Bible Study from January 18th, 2020

A Tool in One Hand and a Sword in the Other

This week’s Lesson Sermon Subject: Life

Click here to play the audio as you read:

Also available on YouTube


Click here for the Bible_Study archive

Bible Study Questions and Readings

In all this there is a lesson for us Christian Scientists to heed. We have been in a bondage worse than that of the Jews to the Persian king. The walls of our Jerusalem — spiritual sense — have been in ruins, and we exposed to the attacks of our enemies, the lusts of the flesh. The Founder of Christian Science has brought to us the perfect Truth, and has called on us to rebuild our walls. The work of rebuilding, or regeneration, must first be done in ourselves. Then comes the rebuilding of the walls for all, — the preaching of the blessed gospel of Truth to every creature. While we rebuild our own walls through Truth, our enemies are partly willing to let the work go on; but as soon as we wish to branch out, and rebuild the wall of Truth about all their homes, then the people wish us to come down from the wall onto their level. But can we afford to do this anymore than Nehemiah could ? Can we afford to mingle with people on the plain of mortal mind, instead of keeping our place upon the solid foundation of the wall of Truth ? If they wish to make a treaty with us let them come up to our plane, but we cannot, must not go back, down to theirs.

“The Rebuilding, by Nehemiah, of The Wall of Jerusalem” from the, Christian Science Journal, September 1889, By Annie F. Colt, C. S.

Topic:Nehemiah and God’s Governance, Part 2

Moderator:Mike from NY

Bible Readings: Nehemiah Chapters 1-13

Optional Bible Readings: Ezra Chapters 1-10

Questions:

  1. Who opposes Nehemiah in the rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem? (Nehemiah 2:10; 4:1-14; 5:1-7; 6:1-19; 7:1-5, 8:1-9:38; 13:7-31)
    1. What methods does the opposition use?
    2. How does Nehemiah overcome this opposition through the spiritual realm?
  2. Why was a special day set aside to read “the book of the law of Moses?”

Notes from the Discussion




Some of the consequences of the 1910 Directors’ circumventing of Mrs. Eddy’s design [of her church Manual] have not been widely considered. The centralization of power and authority has resulted not only in damage by well-meaning Scientists, but has also, perhaps, enabled hostile elements to infiltrate the headquarters and thereby damage the Movement which would have been almost impossible to do in the decentralized Movement which Mrs. Eddy intended.

— Excerpt from “Decentralization of Power” by Andrew Hartsook




Then answered I them, and said unto them, The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build: but ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem.

— From Nehemaih 3: 20 in the King James Bible




Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them.

— From Nehemaih 4: 9 in the King James Bible




During his night of gloom and glory in the garden, Jesus realized the utter error of a belief in any possible material intelligence. The pangs of neglect and the staves of bigoted ignorance smote him sorely. His students slept. He said unto them: “Could ye not watch with me one hour?” Could they not watch with him who, waiting and struggling in voiceless agony, held uncomplaining guard over a world? There was no response to that human yearning, and so Jesus turned forever away from earth to heaven, from sense to Soul.

— from Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, page 47




Prayerful watching is one of the most solem holiest tasks.

— from the Bible Study




Click on here for several articles on watching. — What is Watching?




And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle [is] the LORD’S, and he will give you into our hands.

— From 1 Samuel 17:47 in the King James Bible


The battle is against the wrong beliefs and Truth destroys these false beliefs.

— from the Bible Study




And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?.

— From Nehemaih 6: 3 in the King James Bible




A man convinced against his will Is of the same opinion still.

— Dale Carnegie


Know what you know and don’t move.

— from the Bible Study




10 Afterward I came unto the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah the son of Mehetabeel, who was shut up; and he said, Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us shut the doors of the temple: for they will come to slay thee; yea, in the night will they come to slay thee.

11 And I said, Should such a man as I flee? and who is there, that, being as I am, would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in.

12 And, lo, I perceived that God had not sent him; but that he pronounced this prophecy against me: for Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.

— From Nehemaih 6: 10 – 12 in the King James Bible




For they all made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done. Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.

— From Nehemaih 6: 9 in the King James Bible




It is what you live and understand not what you believe, belief can be shot down.

— from the Bible Study




Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

— From Ephesians 6: 10 in the King James Bible







Print this page


Share via email