Article February 20, 1989 Issue

Primary class

A Biblical prophecy of both Old and New Testaments—that all of us would be taught of God—was well known to Mary Baker Eddy. This promise was fulfilled in all that she did, as can be seen readily in her own teaching and in the educational system she established for her Church. "Of this also rest assured," she wrote, "that books and teaching are but a ladder let down from the heaven of Truth and Love, upon which angelic thoughts ascend and descend, bearing on their pinions of light the Christ-spirit."^{Retrospection and Introspection, p. 85.}

Primary class instruction is a vital "ladder" for our spiritual progress. It lifts pupils to a higher understanding of God as well as enabling them to find an ever more practical way of following the Master, Christ Jesus. Class is of utmost importance to our spiritual progress and enduring joy.

Many ask, How will I know when I am ready for class instruction? There are really only two prerequisites which Mrs. Eddy has outlined in the Manual. She writes, "Christian Scientists who are teachers shall carefully select for pupils such only as have good past records and promising proclivities toward Christian Science."^{Man., Art. XXVI, Sect. 2.} Examining one's own record could lead an individual to ask, Is Christian Science becoming a way of life for me? Do my more recent hours record a desire to heal and to help mankind solve their problems through spiritual means?