class instruction

[laura!]

I think that class intruction has a certain relation to church and I thought we could get a discussion going about class instruction.
After reading the article "Nothing can stop spiritual education" on this website, I now have new questions.
I have always questioned when the right time to take class instruction is. In the article the author mentioned not to be limited by a "resistance to class instruction." I do not think this is a limiting question because I think there truely is a right time and place and teacher for every person willing and wanting to take Christian Science class instruction. So how do you know?
Does anyone have any thoughts on this topic? Thanks!

[AVERT303]

Hi Laura(!),

Golly, I think you're right. There is always a right time. And I think the author of the article you were speaking of was right, too, in that we can't be stopped, or limited by, an imposing resistance to taking class instruction.

When I started to seriously consider taking class instruction it took about a year for it to come together (and the timing is indeed different for everyone) . But when the right answer cam, I knew. And there's no way to describe how I knew, except there were no doubts in my thought. It was apparent, "This is it — EUREKA!"

I recommend, though, when watching for the next step, hold the idea close as when something is precious, and avoid soliciting lots of opinions or advice on the topic. It will "blossom" when it needs to, but it does so by leaning wholly on God and Her work, Her thoughts. When the right idea arrives it's goodness is amazingly apparent.
:)

[David B]

I haven't taken class yet, but I've been thinking about it a lot recently. A few weeks ago, I called a teacher who lives in the Boston area (where I'm living this summer) to talk to him about it. I've heard from various people the same old, "Oh, you'll know when you've found the right teacher, it'll just be right, etc., etc."

Not to make a mockery of it, it's good advice. But, sometimes that still leaves me wondering when is the right time, who's the right person and will it work out in my schedule. Now, this teacher I was talking with said an interesting point that correlates well with the typical advice I've heard in the past, but puts a different twist to it. He told me that the teacher I will eventually have is praying right now to know that you will be in your right spot.

That brought a whole new perspective. It's not I nor is it the teacher who must wait and guess whether it's the right time, place, situation, etc., but that it's ultimately prayer and God that will show the way. The prayer that I do and the prayer that my future teacher is doing will open the way, and it will just unfold so naturally. So, it shouldn't feel like a chore to find a teacher or to figure out whether we are ready, but rather it should happen at the right moment--a time that you will know about as you pray.

[mainegirl]

It's been so helpful to read this thread, as I have been giving Class a lot of thought the past year or so. One thing I was hung up on for a while was the daunting task of finding the right teacher, as well as whether or not I was "ready" for class. In talking to several different teachers on the phone, I received some really helpful ideas...

First, the fact that Mrs. Eddy called it "Primary Class," primary meaning elementary, or the basics. To this teacher, simply showing the desire to take class is an indication that the student IS ready! Also, it's important to find a teacher who really speaks to your own spiritual sense. For example, in reading articles in the periodicals, if articles by the same teacher continually jump off the page, that's a good sign that this person may be the teacher for you.

Even though I haven't yet "found" my teacher, I feel much more at peace about the whole process. I really am beginning to trust that God is unfolding it right before my eyes and all I need to do is continue to trust and be patient!

I really like what Spiffie said about my future teacher praying for me to be in the right spot...it's such a great reminder to know that "All things work together for good to them that love God."

[Inge]

Hi All!!

Just wanted to chime in that the video from the panel on Class Instruction from the summit is very good and talks about a lot of the questions people have thrown out in thi s discussion. One of the things that really stood out to me was that Class Instruction is always about you and your relationship with God, and there is no human mediator between that. And as it's about your relationship with God, certainly that relationship is already intact and can't be changed or broken by some sort of human mediation like finding a teacher.

But I can't do justice to the video, so check it out.

[NottingHill]

I took class instruction right after graduation from university. Taking class shortly after graduating from Sunday School was a logical step for me. Remember it's called "Primary" class instruction - it's intended as a foundation for your life as a student of Christian Science. A good way to prepare for class is to review Mary Baker Eddy's sections on class in the Church Manual (Articles XXVI & XXVII).

[zjgreen3]

I wanted to take class for a number of years before I actually did. In last weeks lesson we read that "patience must have her perfect work" and does it ever! I felt so pressured to take class for a while - like I was missing out on something if I didn't do it RIGHT NOW! Then I was reading through something (can't remember what it was) but it had to do with someone years ago who was a great healer in his community, and he never took class instruction. He felt like everything he had in the Bible and Mrs. Eddy's writings were sufficient to "teach" him all he needed. Of course he's right, as we know if we were in a situation where we couldn't physically have class instruction that doesn't mean we couldn't be a great healer, or have great spiritual growth, etc. I'm not in any way saying that class instruction isn't important, because Mrs. Eddy established it for a reason. However, reading about that man took a lot of the pressure off for me. I realized I had everything I needed right then, with or without class instruction, and that I could be patient that when it was right for me the right teacher and opportunity would present itself. And, of course it did. And I am so glad I waited until then. I had the opportunity 2 other times with different teachers than the one I ended up with, but they didn't seem right, for different reasons - it was a little nagging inside that was telling me "no - not right" (I suppose that's what angel messages are like for me sometimes! :)) Not that the teachers weren't great, they just didn't seem right in my heart for me. When the teacher I ended up with came along, I knew without a doubt that he was the right teacher for me!

Don't worry about rushing it. You have all you need right now, always. You can trust that! My grandmother always told me, "Class instruction is kindergarten if that's where you are in your understanding, secondary school if that's where you are, and college if that's where you are." You get the picture! It meets you where you are, and you will know that it is right - just listen for those angels, and let "patience have her perfect work."

Julie

[Aupps82]

Why is the forum blocking the *** in cl***? That's just rediculous.
Cl*** instruction was amazing for me. I was lucky and found a teach how shares the same thoughts and ideas I have about the church and the religion (since we know they are 2 different things). You just have to interview till you find the right one.

[Ariana]

Yeah. Thats weird. We'll look into that. It seems to have just started doing that. Thanks for pointing it out!

[Brant]

Okay, we can all say "class" as much as we want now - just nothing about "class warfare". "Class instruction" is great though, keep the ideas flowing.

[Ariana]

Brant--You're our hero. Now everything is right in the world again. Conversations can happen freely.

You being in China is really working out well! This just goes to show that we DO need to have TMC Youth satellite offices all around the world!

[Salvia]

I have a question for all of you class-instructed Scientists. Does it feel any different after you have taken class? Do you feel more in tune with God? What's it feel like to have a higher understanding?

[zjgreen3]

I have a question for all of you class-instructed Scientists. Does it feel any different after you have taken class? Do you feel more in tune with God? What's it feel like to have a higher understanding?
Yes, in my experience I have felt closer to God since class instruction. I think no matter what the situation is - be it class instruction, a great lecture, a good talk with a practitioner - any time we are growing in our relationship with God we inevitably feel closer to Him, because those clouds of material sense are slowly evaporating. I'm sure you've had an experience where you've felt growth in your relationship with God, even if in just a small way. Well, multiply that by millions - that's how class instruction felt to me! And I'm sure that was Mrs. Eddy's intention when she made the provision for it.

[russel]

I think there is something to the fact that class instruction is so ambiguous, and that's that those who have had it, understand the uniqueness of its place in the study of Christian Science. It is important, it is beneficial, and it is provided for in the Manual, so don't say, "I'm interested in Christian Science and I want to grow more in it, but I don't want to go through class--it's not for me." DO take class instruction.

To answer Salvia's question, I did not feel flood-tides of emotion during or directly after class. This kind of concerned me because I had heard so many stories of people having massive breakthroughs during class resulting in healings and all kinds of crazy things. But what I found was that it has had a lasting impact on how I pray and how I understand the Bible, Science and Health, and the world around me. I can tell you one thing, being in "the club" broadens your horizons and presents you with more tools to work more effectively, but it does not constitute a complete and full understanding of all the Christian Science has to offer. So much larger are the horizons now that I couldn't begin to tell you what you will gain most through the process.

Remember that your teacher is important, but only as important as any other teacher. There is the opportunity to have a very rewarding and lasting communication with your teacher, but Science and Health is the teacher, not the person standing up in front of you. If you walk into class ready to dig into the textbook and look past personality and teaching style, you will not be disappointed. Don't think that "the right teacher" is anything more than a facilitation to the Truth. For "neither life, nor death, nor angels, nor principalities,...[nor teachers]...shal be able to separate us from the love of God."

And go forward with joy and love being encouraged that "all things work together for good to them that love God"!!!

[rogerg]

Though I definitely wish to take class instruction sometime soon, I am almost positive that Mary Baker Eddy once said that not everyone needed to take it. Yes, it is provided for in the Manual, and it sounds wonderful, but not all the serious Christian Scientists in her day went through class instruction--I think. Most did, but she realized that some people simply didn't need it; they already were spiritually advanced, or whatever reason you want to give. Don't get me wrong--I can't WAIT to take class instruction--but I just wanted to add that piece of information to the discussion because I think it's interesting and useful to know. I wish I could provide evidence that Eddy did say that, but I've only overheard someone else say that to me--my guess is that it's in a new booklet called "Advice To Healers," but I can't say for sure. I trust my source, but there's always the possibility that I'm totally wrong and she never said any such thing.

[bronwen]

Hey Roger,

I think this may be what you are thinking of:

"Again, it is not absolutely requisite for some people to be taught in a class, for they can learn by spiritual growth and by the study of what is written."

This is in Miscellaneous Writings on p. 317.

[rogerg]

Thanks, Bronwen!

[Adedeh]

Having class is something that has to be a self decision, you have to initiate the process yourself when you feel that you now NEED it. By this i mean that, when you feel you need to rise a few steps higher in your practice of the Law of God is the right time to have class.

I compare class instruction with a child who is in primary school, the level to which they can tackle mathematical problems is limited hence they are just given simple sums to deal with. As they rise higher the education ladders more techniques are added into their repertoire of knowledge. One thing they have to learn before anything else is BODMAS ( Bracket Of Division Multiplication Addition and Subtraction) with this tool one is able to handle now any sum that may come their way. One thing to note here is that being in a position to understand BODMAS do not necessarily mean that you will get all sums right unless you follow the already laid down mathematical rules in solving problems, as Mrs. Eddy puts it, the rule is already laid down, we only need to prove it! This is where class instruction comes in for it grounds one in the rules and the practice of Christian Healing. One rises from being unable to apprehend the higher Truth to being a Practitioner at all times, being of good to ourselves and to others. You cannot heal others if you can not heal yourself. Going through Class Instruction actually helped me to know and understand a myriad of ways through which i can be a better Practitioner and how to come into collision head on and overcome problems/challenges that face us as the bearers of the torch of Truth in our respective communities,..........

Peace-Adedeh

[testdrive]

I have a question for all of you class-instructed Scientists. Does it feel any different after you have taken class? Do you feel more in tune with God? What's it feel like to have a higher understanding?

For me the biggest difference I noticed when I came away from class instruction was that I found myself questioning everything I saw, heard, read, thought, etc., and tested it against my new understanding of the truth. Asking, "What is spiritually true about this situation?"

I guess you really could call it being more in tune with God or perhaps more accurately better "tuning in" to God and hearing. Identifying what was true in every aspect and everyday experiences became a priority. With continued practice, the questioning and deciding comes more naturally and becomes "knowing the truth."

I might add that I do think the "idea" of taking class is the first step. The desire to pray about finding a teacher is evidence of your willingness. And you can trust God to open the way.

"Spirit, God, gathers unformed thoughts into their proper channels, and unfolds these thoughts, even as He opens the petals of a holy purpose in order that the purpose may appear." S&H 506:18

And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left. Isa. 30:21

Working and praying with true motives, your Father will open the way. S&H 326:18

[trevailrocks]

I took class when I was 19 years old, and I have never regreted it. Because of class, it has helped me to see what going on more clearly and how to tune to God when we need the supply/support.

Class Instruction has allowed and prepared me for what’s to come. Since I've had class, I've had my car stolen, gun pointed at me, and an accident that happened this summer that seemed deadly. Its because of Class, I'm able to really think about what my purpose is and to react to these situation. It’s because of class; I've known how to effectively give a CS treatment to any “trail of error"

What really rewarding is going to association every year, where a teacher will address and issue and have us pray about it during the year. Kind of like a theme. That’s really rewarding because it’s like class… having fun, learning and exploring new ideas, and being with your association!!

So my advice would be pray about your class that you want, be willing to listen and then follow your prayers! Don’t let anyone chose your teacher, you only get to take Class once and your teacher will be your best friend for ever!!

Love, Michael

[rach203]

Thanks to everyone who has posted on this thread. I've found this all very comforting and informative. I too have been thinking a great deal about taking class soon. I wanted to know though, how did everyone select their teachers? Did you interview them, read their articles and feel in sync with them, use them as a practitioner (if they were a pract.)...?

[trevailrocks]

Rach203!!!

Hey there.... there are so many ways to find the right teacher for you. Lots of the teachers write in the Christian Science Journal, they share there accounts on Sentinel Radio or there on Spirituality.com (Amysp.com... would be able to answer that really well) but any who people who are searching usually start praying about the idea of class and what they look for in there teacher.

The way I found mine, was when I was working at the youth camps in Colorado, I always had asked to have Wednesday or Sundays off. By that I started hearing healing that this lady (who my teacher) would tell everyone. When I started, I actually called someone else in St. Louis and was speaking to this person and for some reason it didn’t seem like the right fit. When I spoke to this person, this person said, "you usually don’t want to got through class with a teacher you don’t know/ or don’t feel comfortable with" she also said” this will be your teacher for your life". So through prayer, I was guided to call this person up and we started talking about the values of what class is and how I was to take that home with me.

There isn’t a right/wrong way of doing it. Prayer is the key though.

To help you, the Board of Education at The Mother Church has a link on this site that talks about Class. Please take a look at it. They are questions to ask a CSB, Christian Science Teacher.

http://www.tmcyouth.com/heal_instruction.php

Hope that helps.....

[rach203]

Thanks, Michael. That helps a lot. :)