Where to start?

[UserX]

This question almost sounds too simple but...If you don't know much about Christian Science but find the ideas interesting, what's a good way to learn more? Is reading Science and Health a good place to start? I guess it depends on the person, but I'd be interested to know other's thoughts on this.

[luke12]

Definitely, Mary Baker Eddy's book, Science and Health, is a great place to start, especially the first chapter on "Prayer." If you don't already have a copy, you can download one in "Publications" section of this site. There's also a weekly magazine you might want to check out - it's called "The Christian Science Sentinel" and includes articles and healing experiences by Christian Scientists relating how they're praying about challenges in their lives. There are some links to the Sentinel in the "Publications" section as well.

Have you ever visited a Christian Science Reading Room? They're part bookstore, part library and have all kinds of books and magazines on Christian Science. It's a good place to ask questions and explore ideas. You can usually find them in the yellow pages or on Google maps.

Hope this helps!

[Benoit]

I would definitively start with Science and Health, then I would go to the other books of Mrs Eddy. Eventually I would read some biographies like We knew Mary Baker Eddy and so on. A great book is Mary Baker Eddy, Christian Healer. It gives such a good view of how CS has been evolving.
I can say that the biographies have dranatically helped me to understand better Mary Baker Eddy's books.

[livinglightly]

Actually exploring this site and spirituality.com can also be great places to start. Testimonies of healing and articles provide inspiring messages. If you have the desire, you can't go wrong.

[Debbo]

I think a way to learn more would be to attend a Wednesday Evening Testimony meeting. I learn so much from others as they share testimonies of healing and how they apply the teachings from the Bible to their daily life.

[Susieee]

I would add that doing your best to practice what you already know is a big step toward learning more.

It's one thing to read, talk with and listen to others, but things really begin to hum for me when I ask myself, now how do I do that? For example, many times, as I'm reading, I'll stop and apply what I just read. That really brings it home.

[Benoit]

You've touched the point Susiee, we (and especially me) really need to apply more what we know. I like what MBE said once that what would we think of a musician who wouldjust learn music partitions but never play them!

[fetterless]

In addition to the ideas already shared, I would add 4 ideas:
- I -
Subscribe to the podcasts available at spirituality.com and TMCYouth and tfccs.com. and listen to them on the go.
- II -
I really enjoy having the 24-7 audio Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy on spirituality.com play in the background. Ideas just seem to pop out and cause me to stop and really think about them.
The whole of S&H is read in 26.5 hours. so if you want to listen to a Chapter again you can just note the time and make an appointment to listen in 26.5 hours. If you want to read Science and Health in about a day let the audio play and read along without stopping for distractions or detours. Of course resting with your eyes closed or sleeping will have to be postponed...;) until you have finished Fruitage.
- III -
Just considering the words Christian and Science will bring to light demonstrable understanding you didn't realize you had gained.
- IV -
Lastly, when you introduce or share Christian Science, you share the fruits of your study, you will also find out what you want to know more clearly. So sharing will encourage and guide your study. This is especially true when you share with children. They ask you great questions and you will have to -- you know... find the answer :D

[UserX]

Wow. lots of great ideas here. And it's cool that they're all so different from each other. I like having alot of options -- I could see any of these working depending on how you're feeling at the time or what you're dealing with. I really like the idea of taking a few things that stand out and putting them to use right away -- you're right, if you're not actually using what you're reading or hearing, what's the point? Also having the Science and Health audio going -- that's a good one -- never thought of that -- will have to try that soon. Maybe not for 26.5 hours, but it's an interesting challenge -- I just might try it sometime!

[jazzrascal]

I'm probably the "odd (wo)man out" here, but the first Christian Science book I ever read was "Unity of Good." I'm not saying you should read it first, of course, but here's how it happened for me: I was strolling through the Boston Common one day, and there was a Bookmobile table of Christian Science literature. They were giving away books, and I was too embarrassed to take the "big" one (Science and Health) so I took the little skinny one (Unity of Good). I never regretted it, because I had been a long-time seeker for the truth, and all I had to do was read a few pages to realize, "This is IT!"

My point here is that all things are individual, and a good thing to do is just ask God what to read, how to study, or whatever. Not that I asked God to lead me to "Unity of Good" but since He is always with us, He led me there anyway! :)

jazzrascal

[NancyJ]

The first time I attended a Sunday Service I felt God's presence in a way that I hadn't experienced in years. It was as if light entered into my soul, or awakened my soul where it had been dormant.
BUT, when the service was finished, I headed home, and that was basically it for awhile.

I think it's important, if you can, to supplement the service by attending Testimony meetings, and doing other things such as today I listened to a chat on the CS website, and learned a lot from people's questions.

By adding different means of learning about CS, it starts to build up your understanding, and it also is a means of support if you are new.

I also have been blessed by someone who patiently has answered my questions via email over the past year or two. That was a huge key, because I knew no question was too little. The person always answered with kindness, and patience.

So, my advice, from a newbie like myself, is to add a few things onto any one thing you may be focusing on, and you will see the difference.
Also, I was accustomed to listening to a homily in church, so it took awhile to not have that, yet the testimony meetings add that personal touch, and I find I'd rather attend a CS service now than what I was familiar with in my other church.

Hope this helps. :)
Nancy

[jade94553]

I really enjoy having the 24-7 audio Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy on spirituality.com

I can't find this on Spirituality.com. I am able to find the individual chats but not the reading of S&H. I can find 72 entries in the audio chat archive. Is it one of those entries?

[NancyJ]

To jazzrascal,

I've jumped around in my reading over the past year or two. The other day I borrowed 'Unity of Good' from the library again. (after seeing your post).

You really lucked out having it be your first book.:)

I think (IMO) it's the best book to start with. Many say start with Science and Health, and that's a good way to start, also, but I feel as though MBE is sitting across from me at the table telling me about herself, and CS with 'Unity of Good.' The foundation of CS is there, and what I liked the best was MBE speaking to the reader very personally and dearly.

Nancy