In addition to its more obvious value as a guide for Sunday School teachers and superintendents, the Handbook has helped hundreds of other individual members throughout the world to better understand and support the vital work going on in the Sunday School. For some it has provided the skills and confidence to become Sunday School teachers without any previous experience. Others, not already in the Sunday School, have found it an incentive for greater individual study.
The Handbook was several years in the making, starting with a committee and finally emerging in its present form through the Department of Branches and Practitioners. Copies are available through the clerk of each church. Though interest has been primarily among Sunday School staffs, a number of branch churches have distributed copies to their entire memberships.
"All branches of The Mother Church want their Sunday Schools to progress," state The Christian Science Board of Directors in the foreword to the Handbook. "Many have requested some recommendations for Sunday School teachers and officers which may help them fulfill our Leader's vision for the Sunday School. Youth challenges us all to keep up with the times and to uplift the quality of teaching and administration, particularly in the areas of morale, techniques, and proof that Christian Science can be practically demonstrated by the pupil.
