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Bible Lesson Study Tools

A Benediction Suggestion for this week's Lesson
by Mark Mohlenbrock

Is the Universe, Including Man, Evolved by Atomic Force?: June 12 - 18, 2023

"...Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. Let your kingdom come. Let your pleasure be done, as in heaven, so on earth."
— Matthew 6:9-10 (Our) New Living Translation

"May the glory of the Lord endure forever; may the Lord rejoice in his works— "
— Psalms 104:31 New Revised Standard Version

"The Lord is the Creator of heaven and earth, and I pray that the Lord will bless you…"
— Psalm 134:3 (to you) Contemporary English Version

Other Reader Resources:

Benediction Library - This Library is offered as an aid to Readers in Christian Science churches in selecting benedictions for church services. We invite you to submit your own favorite benedictions to the Library too! (update coming soon)

Desk Announcement Library - First Readers have shared creative, inspired and updated "desk" announcements here as a spring board for others. Share yours too.

Reader's Topical Library - This resource is a collection of citations and / or full text of Wednesday meeting readings arranged by topic - to be used for your own inspiration and/or study. It is not intended that these readings be re-read at a church service verbatim.

Back to Weekly Bible Lesson study resources for this week»

Some thoughts on benedictions:

Benediction —

"an expression or utterance of blessing or good wishes" Webster Unabridged.

"the short blessing pronounced by a clergyman with which public worship is concluded." Webster Unabridged

The benediction is not an admonition, nor a rehearsal of good, nor a reminder. It is — plain and simple — a blessing. "And God Almighty bless thee."

The benediction is the "sailing away" message. The boat is leaving the dock. The message of the Lesson and the admonition of both the Scientific Statement of Being and I John 3: 1-3 have been properly made. As the ship leaves it is a very short message that will be remembered. So the benediction should usually be short like, "Sail safely".

While it is traditional and quite to the point of God speaking, Christian Science benedictions do not have to come from the Bible. There is no such requirement in the Church Manual. Mrs. Eddy gave her own benedictions. One is found on in Miscellany [My 295: 21]. It is fitting, however, to conclude the service with God's word.

 
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