Christian Science is here to educate men, to educate men spiritually, and so enable them individually to demonstrate man's oneness with the Life and Mind that is God. Much of the system of spiritual education established by Mary Baker Eddy provides self-instruction for students through thoughtful study, in quiet hours, of the Bible and her inspired works. Provision is also made by her in the Manual of The Mother Church for class instruction. She there commands: "No member of this Church shall advise against class instruction" (Art. XXVII, Sect. 5).
Of class teaching and its purpose she writes in "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" (p. 241:) "Class teaching will not be abolished until it has accomplished that for which it was established; viz., the elucidation of the Principle and rule of Christian Science through the higher meaning of the Scriptures. Students who are ready for this step should beware the net that is craftily and cunningly concealed to prevent their advancement in this direction."
Class instruction is usually taken by a student of Christian Science after he has gained a demonstrable knowledge of the basic teachings of this Science, proved their practicality in daily life, and affiliated himself with The Mother Church and a branch organization. He feels led to go forward. Class instruction appears as the next logical step.
