When In 1867 Mary Baker Eddy first began to take pupils to teach them the Science of Christ, she taught from the Scriptures and turned her students to them. She had been reared with a deep reverence for the Bible. There is no question that it was absolutely foundational to her personal spiritual growth and to her discovery of Christian Science. Her reliance on the Scriptures provided her with life-sustaining and fulfilling comfort, promise, inspiration, and essential spiritual education, both as a youth in a devout Congregational home and later as Founder of the Church of Christ, Scientist. She writes: "I have demonstrated through Mind the effects of Truth on the health, longevity, and morals of men; and I have found nothing in ancient or in modern systems on which to found my own, except the teachings and demonstrations of our great Master and the lives of prophets and apostles. The Bible has been my only authority." Science and Health, p. 126
It was natural that she establish a means for ensuring ongoing Bible study at the heart of the life of every student of Christian Science. Today, the Christian Science Quarterly Weekly Bible Lessons, whose topics she chose, fulfill a major role in helping anyone who studies them stay close to the Bible and explore its healing spiritual meaning. This series offers some brief notes on the evolution of these Lessons.
April 1883 Early inklings of what would evolve into the Quarterly are found in the first periodical Mrs. Eddy founded—first called the Journal of Christian Science (in 1883) and later (in 1885) The Christian Science Journal. Not long after beginning its publication, the Journal included "Bible Lessons" written by Mrs. Eddy.
