Editorial June 3, 1911 Issue

THE STUDY OF THE LESSON-SERMON

Archibald McLellan

Christian Scientists have found that regular and systematic study of the Bible and Science and Health is essential to the understanding and consequent demonstration of Christian Science, and as an aid to this study the Lesson-Sermons have proved to be of great value. A question which seems to puzzle many students, however, is just how much time should be given each day this search for "the deep things of God." Some have felt that they got more out of the Lesson by the thorough study of one section each day, others are equally sure that a daily study of the entire Lesson is more profitable.

We have frequently been pressed to give opinion of these views through the Sentinel, as to which is right, and we frankly say that to our thinking this is a question on which an arbitrary ruling cannot and in fact should not be made, as it is so clearly an individual problem. Perhaps the best solution that can be offered is to advise each student to decide for himself whether he will study one sixth or one half or all of the Lesson each day, assuming that he will soon learn from experience how much he can take in and assimilate in the time at his disposal.

We have only to look back to our schooldays to recall how some pupils learned their lessons quite easily, while others found the same lessons very difficult; and again that some seemed able substantially to understand a lesson at one reading, and others failed to grasp its intent until they had given it the most earnest study. Would it be reasonable, under such conditions, to lay down the rule that each of these scholars should study the lesson in exactly the same way and devote exactly the same time to it? Would it not be much more sensible to allow each one to pursue the method which he had found best adapted to his needs? The same line of reasoning may well be applied to the study of the Lesson-Sermon.

Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.

Send a comment to the editors
NEXT IN THIS ISSUE
Editorial
THE GOLDEN RULE
June 3, 1911
Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit