Bible Study from November 7th, 2020
Achan and Living Quietly
This week’s Lesson Sermon Subject: Adam and Fallen Man
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Bible Study Questions and Readings
One of Mrs. Eddy’s students was very irritable over having to do so much domestic work. She said she did not have time for so much material work. Mrs. Eddy smiled and said, “I didn’t know there was any material work”.
from “Essays Ascribed to Mary Baker Eddy” in Essays and Other Footprints (the “Red Book”), by Mary Baker Eddy, page 72
After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them. And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers. And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.
— Acts 18: 1-4 from the King James Bible
After the noon meal, she (Mary Baker Eddy) took a drive that lasted about an hour. During that time all duties were done, including the physical work around the rooms in the home.
— from “The Daily Work at Pleasant View” Mary Baker Eddy, Her Spiritual Footsteps by Gilbert Carpenter
Topic: Achan and Living Quietly
Moderator: Thomas from NY
Bible Readings: 1 Thessalonians 4: 1-12 (living quietly); Joshua 5: 13-15, 6:1-27 (destruction of Jericho), 7:1-26 (destruction of Achan), 8:1-35 (destruction of the Ai); S&H Glossary, p.583, Children of Israel (Exodus 2:25) and p.589, Japhet (Genesis 9:27)
Questions:
- What was Joshua’s frame of mind? (Joshua 5: 13-15; 6: 27)
- What was Achan’s frame of mind?
- What does it mean to live quietly? (1 Thessalonians 4: 11)
Notes from the Discussion
Quiet: Still; being in a state of rest; now moving; free from alarm or disturbance; peaceable; not turbulent; not giving offense; not exciting controversy, disorder or trouble; mild; meek; contented. Calm; not agitated by wind; as a quiet sea or atmosphere; unruffled. Undisturbed; not crying; not restless.
— From 1828 Webster’s Dictionary
Matthew Henry said Joshua was “…fearless of danger, because sure of the divine protection.” There he was (some think) meditating and praying; and to those who are so employed God often graciously manifests himself. Or perhaps there he was to take a view of the city, to observe its fortifications, and contrive how to attack it; and perhaps he was at a loss within himself how to make his approaches, when God came and directed him. Note, God will help those that help themselves. … The law succors those who watch, not those who sleep.
— From Matthew Henry Complete Bible Commentary
Self-ignorance, self-will, self-righteousness, lust, covetousness, envy, revenge, are foes to grace, peace, and progress; they must be met manfully and overcome, or they will uproot all happiness. Be of good cheer; the warfare with one’s self is grand; it gives one plenty of employment, and the divine Principle worketh with you, — and obedience crowns persistent effort with everlasting victory.
Article — “Obedience”, Miscellaneous Writings by Mary Baker Eddy, pages 116-120
Book — Mary Baker Eddy, Her Spiritual Footsteps by Gilbert Carpenter
Article — “Improve Your Time”, Miscellaneous Writings by Mary Baker Eddy
“PRAY WITHOUT CEASING” (I Thess. 5:17) Once a story appeared in the Christian Science Monitor that illustrates this point. A group of ministers were discussing the text, “pray without ceasing.” The maid in the home overheard the talk and said to her employer, that to her, that text was one of the easiest and best in the Bible. The old minister said, “Well, well. What can you say about it, Mary? Can you pray all the time, when you have so many things to do?” “Yes,” said the girl, “when I begin to work, I pray that I may have strength equal to my day; when I kindle the fire, I pray that God’s work may revive my heart; as I begin to sweep out the house, I pray that my heart may be cleaned from all its impurities; when I am preparing and partaking of the breakfast, I desire to be fed with the sincere milk of the Word.” “Go on,” said the minister, “Pray without ceasing.”
— from Mary Baker Eddy, Her Spiritual Precepts by Gilbert Carpenter
— Hymn 49 from the Christian Science Hymnal
And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;
That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing
— 1 Thessalonians 4: 11-12
So, when day grows dark and cold,
Tear or triumph harms,
Lead Thy lambkins to the fold,
Take them in Thine arms;
Feed the hungry, heal the heart,
Till the morning’s beam;
White as wool, ere they depart,
Shepherd, wash them clean.
— Hymn 304 from the Christian Science Hymnal The words to this hymn were written by Mary Baker Eddy