"Who's your teacher?"

To derive the maximum good from Primary class instruction in Christian Science, we need to go beyond human personalities, human reasoning, and human "styles." There's so much more to teacher selection than asking someone else, "Who's your teacher?" or merely getting in touch with one of the more than two hundred individuals so authorized and listed in the Journal.

The new spiritual growth that class instruction initiates is the result of the action of Truth on the errors of belief— not of the personal influence of one human being on another. Christ Jesus recognized this. He told his disciples, whom he had taught for three years (imagine what his teaching must have been like!), that he would have to leave them before the full impact of his words and example could be felt in their hearts. He said, "It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you." It was this Comforter, which he defined as "the Spirit of truth," and not the man they perceived through the physical senses, that would "guide [them] into all truth."
John 16:7, 13 . The Master knew that all truth and understanding come from God, who is Truth itself. Learning based on the spiritual apprehension of God's nature and presence is far more effective than that based on the pronouncements of mere human beings, no matter how well informed or eloquent. And we must each make our own demonstration of what it means to be the child of God.

Mrs. Eddy, who has provided for class instruction through the Church she founded, recognized that human teachers are needed. And yet throughout her writing she speaks out strongly against all forms of personality worship. So it's not surprising that she protects both pupils and teachers with this important requirement in the Manual of The Mother Church: "The pupils shall be guided by the BIBLE, and SCIENCE AND HEALTH, not by their teachers' personal views."
Man., Art. XXVI, Sect. 6 . How important it is to adhere strictly to this By-Law! Personal influence works directly against the goals of class instruction.

Here are some common considerations that require careful attention and prayer when looking for a teacher:

A teacher's relative visibility on the human scene or in the Christian Science movement, or reputation as a certain kind of teacher, does not actually bear on his or her suitability as your teacher. There are many excellent but littleknown teachers, quietly busy in the healing practice of Christian Science, who are fully capable of imparting a precious sense of what it takes to be a Christian Scientist and an effective healer.

You need to be willing to consider going anywhere for the sake of your spiritual growth and also willing to take class from one of the teachers available in your own locality. But, of course, you will not want to select a teacher on the basis of the opportunities for vacation or business offered by the city where the class or association is held. Nor will you want to accept as an insurmountable obstacle the cost of travel and lodging for the requisite two weeks. A right idea comes with its own "funding." In other words, God doesn't answer just part of our prayer but gives us all we need in order to accomplish His will.

Whether friends or other members of your family have received instruction from the teacher in question should not be a primary deciding factor. Each pupil's relationship with the teacher is individual and should remain private. Class is an occasion for demonstrating independence from fleshly ties and the unique relationship each one has with his real, one and only Father-Mother, God.

Sometimes teacher and prospective pupil are already personal friends. In this case it becomes especially important to screen out the human factors that could misguide. You may be tempted to reason that your friendship will give you an edge over others, allow you to learn more, or get you special favors. But complete honesty will not allow teacher or pupil to be swayed by such suggestions. When these are conscientiously eliminated as factors in the decision, such a relationship will not be apt to interfere with the goals of class instruction. In fact, class can expand the spiritual dimensions of the friendship.

So what should you look for in a teacher? While there's no formula, the goal of getting to know the Bible and Science and Health better — catching more of their radical vision and practical insights—points the way. Quiet, prayerful listening to God will lead you to seek out those who can best help you accomplish that goal. Remember that spiritual requirements also apply to the teacher's selection of a pupil. 

As guidance comes, there are some simple, practical steps you can take. First, get in touch with the teacher and express your interest in having class instruction. The teacher will probably make arrangements to talk further, over the phone, in person, or through an exchange of correspondence.

Then you may want to request an application for class and, later, an interview can be arranged. Both you and the teacher can discover some important things about each other just from the application form. Even before you complete the form a further interview may be in order, and this can be arranged. These steps provide a time for further listening for God's guidance. Sometimes the outcome is that you do not take class instruction from this teacher. This is not a sign of failure! Each step one takes in seeking divine inspiration and attempting to apply it to his activities blesses him. Some pupils have communicated with several teachers before a final affirmative decision by applicant and teacher was made. If this is your course, use every opportunity to become better acquainted with God's voice speaking to your consciousness. It's an important part of what it takes to be a good pupil.

Yet what if one has already made a selection, and it seems to have been a mistake? Since one takes class instruction only once, is there no hope for spiritual progress in such a case? In Science and Health Mrs. Eddy gives us this supporting truth: "The student, who receives his knowledge of Christian Science, or metaphysical healing, from a human teacher, may be mistaken in judgment and demonstration, but God cannot mistake."
Science and Health, p. 455 .

Regardless of what may have happened in the past, nothing can ever cut us off from God's ever-available love and help. What we need to do is to make a heartfelt change in our thought, bringing it into line with the divine will, and confidently expect that the proper adjustments will come. We can resolve to go back to the basic teacher we were given in the first place, the Bible and  Science and Health, and seek the spiritual truths we need. It may also be necessary to make adjustments in the way we think about and deal with our human teacher. This may even involve having a frank talk with the teacher to identify and resolve problems.

Divine Truth, or Mind, is the source of all understanding. As the master Teacher, Christ Jesus, told his disciples: "It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me."
John 6:45 . A human teacher's experiences and understanding can indeed be helpful, but the individually selected readings in the Bible and Mrs. Eddy's writings that are given as part of class instruction by all teachers are God-given revelation, constituting the basic truths of Christian Science. And although the two weeks of classes are precious, learning does not begin there, and it must not stop there. What a joy it is to know that each time we return to a deep and systematic study of these readings, we in a sense take class all over again!

Having Primary class instruction in Christian Science is an important milestone in one's spiritual progress. Such instruction helps guide the receptive consciousness into the light of the absolute truth of God and man. This concentrated focus on divine reality sets the receptive individual on a lifetime course of spiritual development and regeneration.

Proverbs 2:6-8, 21