feeling, deciding
- Progress
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Main themes: Golden Text: Lead, teach the truth to me
RR: “I have chosen the way of truth” through your statues, judgments, law, commandment, precepts
1st: Way of the Rock – Truth -- to find salvation
2: Way of salvation through Christ Jesus (the human herald of Christ Truth)
3: Way of distinguishing Truth vs. error
4: Way of Childlikeness
5: Way of Christ Truth brings – FREEDOM, physical and mental
6: Way of the Comforter or Divine Science
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Research on stories in the Lesson:
Research on the Nativity Story
Research on the Pool of Bethesda healing
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Slide Show for Healing of Bethesda: Cut and paste the link into your URL.
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FOR CHILDREN:
This link has a game for matching up Bible people to who they are. It is a free download, but you have to go to the link itself.
Bible Fact Cards is a way to teach main ideas about the Bible to small children. A couple of the cards are ones we would not use because of the theology, but most of them are really good. This is a free download, if you go to their home page. Here is the link:
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Hope some of these ideas are helpful to you!
With love,
Kathy Merrill