In the Christian Science Bible Lesson November 19, 2012 Issue

Starting right

For the Lesson titled "God the Only Cause and Creator" from November 26 - December 2, 2012

Nancy Fischer—Allen, Texas

“To begin rightly is to end rightly.” The essence of this week’s Bible Lesson, titled “God the Only Cause and Creator,” is captured in this statement from Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy (p. 262, citation 24). When one turns wholeheartedly to God (defined throughout the Lesson as “good”) and understands Him as the first and only cause of everything real, one has begun rightly. The effect will always be progress—increased freedom, safety, health, harmony, and joy.

Because next week's Kids' issue won't include this column, we're providing two in this issue.

The Lesson opens with passages in the Golden Text, Responsive Reading, and Section I joyously affirming and praising God as the creator of all, of heaven and earth and everything therein. Rather than indicating a mortal time frame for God’s creation, Science and Health clarifies the Genesis 1:1 phrase “In the beginning” thus: “This word beginning is employed to signify the only,—that is, the eternal verity and unity of God and man, including the universe” (p. 502, cit. 3). 