Are you sure?
This bookmark will be removed from all folders and any saved notes will be permanently removed.
Designed to teach the nature of God
For the lesson titled "Doctrine of Atonement" from April 9-15, 2012
Even though the word doctrine simply means “something that is taught,” it might be tempting to wonder whether it’s really worthwhile to learn a doctrine, whether religious or political. Looking at it from a different angle, however, what we learn determines much of what we are and what we do. Learning of our inseparability from God equips us to follow Christ Jesus and to heal the sick through spiritual understanding. This week’s Bible Lesson, “Doctrine of Atonement,” is designed to teach the nature of God as Principle, Mind, Soul, Spirit, Life, Truth, and Love—with one synonym for God highlighted in each of the seven sections—and the practical effect of this doctrine on health and morality.
The Lesson begins with this promise from Second John: “He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son” (1:9, Golden Text). The New International Version translates it this way: “Whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.” This continuity is beautifully illustrated by the metaphor of the vine, the “husbandman” or gardener, the branches and their fruit (see John 15:1–5, 8, 9, Responsive Reading). With it, Jesus gives a plan for continuous growth.
The Bible references in the Lesson are drawn from both the Old and New Testaments, and a number of New Testament citations are by, or about, the Apostle Paul. Science and Health provides a concise summary of his career (see p. 324, cit. 17); its nexus, Paul’s encounter with Christ on the Damascus road, anchors the center section (see Acts 9, cit. 13). At the beginning of the account, Saul (later, Paul) is acting as an agent for the Sanhedrin, or Jewish Council, arresting “disciples of the Lord,” even outside Palestine. Overpowered by “a light from heaven,” Saul’s mission is first disrupted, and then redirected into Christ’s channels. Saul’s healer in his hour of need was Ananias—his name means “whom Jehovah has graciously given”—who later tradition recalled as a martyr.
Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.
April 9, 2012 issue
View Issue-
Letters
Yvonne Renoult, Lorelei de la Reza, Barbara Corbett, Bonnie Butler
-
Let's see some ID
Jeff Ward-Bailey, Staff Editor
-
College fun minus the alcohol
Katie Landeck
-
You are God's song
Ruth Geyer
-
Your identity: God-defined
Ginny Luedeman
-
Who are you, really?
Annette Kreutziger-Herr
-
Lost and found
Matthew Udeochu
-
You are not a number
Taylor Blakely
-
'That's the way I am'
Willy van Koten
-
Unable to send
Allison Demarkles
-
Spiritual safety on and off the slopes
Pollyann Winslow
-
'Take a step back' and ask God
Collin Faunt
-
Stop sign
Shirin Felfeli
-
Christ in my heart
Hayden
-
Church-related healings
Sarah Gall, Susan Sherwood, Charlene Anne Miller
-
Meeting God again and again
Kim Shippey, Senior Editor
-
'I wanted to learn more'
Penny Witney
-
For Syria, prayers that bring peace
Lynne Buckley-Quirk
-
Designed to teach the nature of God
Michael Hamilton
-
Burned hand quickly healed
Radine Trees Nehring
-
'Unfallen'
Rosemary Deary
-
Healed of conjunctivitis
Fabiola Calle