Church Resources
We’re introducing Christian Science to young adults. Below are some ideas for churches to welcome and support them.
Discussion Groups
30-45 minute discussion groups held after Sunday or Wednesday church services provide young people with the opportunity to discuss and apply the Bible Lesson, as well as the opportunity to ask questions about Christian Science in a low-pressure, friendly setting. Questions to lead discussion could be along the lines of “What stood out from the Bible Lesson this week?” or “How can I apply this to a challenge that I’m facing?” Insights and questions can be shared over light refreshments.
Young Adult Committees
Young adults in a congregation may appreciate the opportunity to sit on a young adult committee. This especially allows those leaving Sunday School the opportunity to continue to be engaged in church. The young adult committee is led by young adults, and can take a variety of expressions. From planning social activities to marketing their branch church online, young people can participate in a variety of ways as they see fulfills their needs.
Care Circles
Care Circles are groups of 3-5 members who commit to checking in on each other in Love. They might share a weekly Bible study, meet for a meal, or just drop a quick text among each other. This allows for shared prayer to meet a challenge, the growth of friendship, and the development of community.
Greeter
A designated greeter, especially someone familiar with this course, can welcome young people into the church family. A friendly face for a first-timer who is able to answer questions and provide more information about Christian Science can ensure that young people return on Sunday and Wednesday.
Reading Rooms
While the reading room has served as the public face of Christian Science for decades, it can be utilized in the digital age as a place of study and work. Several evenings per month could be dedicated to creating a co-working space in the reading room for students and young professionals to meet and work together in a quiet, peaceful atmosphere, supported by the principles of Christian Science. Light refreshments and a short discussion or testimony group can be provided.
Being is a short, three-week course composed of daily reflections including Bible verses and quotes from Mary Baker Eddy’s writings. We are seeking to provide a resource to young adults seeking spiritual truth, enriching their lives through Christian Science. A church locator and information about Christian Science practitioners is also included in the course, and we hope that interested young adults will step into a local branch church. As you implement the ideas above, we hope that your community is strengthened and abounds in Love.
A quick note: The seekers being reached through Being are often coming from religious backgrounds where "Spirit" and "Experience" are the priority. Many are in the process of discovering the logic of Christian Science while still utilizing medical care.
To bridge this gap, we ask that our partner churches practice a "Patient Love." Our goal is to offer them a higher sense of Life, not to monitor their current choices. Please ensure your environment is one of invitation to experience Christian Science without pressure to renounce medical care. Let us be a community where the "Science of Being" is proven through our compassion for where a seeker stands today, rather than where we think they should be tomorrow.